MFP M29w Scanner Issues Never Fixed

[User5555]

I am unable to consistently scan using my HP LaserJet MFP M29w.  I think the latest driver update may have broken it.

Issue:  When I first open HP Printer Assistant and scan, HP Scan opens.  HP scans (for a PDF), and the first scan appears in the left hand panel.  If I try to add a page, the scanner physically scans the page.  No page appears in the left hand panel.  I can save the one page that scanned and exit and try to scan again.  The second scan does not appear even though the "Scanning" popup progress bar appears and the scanner physically scans the flat bed.  A blank scan doesn't even appear, nothing comes up in the left hand panel of HP Scans.  No error message, no message at all.  Just no scan.  Screenshot of HP Scans after scanning attached.

HP Scans after unsuccessful scan.

If I wait long enough, cycle printer power, or restart the HP software, I am able to scan one more time before having to wait again.

History:  Oer a year ago now, I could print and scan with no issues.  I tried to print and scan after being gone for a month and a half at that time.  The MFP29w printed with no issues, but HP Scans said it couldn't detect any scanning hardware.  I uninstalled and reinstalled the driver and HP Printer Assistant software.

The HP Print and Scan Doctor 5.7.4 returns all green checks that everything is set up correctly.

HP LaserJet MFP 28-31w Toolbox Version Number:  046.005.2645.2266

Driver Version Number:   26.106.1.6932

OS:  Windows 10 64-bit, patches current

I have tried to scan with this scanner with other Windows computers (Windows 10 Pro and Windows 11) as well as Linux computers.  I received the same results:  the scan would not successfully transfer into the HP Scan software on the computer.

I scan about 3 times as much as I print, so the scanning function is the primary reason for getting this printer-scanner.

[Nal_NR]

Hi @User5555,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be happy to help you! 

I understand that you are having issues with the scanning.

It sounds like you're experiencing issues with scanning using your HP LaserJet MFP M29w after a driver update. Here are some steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Restart Devices

• Power Cycle: Restart your HP LaserJet MFP M29w printer and your computer. This can resolve temporary issues.
• Reconnect: If your printer is connected via Wi-Fi, ensure that it's connected properly to the network.

2. Check Connections

• Ensure that your printer is properly connected to the network (if using Wi-Fi) or to your computer (if using USB).
• If you're using Wi-Fi, consider connecting via USB temporarily to see if the issue persists.

3. Update or Reinstall the Driver

1. Uninstall the Current Driver:
   • Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
   • Find the HP Printer software, select it, and click Uninstall.
2. Download the Latest Driver:
   • Visit the HP Support website.
   • Search for your printer model (HP LaserJet MFP M29w) and download the latest driver.
3. Install the Driver:
   • Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts to install the driver.
   • Restart your computer after installation.

4. Run HP Print and Scan Doctor

• Download and run the HP Print and Scan Doctor tool. This tool can diagnose and fix common printing and scanning issues.
• Visit the HP Print and Scan Doctor page to download it.

Kindly find the next steps in the next post.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”

[Nal_NR]

Hi @User5555,

Please find the next steps below.

5. Check Scanning Preferences in HP Scan

• Open HP Scan from the HP Printer Assistant.
• Go to Preferences or Settings within the scan application and ensure that the correct settings are selected (e.g., correct file type, resolution).
• Make sure "Save to" or output directory is correctly set, and you have permission to save files to that location.

6. Check for Windows Updates

• Make sure your Windows operating system is up to date, as updates can sometimes resolve compatibility issues.
  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.

7. Scan Using Windows Fax and Scan

• As a temporary workaround, try using Windows Fax and Scan:
  1. Press Win + R, type wfs, and press Enter.
  2. Click on New Scan.
  3. Select your HP printer and adjust any settings.
  4. Click Scan to see if it works.

8. Reset Printer Settings

• Sometimes resetting the printer settings can resolve issues:
  1. On the printer, navigate to Settings > Restore Factory Defaults.
  2. Confirm the reset and try scanning again.

9. Check for Conflicting Software

• If you have other scanning or printer software installed (like third-party software), they may conflict with HP software. Consider disabling or uninstalling those temporarily to see if it helps.

If none of the above steps work, I recommend you contact phone support for further assistance.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”

[User5555]

Hi Elohi,

I can't tell you how many hours I waste each scanning session restarting devices, checking connections, changing USB cables, uninstallling and re-installing software and drivers, and running Scan Doctor.  Trying to scan connected to the Internet, trying to scan not connected to the Internet, etc.

Scan Doctor always returns a "No Issues Found" message.  When Scan Doctor prompts you to do a Test Scan, it should then have a pop-up question "Was the test scan successful?".  The first time I ran Scan Doctor, the Test Scan worked.  The second time, the Test Scan did not work.  I guess Scan Doctor just assumes everything will be fine.

[User5555]

Hi Elohi, 

For the points in the second answer:

5.  Yes, the options are selected properly.  The scanner often fails on a multiple page scan, so the options work for the first several pages.  For example, on the last scanning session, the first four pages scanned okay and appeared in the preview.  After that the "New image from Scanner" icon appeared, and the Scanning progress bar successfully completed.  Then no image of the page five scan appeared. Click add new page and try again, but it fails to transfer the image over.

I saved the first four pages, exited out to the main HP Scan start, and tried scanning again.  Nothing would appear in the preview pane.

6.  Yes, all Windows updates applied consistently.

7.  Scan Using Windows Fax and Scan

Win F&S will work as long as HP Scan is working.  It has been awhile since I tried it while troubleshooting the scanner.  Once I get desperate and try it (who really wants to deal with only jpgs and tiff's) it returns an error message with either HP Twain error or HP MFP-28 communication error.  Other programs (PDF editors) that can receive scans directly from the scanner generally return HP Twain errors when the scanner is misbehaving.

8.  Restore Settings

Where is this Settings > Restore Factory Defaults option?

It isn't through the Windows > Devices menu.  I used to have a HP MFP-M29w software tab in the HP folder of my Start Menu, but it disappeared in the most recent "un-install everything and re-install everything."

What does this do, only impact software on the computer, revert printer firmware?

I haven't changed any deep settings of the printer configuration beyond Wi-Fi network name.

9. Conflicting Software

I have one other vendor's scan software on this computer.  The six months or so I had the MFP-M29w, it worked fine (with the other software installed).  I doubt there is a clash, unless one of the subsequent HP Scan updates caused it.

Interesting idea, I may try un-installing.  However, my old scanner is what I use to scan to get my work done after wasting hours every month trying to get the HP Scan to work.  It would be nice having a stable connection to my HP Scanner before wiping out my work-around.

Thank  you,

[Nal_NR]

Hi @User5555 ,

We apologize for the inconvenience, but it seems that the issue persists even after attempting the troubleshooting steps mentioned above.

This might require one-on-one interaction to fix the issue via remote assistance. 

I've sent you a private message with further instructions. In order to access your private messages, click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your profile Name or simply click on this link.

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accepted Solution button, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!