HP LaserJet M141w – Repeated Setup Failures, Scanning Issues, and Unstable Software

[KD2121]

Dear HP Support,

I am contacting you regarding my HP LaserJet M141w printer, which I purchased only a few weeks ago. The printer has seen very little use, but I have experienced continuous problems since the initial setup.

The setup process itself was extremely frustrating. The installation repeatedly froze at different stages, and I had to factory reset the printer multiple times before I was finally able to complete the setup. This should not happen with a new device.

Unfortunately, the issues did not stop there. The printer frequently stops scanning after only a few pages, and it will suddenly appear offline even though it is powered on and connected. The HP application is also highly unstable and often freezes or becomes unresponsive. In many cases, I have had to restart my computer just to regain basic functionality.

The most frustrating issue is that although the HP application can detect and display the printer, the scanning function often fails to open or respond. As a result, simple scanning tasks that should take a few minutes end up consuming hours of troubleshooting and repeated restarts.

This is a barely used printer, yet the amount of time I have spent trying to make it work properly is unacceptable. I am attaching screenshots that demonstrate some of these issues.

Given the repeated setup failures, scanning interruptions, offline status problems, and software instability, I would like to know whether these symptoms could indicate a hardware fault with the printer itself. If so, I would appreciate guidance on the next steps

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @KD2121,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

Thank you for taking the time to provide such a detailed description of the issue and for sharing the screenshots. I understand how frustrating this experience has been, especially with a new HP LaserJet M141w that should be working reliably out of the box. From the screenshots, I can see that the printer is being detected by HP Smart and showing as "Ready," yet you are encountering intermittent scanning failures, offline status issues, and application freezes.

Before we determine whether this may be a hardware-related concern, I would like to gather a little more information:

• Are you using Windows or macOS? 
• If using Windows, which version (Windows 10 or Windows 11)? 
• If using macOS, which macOS version is installed? 

If you are using macOS, we recommend using the newer HP App instead of HP Smart, as it is the current HP-supported application and may provide improved stability.

For both Windows and macOS, I would recommend performing a complete reinstall of the printer software and drivers:

Step 1: Remove the Printer

• Remove the printer from HP Smart/HP App. 
• Remove the printer from the operating system's Printers list.
   

Step 2: Uninstall HP Software

• Uninstall HP Smart, HP App, and any HP printer-related software currently installed. 
• Restart the computer.
   

Step 3: Reset the Printing Environment

• Ensure the printer is connected to the same network as the computer. 
• Restart the router, printer, and computer.
   

Step 4: Reinstall the Software

• Install the latest HP software for your operating system: HP LaserJet MFP M141w Printer Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Support.
• Add the printer again and complete the setup. 
• Test both printing and scanning functions.
   

Step 5: Test Scanning

• Attempt a scan directly from the HP software. 
• If available, also test scanning through the operating system's built-in scanning utility to determine whether the issue is isolated to the HP application.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!

[KD2121]

Hi @VikramTheGreat,

Thank you quick for your response.

I am using Windows 11 Home 64-bit.

To be honest, I have lost count of how many times I have uninstalled and reinstalled the HP apps and printer drivers. Unfortunately, the connection issues persist. Even when the printer is successfully added, the connection only works reliably about 1 out of every 3 attempts.

After reading your message, I once again removed all HP software and drivers and tried using HP Easy Start as an alternative setup method. The application was able to find the printer, and I entered my Wi-Fi password, but I am currently still looking at a frozen HP Easy Start screen and the setup has not progressed.

What makes this particularly frustrating is that I can usually find some way to add the printer regardless of which HP application I use. However, after a few print or scan jobs, the software starts freezing again, the connection becomes unstable, and I end up spending hours troubleshooting and repeating the setup process.

At this point, it feels less like a setup issue and more like a software reliability problem, but I would appreciate any further troubleshooting steps you can recommend.

Thank you.

