HP Smart “Scanning Is Currently Unavailable” [3 Easy Fix]

How to Fix the HP Smart ‘Scanning is Currently Unavailable’ Error?

The general steps to resume scanning are;

1. Restore the connection.
2. Reset/Repair the HP Smart App
3. Reinstall the printer drivers.
4. Perform System Restore

Follow these detailed steps to fix the ‘Scanning is currently unavailable’ error on HP smart app;

1. Restart the printer and router, and open the HP smart app on the computer.
2. Hide the printer by right-clicking on your printer’s model.
3. Re-add the printer on the app.
4. Now press the Windows and I keys together to open settings.
5. Choose ‘Apps’ and the ‘Apps feature.’
6. Select the ‘Installed apps’ option and search ‘HP Smart.’
7. Right-click on the HP Smart or select the three dots present on the right side.
8. Next, choose the ‘Advanced options’ button.
9. Go to the ‘Reset’ section and choose ‘Repair’ or ‘Reset.’
10. If the scanner is still unavailable, go to Windows and search for ‘Programs and Features.’
11. Choose your printer and uninstall it.
12. Type ‘Devices and Printers’ in the Windows search bar.
13. Look for the HP printer and delete it by right-clicking on it.
14. Press Windows and R keys to open the Run command.
15. Type ‘printui.exe /s’ and select ‘OK.’
16. Go to the ‘Drivers’ tab and look for your HP printer driver. Select it, and choose the ‘Remove’ option.
17. Choose the ‘OK’ A Printer Server Properties window will pop up. Choose ‘Apply’ and ‘OK.’
18. You can close the Devices and Printers window.
19. Press the Windows and R keys to open the run command again.
20. Type ‘c:/programdata’ and hit ‘OK’.
21. Select the Hewlett Packard folder and remove printer-related folders and files.
22. Finally, restart the computer.
23. If you still can’t scan a document, use ‘System Restore’ to reverse the changes that might have hindered the HP smart app’s functionality. Remember that previous data will be removed, and you must reinstall it later.

The HP scanner can be connected to any device via a USB cable or Wireless connection. The solutions are a little different for both connections. Below we have summarized the steps according to the connection you use.

For USB-connected Printers

Follow these steps if you use the USB cable connection;

1. Begin by unplugging the printer and disabling Bluetooth on your Windows device.
2. Go to the Window’s search box and type ‘Devices and Printers.’
3. Look for the current HP printer’s model and remove it from the printer and scanners list.
4. If you have Windows 11, click on the printer model and select the ‘Remove’ However, in Windows 10, you must right-click on the printer model to delete it.
5. Go to the ‘Task Manager’ tab and end the HP Smart task. If there’s ‘2’ after HP smart option, select the ‘End Task’ button twice to end it completely.
6. Now plug the wire back into your printer and PC. The computer will install the updated drivers automatically.
7. Again, open the ‘Printer and Scanner’ settings to see the currently added printer. If your printer is not there, insert the cable in a different port and check again.
8. Finally, open the HP smart app and scan your documents without interruption.

For Wireless-connected Printers

Follow these steps if you use a wireless connection;

1. Begin by turning off the printer, computer, and router.
2. Wait 5-10 minutes and turn on the router, computer, and printer.
3. Open the HP smart app to see if the issue has been resolved.
4. If the error message persists, disconnect the printer from the computer.
5. Type ‘Devices and Printers’ in the Window’s search bar.
6. Look for the current HP printer’s model and remove it from the printer and scanners list.
7. Go to the ‘Task Manager’ tab and end the HP Smart task.
8. Reconnect the printer to your computer wirelessly.
9. Again, open the ‘Printer and Scanner’ settings to see the currently added printer.
10. If the error hasn’t been resolved, uninstall and reinstall the HP smart app.
11. Finally, update the HP printer drivers from here. Enter your HP model’s name in the box to get the compatible drivers. Don’t install the web version, or else the scanner will remain unavailable.

Now you can scan any document smoothly. If still, the HP smart scanner is unavailable, update your Windows. This will resolve any hidden glitches.

FAQ

How to fix HP Smart “Scanning Is Currently Unavailable” error?

To resolve the scanning error, try the following steps:

1. Restart your devices, including the computer, printer, and scanner.
2. Check and ensure all connections are secure and cables are correctly connected.
3. Update the HP Smart application and scanner drivers to the latest versions.
4. Verify compatibility between the scanner and the HP Smart application.
5. Temporarily disable any security software or firewalls that might interfere with the scanning functionality.
6. Reinstall the HP Smart application if necessary.
7. Contact HP support if the issue persists after trying the above steps.

How do I update the HP Smart application and scanner drivers?

Follow these steps to update the HP Smart application and scanner drivers:

1. Visit the official HP website.
2. Look for the latest version of the HP Smart application and scanner drivers compatible with your operating system.
3. Download the updates and follow the installation instructions provided by HP.
4. After installation, restart your computer and scanner to ensure the updates take effect.

Conclusion

You can fix the scanning error without spending money. Start by restarting your devices, checking connections, and updating software and drivers. If the problem persists, consider seeking assistance from HP’s customer support.