HP LaserJet 3052 Scanning on Windows 11, How To Get Working

[DavidRomigJr]

This is to help people who want to get scanning functionality working on their HP LaserJet 3052 (or similar) on Windows 11. I saw 2 others with this issue on a different post, but the answer was marked as Not Supported, and the subject was closed. HP does having working driver support that I have verified with my own 3052, but it unfortunately does not automatically install them. It is a 25 year old printer whose support lifecycle ended 20 years ago after all.

I initially downloaded the HP Universal PCL6 and PS print drivers and setup my printer trying to use the v7.9.0 versions of each (or the HP LaserJet 3052 PCL6 Class Driver I later noticed on the list), but when connected to USB, Windows preferred to use HP Universal Printing PCL 6 (without the version number). Printing worked but scanning did not, and the two problematic devices in device manager updated to the HP PNP Scan Null and HP PHP EWS Null drivers which made the devices "function properly" but not work for their original purposes.

This is what I did next that did work. I unplugged and replugged the 3052 into a USB port. Then I went to Windows Updates, clicked Check for Updates, then clicked on Advanced Options, Optional Updates, and expanded the optional Driver Updates. There were updates for "Hewlett-Packard - Printer - HP LaserJet 3052", "Hewlett-Packard - Imaging, Printing - HP LaserJet 3052 Scanner", and "Hewlett-Packard - Imaging, Printing - HP EWS 3052". I installed them and now the scanner works along with the printer.

Under Device Manager, with View Device by Connection, this is what I now see:

• USB Composite Device (USB Controller)
  • HP EWS 3052 (USB Controller)
  • HP LaserJet 3052 (USB Controller)
    • HP LaserJet 3052 Scanner (Imaging Device)
    • HP Printer (IEEE 1284.4 Compatible Printer)
      • HP Universal Printing PCL 6 (Printer)
        • HP LaserJet 3052 (Print Queue)

Windows 11 does seem to like HP Universal Printing PCL 6 more than HP LaserJet 3052 PCL6 Class Driver and HP Universal Printing PCL 6 (v7.9.0) for printing, but everything is working so I'm letting everything be. I may add the PS driver to the printer device later.  I did rename my printer from the automatic HP Universal Printing PCL 6 name to HP LaserJet 3052, and for addition reference it is using DOT4_001 as its port (which is common for HP printers). My 3052 does have a network card, but I have not tested printing over the network from Windows 11. I assume it should work not that the drivers are installed, and it has worked from other OSes in the past.

I hope this helps others out in the same situation.