MFP M177fw scanning not working, intermittenty invisible to computer

[PatrickComposer]

My MFP M177fw stopped being available as a scanner several years ago, except that it mysteriously started working again for about a day and then stopped again.   Standalone copy works fine, so it is not the scanning hardware.  But when I try to scan using, e.g., Preview, the "import from scanner" option is greyed out.  I've tried updating the software and it didn't help.  

Possibly related:  when I try to "add" the printer from System Preferences Printers and Scanners, I click "+" and it only appears as a fax (with HP Fax under the "kind" heading-- there are no other options to add.  I've tried following various troubleshooting suggestions at various times, so I have ended up removing and re-adding it multiple times, and currently I can only get it to work as a printer by selecting "IP" under the Add utility and manually typing in its IP address.   There was one day, a few weeks ago, when I was for some mysterious reason able to add the machine with its full functionality, and it worked for a day before going offline and becoming unusable as a scanner again.  

[sandytechy20]

@PatrickComposer

Welcome to the HP support community.

I understand that you are getting scanning issues from your computer, follow these steps to fix the issue.

Are you getting any error messages while scanning or printing?

Meanwhile:- 

Use HP Print and Scan Doctor to fix connectivity, printing and scanning issues.

Download HP Print and Scan Doctor.

1. Run HPPSdr.exe from the download location on your computer.

2. Once HP Print and Scan Doctor opens, click Start, and then select your printer.

   • If your printer is not in the list, turn it off and on, and then click Retry.

   • If there is a connection problem, follow the instructions in HP Print and Scan Doctor.

3. If a screen prompts you to turn on printer updates, click Yes.

4. If a screen prompts you to make your printer the default printer, click Yes.

5. Try to print.

Update the printer firmware

Here are the steps:- Click here

Let me know how it goes.

To thank me for my efforts to help you, please mark my post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers.