Scan not working

[Jozef96]

My Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw will print but will not scan. It has been working fine but all of a sudden this morning I got an error saying it could not communicate with the scanner. Since it is printing, it is obviously communicating. My computer is an HP running Windows 11. I have already tried restarting both the computer and the LaserJet. I have also tried the HP Print and Scan doctor with no luck.

[Anand_Andy]

Hi @Jozef96,

Welcome to the HP Support Community

I understand you are facing a scanning issue with your HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw. I really appreciate you trying to use HP Print and Scan Doctor to diagnose the issue. Not to worry I will help you to get a resolution to resolve the issue.

To assist better:

• Are you able to make a copy fine?
• Are you trying to scan directly from the printer?
• Have you tried using HP Smart to scan?
• What application are you using to scan to the computer?

While you respond to that, Let's perform a power drain: 

• With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer and also unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
• Remove USB cable, if present.
• Wait for 2-3 minutes, press and hold the power button on your printer for about 30 seconds to remove any additional charge.
• Now plug back the power cable straight to a wall outlet without any surge protector or an extension cord (This is important) and then plug back the power cord to the printer.
• Turn on the printer and wait till warm-up period finishes and the printer is idle
• Try to scan

Try RPC( Router, printer, and computer) Restart them in the same order. Then try to scan. 

If the issue persists, Reinstall the HP print driver (Windows)

Uninstall then reinstall the print driver on a Windows computer.

--->In Windows, search for and open Programs and Features.

--->Select your HP printer.

--->Select Uninstall.

--->In Windows, search for and open Devices and Printers.

--->In the Devices and Printers window look for your HP Printer. If you see it listed, right-click on it and choose "Delete" or "Remove Device.”

--->Open up the run command with the "Windows Key + R" key combo.

--->Type printui.exe /s and click OK.

--->Click on the Drivers tab.

--->Look for HP Printer driver. If you see it click on it and click remove at the bottom.

--->Select OK.

--->Select Apply and OK on the Print Server Properties windows.

--->Close Devices and Printers.

And then reinstall the printer full-featured drivers from software and drivers page 

Check Windows Image Acquisition settings

Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) allows communication between the computer and scanner. If WIA is not on or running correctly, scan jobs can fail.

1. In Windows, search for and open View local services.
2. Next to Windows Image Acquisition (WIA), check the Status and Startup Type.
   • If the status is 'Started' or 'Running' and the Startup Type is 'Automatic', WIA is working correctly. No further action is required.
   • If the status is 'Disabled' or blank, continue with these steps.

1. Right-click Windows Image Acquisition (WIA), and then select Properties.
2. On the General tab, select Automatic from the Startup type drop-down.
3. Under Service status, click Start.
4. If the Start button is grayed out, return to the Services list and make sure the following services are running and set as Automatic.
   • DCOM Server Process Launcher
   • Remote Procedure Call
   • RPC Endpoint Mapper
   • Shell Hardware Detection
5. Try to start WIA again.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!