HP Scan and Capture, 'general failure' scanning not working anymore?

[johnsmith19781]

Hi There,

I have a very old HP photosmart 2575 All in one printer, i've been using HP Scan and Capture since the HP solutions centre stopped working due to flash no longer being supported.

Today i have just tried to use the scan option on HP Scan and Capture and i keep getting a 'general failure' message and scanning does not work ('ve attached two screenshots below of the app looking for the printer and finding it but not scanning).

I recently accepted the free windows 11 upgrade so i'm not sure if this is a coincidence.

I

[Dragon-Fur]

@johnsmith19781 

Welcome to the HP User Community.

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@johnsmith19781 wrote:

Hi There,

I have a very old HP Photosmart 2575 All in one printer, I've been using HP Scan and Capture since the HP solutions centre stopped working due to flash no longer being supported.

Today i have just tried to use the scan option on HP Scan and Capture and i keep getting a 'general failure' message and scanning does not work I've attached two screenshots below of the app looking for the printer and finding it but not scanning).

I recently accepted the free windows 11 upgrade so I'm not sure if this is a coincidence.

<images removed>

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Yes, it is likely the "in-place upgrade" destroyed the delicate balance that allowed the old printer software to interface with the HP Scan and Capture application.

There is likely no "going back" unless you have a copy of the old printer software that you can manage to get installed in Windows 11. 

"No going back" includes trying to slide back into Windows 10, by the way.

What?

Printer software is nearly ALWAYS a casualty of changing the Operating System version: 

Too many significant changes in the File System result in any installed printer software losing functionality. 

This "broken software" result is normal and is not related to your particular printer or your printer's software.

What else?

HP Scan and Capture app depends on the printer software having been installed (and being functional).

HP Scan and Capture

Available from the Microsoft Store (formally Windows Store) - Requires Windows 8 or higher

Download-Save-Install   HP Scan and Capture

 Description

HP Scan and Capture is a simple and fun application that captures photos or documents from any* HP scanning device or your computer's built-in camera.  These images can be previewed, edited, saved, and shared to other applications.

* NOTE:  The correct HP print software drivers for your scanner must be installed from HP's Support Website.

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What to do?

Possibly...

NAPS2 – “Not Another PDF Scanner” (Free – Donations gladly accepted by the NAPS2 organization)

• Download-Save-Install >  NAPS2 
• Not another PDF Scanner – free program scans PDF files and image(s) as .jpeg or PDF file(s).
• Not always simple “Plug and Play”, nonetheless, this free software is powerful and configurable.

Notes

• Includes an OCR feature – may need Ghostscript add-on (See NAPS2 forum entry)
• Read the Support pages for information
• Read the Getting Started guide
• Combining files?  Read the Command Line Usage guide > Select Combining and Converting Files
• NAPS2 might support higher resolutions while still using the ADF

If you can find no other options, this company specializes in Scan software for unsupported printers.

NOTE:  This reference is FYI and is not intended as an endorsement of the software.

VueScan – Third party software

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

 “Things that are your printer”

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Manuals > User Guides, Product Information (Specifications), more

Open

Product Home

Enter the device type and model name of your HP device

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Click Helpful = Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[johnsmith19781]

Hi Dragon-Fur,

Thanks for your reply it's appreciated, i downloard the NAPS2 software but when i try to use it i get an error message no scanning device found. I've attached a screenshot

[Dragon-Fur]

@johnsmith19781 

Edits / Update Content

You could try Paint. 

Will that work?

Unknown...

Paint (mspaint)

Older software – not brilliant – does work for scanning images.                                                        

• Open  Paint
• Optional >> Expand the “white background” area to a size to accommodate your data.  If unknown, try 1300x1300
• File > Select “From Scanner or Camera”
• Select your printer > Follow the prompts to scan and then save your item

Original Content

You are welcome.

Oh well, printer might just be too old and not supported for the NAPS2 software.

Honestly I don't have anything with which to test - our printers are much newer than your trusty Photosmart.

You could try the VueScan

As I recall, it's not free (true several years ago when I tested it).

The software might work.

That said, if there is a cost involved, it might be less expensive to replace the printer.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"