How to Fix HP Printer Scanner Not Working with HP Easy Scan?

If your HP printer scanner is not working with HP Easy Scan, it can interrupt your workflow and delay important tasks. Whether you’re facing connection issues, login problems, outdated software, or activation errors, this guide covers everything you need to know to troubleshoot and fix the issue effectively.

What Is HP Easy Scan?

HP Easy Scan is a scanning application designed primarily for macOS users. It works with compatible HP printers and scanners to allow users to scan documents and photos directly to their Mac. The software offers customizable scan settings, file format options (PDF, JPEG, etc.), and resolution controls.

If HP Easy Scan fails to detect your printer or complete a scan, the problem may be related to software conflicts, driver issues, login settings, or network connectivity.

Common Reasons Why HP Printer Scanner Is Not Working

Before applying fixes, it’s important to understand the possible causes:

Outdated or corrupted HP printer drivers
HP Easy Scan not updated
Printer not properly connected to Wi-Fi or USB
macOS permission issues
Scanner service not activated
Firewall or antivirus blocking communication

Identifying the root cause will help you apply the correct solution quickly.

Step 1: Check HP Printer Connection and Activation

Ensure your HP printer is:

Powered on
Connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac
Properly installed and activated

To verify activation:

Open System Settings on your Mac.
Go to Printers & Scanners.
Confirm your HP printer appears in the list.
If not, click Add Printer and reinstall it.

If your printer shows as “Idle” but won’t scan, restart both your printer and Mac.

Step 2: Login and Account Verification (If Required)

Some HP scanning features require an HP account login, especially when using cloud-based scanning or HP Smart services.

Make sure:

You are logged into your HP account inside the HP software (if prompted).
Your account credentials are correct.
The printer is registered to your account.

If login fails:

Sign out and log back in.
Reset your HP account password if necessary.

Step 3: Download and Install the Latest HP Easy Scan Version

Outdated software can cause scanner detection failures.

How to Update or Reinstall HP Easy Scan:

Remove the existing HP Easy Scan app from Applications.
Restart your Mac.
Download the latest version from the official App Store.
Install and launch the application.
Allow all requested permissions (scanner access, files, network).

After reinstalling, try scanning again.

Step 4: Update HP Printer Drivers

Outdated drivers are one of the main reasons HP scanners stop working.

To Update Drivers:

Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
Remove the printer.
Re-add it to allow macOS to reinstall the latest compatible driver automatically.

You can also update your macOS system to ensure compatibility with the latest HP drivers.

Step 5: Reset Printing System (Advanced Troubleshooting)

If the scanner still doesn’t work:

Go to Printers & Scanners.
Right-click in the printer list.
Select Reset Printing System.
Re-add your HP printer.

This removes corrupted configurations that may block scanning services.

Step 6: Enable Scanner Permissions on macOS

Sometimes macOS blocks scanner access.

To check permissions:

Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security.
Click Full Disk Access.
Ensure HP Easy Scan is enabled.
Check Files and Folders access as well.

Restart the application after enabling permissions.

Step 7: Check HP Customer Support and Service Options

If none of the above steps fix the issue, contact HP customer support for advanced assistance.

Support services typically offer:

Remote troubleshooting
Driver compatibility checks
Firmware updates
Scanner hardware diagnostics

Before contacting support, keep ready:

Printer model number
macOS version
HP Easy Scan version
Error message (if displayed)

Step 8: Perform Firmware Update

An outdated printer firmware may prevent scanning functionality.

To update firmware:

Access the printer’s control panel settings.
Look for Printer Update or Firmware Update.
Install available updates.

Restart the printer once the update is complete.

Step 9: Fix HP Easy Scan Not Detecting Scanner

If HP Easy Scan opens but shows “No Scanner Found”:

Make sure AirPrint is not selected instead of the HP driver.
Reinstall the printer using the correct HP driver.
Disable firewall temporarily to test connection.
Use USB connection to check if Wi-Fi is the issue.

If it works via USB but not Wi-Fi, reconfigure your wireless connection.

Step 10: Advanced Troubleshooting Tips

If the issue persists:

Try scanning using another HP app to test hardware.
Create a new user profile on Mac and test scanning.
Boot Mac in Safe Mode and test.
Reset network settings on the printer.

These steps help determine whether the problem is software-related or hardware-related.

Benefits of Keeping HP Software Updated

Regular updates provide:

Improved compatibility with macOS
Better scanning performance
Security enhancements
Reduced software bugs

Keeping your printer drivers and HP Easy Scan updated ensures long-term reliability.

Conclusion

If your HP printer scanner is not working with HP Easy Scan, the issue is usually related to outdated software, driver conflicts, connection problems, or permissions. By checking login settings, reinstalling the software, updating drivers, and verifying activation, you can resolve most scanner problems quickly.