HP Smart Tank 7001: Scanner light-bar blinks continuously

[BillConn]

 The scanner-bar light blinks continuously when the printer is turned on;   it blinks approximately 2 time per second.  It has been doing this since the printer came out of the box about 2 years ago.  I've requested help on this before and was told to 1) unplug printer, wait, plug in printer and 2) reload new software.  These steps did not cure the problem.  Any other recommendations would be welcome.  My current solution is to turn the printer off when it's not in use to protect the light-bar from premature burn-out.   Thanks all!

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @BillConn,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

I know that constant blinking can be annoying on the HP Smart Tank 7001, especially when it has been happening from the very first day. The good news is that the scanner light bar is not burning itself out, but a continuous blink is not normal behavior. It usually indicates a firmware, sensor, or initialization problem in the scanner assembly. Here is the complete, correct approach to diagnosing and resolving it.

1. First, understand what the blinking actually means

On Smart Tank printers, the scanner lamp blinks during warm‑up or calibration.
This should last 5–15 seconds.

If it blinks forever (like your 2 blinks per second pattern), it means:

• The scanner cannot complete initialization
• OR the scanner bar cannot find its “home” position
• OR the firmware has a locked scanning module loop

It is not a normal state.

2. Make sure the scanner bar can physically move

Lift the scanner lid and check:

• No tape left from packaging
• No debris stuck on the glass edges
• No dust blocking the scanner “home sensor” (left side under the frame)

Even a tiny obstruction can prevent startup calibration.

Clean gently:

Use a microfiber cloth and wipe:

• Full scanner glass
• Left‑side white strip
• Under the edge (where the scanner parks)

This alone fixes many “continuous blink” cases.

3. Update the printer’s firmware (critical step)

Your unit is from 2 years ago, meaning its original firmware likely has early Smart Tank scanner bugs still present.

Update via HP Smart:

1. Open HP Smart → Printer Settings
2. Go to Advanced Settings (EWS)
3. Tools → Printer Updates → Check for Updates

Let the update install fully (it may take several minutes, and the printer will restart).

4. Perform a full “Internal Reset” (not the same as unplugging)

This is an HP‑recommended reset method that restores deeper hardware modules:

Steps:

1. Turn printer ON
2. Disconnect the power cable from the printer (not the wall)
3. Wait 60 seconds
4. Press and hold the Power button on the printer
5. While holding it, plug the power cable back into the printer
6. Release the Power button when the printer turns on

This resets scanner module initialization states.

5. Try a “Scanner Subsystem Reset” through EWS

This is hidden, but available:

1. Type the printer’s IP into your browser
2. Go to: Settings → Restore Defaults
3. Select: Restore Scan Settings / Restore Factory Defaults
4. Restart the printer

This reinitializes the scanning calibration sequence.

HP Source Guide: HP Smart Tank 6000, 7000, 7300, 7600 Printers - Blinking lights and error codes | HP® Support

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

VikramTheGreat

[BillConn]

Hello VikramTheGreat,

     Thanks for the thorough list of possible solutions in your email!  Your first solution looked most promising, but I didn't see any dust/material blocking the sensor for the lightbar home position, and the lightbar moved freely from left to right (no packing material, etc., blocking its movement).

     Then I tried to update the firmware.  I went through the steps you listed but was stymied in the end with the displayed message "The printer could not connect to web services."  Please see the attached screenshots for more information.  One of the screenshots indicates that the computer is connected and that Web Services is enabled.   Any idea why I can't connect?  The screen advises me to 'try again later," but that's not working. . .  I've attached some screenshots so you can follow my process.

       Once again, thanks for your excellent help!  It was most reassuring to find that the continuously blinking lightbar does not shorten the life of the printer.  If I don't hear from you again I will just ignore the blinking in future.

        Best regards,    Bill the Humble

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @BillConn,

Thank you for sharing the screenshots and the detailed update, which really helps.

From what you’ve provided, I can see that:

• Web Services shows as Enabled
• Internet connection is Connected
• HP Smart Connection is connected
• However, during firmware update, the printer shows:
  “The printer could not connect to Web Services”

This indicates that although the printer appears connected, it is not able to properly communicate with HP Web Services servers, which are required for firmware updates.
 

Please try the following steps:

1. Turn Web Services OFF and ON (Important Step)
This helps refresh the connection to HP servers.

1. Open the printer’s Embedded Web Server (EWS).
2. Go to the Web Services tab.
3. Click Remove Web Services or Disable Web Services.
4. Wait for about 1 minute.
5. Re-enable Web Services again.

2. Check Date and Time on Printer

• An incorrect date/time can block secure communication.
• In EWS, go to Settings > Preferences and ensure the date, time, and region are correct.

3. Check Network / Router Restrictions
Even if the internet shows connected, some networks block HP services.

• Ensure NO VPN is active on your network.
• Disable any firewall or network filtering temporarily.
• If possible, connect the printer to a different network (like a mobile hotspot) and try the update again.

