Poor Quality Scans

[Jaye50]

I used my scanner for the first time today to scan some old photos.  The scanned images seem to have some sort of mega soft filter on them, the images look awful.  I can't find anyway of adjusting this on the scanner software or on the printer itself.

Please tell me this awful filter can be removed, so I can have pinsharp crisp scans.

Many thanks

Jaye

[Ratchet_31]

Hi@Jaye

Hope this helps. Let me know how this goes. I genuinely hope the issue gets resolved without hassles and the unit works great. Please reach out for any issues and I'll be there to assist you

HP Printers - Fixing Scan Quality Issues

This document is for HP multifunction printers.

When you scan, the computer file or printed output has vertical lines, incorrect colors, color bands, or poor resolution.

Figure : Example of a scan with vertical lines

Figure : Example of a file or printout with color bands

Step 1: Confirm the issue is not printing-related

The steps in this document resolve quality issues when scanning only.

If quality issues occur when printing from the computer, do not continue with these steps. Go to HP Customer Support, type your printer model number if necessary, then search for print quality to find the Fixing Poor Print Quality document for steps to resolve the issue.

If quality issues occur when scanning, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Clean the scanner

Fingerprints, smudges, dust, or debris on the scanner glass, under the scanner lid, or in the document feed slot can cause lines and color bands. Clean these parts with a soft, lint-free cloth sprayed with glass cleaner.

Read one of the following sections for steps to clean these components, depending on your printer type.

Printer with flatbed scanner glass and lid

Printer with a document scan feeder

Printers with a flatbed scanner glass and lid

Printers with a document scan feeder

Step 3: Clean the automatic document feeder (ADF) rollers

If your printer has an automatic document feeder (ADF), dust or paper residue on the rollers or separator pad inside the ADF can result in scan quality issues. Open the ADF, then clean the ADF rollers and separator pad.

 NOTE:

The location of the ADF rollers might be different depending on your printer, but the following steps still apply.

1. Gather the following materials:
   • A clean, lint-free cloth, or any cloth that does not come apart or leave fibers
   • Distilled, filtered, or bottled water (tap water might damage the printer)
2. Remove the original document from the ADF.
3. Turn off the printer.
4. Disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
5. Open the ADF cover.
6. Find the paper pick rollers and the separator pad inside the ADF.
   Figure : Example of the paper pick rollers and separator pad in a LaserJet printer

   

   Figure : Example of the paper pick rollers and separator pad in a OfficeJet printer

   
7. Lightly dampen a clean, lint-free cloth with filtered or distilled water, then squeeze any excess liquid from the cloth.
8. Use the damp cloth to wipe any residue off the paper pick rollers and the separator pad.
9. Leave the ADF cover open for two minutes to allow the paper pick rollers and separator pad to dry.
10. Close the ADF cover.
11. Reload the original document print side up in the document feeder tray. Gently slide the document into the printer as far as it can go.
12. Slide in the paper width guides until they are snug against the paper.
    Do not push the paper width guides in so far that they bend the paper.
13. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.
14. Turn on the printer, then try to scan.

If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Step 4: Change the scan settings

Change the scan settings to increase resolution, adjust the color palette, or increase the contrast.

Windows

Mac

Step 5: Reset the printer

Resetting the printer can force some types of scanners to calibrate which might fix the problem.

1. Remove any items from the scanner glass and automatic document feeder (ADF), then close the scanner lid.
2. With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the printer and from the wall outlet or power strip.
3. Wait at least 60 seconds.
4. Plug the power cord back into a wall outlet.

    NOTE:

   HP recommends connecting the printer power cord directly to a wall outlet.

5. Reconnect the power cord to the printer.
6. Load the original document or photo, then try to scan.
   If the issue persists, continue to the next step. 

To simply say thanks, please click the "Thumbs Up" button to give me a Kudos to appreciate my    efforts to help.

If this helps, please mark this as “Accepted Solution” as it will help several others with the same issue to get it resolved without hassles. 

Take care now and have a splendid week ahead. 

[Jaye50]

I have no problem with printing at all, or photocopying.

When I scan a pin sharp crisp photograph, the scan looks soft as if it has some sort of softening filter on it.  I want my scans to be pin sharp so I cant print my photographs.

How do I remove this softening filter from the scanner?

Thank you

Jaye

[Ratchet_31]

When scanning the photo what format are you using. 

[Dragon-Fur]

@Jaye50

Apologies for jumping in unannounced.

The printer does not have "filters" -- the scan may be less than it can be due to using a lower resolution, incorrect color settings, or other issues related to the settings used to scan the image.

For best results, use a scan program on your computer (as opposed to scanning from the printer panel).

One issue with scanning photos is one of original quality - scanning emphasizes any flaws in the image / photo to be scanned.  It is certainly worth trying to improve the quality of the scan.  

Set the scan resolution to no less than 300 DPI to start -- increase the resolution (as possible for your particular printer and / or the software being used) and check the results.

Some programs can help you adjust the colors, brightness, exposure.  (HP Scan Extended)

Consider cropping, shaping the photo -- keep the best parts and leave out the "less than best" portions of the picture.  Know that changing the shape of the photo can have consequences when printing - cropping and editing techniques (and results) depend on your skill level and your photo editing and printing software.

Reference:

Dragon Document - Help, suggestions, links to how-to videos, and examples:

Scanning Program Options

Document Sections Include:

HP Scan Extended   – Exceptional standalone scan program:  Single, Multiple scans, Auto-Crop!

NAPS2  -- Not another PDF Scanner

Printer Software (Full Feature Software)

HP Scan and Capture

And others…

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[Jaye50]

Thank you Dragon_Fur.

I downloaded the H P Scanner Extended software, and my scans are now a lot better.  Not nearly as good as my Epson Photo Printer Scanner but a million and one percent improvement on HP's quite poor scanning software that came with my printer.

Jaye

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@Jaye50

You are welcome.

I am glad the results are improved.

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