Computer recognizes my printer but not the scanning function it also performs

Question

My lenovo tower  computer is picking up my wireless HP  printer but is not allowing me to scan from that printer to enter things into my computer

Answer 1

What is model number for the scanner?

Have you tried using a program to scan items?

Did you check to make sure the printer is not in offline mode?

Click Start > Devices and Printers

Right click the Printer and make sure the status of the printer is saying 'Use printer offline'

To scan documents with Windows Fax and Scan

Before you begin, make sure your scanner is properly installed and turned on.

1. Click the Start button , click All Programs, and then click Windows Fax and Scan.
2. Click Scan at the bottom of the left pane.
3. On the toolbar, click New Scan.
4. In the New Scan dialog box, click the Profile list, and then choose Documents. The default settings for scanning a document, which you can use or change, are automatically displayed.
5. To see how your document will appear when scanned, click Preview.
6. Click Scan.

Notes

• You can crop a document before scanning it by clicking Preview in the New Scan dialog box. In the preview area, drag the handles of the cropping tool to resize.
  • Some scanners can save individual pages in a scanned document as separate files. If your scanner has that capability, you can select the Preview or scan images as separate files check box. If not, this option will be unavailable.
  • To change the default file name for a scanned document or photo, right-click the file name in the Scan view, and then click Rename.
  • To organize your scanned documents or images, right-click the Scan folder in the left pane, and then click New Folder. To move a scanned image or document to a folder, right-click the document, click Move to Folder, and then select the destination.
  • Scanned documents are stored in the Documents folder under Scanned Documents. If you create a new folder in Scanned Documents, it won't appear in the Scan view until you close and reopen Windows Fax and Scan, or collapse and then expand the list of folders.
  • You can automatically forward scanned documents to an e‑mail address or a network folder. To choose a forwarding option, click Tools, and then click Scan Routing. Select your preferred option, enter the details, and then click Save.

To scan pictures with Windows Fax and Scan

Before you begin, make sure your scanner is properly installed and turned on.

1. Click the Start button , click All Programs, and then click Windows Fax and Scan.
2. Click Scan in the bottom of the left pane.
3. On the toolbar, click New Scan.
4. In the New Scan dialog box, click the Profile list, and then click Photo. The default settings for scanning a photo, which you can use or change, are automatically displayed.
5. To see how the photo will appear when scanned, click Preview. If needed, change your scan settings, and then preview the image again.
6. Click Scan.

Notes

• You can crop an image before scanning it by clicking Preview in the New Scan dialog box. In the preview area, drag the handles of the cropping tool to resize.
  • Some scanners can save individual pictures placed on the scanner bed as separate files. If your scanner has that capability, you can select the Preview or scan images as separate files check box. If not, this option will be unavailable.
  • To change the default file name for a scanned document or photo, right-click the file name in the Scan view, and then click Rename.
  • To organize your scanned documents or images, right-click the Scan folder in the left pane, and then click New Folder. To move a scanned image or document to a folder, right-click the document, click Move to Folder, and then select the destination.
  • Scanned documents are stored in the Documents folder under Scanned Documents. If you create a new folder in the Scanned Documents folder, it won't appear in the Scan view until you close and reopen Windows Fax and Scan, or collapse and then expand the list of folders.
  • You can automatically forward scanned documents to an e‑mail address or a network folder. To choose a forwarding option, click the Tools menu, and then click Scan Routing. Select your preferred option, enter the details, and then click Save.

Answer 2

Have you installed drivers for your printer? Also check to see if they have a separate driver for scanning, or a Full Feature driver that includes all functions.

Check the printer manufacturers support website and look for Windows 7 drivers that you can download and install. Download the drivers for your printer model and the correct bit level for your computer - 32 or 64 bit - and then install them.

HP Driver Downloads:

http://support.hp.com

Install the drivers before connecting the printer to your computer. Install a printer:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Install-a-printer

Network Printing - Install a printer on a home network:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Install-a-printer-on-a-home-network

Try the Printer Troubleshooter

1. Click the Start button, then click Control Panel
2. In the search box, type troubleshooter
3. Then click Troubleshooting
4. Under Hardware and Sound, click "Use a printer"

Answer 3

Thanks so very much. I never would have figured it out without this - I was just spinning my wheels. Thanks!

Answer 4

I realize that it was the driver that was the problem and I would never have figured this out myself. Thanks so much for this vital help. Marilyn Parks

Answer 5

You are welcome Marilyn!