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HP LaserJet MFP - Scan in OS X 10.6 and later

Introduction

HP Scan software is not available through Apple Software Update (ASU) for some HP LaserJet Multifunction Printers (MFPs).

NOTE: HP LaserJet All-in-One Printers do not have scan software available for Mac. To scan with these printers, use the control panel.

Before you begin

The basic scanning support provided in ASU enables scanning from Apple's Preview or Image Capture.

NOTE: Depending on your printer and the type of driver update, the software that you use to scan might be different than the software you used before upgrading to the latest Mac OS.

You can also scan from the Print & Fax window in OS X 10.6, from the Print & Scan window in OS X 10.7 and later, from the Printer Browser (Print or Scan icon from the print driver queue), or from AirPrint as alternatives to using HP Scan drivers and software.

You might choose to use these alternatives for one of the following reasons:

  • You do not want all the features included in HP Scan software.

  • A full feature HP driver and software update is not available, or your printer released before the HP driver and software update became available.

  • You have not yet installed the available HP Scan software for your version of Mac OS X 10.6 and later

  • You recently upgraded your operating system and cannot access HP Director.

    NOTE: While HP continues to support HP Director with all Mac OS X versions up to 10.5, some printers might not be compatible with HP Director in Mavericks, Mountain Lion, Lion, or Snow Leopard. If you are unable to scan after you install the HP software update for Mountain Lion, your product might have print-only support via Apple Software Update (ASU).

    Some of these models might have a .dmg driver available for download from www.hp.com/go/support to provide scan support.

Step one: Run Apple Software Update (ASU)

Run Apple Software Update (ASU) to update the Mac system database.

NOTE: Before proceeding with any of the following methods, it's important to run Apple Software Update to make sure that you have the most current scanning software installed.
  1. Click the Apple menu (), click Software Update, and then wait while ASU checks for available updates.

  2. In the Software Update window, select the software you want to install, and then click Install.

    NOTE: Install all available updates for the best performance and functionality.
  3. When prompted, enter your administrator account name and password.

    NOTE: After the software updates complete, you may need to restart the computer.
  4. Turn on the printer and make sure that the printer is in a ready state.

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Step two: Remove and then add a printer

NOTE: Your printer must be added to the print queue to scan with the methods listed in this document.
  1. Open the Print & Fax (OS X 10.6) or Print & Scan (OS X 10.10, 10.9, 10.8, or 10.7) window.

  2. If your printer it is listed, click the minus sign () at the bottom of the list to remove the printer.

  3. Click the plus sign () at the bottom of the list to add the printer back to the list.

  4. Select your printer, and then click Add.

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Step three: Scan in OS X 10.10, 10.9, 10.8, 10.7, or 10.6

Depending on your operating system, use one of the following methods (where available) to scan:

Method one: Scan from Apple Preview

NOTE: You can use this method to scan using the software included in OS X 10.10, 10.9, 10.8, 10.7 and 10.6.
  1. Place the item that you want to scan on the scanner glass, or load it into the automatic document feeder (ADF).

  2. In the Applications folder or from the Dock, click Preview.

  3. From the Preview File menu, select Import from Scanner.

  4. OS X 10.6 and OS X 10.7 users only:

    If your printer connects to a network, select Include Networked Devices, and then select Import from Scanner from the Preview File menu to display your networked printer in the list.

  5. Select your printer from the list. The details of the scan display.

  6. If a 'Software for this device is not installed' message displays after you select your printer, click Install, and then follow the instructions to complete the installation.

  7. Click Show Details, change any settings as necessary, and then click Scan.

    NOTE: Make sure to select either the Flatbed mode or the Document Feeder mode, depending on your printer and how you plan to scan.

Method two: Scan from the Printer Browser or the Print & Scan window

Follow these steps to scan from the Print & Fax window in OS X 10.6, or from the Print & Scan window in OS X 10.10, 10.9, 10.8, or 10.7.

  1. Place the item that you want to scan on the scanner glass, or load it into the automatic document feeder (ADF).

  2. Click the Apple menu (), and then click System Preferences.

  3. Click Print & Fax or Print & Scan ( ) to open the Printer Browser window.
  4. Click your printer in the left pane.

  5. Click the Scan tab, and then click Open Scanner.

  6. If a 'Software for this device is not installed' message displays after you select your printer, click Install, and then follow the instructions to complete the installation.

  7. Click Show Details, change any settings as necessary, and then click Scan.

    NOTE: Make sure to select either the Flatbed mode or the Document Feeder mode, depending on your printer and how you plan to scan.

If after performing these steps, the Scan or Print icons do not display in the Printer Browser window toolbar, see Step two: Remove and then add printer.

Method three: Scan with AirPrint

NOTE: If you installed with AirPrint, when you try to scan for the first time a 'Software for this device is not installed' message might display. The scanning software available from Apple is required to scan using an AirPrint printer queue.
  1. Place the item that you want to scan on the scanner glass, or load it into the automatic document feeder (ADF).

  2. Click the Apple menu (), and then click System Preferences.

  3. Click Print & Scan ( ).
  4. Click your AirPrint-compatible printer in the left pane.

  5. Click Scan, and then click Open Scanner.

  6. When the 'Software for this device is not installed' message displays, click Install, and then follow the instructions to complete the installation.

  7. Click Show Details, change any settings as necessary, and then click Scan.

    NOTE: Make sure to select either the Flatbed mode or the Document Feeder mode, depending on your printer and how you plan to scan.

Method four: Scan from Apple Image Capture

NOTE: You can use this method to scan using the software included in OS X 10.8 and OS X 10.7.
  1. Place the item that you want to scan on the scanner glass, or load it into the automatic document feeder (ADF).

  2. In the Applications folder or from the Dock, click Image Capture.

  3. Select your printer from the list. If your printer connects to a network select it from the Shared list. The details of the scan display.

  4. If a 'Software for this device is not installed' message displays after you select your printer, click Install, and then follow the instructions to complete the installation.

  5. Click Show Details, change any settings as necessary, and then click Scan.

    NOTE: Make sure to select either the Flatbed mode or the Document Feeder mode, depending on your printer and how you plan to scan.

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Applicable products

While HP continues to support HP Director with all Mac OS X versions up to 10.5, some printers might not be compatible with HP Director in Mavericks, Mountain Lion, Lion, or Snow Leopard. If you are unable to scan after you install the HP software update for Mountain Lion, your product might have print-only support via Apple Software Update (ASU).

Select models might have a .dmg driver available for download from www.hp.com/go/support to provide scan support. For information about available drivers, go to HP LaserJet - Printers supported in OS X 10.7 and later (c03800910) (in English).

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