Laserjet Pro MFP M29w gradually lost ability to scan

[aberdave]

My LaserJet Pro MFP M29w, attached via USB to an HP computer running Windows 11,  gradually lost the ability to scan over a period of weeks. It worked fine for years, using the HP Smart app. Suddenly a few weeks ago, it would start to scan, but fail midway through with an error claiming that it was cancelled by the scanner.

At that time, I did all the things I read about in this forum: cold restarts of both printer and computer, driver update and re-install, new USB cable, etc. I could not get HP Smart to resume scanning like it had for years. 

However, I noticed at that time that I was still able to scan using the  native Windows fax and scan app. So I switched to that cumbersome app. 

Now starting today, the native Windows fax and scan app fails immediately with a "Could not complete scan" error message, even though it worked fine for a few weeks. Also, the HP Smart app now fails immediately with a "Scanning is currently unavailable error." In desperation, I tried installing today the HP Scan Extended app. It fails immediately with "Scanner communication cannot be established ..." 

Printing continues to work fine; only scanning is broken. 

What are my options now? It is beginning to look to me like a hardware failure, since all software fixes failed, and the fact that this problem progressed in phases. Please help me resume scanning! 

[Andr-1611]

Hello @aberdave ,
Welcome to the HP Support Community!

The HP software must be completely uninstalled and removed of the system.

First download only this complete 2 packages:

1. HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28w/M29w/M30w/M31w Printer Full Software Solution 
   File name: Full_Webpack-46.5.2645-LJM28-M31_UWL_Full_Webpack.exe (144.8 MB)
2. HP Scan OCR Add-on Software 
   File name: Win7plus-1.0.1019-HPOCR_Win7plus.exe (224.9 MB)

Then proceed as follows:

Check the system for

• TuneUp`s
• Optimization Tools
• Cleanup Tools

disable them, better uninstall them.

Next...

1. Disconnect printer/scanner from computer- Disable WLAN, WiFi and/or remove the USB or LAN cable.- Do not switch off the printer >> unplug the power cord from the socket!
2. right-click Start, search for "control panel" and open "Programs and Features"
   uninstall all HP printer software > via "Programs and Features"
3. right-click Start, search for "control panel" and open "Devices and Printers"
   In the "Devices and Printers" window look for your HP Printer. If you see it listed, right-click on it and choose "Delete" or "Remove Device.”
4. Restart the PC
5. Close all programs
6. Change File-Explorer-Settings:View > Options > "Change folder and search options" > Tab "View"
   • enable > Show hidden files, folders and drives
   • uncheck > Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)
   OK
7. search for "HP [printer name]" and delete all this folders
8. Empty the TEMP folders
   A) C:\Users\[Your user account]\AppData\Local\Temp\
   B) C:\Windows\Temp\
system files cannot be deleted!
9. Reconnect the printer to the power supply and switch it on (if this does not happen automatically)
10. Please note: WLAN has to be deactivated!
11. Restart the PC
12. Close all programs
13. Open up the run command with the "Windows Key + R" key combo > in folder Downloads double-click on the Full_Webpack-46.5.2645-LJM28-M31_UWL_Full_Webpack.exe.
14. Via USB, means wait until the installation asks to connect the printer/scanner.
    
    
15. The installation was completed successfully, now you must ...
16. Restart the PC again
17. Close all programs
18. Now the installation is complete.
    
    
19. Open up the run command with the "Windows Key + R" key combo > in folder Downloads double-click on the Win7plus-1.0.1019-HPOCR_Win7plus.exe.
20. The installation was completed successfully, now you must ...
21. Restart the PC again

Document error messages accurately, even better is to take a screenshot of it and upload here.

Important information:

Change back the File Explorer settings -
• enable > Don`t show hidden files, folders or drives
• click button > Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)
OK

Hope this helps! Keep me posted.
Andr-1611

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