OCR scan function for PDFs

[Andy547]

Hello,

since reinstalling the printer drivers under Windows 11, the OCR scan function for PDFs is no longer available. Reinstalling the drivers again did not solve the problem. Is there a solution to this problem?

Best regards

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Andy547,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I understand your HP Laptop 14’s keyboard backlight is not turning on. Let’s go through a few steps to check what could be causing this.

a. Check Keyboard Shortcut
Press the Fn + F4 or Fn + F5 keys together (depending on your model).

Each press usually cycles through off → dim → bright → off.

On some laptops, you may only need to press F4/F5 without the Fn key.

b. Confirm if Backlight Feature is Available
Not all HP Laptop 14 models come with a backlit keyboard.

Look for a glowing keyboard icon on the F4 or F5 key. If it’s missing, your model may not support backlighting.

You can also check your laptop’s exact model number (printed on the bottom of the laptop) and verify its specifications on the HP website.

c. Check in BIOS Settings

Restart your laptop and repeatedly press Esc during startup.

Press F10 to open the BIOS Setup.

Go to Advanced → Built-in Device Options.

Look for Keyboard Backlight Timeout or similar and ensure it’s enabled.

Save changes and restart the laptop.

d. Adjust in HP Command Center (if available)

Open HP Command Center from the Start menu.

Go to the Lighting or Keyboard Backlight section.

Turn on or adjust brightness settings from there.

e. Power Reset

Shut down the laptop completely.

Unplug the power cord and disconnect all external devices.

Press and hold the Power button for 15 seconds.

Reconnect the power cord and turn the laptop back on, then try the Fn + F4/F5 shortcut again.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[Andy547]

Hello Kuroi_Kenshi,
Thanks for your reply.
However, this concerns the optical character recognition (OCR) function of my HP OfficeJet 5740.
Since reinstalling the printer drivers under new Windows 11, the OCR function is no longer available when scanning. The instructions on the following page unfortunately didn't help:
https://support.hp.com/de-de/document/ish_6106404-6349910-16
Thanks and best regards

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Andy547,

Thank you for clarifying that, it looks like due to a small glitch, another customer’s post got mixed into this thread earlier. My apologies for the confusion! Let’s now focus on your actual concern regarding the OCR (Optical Character Recognition) function for your HP OfficeJet 5740 after reinstalling the drivers on Windows 11.

Install HP Scan Extended

The OCR function relies on a specific HP Scan Extended utility rather than the default Windows Scan app.
Here’s what to do:

Uninstall all HP scanning software from your PC.

Download and install HP Scan Extended directly from HP’s website:
 https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers

Search for “HP Scan Extended” in your printer’s software section.

After installation, open HP Scan Extended → Settings → File Type, and ensure PDF (Searchable) is selected.

Install the Full Feature Software

If you only installed the basic driver, OCR support will not be available.

Go to the HP OfficeJet 5740 support page:
https://support.hp.com

Enter your printer model and download the Full Feature Software and Driver package (not just the basic driver).

After installation, restart your PC and try scanning again from HP Scan → Save as PDF (Searchable).

Check if the OCR Component is Installed

The OCR function is powered by IRIS OCR (a third-party component included with HP Scan).
To verify:

Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl, and hit Enter.

Look for an entry named IRIS OCR, Readiris, or HP Scan OCR Add-in.

If it’s missing, reinstall the Full Feature Software, this will reinstall the OCR module.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,