 

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @KD2121,

Thank you for getting back and letting me know. Let me try to find more help, and I will keep you posted shortly. Thank you for understanding.

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @KD2121,

I reviewed the screenshot you shared, and I can see that the HP setup application is opening but remaining on a blank screen. Combined with the intermittent connectivity, scanning failures, application freezes, and repeated setup issues you've described, this is not the expected experience for a new HP LaserJet MFP M139-M142 series printer.

Since you've already performed multiple uninstallations and reinstalls of the HP software, I'd like to focus on isolating whether the issue is related to the Windows environment, the network connection, or the printer itself.

Please try the following:

1. Confirm the Printer Firmware is Current

If you can access the printer's Embedded Web Server (EWS):

• Find the printer's IP address. 
• Enter the IP address into a web browser. 
• Check for any available firmware updates and install them if available.

2. Test with a USB Connection

If possible, temporarily connect the printer directly to the PC using a USB cable.

• Install the printer using USB. 
• Test multiple print and scan jobs. 
• Observe whether the freezing and scanning issues continue. 

This will help determine whether the issue is related to wireless communication.

3. Disable VPN and Third-Party Security Software

Temporarily disable:

• VPN software 
• Third-party antivirus 
• Firewall/security suites 

Some security applications can interfere with HP Smart and scanning services.

4. Check Windows Services

1. Press Windows + R. 
2. Type services.msc. 
3. Verify that the following services are running: 
   • Print Spooler 
   • Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) 

Restart both services if necessary.

Rest of steps shared in the next post

[VikramTheGreat]

Please follow the rest of the steps shared below

5. Use Windows Scan

Please test scanning outside of HP Smart:

1. Open the Windows Scan application. 
2. Select the HP LaserJet MFP. 
3. Attempt several consecutive scans. 

Let us know whether the issue occurs there as well.

6. Create a New Windows User Profile

As a test:

1. Create a new local Windows user account. 
2. Sign in to that account. 
3. Install HP Smart and add the printer. 

This can help determine whether the issue is related to the current Windows profile.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!

[KD2121]

Hi Vikram,

First of all, I want to inform you that I actually managed to do several successful prints and scans using the HP app. Then today I clicked on the HP app and it simply would not open at all 🙂. Another day, another problem.

I also have a question: is there a reason why HP Smart keeps installing itself on my PC? I have uninstalled HP Smart multiple times while troubleshooting and trying to use the HP App instead, but HP Smart keeps reappearing on my computer.

Regarding your suggestions:

1. Firmware Update

I was able to access the EWS and there was indeed a firmware update available. I installed it successfully. Interestingly, after the firmware update the HP app suddenly started working again, but now the printer shows as offline and i can't access EWS. (another classic)

1. USB Connection Test

After the printer disappeared from the network and could no longer be seen online, I connected it via USB. Once I added the printer again through the HP app, it started working properly. For now, I am going to continue monitoring it while connected via USB to see whether the printing and scanning issues return.

1. VPN / Antivirus / Firewall

There is no VPN or third-party antivirus installed on the laptop connected to the printer. I also disabled the Windows Firewall, but the printer still appears offline and cannot be found over the wireless connection.

1. Windows Services

Both Print Spooler and Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) are running normally.

1. Windows Scan

The Windows Scan application also cannot see the printer. However, based on previous experience, I am fairly certain that if I perform a factory reset on the printer it will probably work again until the next PC shutdown.

1. New Windows User Profile

To be honest, I think I am closer to smashing this printer than creating another Windows profile. I have already spent far more time troubleshooting a brand-new printer than I ever expected. Spending an hour trying to scan a single page is not a great experience.

I genuinely appreciate your help and your willingness to investigate this. However, at this point I will probably just use the printer with a USB cable and stop trying to understand why the wireless functionality refuses to work reliably. I purchased this printer for occasional home use, but if I have to perform a factory reset every time I want to print or scan a page, then I would consider this product a major disappointment and will likely avoid HP products in the future.

Thank you again for your assistance.