HP Smart keeps saying "Scanner in Use" when it's not

[JASMINE1234]

Bought hp officejet 3830 over a year ago, been using it as a printer without problem. HP Instant Ink recognized and connected with printer smoothly from the get go. Months later I finally needed to use the scanner function, downloaded HP smart, was able to use the software to direct the scanner to scan documents. First scanning experience was fine, but all subsequent attempts failed as HP Smart kept saying "Scanner in Use" when it was not. It even recognized that the printer was "ready" in the home page, just wouldn't scan. I reset HP smart, uninstalled and reinstalled it. No change, still "Scanner in Use." Why?

BTW, on the printer scanning tab, it doesn't seem to "see" my computer either even though it prints from the commands of the same computer just fine.

[TEJ1602]

@JASMINE1234, Welcome to HP Support Community!

Use HP Print and Scan Doctor

Download HP Print and Scan Doctor and run the program. It will automatically diagnose and fix any printer connectivity issues. 

For more information, go to https://support.hp.com/us-en/topic/printscandoctor

Update the printer firmware

Download available firmware updates from the HP website

With the printer on and connected to the computer, go to HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads, and then identify your printer. Look for and install any available firmware updates. Refer to the document HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware

Assign manual IP to the printer

The steps on how to set a manual IP address can be found here.

For the DNS servers please use 8.8.8.8 for the Manual Preferred DNS Server and 8.8.4.4 for the Alternate DNS server. These are Google’s public DNS servers

If the issue persists, I recommend you delete the driver and root level and retry, follow the steps below: 

1) In Windows, search for and open Programs and features 

2) Select your HP Printer 

3) Select Uninstall 

4) In Windows, search for and open Devices and printers 

5) In the Devices and Printers windows look for your HP printer. If you see it listed right-click on it and choose ‘Delete’ or ‘Remove Device’ 

6) Open up the run command with the “Windows key + R” key combo. 

7) Type printui.exe /s and click Ok. (Note: there is a space in between “printui.exe”

8). Click on the “Drivers” tab 

9) Look for the HP Printer driver. If you see it Click on it and click Remove at the bottom 

10) Select Ok 

11) Select Apply and Ok on the Print Server Properties windows 

12) Close Devices and Printers.

Use this link to download and install the new driver. Configure the printer.

Add a TCP/IP port.

1. Print a Network Configuration Report from the Printer Settings or Wireless menu.
2. Right-click your printer, select Printer Properties, click the Ports tab, and then click Add Port.
3. Select Standard TCP/IP Port, and then click New Port.
4. Follow the instructions to add a new port using the information listed on the Network Configuration Report.
5. Try scanning.

Additionally, refer to the document HP Printers - How to Scan (Windows) for alternate scanning methods.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

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