HP Scan Extended - given up trying to get it to work consistently on Windows 11

[Brian94582]

I have spent hours downloading versions of HP Smart (works OK as long as you don't want 2-sided scanning), HP Scan Extended (required for 2-sided ADF scanning), HP Print Scan Doctor, Drivers and other recommended bits of software. I am tired of "ending task", rebooting my laptop, rebooting my printer, and re-scanning documents over and over again because they have failed with "an error has occurred while scanning". I have given up trying to troubleshoot with Scan Doctor because I get "cannot communicate with printer" messages even though the printer is wifi connected just fine. 50% of the time, the scan works, the other 50% it fails causing me these hours of grief. I have gone back to my old Windows 10 laptop and using HP Printer Assistant because everything continues to scan just fine with no problems. To me, it is obvious that there is a driver/software problem with this hardware/software combination in Windows 11.

[Jay_G24 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Brian94582,

I'd like to help!

I understand you are unable to scan and facing connectivity issues.

Let's try and uninstall the printer software from the root level on your PC and install the full feature printer software.

First, unplug the USB cable from the printer if present.

• Go to Control panel – Programs and feature – Select all the HP printer entries and uninstall them.
  • Now go to Control panel – Devices and printer – Select all the printer entries and remove the device.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Click the bottom-left Start button on desktop, type device manager in the search box and tap Device Manager on the menu.
  • Once in device manager, click on the view tab in the top & choose “Show hidden devices”.
  • Then from the device manager list, check the entries under “Printer” – If there are any entries, please right click and choose “uninstall” – In the confirm device un-install pop-up, make sure you select the box which says “Delete the driver software for this device". 
  • Also, check the entries under "printer queue" and "imaging devices" and repeat the same exercise. Delete any printer entry or any entry which says “Unknown device”.
  • Once done, close device-manger. Then press the "windows key" + "r" to get the "Run" window open - Type "printui.exe /s" and press enter.
  • Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any entry there as well.
  • Again, go running window, type – “c:/programdata” – Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.
  • Once done you can try cleaning out your temporary files and cached files. You can try using automated applications like some cleaner software's that you can download from the internet.
  • Now restart your computer again.
  • Open the Run window again, type “services.msc” and press ok to get services window.
  • Scroll down to “Remote Procedure Call (RPC)” – right-click and go to properties. Make sure the service is started and startup type is “Automatic”.
  • Now scroll up and go to “Function Discovery Provider Host” – right-click and select properties – Change the startup type to “manual” and start the service.
  • Repeat the same exercise on “Function Discovery Resource Publication” as well
  • Windows image acquisition stop and restart the service 

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.

Reinstall the drivers from the Software and drivers page (install Easy start under the software utility tab)

If the error persists, Try installing the printer with a windows built-in driver

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

And, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Yes" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping

[Brian94582]

Jay,

Thank you for taking the time to respond.

It's taken me a couple of days to get round to this.

I've followed all your instructions and uninstalled and reinstalled both software programs (HP Smart - from https://support.hp.com/in-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-officejet-4650-all-in-one-printer-series/5447930 and HP Scan Extended - from http://ftp.hp.com/pub/scanners/HPScanExt/HPScanExt.msi )

HP Smart (scan) is working, but HP Scan Extended gets

I suspect some registry for HP Scan Extended is corrupt. Perhaps you can point me to something I can clean-up and then re-install the software.

[Jay_G24]

Were you able to install HP Easy Start and scan using HP Scan?

What is the error you are receiving on HP Smart?

Let me know!

[Brian94582]

Jay,

I'm not sure what you mean by HP Easy Start.

I installed "Install HP Smart app to complete setup and support" from the page you pointed me to (https://support.hp.com/in-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-officejet-4650-all-in-one-printer-series/5447930)

HP Smart talks to my printer and scans successfully (although not 2-sided scanning which I need).

HP Scan Extended gets the error I attached above "The HP Imaging device was not found"

I do see HP Easy start as a download under Software-Utility(2) on the above page, but assumed everything I need is installed from the "Install" button on that page. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

This is really confusing.

[Jay_G24]

HP Easy Start includes full-featured drivers, could you try installing the drivers and try scanning?

Also, try the steps in the document -https://support.hp.com/us-en/help/diagnostics?category=printing&issue=scan-issues

Hope this helps!

Keep me posted

[Brian94582]

So finally, after another 2-3 hours of uninstalling, re-installing, deleting drivers and files from more places than I knew existed, rebooting, encountering more errors than I can document here, and contemplating throwing my printer from my 21st floor balcony, I finally see a familiar friend show up on my start menu, namely "HP OfficeJet 4650 series (Network): HP Printer Assistant", and YEAH! double sided scanning works on my new Windows 11 laptop.

It really shouldn't be this difficult.

Thanks for your help, Jay_G24

[Jay_G24]

You're welcome 🙂

 If you need further assistance feel free to reach out to us.

Have a great day ahead!

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Yes" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!