Scan message error HP ENVY 4501

[ZydecoJ]

When I hit Scan, i get the message "Make sure the printer software is installed on your computer and that "scan to computer" is enabled." My printer software IS installed. How do I make sure "scan to computer" is enabled?

[Dragon-Fur]

@ZydecoJ 

Welcome to the HP Community --

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@ZydecoJ wrote:

When I hit Scan, i get the message "Make sure the printer software is installed on your computer and that "scan to computer" is enabled."

My printer software IS installed.

How do I make sure "scan to computer" is enabled?

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Product: HP ENVY 4501 e-All-in-One Printer

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit)

Connection Type: Unknown

Content Type:  Unknown

I don't know.

I never keep this process running any more -- over the years I've had different experiences with different computers, different printers, and different Operating Systems.  Sometimes it worked, sometimes, not, sometimes a combination.

When I've tested the setup (earlier this year) the process seems stable using a very robust network, a static IP address, a couple of printers (Envy 7855 and an OfficeJet Pro 9025, installed full driver printer software, and Windows 11.

Observations / Ideas / Examples / Current Notes on the Subject

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Scan to Computer – Preparation and Observations

Scan to Computer requires that the Full Feature Software / Full Driver is installed and functional.

Scan to Computer requires that the control process be enabled and running in the Task Manager.

What is the name of the control process that runs in the Task Manager?

ScanToPCActivationApp

>> Important – Be Aware <<

Sometimes, no matter what you do, ScanToPCActivationApp might not respond the way you expect.

For example, you might be able to start / stop / enable / disable the process or notifications and ScanToPCActivationApp might still misbehave, balk, or refuse to stay running. 

Why might ScanToPCActivationApp refuse to work?

Possibly:  Operating System file system oddities (broken links, libraries, or files in Windows), corrupted printer software, network connection(s) between the printer software and the printer, old printer software (less often the case, but might be a contributor), old printer hardware (perhaps less common than other causes, but might be a contributing factor).

Pile of Rubbish - What to do?

Try / Consider

• Make sure the Windows Updates are current / installed
• Change the printer connection type – possibly to TCP/IP
• Assign a manual, static IP address to the printer
• Uninstall the Full Feature Software > Restart computer > Reinstall the Full Feature Software
• Update the printer firmware
• Try disabling the setup in the Printer Assistant > Restart the computer > Open the Printer Assistant and Enable the setup
• Give up – leave the ScanToPCActivationApp disabled in Windows Startup > When needed, Enable the program in the Task Manager > Restart the computer and hope the app is listed in the Task Manager (running) Processes.
• Give up – Run scan jobs from the computer to the printer using HP Scan or other scan apps or software.

=== --- === --- === --- === --- ===

Notification - Switch OFF or ON “ScanToPCActivationApp”

The Windows Notification setting controls when / if message(s) about "Scan to Computer" are displayed on the computer screen.

For example,

A message might be displayed when the process is started, stopped, or stuck (stopped when enabled and should be running).

Without impacting the running process, the notification message can be switched on / off.

>> Reminder <<

If a process has been disabled, it may not be listed in the Notification settings.

= = = = = = = =

Windows 10

Windows key > Settings > Personalization (Background, lock screen, colors

Next,

TaskBar > Scroll down to Notification Area > Select which icons appear on the taskbar

Set OFF Always show all icons in the notification area (Allows notifications to be edited)

Scroll down

Switch OFF or ON > ScanToPCActivationApp

Next,

If desired, Set ON   Always show all icons in the notification area

= = = = = = = =

Windows 11

First check… 

Settings > System > Notifications > section Notifications from other senders

Check the list – If found, Adjust the setting

>> Reminder <<

Not all processes / applications are displayed in the Notification settings.

If a process has been disabled, it may not be listed in the Notification settings.

Example

Check the list for ScanToPCActivationApp

If found, Adjust the setting to OFF or ON

>> Reminder <<

If you have more than one HP printer that supports this option, there will be a separate listing for each printer.

Settings > System > Notifications

If "Notifications" are switched ON,

Scroll down to "Notifications from apps and other senders"

If listed, Check / Switch OFF notifications you do not want.

Examples:

• HP Smart
• Print Cleanup Notification
• Print Notification

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Printer Assistant - Manage Scan to Computer

The installation of the full driver adds at least two shortcuts to the Desktop:  

Printer Assistant 

HP Scan

When needed / wanted, enable "Scan to Computer" using the Printer Assistant

Open the Printer Assistant > tab Scan > Manage Scan to Computer > Enable

=== --- === --- === --- === --- ===

Windows Startup - ScanToPCActivationApp Process 

Scan to Computer can be added to the Windows Startup list so it starts when Windows starts.

Example

Settings > Apps > Startup

Check the list for ScanToPCActivationApp

If found, Adjust the setting to OFF or ON

>> Reminder <<

A program / application that has been previously disabled in Startup can usually be (re)enabled in Startup.

=== --- === --- === --- === --- ===

Task Manager - Disable / Enable ScanToPCActivationApp Process 

>> Reminder <<

A program / application that has been previously disabled in Startup can usually be (re)enabled in Startup.

Windows 10

Right-Click an empty area of the Taskbar and select Task Manager

Select tab Start-up

Windows 11

Start > Search “Task Manager” > optionally PIN to Startup / Task Bar

Open Task Manager

Open (left column) Startup Apps

Example

Right-Click on the ScanToPCActivationApp process

Enable or Disable

=== --- === --- === --- === --- ===

Task Manager – Examine Properties for Program / Application

Windows 10

Right-Click an empty area of the Taskbar and select Task Manager

In the Task Manager window, click on 'More details' near the bottom left

Select tab Start-up

Windows 11

Start > Search “Task Manager” > optionally PIN to Startup / Task Bar

Open Task Manager

Open (left column) Startup Apps

Example

If at least one ScanToPCActivationApp process is listed,

Check the Properties of the process to find information about that process.

For example,

Right-Click the (first) process: ScanToPCActivationApp > Open Properties

Tab General > Note the information in section Location (includes the model of the printer)

Click Cancel to close the menu

=== --- === --- === --- === --- ===

Task Manager - Find and End (stop) a Running Process

Process / program running – perhaps stuck, hung, spinning, not working as expected?

Processes running in the Task Manager can be “ended”.

Be careful – Choose wisely

“Ending” random processes indiscriminately can kill or hang the entire current login session.

Select the process to end >> check again >> then proceed.

Windows 10

Right-Click an empty area of the Taskbar and select Task Manager

In the Task Manager window, click on 'More details' near the bottom left

Windows 11

Start > Search “Task Manager” > optionally PIN to Startup / Task Bar

Open Task Manager

>> Reminder <<

Processes that are disabled in Startup might not be found in current Processes

Next,

Running Processes are listed in Processes

Search the list of processes > Find the process you want to stop

Right-Click on the unwanted process > End Task

 In general, after a process is ended / killed, the next step is to Restart the computer and log in.

The actual next step(s) depend on the situation.

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=

References / Resources

Details Page - Driver - For your Printer

>>> Full Feature Software - Web Pack Installation Package - Information - Download  <<<

HP ENVY 4500 e-All-in-One Print and Scan Driver and Accessories 

After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

The installation of the full driver adds at least two shortcuts to the Desktop:  

Printer Assistant 

HP Scan

Example - Windows - Full Feature Software - Installed

Programs_and_Features_Printer_Desktop_Icons_11

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:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Manuals > User Guides, Product Information (Specifications), Supplies, and more

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