4. Use HP Smart for Firmware Update
Instead of EWS:

1. Open the HP Smart app.
2. Select your printer.
3. Go to Advanced Settings / Printer Settings.
4. Check for updates from there.

5. Power Reset (After Web Services Reset)

• Turn OFF printer → unplug → wait 60 seconds → plug back → turn ON
• Then retry the firmware update.
   

 I hope this helps.
 

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

VikramTheGreat

[BillConn]

Hello VikramTheGreat,

       Thanks for another easy to follow and understand guide on how to resolve my 'update firmware' issue.  Unfortunately I'm still getting the 'can't connect' message when I try to update the firmware.  I followed all the steps you outlined (off and on  with the web services,  synced time/date with computer, and I disabled my virus program (turned of firewall, etc.), turned off firewall on cable-modem-router, turned off printer/ unplugged, waited, plugged in and turned on, I am not using any VPN)  but to no avail.  

      Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks again, o VikramTheGreat!

     Best regards,    Bill the downtrodden

[BillConn]

Hello VikramTheGreat,

       Thanks for another easy to follow and understand guide on how to resolve my 'update firmware' issue.  Unfortunately I'm still getting the 'can't connect' message when I try to update the firmware.  I followed all the steps you outlined (off and on  with the web services,  synced time/date with computer, and I disabled my virus program (turned of firewall, etc.), turned off firewall on cable-modem-router, turned off printer/ unplugged, waited, plugged in and turned on, I am not using any VPN)  but to no avail.  

      Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks again, o VikramTheGreat!

     Best regards,    Bill the downtrodden

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @BillConn,

Thank you for getting back. You’ve done an excellent job already by trying all the right steps, including resetting Web Services, syncing date and time, turning off antivirus and firewall, power cycling the printer, and checking your network. Since the firmware update still shows “can’t connect,” we can try a few deeper fixes that usually resolve this specific Smart Tank 7000‑series issue.

Step 1: Connect the Printer to a Mobile Hotspot

This is the most effective way to bypass router restrictions that block firmware servers.

Use your phone as a temporary hotspot:

1. Turn on Hotspot on your phone
2. Connect the HP Smart Tank 7001 to that Hotspot using the Wireless Setup Wizard
3. Once it shows “connected,” try the firmware update again
4. If the update works, reconnect the printer to your home Wi‑Fi afterward

Many users succeed immediately with this because the printer gets a clean and unrestricted connection.

Step 2: Use the Embedded Web Server (EWS) to Force Update

1. Print the Network Configuration Page from the printer
2. Type the printer’s IP address into a browser
3. This opens the printer’s internal webpage
4. Go to Tools
5. Look for Printer Update or Firmware Upgrade

If available, click Update from there.

(Even when the control panel cannot update, EWS sometimes can.)

Step 3: Turn Off IPv6 on the Printer

This clears a known 7000‑series connection problem.

On the printer:

1. Open Wireless or Network Settings
2. Find IPv6
3. Turn IPv6 OFF
4. Restart the printer

Now try the firmware update again.

Step 4: Manually Refresh Web Services Certificate

Sometimes the printer’s cloud certificate becomes stuck.

1. On the printer, turn OFF Web Services
2. Wait 30 seconds
3. Turn Web Services ON
4. Wait until the printer prints a new information sheet

If it prints a new sheet, the cloud certificate is renewed.
Try the firmware update again.

I hope this helps.

 

Take care and have a good day.

[BillConn]

Hi VikramTheGreat,

       I tried all of your latest suggestions with the exception of using my cell phone as a local hot spot;  my phone is too old for that feature. 

     I didn't try the last suggestion either --  1) On the printer, turn OFF Web Services  --  as my printer doesn't support an on-printer dialog screen ( it's an HP Smart Tank 7001 Printer).  I did use the HP Smart App on my computer and also by logging onto the internet (entered IP address into browser) to turn the WEB Services Off then On.  Neither technique enabled a successful Firmware Update. 

   The suggestions you mentioned that I was able to try didn't work either (ie.  --disable  IPv6, restart the printer,  --load printer firmware updates from HP Smart (both from on my PC and from the internet).

   I don't know if this helpful or not:  I have the "HP Support Assistant" application on my laptop and when I run the "check for updates" on the printer function, it indicates that the software is up-to-date (please see attached screen shot).

       Thanks again for your excellent help on this thorny problem!  I look forward to any other suggestions.

    Best regards,    Bill  the-still-struggling

[BillConn]

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @BillConn,

Thank you for getting back and letting us know that you still have trouble.

We have exhausted all the options from our end. In this case, it looks like it requires a remote Live Lens support from our phone support team; however, if the device is out of warrnaty it may be on a fee-based support

To get you the best assistance, we need to take this conversation to a private chat. We're inviting you to a private message to protect your privacy and ensure that any sensitive information remains confidential. 

To access your private message, just click the little blue envelope icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile, next to your profile name.  

We're looking forward to helping you resolve this issue! 

Stay tuned, and thanks for your patience!