Unable to scan because another program has control of the HP imaging device.

[TheGreatIndoors]

I have the same issue as the other users, have tried the suggested solutions, and have had no luck.  The symptoms appeared first after I upgraded to Windows 10.  I have an HP OfficeJet 6500 E709 and an hp g7 laptop.  I have HP Officejet Full Feature Software and Driver version 14.8.0 installed.

The extended error information is 8, [ (0, 18, -2147467259) ]

Apparently this issue has been affecting users for three years with no real workable resolution.  HP needs to create this issue in their test lab, and then work on enhancing HP Print and Scan Doctor to actually address the problem.  When the problem manifests itself, it appears that the issue is only with the PC receiving the error message and is not caused by something else on the network (as the error message would lead you to believe).  If the HP Scan app is unable to reserve a connection with the scanner, then HP Print and Scan Doctor app should be enhanced so that it is able to identify the details of the application/process that is causing the conflict - and, with administrative priviledges, have the option to terminate or reset that connection.

Another feature that might help is if you could view which processes, IP addresses, and ports are currently reserving the scanner hardware by using the printer's web interface.  Without diagnostic features like these, the user really has no viable way to diagnose the issue or provide usable feedback to HP Tech Support.

Here's a snapshot of what HP apps are running on my PC:

[TheGreatIndoors]

Addendum to previous post:

I also tried scanning from the all-in-one's front panel, but the same error message pops up on my laptop's screen.  When stepping through the options from the front panel, only one computer is available from the selections.  So it is not an issue with multiple PCs trying to access the scanner.

[snapperdesigns]

I have the same scanning problem with HP OfficeJet Pro 8500 Wireless since I upgraded to Windows 10. Connected by wireless.  I then tried installing the printer onto my laptop (also Windows 10) and it worked fine, but no luck with my pc.

[TheGreatIndoors]

Recently, I worked on this issue again.  I uninstalled the HP OfficeJet 6500 Wireless All-In-One E709n full software and driver package, created a new admin account, ran the registry cleaner in CCleaner (several passes), rebooted, and reinstalled the software/driver package under the new admin account.   This did not fix this issue.

I'm guess that the intent of this type of fix (which I'm not a fan of) is to fix errors caused by registry permission issues where the Administrators group does not have full control over some specific registry keys.  A better fix, for more experienced users, would be to have HP Tech Support actually identify the potentially offending keys and show the steps for applying the right permissions.  All that said, though, I don't think that this is the root cause; but it still might be.

Also, I found that I could connect the all-in-one via USB, and I could scan that way.  That is an albeit less-functional workaround.  However, I did notice that using the scanner using USB does occasionally produce the same error message that I see with wireless.  When I try to scan a second time via USB, it almost always works fine on the second try.  This leads me to believe that the error while scanning wirelessly is really a timing issue.  If so, the only recourse is for HP to issue a fix to the scanning software, driver, or perhaps the firmware.

[Texhawk1]

I have two Win 10 laptops.. I still use my HP 6500 E709n printer as a scanner.  One laptop will scan from the HP Solution Center, but the other gets the  error message  "

"another program or computer is using the HP imaging device"

I have uninstalled the full HP printer driver and control center and reinstalled it, but same error message.

HP scan doctor runs scan and finds no problems with scanner.

Did anyone ever figure out how to correct the scan error??

[TheGreatIndoors]

I haven't tried anything further to resolve this problem in the last year, and HP has not provided any solutions.  I did try again to use the wireless scanning feature after the upgrade to Windows 10 anniversary edition, but that upgrade did not fix the issue.

Personally, I think HP would have something to gain and something useful to learn by delving into a fix for this issue.  I don't think it's an oddball corner case or a stupid user issue.  It's a bug, and something likely to affect other current and future software, drivers, and firmware in the same way.

[Sunshyn2005]

Hey @TheGreatIndoors,

Did you try the document suggested by @Shane_R on page 1?  (An 'Another program has control of the scanner' Message Displays for HP All-in-One Printers)

If the issue continues to persists, let me know and I will surely do all I can to help. Thanks. 

[RayWoodson]

This thread is old, but may have recent reviews.  Best I remember, I marked a solution some time back.  BUT, I've replaced my troublesome computer and don't have the problem any more.  I'm sure I installed the S/W anew and thus have not had the problem (although the 'other device' still exists.

[TheGreatIndoors]

Yep, I tried all of those suggestions in the document about a year ago - except for the Service the Printer option.  I don't think it's a hardware issue.  There have been no software updates for this printer in quite some time, and there are no firmware updates for this printer (HP OfficeJet Pro 6500, 709n).  HP Print and Scan Doctor finds no issues.

I've tried:

1. Running HP Print and Scan Doctor.
2. Uninstalling and reinstalling the software.
3. Uninstalling, running a registry cleaner and reinstalling the software.
4. Uninstalling and installing the software under an alternate administrator account.
5. Turning off all computers on the home network, then booting just the PC with the issue.

I can print wirelessly.  I can use some of the printer toolbox apps just fine,  but wireless scanning will just not work. The HP scanning app running wirelessly still thinks some other app or computer is trying to connect at the same time.  Scanning via USB works fine.

[Sunshyn2005]

Hey @TheGreatIndoors, and @RayWoodson, 

I've found something I think will help! Although this document says it pertains to the HP Photosmart Premium All-in-One Printer Series (C309), the solutions presented are applicable to your printer too. I've also cross referenced the solutions with the previous document to ensure I'm not sending you around in circles. Please take a look and complete the suggested solutions presented: 'Scan Cannot be Performed Because Another Program or Computer is Using the Networked Device' Message....

Let me know the outcome of your efforts. Thanks.