Scanner driver initialization problem

[CHFFT_1941]

I have the same problem than in this post:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Scanning-Faxing-Copying/HP-Scan-App-Driver-Installation-Loop-Issue/td-....

I tried the procedure explained there, no way.

I also tried different executables for installation (downloaded from HP site and microsoft store) .

Note that after installation, everything is working. But after reboot the problem appears!

Any other ideas?

[CHFFT_1941]

I advanced a little bit in the debug process. I think it's a kind of conflict between the drivers and the WIA service (Window Image Acquisition). 

When I restart the service, everything is working as expected. However the problem appears again and again after each reboot.

I tried following WIA options without success:

- delayed start

- recovery : restarting the service after all failures

- I verified if dependencies are started

Perhaps an HP Employee could take position if this is an HP or windows problem or do I have other wrong setting elsewhere?

[Jerry_57 · Accepted solution]

Hi @CHFFT_1941,
 

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for sharing the additional details. Since the scanner works immediately after installation but fails after every reboot until the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service is restarted, this points to a Windows service or driver initialization issue rather than a scanner hardware problem.

Based on your description, this is most likely caused by Windows not fully reinitialising the HP scanner driver during startup.

Try these steps:

1. Disable Windows Fast Startup:
 

Fast Startup uses a hybrid shutdown, which can prevent scanner drivers and the WIA service from initializing correctly after a reboot.
 

• Open Control Panel > Power Options.
   
• Select Choose what the power buttons do.
   
• Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
   
• Clear Turn on fast startup (recommended).
   
• Save the changes and restart the PC.

2. Verify required Windows services:

The WIA service depends on other Windows services during startup.
 

• Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
   
• Confirm the following services are set to Automatic and are Running:
  
  
  • Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
     
  • Shell Hardware Detection
     
  • Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

3. Temporary workaround:
 

Since restarting the WIA service restores scanning, you can automate this by creating a batch file containing:

@Echo off net stop stisvc net start stisvc

Save it as FixScanner.bat and place it in your Windows Startup folder so it runs automatically after sign-in.

HP or Windows?

Based on the behavior you've described, this appears to be related to how Windows initializes the WIA service and scanner driver during startup, rather than a hardware issue with the HP scanner itself. If the issue persists after the steps above, we would recommend checking for the latest Windows updates and HP driver updates, as driver initialisation issues are often addressed through software updates.

I hope this helps. Take care and have a great day!

[CHFFT_1941]

Thank you for your detailed answer.

1 & 2)
I checked all the settings you mentioned. Everything is ok.

3)
I was already using a batch file to stop and restart the service with 3 sec delay between stop and start.
Newly, as you suggested, I tried to start it automatically.

To have this workaround working,

-> I had to implement code to run it as Administrator

-> I had to implement a large delay (150s) in the batch file before stopping the service.
Without this delay the service could not stop correctly and of course nor restart correctly.
The delay could be probably optimized, but 120s was not always enough.

Further remarks:
---------------

When everything works,

- in common drawing SW, there is the choice between the following scanning sources (for the same HW)

     WIA-HP LJ M139M142 (NET) 1.0 (32-32) : 600dpi max; brightness and contrast control available
     WIA-NPI78DC4F (HP Laserjet MFP M1 1.0) : 300dpi max
     HP TWAIN USB 2.4 (32-32) ----> Not our subject

- HP Scan SW uses by default the first one (as stated at the top of HP scan window).

When the problem occurs,

- in common drawing SW, the first choice has disappeared.

- HP Scan SW does not start (initializing the driver continuously)

Conclusion:
----------

1)
People using by default the first driver do not see the problem.

That's perhaps the reason why few people complain about this...

2)
The workaround you proposed is working. However it is not 100% satisfying.

I think that somebody by HP should investigate what is really happening.
For sure you have the appropriate diagnostic tools and knowledge to solve this problem.

Thank again you for valuable help

[Jerry_57]

Thank you for sharing the details.

Please help us by providing the Product serial number or product number in a private message so we can assist further.
 

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[Jerry_57]

Thank you for sharing the detailed observations. We truly appreciate the care you’ve taken in testing and documenting the workaround. While your solution helps stabilise the scanner service, we understand the long delays make it less than ideal. I’ve noted your findings and will ensure they are passed on for deeper investigation so that the root cause can be addressed and the experience made smoother.