How to Fix HP Printer Scanner Not Working with USB Connection?

If your HP printer scanner is not working with a USB connection, it can interrupt your workflow and delay important tasks. Whether you use your HP printer for home, office, or business purposes, scanner issues over USB are usually related to driver problems, connection errors, software conflicts, or outdated firmware.

Common Reasons Why HP Printer Scanner Is Not Working with USB

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

Faulty or loose USB cable
Outdated or corrupted printer drivers
HP scanning software not installed properly
Scanner service disabled on Windows
Firmware not updated
USB port malfunction
Incomplete printer setup or activation

Identifying the root cause helps resolve the issue quickly.

1. Check USB Connection and Hardware Setup

The first step in fixing scanner issues is verifying the physical connection.

Steps to check:

Disconnect the USB cable from both the printer and computer.
Restart your computer.
Reconnect the USB cable directly to a primary USB port (avoid USB hubs).
Use a different USB cable if available.
Ensure the printer is powered on and in ready mode.

If the scanner still does not respond, move to software troubleshooting.

2. Download and Install HP Printer Scanner Software

If the scanning software is missing or corrupted, the scanner may not function properly over USB.

How to Download HP Printer Software

Visit the official HP support page.
Enter your printer model number.
Select your operating system.
Download the full feature driver and scanning software package.

Install the Software

Open the downloaded file.
Follow on-screen instructions.
Select USB connection when prompted.
Complete installation and restart your system.

Installing the full feature package ensures scanning, printing, and management tools work properly.

3. Login and Activate HP Smart for Scanning

Many modern HP printers use the HP Smart app for scanning functionality.

Steps to Login and Activate:

Open HP Smart on your computer.
Sign in with your HP account.
If you don’t have an account, select Sign Up and create one.
Add your printer.
Complete activation and setup process.

Once activated, try scanning directly from the HP Smart dashboard.

4. Restart Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) Service

The scanner depends on the Windows Image Acquisition service.

To Restart WIA Service:

Press Windows + R
Type services.msc
Locate Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
Right-click and select Restart
Ensure Startup Type is set to Automatic

After restarting the service, test the scanner again.

5. Update HP Printer Drivers and Firmware

Outdated drivers can prevent the scanner from working over USB.

Update Printer Drivers:

Open Device Manager.
Locate your HP printer under Imaging Devices.
Right-click and select Update Driver.
Choose automatic search.

Update Firmware:

Open HP Smart.
Go to printer settings.
Check for firmware updates.
Install if available.

Keeping your printer updated prevents compatibility issues.

6. Uninstall and Reinstall HP Printer (Complete Reset)

If scanning still fails, perform a complete reinstallation.

Steps:

Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Remove your HP printer.
Uninstall HP software from Programs and Features.
Restart the computer.
Reinstall the latest software package.

This often fixes corrupted installation problems.

7. Troubleshooting Scanner Not Working on Mac (USB)

For macOS users:

Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
Remove the printer.
Re-add the printer using USB.
Install latest HP drivers compatible with macOS.
Ensure scanning permissions are enabled under Privacy settings.

8. Check for USB Port Issues

Sometimes the issue is not the printer but the computer.

Try connecting another device to the same USB port.
Switch to a different USB port.
Avoid front-panel USB ports on desktops.
Disable USB power saving mode in Device Manager.

9. HP Printer Scanner Not Working After Update

If the scanner stopped working after a Windows update:

Reinstall the HP driver package.
Run Windows Troubleshooter.
Roll back the driver from Device Manager (if necessary).
Install the most recent HP compatible driver version.

Operating system updates sometimes affect device compatibility.

10. Contact HP Customer Support and Service

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, professional support may be required.

When to Contact HP Support:

Scanner hardware failure
USB port on printer damaged
Persistent driver installation errors
Activation or account login issues

You can contact HP customer service through:

Official HP Support website
HP Smart app support section
Phone support (region-based)
Authorized HP service centers

A technician can diagnose whether the issue is hardware-related.

Preventive Maintenance Tips

To avoid scanner issues in the future:

Keep printer drivers updated.
Use original USB cables.
Avoid disconnecting printer during scanning tasks.
Perform regular firmware updates.
Restart your printer weekly.

Proper maintenance ensures long-term performance.

Conclusion

If your HP printer scanner is not working with a USB connection, the issue is usually related to driver errors, connection problems, software installation, or outdated firmware. By checking the USB cable, reinstalling drivers, activating HP Smart, restarting WIA services, and updating firmware, most scanning issues can be resolved quickly.