Overexposed Scans

[LentexDan]

HP Officejet Pro 7740 - Mac - OS Sonoma 14.4.1 (though this issue persists on other devices with older OS's too)
My scans over expose light areas. Scanning images that, for example, contain shades of light or even medium color, will show those areas as white, same as the areas that are actually white. Some of the other areas that contain darker tones scan properly. But lighter details get washed out, as if they don't register. This does not improve if i change scan resolution, file type, etc. I use the standard scanning interface on macs, seen below. See also the scan image in the interface as well as the photo of the actual material being scanned. Looking for any insight on what can be done to get a full range scan. Perhaps another scanning interface or software? Thanks all.

 

 

[LentexDan]

To add. I've just downloaded and toyed around with HP Easy Scan. Same washed out results.

[Sneha_01 · Accepted solution]

Hi @LentexDan,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

If your HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 is producing overexposed scans, here are several troubleshooting steps and alternatives to improve the scan quality:

1. Check Scan Settings

• Adjust Brightness and Contrast: In the scanning interface, look for options to adjust brightness and contrast. Lowering brightness may help capture lighter shades better.
• Select Color Mode: Ensure you are using the correct color mode (e.g., Color or Grayscale) that suits your document. Sometimes, using Grayscale can help with capturing details in lighter areas.

2. Use HP Smart App

• Download the HP Smart App: If you haven’t already, try using the HP Smart app instead of the standard scanning interface. It often provides more options for adjusting scan settings and can improve results.
• Adjust Scan Preferences: Within the HP Smart app, you can adjust various preferences, including image quality, resolution, and more.

3. Update Printer and Scanner Drivers

• Make sure you have the latest drivers and software for your printer. You can download the latest versions from the HP support website.

4. Perform a Scanner Calibration

• Some HP printers have a calibration feature that can help optimize scan quality. Refer to your printer's manual to see if this option is available and how to perform it.

5. Change the Scanning Resolution

• While you mentioned that changing resolution hasn’t helped, experimenting with different settings (e.g., higher DPI for detailed images) can still be worth trying.

6. Clean the Scanner Glass

• Ensure the scanner glass is clean and free of smudges or dust, which can affect scan quality. Use a soft, lint-free cloth with a gentle glass cleaner.

7. Scan in Sections

• If the document has varying shades, consider scanning in sections and then merging the scans later. This might help capture details that are being washed out in a single scan.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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

Rachel571

HP Support

[LentexDan]

The HP Smart application was the successful suggestion from Rachel's comment. Additionally, turning off the "Auto Enhancements" feature gave much better results.