HP Smart scan usually takes only a few taps, until the scan tile disappears, the printer shows offline, or the app refuses to install. Start with the current HP app setup, then move through the scan paths and repairs that HP supports now.
Some screens and app stores still say HP Smart, while HP points consumers to the newer HP app. Use the labels you see on your device and stick to HP's official setup page or official app-store listings.
Install the current HP app
Go to 123.hp.com, enter your printer model when prompted, and follow HP's setup flow to install the current HP app for your device. Use HP's setup page instead of third-party download portals.
On Windows, open Microsoft Store, search for HP Smart or HP, choose HP Inc.'s app listing, select Get or Install, then launch the app.
On Android, open Google Play Store, search for HP Smart, choose the HP Inc. app, and select Install.
If installation fails, confirm the device meets the app's operating system requirements, update the operating system or store when prompted, then install or update the HP app again.
Add your printer in the app
Launch the HP app or HP Smart.
Select Add Printer or the + button.
Choose the detected printer, or set up a new printer from the app.
Complete the Wi-Fi and account prompts shown by the app.
Return to the home screen.
Choose Scan or Printer Scan.
A stale printer tile can block scanning after network changes, so use Remove, Hide, or Forget, then add the printer again.
Scan from the glass or feeder
This fixes the basic HP Smart scan job: turning a paper page or photo into a saved file from an HP printer with scan hardware.
Place the original on the scanner glass.
Use Automatic Document Feeder when your printer has one and you are scanning a stack of pages.
Open the HP app or HP Smart.
Select your printer.
Choose Scan, Printer Scan, or the scan tile on the home screen.
Pick the source and scan settings.
Select Scan.
Review the preview.
Use the editing tools shown by the app.
Select Save, Share, Print, or the output action you need.
Use camera scans, imports, and shortcuts
For a phone or tablet scan without the printer scanner, choose Camera Scan in the HP app or HP Smart. Capture the document or photo with the device camera, make the adjustments shown by the app, then select Save or Share.
For a file or photo already on your device, choose Import, Import Files, or Import Photos. Pick the item, edit it, then select Save, Share, or Print.
For repeated workflows, choose Shortcuts or the scan workflow tile shown in the app. Select the destination or workflow, scan the item, and confirm the output action.
Skip older Windows scan paths such as HP Scan and Capture and HP Solution Center. For current consumer scanning, use the HP app, HP Smart, Windows Scan, macOS Image Capture, Embedded Web Server Webscan, or the printer control panel.
Run Diagnose and Fix
Launch the HP app or HP Smart on Windows or macOS.
Select the printer with the scan problem.
Open Printers or the printer settings area.
Select Diagnose & Fix.
Select Start.
Follow the repair prompts.
Try Scan again.
Skip HP Print and Scan Doctor. HP retired it on May 27, 2025, removed it from hp.com over an elevation-of-privilege vulnerability, and tells Windows users to uninstall it. Diagnose & Fix in the HP app is its replacement. If scanning still fails on Windows, use Windows Scan as an alternate scanning surface.
Find a scanner not found on Wi-Fi or USB
When the printer can print but HP Smart cannot scan, restart the printer and restart the computer, phone, or tablet. Wait for the printer to return to ready before reopening the app.
Confirm that the printer and your device are on the same Wi-Fi network. For USB, connect the cable directly between the printer and the computer.
If the scanner is still missing, remove the printer from the HP app or HP Smart, return to the home screen, select Add Printer or +, add the printer again, then retry Scan.
Try Windows, Mac, and Chromebook alternatives
Use these when HP Smart still will not scan but the operating system can see the HP scanner. They are also useful when you need a plain scan tool without the HP app workflow.
On Windows 10 or Windows 11, add or install the HP printer in Windows, then open Scan or Windows Scan. Select the HP scanner, choose the source, file type, and resolution, then select Scan and save the file.
On macOS, open Image Capture and select the HP scanner in the sidebar. Choose the scan settings and source, then select Scan.
On Chromebook, open the system scan app or ChromeOS printer and scanner settings. Select the HP scanner, choose scan settings, start the scan, and save the file.
Clear Mac conflicts after old HP software
The most common Mac cause to clear first is an old printer queue or older HP software conflict.
Open System Settings, then Printers & Scanners. Remove the HP printer, or reset the print system when that option applies, then add the printer again.
After the printer is added again, reopen the HP app, HP Smart, or macOS Image Capture and retry Scan.
When old HP software is the conflict, remove the old HP printer software, install the current HP app from HP's official source or the App Store, add the printer, then use Scan or Printer Scan.
Open Webscan and printer panel scans
For network printers and models with front-panel scan options, use the printer's own scan path when the app path is blocked.
- 1.Find the printer IP address, enter it in a browser, open the printer Embedded Web Server, then open Scan or Webscan.
- 2.Sign in or accept the local connection warning when the printer asks, enable Webscan in the EWS settings when prompted, choose scan settings, then start the scan.
- 3.To scan from the control panel to a computer, use a supported Windows printer model: install HP's Windows scan software for your model, enable Scan to Computer, then choose Scan and Computer on the printer. macOS does not support scanning directly to a Mac from the control panel, so on a Mac use the HP app or Image Capture instead.
- 4.For supported destinations, use control panel options such as Email, Network Folder, USB, or a cloud destination, then configure the destination first if the printer asks.
- 5.On printers with physical controls, load the original and press Scan, Start Scan, or the touchscreen Scan control, then confirm the destination when prompted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HP Smart the same as the HP app?
HP points consumers to the HP app as the replacement for HP Smart, but many screens and app listings still use HP Smart wording. Use HP's official setup page or the official app-store listing for your device.
Can I scan with HP Smart without using the printer scanner?
Yes. On phones and tablets, use Camera Scan to capture a document with the device camera. You can also import an existing file or photo in app versions that show Import, Import Files, or Import Photos.
Why can my HP printer print but not scan?
The scanner side may not be detected even when printing works. Restart the printer and device, confirm the same Wi-Fi network or direct USB connection, then remove and re-add the printer in the HP app.
What should I use on Windows if HP Smart scan still fails?
Run Diagnose & Fix in the HP app first. If that does not solve it, try Windows Scan as an alternate scanning surface. Do not use HP Print and Scan Doctor: HP retired it on May 27, 2025 and tells Windows users to remove it because of a potential elevation-of-privilege vulnerability.
