Solved: Scan adds a grey background - HP Support Community

walidon · ‎03-11-2026

Hello,

When I scan a document, a gray color is added to the background!

this happens only in scanning, but not copying or printing!

I used the HP app, the paint.net and Nitro but all give the same result!

Any help!

Thank you.

Hawks_Eye · ‎03-17-2026

Hi @walidon

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thank you for sharing the details. Since the issue appears only during scanning, the background shading is likely being introduced by the scanner’s settings or the way the document is being interpreted by the software.

Let’s go through some precise steps to correct this:

Step 1: Adjust Scan Settings in the HP App

Open the HP App on your Windows 10 computer.
Select your HP Smart Tank 585 printer.
Go to Scan.
Before starting the scan, check the Settings/Preferences option.

Change the Scan Type to Document instead of Photo.
Set the Color Mode to Black & White or Grayscale if scanning text.
Adjust the Resolution (DPI) to 300 for documents. Higher DPI can sometimes exaggerate background tones.

Step 2: Use “Enhance” or “Clean Background” Options

In the HP App, look for options such as Enhance, Sharpen, or Clean Background.
Enable these features to reduce gray shading.

Step 3: Check Scanner Glass and Document Placement

Wipe the scanner glass with a lint-free cloth to ensure no dust or smudges are causing shadows.
Place the document flat and aligned properly to avoid uneven light reflection.

Step 4: Try Saving in Different Formats

After scanning, save the file as PDF instead of JPEG. PDF scans often handle background tones better.

Step 5: Test with Another Application

While you already tried Paint.NET and Nitro, also test with Windows Fax and Scan (built into Windows 10).
Compare results to confirm if the issue is software-related or scanner settings.

Step 6: Reinstall the HP App

If the issue persists, uninstall the HP App and reinstall the latest version to refresh the scanning drivers and settings.

By following these steps, you should be able to minimize or eliminate the gray background effect during scanning. Would you like me to also share how to fine-tune the brightness and contrast settings within the HP App for even cleaner scans?

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards,

Hawks_Eye

I'm an HP Employee.

If this reply helped resolve your issue, please select the Accept as Solution as it helps others in the community quickly find the answer they’re looking for.

And if you found this reply helpful, clicking Yes below is a great way to let us know we’re providing the support you need, as it encourages us to keep improving and sharing helpful guidance.

View solution in original post

Hawks_Eye · ‎03-17-2026

Hi @walidon

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thank you for sharing the details. Since the issue appears only during scanning, the background shading is likely being introduced by the scanner’s settings or the way the document is being interpreted by the software.

Let’s go through some precise steps to correct this:

Step 1: Adjust Scan Settings in the HP App

Open the HP App on your Windows 10 computer.
Select your HP Smart Tank 585 printer.
Go to Scan.
Before starting the scan, check the Settings/Preferences option.

Change the Scan Type to Document instead of Photo.
Set the Color Mode to Black & White or Grayscale if scanning text.
Adjust the Resolution (DPI) to 300 for documents. Higher DPI can sometimes exaggerate background tones.

Step 2: Use “Enhance” or “Clean Background” Options

In the HP App, look for options such as Enhance, Sharpen, or Clean Background.
Enable these features to reduce gray shading.

Step 3: Check Scanner Glass and Document Placement

Wipe the scanner glass with a lint-free cloth to ensure no dust or smudges are causing shadows.
Place the document flat and aligned properly to avoid uneven light reflection.

Step 4: Try Saving in Different Formats

After scanning, save the file as PDF instead of JPEG. PDF scans often handle background tones better.

Step 5: Test with Another Application

While you already tried Paint.NET and Nitro, also test with Windows Fax and Scan (built into Windows 10).
Compare results to confirm if the issue is software-related or scanner settings.

Step 6: Reinstall the HP App

If the issue persists, uninstall the HP App and reinstall the latest version to refresh the scanning drivers and settings.

By following these steps, you should be able to minimize or eliminate the gray background effect during scanning. Would you like me to also share how to fine-tune the brightness and contrast settings within the HP App for even cleaner scans?

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards,

Hawks_Eye

I'm an HP Employee.

If this reply helped resolve your issue, please select the Accept as Solution as it helps others in the community quickly find the answer they’re looking for.

And if you found this reply helpful, clicking Yes below is a great way to let us know we’re providing the support you need, as it encourages us to keep improving and sharing helpful guidance.

walidon · ‎03-22-2026

Dear team,

I am sorry for the delay in replying! I was on holiday..so didn't see the reply.

Well, the change of the resulition fixed the issue!

Thank you very much for your help. Highly appreciated!

Yours,

Walid

Hawks_Eye · ‎03-22-2026

You are very welcome!

A huge thank you for marking this post as the 'Accepted Solution'! We're thrilled that we could help resolve your issue.

If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. We're here to help!

Thanks again for your confirmation, and we wish you an amazing day ahead! 😊

Regards,

Hawks_Eye

I'm an HP Employee.

If this reply helped resolve your issue, please select the Accept as Solution as it helps others in the community quickly find the answer they’re looking for.

And if you found this reply helpful, clicking Yes below is a great way to let us know we’re providing the support you need, as it encourages us to keep improving and sharing helpful guidance.

Scan adds a grey background

Create an account on the HP Community to personalize your profile and ask a question