How To Convert A 4 In 1 Hp Officejet Printer To Only A Scanner

I have an HP Officejet 6500A (4 in 1 Printer/Fax/Scanner/Copier). Only the scanner has been working for the past few years and this is what I use the machine for. Error messages regarding the other problems would be displayed, but I was still able to scan.

Recently, it has become extremely difficult to scan. When I press the scan icon, a fault message of another error appears very fast. I sometimes manage to clear these messages and I’m then able to scan, but this is frustrating and difficult.

I have tried soft/hard and partial resets, with no success. (In the past I connected the scanner directly to the PC, but lately the PC does not recognize the scanner so I used a SD card to save scanned images on.

Would it be possible to either:

• uninstall the software on the printer and then re-install only the scan function or
• would a factory reset help?

 

Totally uninstall all the software and drivers for this system. You don't need it. Make sure the printer is connected to your network. Then just enter the printer's IP address into your computer's browser to access the printer's internal web server. You can then access the scanner functions from there, and copy scanned images to your computer.

That's exactly what I do with my HP all in one device. I never, as in NEVER EVER install the software that comes with these devices. All I need is the basic printer driver for the print functions (which you don't need since you don't print) - and modern versions of Windows already has them, or can get them without installing all the other junk. Scanning (and faxing too) can then be done by accessing the internal web server.

You should be able to see the device's IP address by looking in your router's "attached devices" list via the admin menu. Or by printing a network status page from the printer's front panel display.