HP 6960 Unable to Scan - Everything Else Works

[Thunderpuss]

Anyone who is out there with the same problem - Printer seems to work fine in every other sense, but the HP Smart software won't let you scan and says "Printer Status Unknown".  Uninstall and Reinstall the HP Smart app.  I wasted time with all those other recommended fixes - but this did the trick.   Good luck!

[Jay_G24]

Hi @Thunderpuss,

I'd like to help! 

Try the below suggestions-

1)Uninstall HP Smart 

2)Install all the available Windows updates

If it is been a while since you updated your Windows, that is the main reason why Windows says your HP printer driver is unavailable. Here are the steps how to do a Windows Update to install all accessible operating system update.

If you are accessing Windows 10, then these steps are for you.

1. Hit the Start menu and write an update. After that, click on the “Check for updates” option.
2. Tap on the “Check for updates” option.
3. After clicking on that option, Windows will install the updates automatically.
4. When Windows completes all its updates, start your computer again and attempt to print a file to check if your printer works.

3) try updating the printer's firmware - HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware 

4)Reinstall HP Smart

If the error persists, install theHP Easy Start (under the Software and Utility tab )and use HP Scan to scan a document 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

And, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

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