HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw Scanner Fails with "Failed to Open Connection" Error

[ndrewy3]

Issue Description:
My HP Color LaserJet Pro M281fdw, which has worked flawlessly for years on my home network via Ethernet (connected to a MacBook running macOS), suddenly stopped scanning. The error message states:
"Scanner reported an error. Failed to open a connection to the device."

Troubleshooting Steps Taken:

1. Printing works normally via the same wired/wireless settings.

2. Successfully updated the printer firmware to the latest version (20230822).

3. Tested both wired (Ethernet) and wireless connections, printer responds well except for scanning.

4. Disconnected the Ethernet cable and reconfigured the device for Wi-Fi, no improvement in scanning.

5. Scanner successfully scans to a USB drive, confirming the hardware itself is functional.

Key Observations:

• Scanner fails over both Ethernet and Wi-Fi but works via USB.

• Printing works perfectly, and scanner hardware is operational (proven by USB scans).

• macOS firewall/security settings were temporarily disabled for testing—no change.

Request for Help:
Has anyone encountered this scanner-specific connection error after a firmware update or network reconfiguration? Why would the scanner fail over the network (wired/wireless) but work via USB? Any advice on resolving the communication issue?

Environment:

• Printer: HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw (Firmware: 20230822)

• OS: macOS Sequoia Version 15.4.1

• Connection: Ethernet/Wi-Fi (tested both)

Thank you in advance for your insights!

[Max3Aj]

@ndrewy3, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
It sounds like you've done quite a bit of troubleshooting already! Here are a few additional steps and considerations that might help resolve the issue:

Verify Network Configuration:

Ensure that your printer's network settings are correctly configured. Sometimes, network reconfiguration can lead to issues with scanning.

Update or Reinstall Drivers:

Make sure you have the latest drivers installed for your printer. You can download them from the HP Support website.

Check Scanner Settings:

Verify that the scanner settings on your printer are configured correctly. You may need to consult the user manual for guidance on this.

Firewall/Antivirus Settings:

Sometimes firewall or antivirus software can block scanning functionality. Temporarily disable them and see if the issue persists

 Check AirScan / eSCL is enabled

• Open the Embedded Web Server (EWS) of the printer: 
  Enter the printer's IP address in Safari or Chrome (e.g., http://192.168.1.xxx)
• Navigate to Settings > Network Settings > Advanced Settings
• Locate AirScan, eSCL, or WebScan:
• Make sure these are enabled.
• If there's a setting for Bonjour or WS-Discovery, ensure it's on.

Re-add Scanner Using IP

Sometimes, macOS drops Bonjour/mDNS scanning. Manually add the scanner:

1. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners
2. Click ➕ and choose "IP" tab
3. Enter the printer's IP (e.g., 192.168.1.50)
4. Set protocol to: 
   HP Jetdirect - Socket (for printing)
   AirScan (eSCL) or Secure AirScan (for scanning) if available
5. Let macOS auto-select the driver or choose HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw from the list.

Use HP Smart or Image Capture

Try scanning with:

• HP Smart App (from Mac App Store)
• Image Capture (built into macOS)

If it fails:

• Open Console.app
• Filter logs for scan, escl, or AirScan to find more details

Reset Printing System (last resort)

• Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners
• Right-click in the list and choose “Reset printing system…”
• Re-add your printer manually via IP as above

Install HP Easy Start

• Download HP Easy Start for macOS
• It can detect and install the full feature driver stack
• During setup, ensure scan capabilities are shown as supported

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Select "Yes" on the bottom left to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[ndrewy3]

Dear Max3Aj,

Thank you for the comprehensive troubleshooting steps. I followed all the suggestions provided, including verifying network settings, updating drivers, checking AirScan/eSCL configurations, and even resetting the printing system. While the information remains accurate, the scanner issue persists. As I mentioned, the machine simply stopped working one day without prior warning.

After extensive trial and error, I discovered that uninstalling (HP Easy) and reverting to the (HP Smart) app resolved the problem entirely. Scanning functionality has now been restored as expected.

For others encountering similar issues, consider removing existing HP Easy apps and switching to "HP Smart" (available via the Mac App Store). This simple change might save hours of troubleshooting!

Thank you for your time and assistance. I hope this feedback helps streamline solutions for future users.

Best regards,
Andrew