Scanner issue

[thegreatwc]

My computer is not connecting to my scanner. I have an HP Office Jet Pro 6970 all in one. I have a MacBook Pro, OS Monterey 12.7.3.  I can connect to the printer with no problem, but the scanner isn't seeing my computer.  I can't scan; however, if I want to make a copy of a pic or doc that works fine.  This tells me that the scanner is operational, but it isn't communicating.  I am a commercial illustrator, and I do my work on paper, so I need this scanner to work.  Please help me.  I've tried reinstalling the software for the scanner and my OS on the Mac, and nothing has helped.  And, yes, I unplugged everything and replugged it, and that had no effect either.

[Alden4]

Hi @thegreatwc,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds like you've already taken some troubleshooting steps, but let's go through a few more potential solutions to try to resolve the issue with your scanner not connecting to your MacBook Pro.

• Check Connection: Ensure that the USB cable or network connection between your HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 and your MacBook Pro is secure and properly connected.
• Restart Devices: Sometimes a simple restart can fix connectivity issues. Try restarting both your MacBook Pro and the HP OfficeJet Pro 6970.
• Update Software: Make sure that both your MacBook Pro and the HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 have the latest software updates installed. This includes macOS Monterey and any available firmware updates for your printer/scanner.
• Reset Printing System: On your MacBook Pro, you can try resetting the printing system. Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, then right-click (or Control-click) on the list of printers and select "Reset printing system." Note that this will remove all printers and scanners from your list, so you'll need to add them back afterward.
• Check System Preferences: Ensure that the scanner is recognized in your System Preferences. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Printers & Scanners. Make sure your HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 appears in the list of printers and scanners on the left-hand side. If not, try adding it again.
• HP Easy Scan: HP provides a utility called HP Easy Scan that might help diagnose and resolve scanning issues. You can download it from the Mac App Store. Once installed, try using it to scan and see if it detects your scanner.
• Check Firewall/Antivirus Settings: Sometimes security software can block connections to scanners. Check your firewall and antivirus settings to ensure that they're not interfering with the connection.
• Check HP Support: Visit the HP support website and search for your specific printer model. There might be specific troubleshooting steps or updated drivers available that could help resolve the issue.
• Try Different Software: If you're using a specific scanning application, try using a different one to see if the issue is with the software you're using. macOS also has a built-in scanning feature that you can access through Image Capture.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, it's possible that there may be a hardware problem with either the scanner or your MacBook Pro's USB ports.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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!

Alden4

HP Support