My Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw will print but will not scan

[rkhmeek]

My Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw will print but will not scan starting yesterday???.   I used to use HP Easy Scan as it was the only way to Scan and only to a file.   I am running MAC OS Sequoia 15.  The MFP is running via USB (normally).  Airprint works.    The HP Utility is unable to find or communicate with the MFP unit.

I have uninstalled, installed.  I have ran the HP Dr.  I have uninstalled and reinstalled HP Print, HP Smart and Scan Doctor.   We have ran it without a USB connection and with.  Still, the scanner can not be found??   Printing is normal?? 

Please help.  We need the scanner daily

[Max3Aj · Accepted solution]

@rkhmeek, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

• Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
  It sounds like the scanner function is not being recognized at the driver level or there's a macOS Sequoia 15 (macOS 15) compatibility issue, especially since:
  You're using USB normally, but even AirPrint works (print only).
• HP Easy Scan stopped working suddenly.
• HP Utility can't find the device.
• Reinstalling everything (HP Smart, drivers, HP Easy Scan, etc.) didn't help.

Let’s go step-by-step:
 

Confirm Scanner Visibility in macOS

1. Apple Menu > System Settings > Printers & Scanners
2. Select your HP MFP M281fdw.
3. Check if there's a Scan tab available.

• If not: macOS doesn’t recognize the scanner part of the device.
• If it is present but doesn’t respond: likely a driver or software issue.

Check USB vs. AirPrint Driver

Sometimes macOS installs the AirPrint driver even for USB connections, which doesn’t support scanning over USB.

Here's how to fix it:

1. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
2. Delete the printer.
3. Disconnect USB, wait 30 seconds.
4. Reconnect USB, but do NOT let macOS auto-install.
5. Instead, go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners > Add Printer.
6. When your printer shows up:

• Click Use dropdown.
• Choose “HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw”, NOT AirPrint.
• If this driver isn't listed, that means macOS is defaulting to AirPrint.

Install HP Drivers Manually (Not HP Smart)

Try installing the official HP drivers:

Go to this link directly:

• HP Easy Start for MFP M281fdw – macOS
• Download and run HP Easy Start.
• During installation:
• Choose the Full Software and Drivers option (not HP Smart only).
• Ensure the connection method is USB.

Check HP Easy Scan App

Once installed:

• Open HP Easy Scan from /Applications.
• See if the scanner appears at the top dropdown.
• Try a preview scan.
• If HP Easy Scan still doesn’t detect the scanner, try the macOS built-in:
• Preview > File > Import from Scanner
• Or Image Capture app.

If Still Not Working

Try this:

• Disconnect printer and reset the printing system:
• System Settings > Printers & Scanners
• Right-click in the printer list > Reset printing system
• Restart Mac.
• Reinstall HP software via HP Easy Start again.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Select "Yes" on the bottom left to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[rkhmeek]

Thank you 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

Embarrassingly, I have discovered that my MFP M281fdw  is not and was not connected to my computer via USB cable.  The printer is connected via Ethernet to the router.  That said, I have again removed, downloaded and reinstalled everything,  I have downloaded multiple copies of the HP software available, easy start and was just now surprised to get a scan to work.   
Thank you for your assistance.  I was personally on the wrong track but your advice seemed to make things right.   

[Max3Aj]

@rkhmeek, You're very welcome and no worries! These things happen more often than you'd think, especially with multifunction printers that connect in multiple ways and software that behaves inconsistently depending on how they're set up.

I'm glad to hear you got scanning working again!

If my response resolves your issue, please click “Accepted Solution” to help others find the answer. Also, don’t forget to click the “Yes” button to say thanks!

Take care and have a great day.

Max3Aj

HP Support