LJ Pro MFP M177fw not scaning in Windows 10 64 due to missing TWAIN32 driver

[Oleksiy]

This is to contribute to the community with my experience re above issue.
I have updated the software for the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M177fw/PCLmS under Windows 10-64 . This resulted in HP Scan app. stopped scanning, both in wireless and in USB mode. When launching HP Scan, it stated “Cannot find scanner” error. The printing worked fine. I tried many things to resolve the scan issue (including standard reinstalling and removing the software, installing FULL solution from HP website, updating firmware, letting scan app through both inbound & outbound firewall, troubleshooting with HP Print and Scan Doctor, - nothing helped. What is interesting, such applications as Papyrus, Windows Scan (from Windows Store), etc – they work using a different driver. E.g, Papyrus gives a choice which driver to use, so people choose a different one, not TWAIN32 (does not work), and the application works under a different driver. Windows Scan also uses a different driver, not TWAIN32 and works, although scanner twitches abnormally. Or you can scan through right click on the Printer in Control Panel/Devices and Printers, also giving you choice of drivers (TWAIN not working). Moreover, HP Print and Scan Doctor offers two choices, and therefore does not see any problem (does not solve anything with TWAIN driver). But HP Scan application does use TWAIN32 driver and therefore does not work and cannot work in Windows10 64bit for mfps! People having such problem on many old HP printers use an alternative driver (which often gives mistakes and limitation in workflow afterwards), and so people close their topics on HP forum, flagging their issues prematurely as solved. However, using a third-party software under god knows what driver is not a solution. You can only expect proper results with TWAIN32 native driver. What worked for me – is the solution posted here https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/1957604-can-t-scan-from-hp-laserjet-pro-m477nfw
Namely “DO NOT download or try to install the 64-bit [HP driver] installer for any OS. The TWAIN driver is 32-bit and will cause issues when trying to install. Whether you are using Windows 7 64-bit, Windows 8 64-bit or Windows 10 64-bit, always choose the 32-bit installer from the HP website and use that to install the MFP. The reason for this is that a 64-bit TWAIN driver doesn't exist (for any mfp).”. Also mentioned on that page that before you install “use HP scrubber utility” to ensure that the system is clean of leftovers.
So the steps I did: (1) uninstalled all HP apps through Programs and features, (2) removed all printers in Devices/Printers, (3) scrubbed all HP left overs through RegOrganizer, rebooted, (4) connected though USB my PC and the printer, the printer launched firmware based HP Smart Install. This installed on my PC old native 32 bit HP software (apparently with TWAIN 32 onboard). And HP Scan stared to work again, (5) Then, in order to have HP Scan working in wireless mode, you unplug the cable, find Reconfig Wireless Utility in HP folder, reconfig to your nework, and that's it, you have HP scan working on air. May be you can try installing full solution for Win32 on Win 64, I did not try. So the question to HP: please comment on when you are going to develop your own TWAIN64 driver for mfps to make these issues this time really go away. Good luck to all users.

[Eirinn]

Hello,

Do you know if this also helps solving the scanning issues with HP Smart App?