HP DeskJet 2855e – Scan to Computer Error “Text not detected”

[Dranoel67]

Subject
HP Desk Jet 2855e - Scan to Computer Error "Text not detected"

Problem description
Whenever I try to scan with my HP Desk Jet 2855e to my computer, I get an error that says "Text not detected." Printing works fine, but scans fail with this message.

What I have tried

• Restarted printer and PC

• Reinstalled HP Smart

• Tried both Wi-Fi and USB

• Toggled "Auto" vs "Document" scan types

Details
OS: Windows 11 Home, Version 24H2, Build 26100.6725
HP Smart version: 161.1.1087.0
Connection: Wi-Fi or USB (tested both)
Scan source: Flatbed
Goal: Save a normal PDF or image (I do not need OCR) - I just want to bypass "Text not detected" so it saves the scan.

Questions

1. Is this error tied to OCR/text detection in HP Smart?

2. How can I force a plain image scan (no OCR) so it always saves?

3. Are there any resolution or format settings that avoid this error?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Dranoel67,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I understand your HP DeskJet 2855e scans are failing with the error “Text not detected” even though printing works fine. Let’s go through a few steps to ensure you can save a normal scan as an image or PDF without triggering this error.

1. Check Scan Mode in HP Smart

Open HP Smart on your computer.

Go to Scan → Settings → Source & Type.

Make sure “Photo” or “Flatbed” is selected instead of “Document (Auto Detect)”.

The “Text not detected” message usually appears when the app tries to detect text (OCR) and fails. Selecting Photo bypasses text detection.

2. Adjust Scan Output Settings

In Scan Settings → File Type, choose JPEG or PDF (Image) instead of PDF (Searchable).

If you don’t need OCR, avoid any setting that says “Searchable PDF” or “Text-Optimized.”

Set Color Mode to Color or Grayscale instead of “Black & White – Text.”

3. Increase Scan Resolution

Still in the scan settings, raise the DPI to 300 or 600.

Lower DPI can sometimes prevent the app from capturing enough detail, triggering the text detection error.

Try a test scan after adjusting the resolution.

4. Reset HP Smart Preferences

Close HP Smart.

Press Windows + R, type %appdata%, and press Enter.

Navigate to HP → HP Smart and delete the Cache folder.

Reopen HP Smart and sign in again.

This clears old OCR configurations that can sometimes cause scanning issues.

5. Test USB vs Wi-Fi Connection

If you haven’t already, perform a scan while connected via USB cable.

A stable wired connection often rules out network-related issues during scanning.

6. Perform a Basic Printer Reset

Turn the printer ON.

Unplug the power cord from the back of the printer and the wall outlet.

Wait 60 seconds.

Plug it back in and power it on.

This refreshes the printer’s memory and connection with the PC.

7. Use Windows Scan as a Workaround

Open the built-in Windows Scan app from the Start menu.

Choose your DeskJet 2855e, select Flatbed, pick JPEG or PDF, and scan.

This bypasses HP Smart entirely and helps confirm if the issue is software-specific.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

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Best regards,