scanning photos

[CoMaBu]

I’m trying to scan 3 photos at once.  I’ve placed them so they don’t touch.  The original scan shows all 3 pictures but the final separates two of three out and deletes the third.  I’m just not sure what I’m doing wrong.  

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @CoMaBu,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

I can feel the frustration and confusion you’re sitting with right now. You gently place all three photos on the scanner glass, making sure they don’t touch, and you can clearly see all three in the preview… but when HP Smart processes the scan, it quietly separates only two and acts as if the third never existed.

Let’s slow this moment down together and bring things back.

Here Are the Correct HP Steps to Capture ALL 3 Photos Successfully

Option 1 (Easiest): Turn OFF Auto-Cropping in HP Smart

HP Smart normally tries to auto‑separate items, which is what’s deleting the third photo.

In HP Smart:

1. Open Scan
2. Under Scan Settings, turn OFF: 
   • Auto Detect Photos
   • Auto Crop
3. Scan again → HP Smart will save all 3 photos together as a single full-page image
4. Then manually crop each one inside HP Smart or any photo app

This guarantees nothing gets deleted.

Option 2: Increase the Space Between Photos

Even though you spaced them out, the software may still think two are part of the same shape.

Try:

• Leaving at least 1 inch between each photo
• Making sure edges are straight
• Keeping them away from the scanner borders
• Cleaning the glass (smudges confuse detection)

This improves object recognition, reducing the chance that HP Smart discards one.

Option 3: Place a Sheet of White Paper on Top

This is a trick many HP agents recommend because it improves contrast.

1. Place your three photos on the glass
2. Lay a blank white sheet over them
3. Close the lid
4. Scan again
5. HP Smart will detect edges more reliably

This works particularly well for glossy photos.

Option 4: Scan as a “Document”, Not as “Photo”

The Photo mode aggressively auto-crops.

Switch to:

Scan → Document → Color → PDF or JPEG

Then manually crop after scanning.

This stops HP Smart from deleting images it doesn’t identify as “photos”.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

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Regards,

VikramTheGreat

[CoMaBu]

Thank you so much !  I will try these suggestions.  

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @CoMaBu,

You’re most welcome, I’m glad I could help 😊

Take your time with the steps, and if anything doesn’t behave as expected or you see a specific error message, just share the details, and I’ll walk you through the next fix.
 

We’re here whenever you need support.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

VikramTheGreat