PDFs created using HP Smart

[Maz57confused]

When I create PDFs using HO Smart App using my scanner,  no-one seems to be able to open them. 

[Dragon-Fur]

@Maz57confused 

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Product / Printer Model:  ?

Operating System:  ?

Software / Application:  HP Smart

Connection Type:  ?

Content / File Type:  ?

Paper Size / Type: ?

Job type:  Scan to PDF

Missing information includes the following:

• Printer model,
• the Operating System / version,
• whether this is a new or chronic issue,
• whether the content is protected against being scanned by security embedded in the content -- For example, certain types of content cannot be scanned, copied, or printed.  Possible types include Currency, Government or Insurance documents, Legal contracts.
• The software used by the recipient of the PDF file to open that PDF file

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Based on your description,

The source of the issue might be due to one or more of the following:

• A poor or incomplete scan of the content (printer and / or connection between printer and network),
• Corruption in the application used to scan the content,
• Less likely, corruption in the transfer method used to send, copy, make available the PDF file.
• Less likely, corruption in the software used to open the PDF file.

Can you open a PDF file created using the HP Smart application?

Can you scan the content as a Photo / Image, open the image file (.jpg), and view the content?

Have you tried restarting the printer / network / device used to run the application?

Have you tried resetting, uninstalling, reinstalling the application?

Note that HP Smart Reset is available on Windows.

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References / Resources

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources

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NOTE: Content depends on device type and Operating System

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Open 

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 Enter the device type and model name of your HP product

OR

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[Maz57confused]

I can open the PDF, I can scan to jpeg and can print. However, anyone I sent the pdf to, cannot open it. 

[Dragon-Fur]

@Maz57confused 

OK.

From your description, the issue might be on the side of those receiving the file.

If you can open the file, then it is not corrupt.

Try opening the file in a different type of device.

For example, if you are using a computer, try opening the PDF file on your phone or tablet.

Other than that,

Try sending the PDF file to yourself.

If you can open it,

Contact the recipients and ask them what they are using

AND

Suggest they download and save the file before opening it.

Browser and / or Email providers have their own rules about opening files within their control.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

Real people who own, use, and support HP devices.

[PiterGeek]

If nobody else can open PDF files created by the HP Smart App scanner, the issue likely stems from how the app is generating the PDFs—potentially creating corrupted, incompatible, or improperly formatted files.

Firstly, try opening the PDF on multiple devices and with different readers (e.g., SwifDoo PDF, Adobe Acrobat, Chrome, Edge, Foxit). If it fails everywhere, the file is likely corrupt.

You can also rely on an alternative software to scan the file to PDF and see if the issue still persists.

[Maz57confused]

Hi, thanks for the reply.

I am using the HP Smart app to generate the PDFs, on a pc Windows 10, scanning documents and creating. This recently purchased printer/scanner HP OfficeJet Pro 8120e series was bought only a matter of weeks ago to replace my previous HP printer (never had any problems with the old one). I have so far sent two different PDFs to two different people. Both have contacted me saying they cannot open. Surely my PDFs should be able to be opened by various apps? I  shouldn't have to contact customers to ask what app they're using? One customer is a large Hotel the other is an individual. Thanks for any advice you can offer. I'm not very technical. 

[Dragon-Fur]

@Maz57confused 

Thanks for the additional information.

HP Smart does work with this printer model -- neither printer nor application are so different from other devices or software of the type. 

HP Smart can scan mixed content - that is, documents made up of text and images - to PDF, save that content to file.

Once saved, the PDF file can then be opened.

If the PDF file does indeed open on your system, the content is not corrupted.

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True - not all content scans equally or successfully -

Samples of content that might not scan to PDF correctly or completely include:

• Currency,
• Some types of tables,
• Bar codes, QR codes,
• (As mentioned) content secured against copy
• Margins not supported by the printer

Scan issues would show up in a file you scanned, saved, and opened in your system as would other types of problems with the scanned content.

