HP printers are widely used for printing, scanning, and copying in homes and offices. However, after updating printer drivers, many users report that the scanner stops working while printing functions continue normally. This issue can occur due to driver incompatibility, corrupted installation files, Windows update conflicts, or incorrect scanner configuration.
What Causes HP Printer Scanner Not Working After Driver Update?
When you update printer drivers, system settings and communication protocols between the computer and printer may change. If the update does not install properly or conflicts with Windows, the scanner may fail to respond.
Common reasons include:
- Incompatible or incorrect driver version
- Corrupted driver installation
- Windows update conflicts
- Scanner service disabled
- Network connection problems
- Firewall or antivirus blocking scanner communication
Understanding the cause helps in applying the correct solution.
Restart Your HP Printer and Computer
Before applying advanced fixes, perform a basic restart:
- Turn off your HP printer.
- Disconnect the power cable for 60 seconds.
- Restart your computer.
- Reconnect and turn the printer back on.
This simple reset refreshes system communication and may restore scanning functionality.
Check HP Printer Scanner Connection
Ensure your printer is properly connected:
- For USB printers: Try a different USB port or cable.
- For wireless printers: Confirm the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.
- Print a network configuration page from the printer control panel to verify connectivity.
A driver update can sometimes reset network settings, causing the scanner to disconnect.
Reinstall HP Printer Drivers
If the scanner stopped working after updating drivers, reinstalling them often resolves the issue.
Step 1: Uninstall Current Driver
- Go to Control Panel
- Select Devices and Printers
- Right-click your HP printer
- Click Remove Device
Step 2: Remove Driver Files
- Open Device Manager
- Expand Print Queues
- Right-click HP printer
- Select Uninstall Device
Restart your computer after removal.
Step 3: Download and Install Correct Driver
Download the latest full-feature HP printer software compatible with your operating system. Install it and follow on-screen instructions to complete setup.
Using the full-feature driver package ensures scanning software installs properly.
Run HP Print and Scan Doctor Tool
HP provides a built-in troubleshooting utility that automatically detects and fixes scanner issues.
Steps:
- Open HP Print and Scan Doctor.
- Select your printer.
- Click Fix Scanning.
- Follow on-screen instructions.
This tool resolves driver conflicts, connectivity problems, and scanner service errors.
Check Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) Service
The scanner depends on the Windows Image Acquisition service.
To check:
- Press Windows + R
- Type services.msc
- Locate Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
- Ensure Status is Running
- Set Startup Type to Automatic
If it is stopped, start the service and restart your computer.
Roll Back Printer Driver Update
If the scanner stopped working immediately after updating, rolling back the driver may fix the issue.
Steps:
- Open Device Manager
- Expand Imaging Devices
- Right-click HP Scanner
- Select Properties
- Click Driver tab
- Select Roll Back Driver
Restart your system after rollback.
Update Windows Operating System
Sometimes Windows updates include scanner compatibility patches.
- Go to Settings
- Select Windows Update
- Click Check for Updates
- Install pending updates
Restart your computer and test the scanner again.
Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings
Security software may block scanner communication after driver changes.
- Temporarily disable antivirus software
- Allow HP printer software through firewall
- Add HP scanning application as an exception
Re-enable security software after testing.
Reset HP Printer to Factory Settings
If scanning still does not work, reset your printer:
- Open printer control panel
- Navigate to Setup or Settings
- Select Restore Factory Defaults
After reset, reconnect the printer and reinstall drivers.
HP Printer Login and Account Setup
Some HP printers require HP Smart account login for scanning features.
- Open HP Smart application
- Sign in with your HP account
- If you don’t have one, complete signup process
- Add your printer to the account
Logging in ensures cloud scanning and advanced features function correctly.
Activate HP Printer Scanner Features
After reinstalling drivers:
- Open HP Smart
- Select your printer
- Click Scan
- Run a test scan
Ensure scan-to-computer feature is enabled in printer settings.
HP Printer Scanner Not Working on Windows 11
If using Windows 11:
- Ensure compatibility driver is installed
- Run HP software in compatibility mode
- Disable driver signature enforcement if required
- Use Windows Scan app to test functionality
Windows 11 updates may require updated HP software versions.
Advanced Troubleshooting for HP Scanner Issues
If none of the above solutions work:
- Perform clean boot of Windows
- Remove all old printer drivers from system
- Check Device Manager for hidden imaging devices
- Test scanner on another computer
- Verify firmware is updated
These steps help isolate hardware or software conflicts.
When to Contact HP Customer Support
If your HP printer scanner still does not work after troubleshooting, contact HP customer support for professional assistance.
Support services include:
- Driver installation guidance
- Remote troubleshooting
- Scanner firmware update
- Hardware diagnosis
- Warranty service options
Have your printer model number and serial number ready before contacting support.
Benefits of Proper Driver Management
Keeping your HP printer drivers updated properly helps:
- Prevent scanning failures
- Improve print and scan performance
- Maintain compatibility with Windows updates
- Enhance security
- Extend printer lifespan
Always download drivers that match your exact printer model and operating system version.
Conclusion
If your HP printer scanner is not working after a driver update, the issue is usually caused by driver conflicts, corrupted installation, disabled services, or network problems. Reinstalling the correct driver, enabling WIA services, running HP Print and Scan Doctor, or rolling back the update can resolve most issues quickly.
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