unable to scan to computer with a hp officejet pro 8720 consistently. ofter restart will do for 5 mi

[tanglewood]

I am unable to consistently start a scan from the printer to my computer. the screen indicates it can not find the computer.  There are none listed to choose from when there should be three listed.  Do a restart and all are listed and available.  10 minutes later and there will be none listed and I need to do a restart for the scan to computer to be available.  Does this have something to do with the sleep mode, or is the firmware corrupt?

[Kumar0307]

Hi @tanglewood

Welcome to the HP Support Community. I'd be happy to assist you. 

It sounds like Scan to Computer is disabled on your Mac. Enabling Scan to computer using HP Utility may resolve the issue. Let's try these steps:

1.) On your Mac, click Finder, click Applications, click the Hewlett-Packard or HP folder, then double-click HP Utility. (If HP Utility is not available, download and install the printer essential software from here) 

2.) Under Scan Settings, click Scan to Computer, then make sure the Enable Scan to Computer check box is selected.

3.) Try to scan

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accept as 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!

Have a great day! 

[SusanMc2]

Hi, K - I have this issue. Using a HP 4630 with MacBook Pro (macOS Catalina). Have tried this solution but it still isn't working. Doesn't seem to recognise my laptop even though it is printing successfully.

Have also deleted and downloaded the HP software too.

Having a frustrating day!

Thanks

[Kumar0307]

Hi @SusanMc2

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

Which application do you use to scan?

HP Easy Scan is not yet compatible with macOS 10.15 Catalina. We're actively working to restore complete functionality. I suggest using HP Smart app or Apple Image capture to scan from your MAC. Kindly refer to this document to know how. 

Refer to this document for more info on HP Easy Scan.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accept as 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!

[SusanMc2]

Hi, @Kumar0307 and thanks for your response. Another person has pointed out this issue with Catalina. I've tried to use the Apple Image Capture app but it did not work. It says the scanner is busy but its not. Any other ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Kumar0307]

@SusanMc2

Unfortunately, HP Easy Scan is not currently supported in macOS Catalina.

Because of this Scan to Computer is also limited in functionality in macOS Catalina.

If you need to use Scan to Computer in macOS Catalina you should still be able to load documents into the ADF on the 8730 and have functionality.  It just will not work from the glass itself.

HP is working to restore the full functionality of HP Easy Scan in macOS Catalina.

Let us try these steps to scan from your MAC: 

Restart the network devices

1. Turn off the Router, Printer, and the computer/ mobile devices.
2. Wait for 60 seconds.
3. Turn on the Router first and wait for all the lights to stabilize.
4. Turn on the printer and allow it to configure itself.
5. Turn on the computer/ mobile devices.

Try to scan using Apple Image Capture or use HP Smart app.

Let me know how this goes.

[SusanMc2]

Hi, @Kumar0307 - 😒 I have followed the steps you suggested. Image Capture kept saying laptop busy and HP Smart is currently stuck in the "alignment" test thing. Have tried using ADF as well as flat scanner but same result. Any other suggestions? Many thanks

[Kumar0307]

@SusanMc2

Have you updated the printer and the MAC and check if the issue persists?

Update the printer firmware

Click here to know different methods of updating printer firmware.

Also, check for any software updates on MAC

Click here to know how.

Alternatively, create a new user account and try using Apple Image capture or HP Smart to scan to isolate the issue.

Refer to this document to know how to create a new user account.

Let me know how this goes.