Why the MFP does not scan, but prints

A fairly common problem that owners of MFPs encounter is that the scanner does not work, even though the printer is functioning normally. This situation is not only common when you first install the product, but also happens with devices that have been working for a long time with their owners. Below we will consider the most common causes that lead to inoperability of the scanner and how to eliminate them.

Possible reasons why the MFP does not scan but print

The reason for the situation when the device does not scan, but prints and copies, may be various factors that can conditionally be divided into two groups:

  • hardware
  • software.

The hardware includes malfunctions of the scanner itself, connecting the cord, or the USB port of the PC. Software reasons often lie in an uninstalled or malfunctioning device driver, or software incompatibility with your version of the operating system.

What to do if the MFP does not scan

Begin troubleshooting should focus on whether this is the first installation of the scanner on this PC, or if it has been working for some time.

If you previously successfully used the scanner, and then at some point it stopped working, then the very first thing to do is to restart it simultaneously from the PC, disconnect it from the power supply for several minutes, and also check the reliability of the USB cable connection with the device.

If this does not help to fix the situation, you should make sure that the scanner is in hardware operation. Any user should understand that a scanner and a printer are combined in a multifunctional device in one housing. And the operability of the printer does not mean the health of the scanning module. The easiest way to check the health of the scanning module is to disconnect the device from the computer and try to make a copy of any document offline. If you succeed, this is a good sign, if not, then most likely you cannot do without contacting a service center.

If you are convinced that the device is functioning in offline mode (copier mode), you should continue to search for the cause of the device’s inoperability when connected to a computer.

The next thing to check is the serviceability of the communication line between the MFP and the PC. Ideally, if possible, you should take a new USB cable and connect it to another port on your PC, or at least just change the USB port to which the device is connected.

IMPORTANT! The MFP should be connected directly to the USB port of your PC, bypassing any splitters and USB hubs.

If the cable manipulations did not help, it means with a high degree of probability that it can be argued that the problem is with the MFP scanner drivers installed on the PC or their conflict with the drivers of other devices.

As a rule, a set of necessary drivers is supplied with your MFP. The problem may be that each version of the driver is designed for a specific operating system, and accordingly, when installing updates, the existing driver may stop working.

In this case, you must perform the following steps:

  • Download the latest drivers for your MFP from the manufacturer’s official website compatible with your operating system;
  • disconnect the MFP from the PC;
  • go to the tab of installed printers and scanners and remove from it all unused devices and the problematic MFP;
  • to restart a computer;
  • connect the USB cable and wait until the PC determines the type of connected device;
  • Install the MFP on this PC using the latest drivers downloaded earlier;
  • to restart a computer.

By performing this algorithm, you will completely reinstall the drivers for your MFP on the PC, eliminating the existing problems.

Be careful when downloading drivers for your MFP. For some manufacturers, drivers for the scanner are installed separately from the drivers of the print device.

Watch the video: How to Fix Print and Scan Problems Using HP Print and Scan Doctor. HP Printers. HP (March 2024).

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