Scanner communication cannot be established.

[MissT2]

I am receiving an error when trying to open the HP Scan Program that is literally driving me insane! I have re-installed my HP Laserjet 1536dnf printer onto my new Windows 10 computer but have had so much trouble trying to get the scanner to work. The printer and other functions seem to have installed without issue and are working fine.

I had issues with the scan function on my old Windows 7 machine where it would error out after scanning a page or two but I thought it was issues with the wireless settings not the HP product ... now I am feeling the fool because after reading through these forums it seems to be a very common problem with this model no matter what we try.

The original set-up disc is being blocked from starting with the message saying “This app has been blocked for your protection. An administrator has blocked you from running this app. For more information, contact the administrator” – I am the administrator and as far as I can see it isn’t blocked. I am currently looking into this being a Windows 10 issue, I have disabled the SmartScreen function as well as looking into the Administrator account but so far what I have tried has not made a difference.

I downloaded the driver (full version) from the HP website and after each attempt followed the many troubleshooting suggestions on here to see if they will fix my problem. So far I have tried this ...

1. Re-installed the drivers using different connection types (USB, Wireless & Network)
2. Installed the Universal Printer Drivers using different connection types (USB, Wireless & Network)
3. Checked WIA Service (no issues found, restarted)
4. MSCONFIG – disabled all non-Microsoft Services and restarted computer
5. Scanned with Malaware Bytes, Avira & SuperAntiSpyware – found some spyware but nothing that corrected the scanning issues
6. Disabled SmartScreen on Windows 10
7. Disabled Avira & MalawareBytes

I have run HP Print & Scan Doctor 5.0 after every install and it comes up with the same error every time.

“X Windows (WIA) Scan” error, “Please save your work, and then close all applications. Remove power from your printer by pulling out the printer’s power cord. Plug the power cord back in, turn the printer back on then click “Restart Computer”. After the computer restarted, run this utility again”

The scanner doesn’t seem to activate at all (previously working, with errors on Windows 7 machine). There are no sounds or attempt to scan – although the printer and other functions work fine. When I try to scan I receive this error:

"Scanner Unreachable... Scanner communication cannot be established. Ensure your product is powered on, check the connection, and ensure your network is functioning properly. If these conditions are correct, restart the product and try scanning again. If you are running firewall software, it may be blocking scan communication. Please visit www.hp.com/go/wirelessprinting for help configuring your firewall."

I have a brand new computer, all updates are current and I have no other issues with it. I am also running the latest versions of both Avira Optimization Suite and MalawareBytes Anti Malware Premium with no other issues.

Would love to hear new suggestions to get the scanner function running before I throw it against the wall! This would be a fantastic machine if it wasn't for these issues, so very very frustrating.

[MKazi]

@MissT2

Welcome to HP Support Forums. 🙂 I came across your post and would like to help.

I understand that you have an HP LaserJet Pro M1536dnf Multifunction Printer. I read that the scanner stops working. You keep getting a message saying Scanner Unreachable, X Windows (WIA) Scan. You have run the HP Print and Scan Doctor and even reinstalled the drivers and the issue persists. You've done a remarkable job performing the steps. I appreciate the steps you have performed and have certainly done a good job.

To provide an accurate resolution, I need a few more details: 

• Is the printer able to make a copy? If yes, then it indicates that the scanning hardware is fine.
• Have you tried to scan from other applications like HP Scan and Capture, Windows scan or Microsoft paint?

Meanwhile, I recommend you to perform the following steps to isolate the issue and arrive at a fix: 

• 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 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.
• You may download and install the drivers from here.

I sincerely hope this fixes the issue. Please let me know how it goes. All the best! 🙂

[MissT2]

Hi @MKazi.

The installation I had was not copying and also would not scan using HP Scan & Capture, Microsoft Paint or Windows Fax & Scan.

I followed all of your instructions below to isolate the issue, including re-installing the drivers.

The current installation can now make copies & print without issue but the scanning problem still persists on all applications.

Errors encountered:

HP Scan & Capture – "could not find device" (same error using IP address to search for device)

Microsoft Paint – “Unable to retrieve picture from device. Verify the device is properly connected & try again”

Windows Fax & Scan – “Could not complete scan”

HP LJ M1530 Scan - "Scanner Unreachable..." (same error as before)

Thanks heaps for your response.

[MKazi]

@MissT2

You're welcome. I appreciate you taking your valuable time to troubleshoot this issue.

If the printer is connected to the network then, please perform the steps from this link. These steps normally help to fix scanning related issue in the network printer.

NOTE: Please ignore step 4, 5 and 6 from this link. 

I hope this information helps. Please keep me posted. Good luck! 🙂

[MissT22]

@MKazi Thanks again for your replies. The printer is not connected to the network, the current installation is connected via USB. Are there other steps I can perform for USB connected devices? 

[Rainbow23]

Hi @MissT2,

Thank you for your reply, I'll be more than glad to help you.

I understand that the issue still persists and also the printer is connected via USB cable.

Please follow the link: USB Scanner Connection Error (Windows)

Let me know if this works.

You have a good day ahead.

[MissT22]

Thanks for your suggestions @Rainbow23 but they have not fixed my scanning problem.

In Step 8: "The Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service could not be started."

Step 9: None of the scanning work arounds were successful. "Scanner could not be found", "Could not complete Scan" ... etc

[Khim]

@misst2 I tried it but didn't work for me. Is there anything else I can do? Thank you!

[AkoyPinoy]

Apparently, there's a problem with your wires or the ports. Try to connect and disconnect the 2 wires from the back of your printer. If it still won't work, try to change the wire (buy or borrow). Then restart the printer(optional). It worked for me just now I had the problem and try to find the solution here but I fixed it my way since I'm not that techy to get into software setups. Note: I didn't have to do any of what they've said here because for me it had something to do with connection as it said "it cannot establish connection" so there must be disconnection":)