File size can impact whether an email provider -- or the email service sending the content -- will accept the data.  Files over a certain size will not be included, though this is not the same as "corrupted" or "cannot open".

No, you need not contact the recipients -- that is your choice, of course.

What else?

If you have not done so,

You have to option to install the full driver printer software.

The full driver includes HP Scan / HP Universal Scan --

The HP Scan software can scan Documents and Photos / Images to PDF and Image file types.

NOTE

The new format of HP Scan / HP Universal Scan is similar to the older HP Scan software; many of the same features are included.  The new format includes new features, including a search option.

General Example - HP Scan (new format) / HP Universal Scan

HP_Universal_Scan_PDF_More_Destination_File_Type_2

Need help to install software?

Details / How-to below in section Message Content References

IF you have accepted the HP+ contract and enabled it,

HP+ adds extra / premium Scan features and types to the HP Smart "can do" list.

Do not enable the contract until you understand what it means to do so.

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Message Content References

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Printer Software

If you have not yet done so, install the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software.

HP Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software - supports printing and scanning from the web, printing in in other software and programs (for example, Word), and provides access to the full range of Printing Preferences / Shortcuts.  The full driver generally adds at one, possibly least one, possibly two shortcuts to the Desktop: Printer Assistant, HP Scan Assistant, and/or HP Scan.

NOTES:  

HP Scan is not installed if the printer does not support Scan.

The Printer Assistant is not installed if the type of full driver software does not support it.  If the printer model includes built-in Fax hardware, the software supports the setup and use of the Fax driver.

No Sign-in required to use full driver printer software.

Reinstalling?

• Uninstall existing full driver printer software from Programs and Features.
• If your printer includes a separate "help" in Programs and Features, uninstall that, too.
• Restart the computer and log in.
• If the printer is connected to the computer using a printer USB cable, remove / disconnect the cable before loading the software.

>>> Full Feature Software - Web Pack Installation Webpage - Information - Download / Save / (then) Install <<<

HP OfficeJet Pro 8120 series EasyStart Printer Setup Software - Offline Use Only 

In general, the web pack should load -

Download package > Save > Right-Click on the installation Package > Run as Administrator

If / When asked, opt for the Full Driver / Full Software to be installed.

Using USB?  (Re)Connect when instructed to do so.

After the software is installed, Restart the computer and sign in. 

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The installation of the full driver generally adds at least one or more shortcuts to the Desktop.

 Note:  Printer Assistant, HP Scan Assistant, and HP Scan are dependent on printer model and supported software options.

• Printer Assistant – Where still supported as part of the full driver printer software
• HP Scan – Shortcut on Desktop named for the printer model

OR

• HP Scan Assistant – For those printers that no longer provide the Printer Assistant
• HP Scan - Shortcut named for itself

AND / OR

• When installed, HP Universal Scan software adds a separate self-named “HP Scan” shortcut
• NOTE >> If you install the full driver printer software, installing as a standalone software HP Universal Scan is not needed.  The system will allow you to install both.

Printer Assistant shortcut > Tab Scan > Manage Scan to Computer > Enable

Or

HP Scan Assistant shortcut > Manage Scan to Computer > Enable

Example - Desktop Shortcuts

Printer_Assistant_Scan_Assistant_Shortcut_Icons_on_Desktop_9

Example - Programs and Features - Installed Printer Software

Programs_and_Features_Printer_Desktop_Icons_20

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References / Resources

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources

Learn about your Printer - Solve Problems

“Things that are your printer”

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

NOTE: Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories: Warranty Check, Alerts, Troubleshooting, Ink & Paper, HP Software & Drivers / Firmware Updates, Setup & User Guides, Product Specifications, Account & Registration, Warranty & Repair

Open 

 Product Home - Printers

 Enter the device type and model name of your HP product

OR

 Select a saved product from HP Account Dashboard

OR

HP OfficeJet Pro 8120e All-in-One Printer Series  

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

Real people who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You for the help !

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"

[PiterGeek]

If the PDFs work for you, send them via a different method (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.). As the files may have been corrupted during email sending process.