Jump to content

Scanning is Slow, Does Not Respond, or Freezes

  • PrintPrint
  • Share

Issue: Scanning is slow, does not respond, or freezes

Scanning is either too slow, unresponsive, or locks up (freezes) the software program or computer running in Windows XP.

Before you begin troubleshooting

Before you begin working through the solutions, perform these tasks:
    Show all | Hide all
    Make a copy
    To make sure that the product hardware is functioning correctly, use the product to make a photocopy. If you cannot make a copy, this document will not help resolve the issue. Search the HP Web site for a document covering the error message that appears on the computer while copying.
    Bookmark this page
    Some of the following solutions require that the computer be restarted. Consider bookmarking this page in your Web browser, so that you can return to it after restarting the computer.
    Causes:
    • The computer is unstable as a result of a failed scan or other hardware error.
    • The computer is unstable as a result of a software program error or conflict.
    • The computer does not have enough memory, or too many programs are open.
    • The computer does not meet the product's system requirements (for software or hardware).
    • The product software or driver is corrupt or out of date.

Solution one: Check the cable connections

If the product does not respond or freezes when scanning, make sure that the cable connections are securely in place.
If the scan is too slow, skip to the next solution.
  1. Push firmly on the cable connector that connects to the back of the product.
    If the connector is for a parallel cable, make sure both adjusters are tightly screwed in.
  2. Push firmly on the cable connector that connects to the computer.
    If the connector is for a parallel cable, make sure both adjusters are tightly screwed in.
  3. Try the scan again.
  • If these steps resolved the issue , you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists , continue to the next solution.

Solution two: Restart the computer

Restart the computer to refresh the system resources, reset the memory, and resolve internal conflicts within the operating system.

Step one: Restart the computer

Select your operating system, and then follow the steps to restart the computer.
  1. On the Windows taskbar, click Start ( ), and then click Shut Down ( ).
  2. From the What do you want the computer to do? drop-down list, click Restart , and then click OK .

Step two: Test the scanner

Try the scan again.
  • If these steps resolved the issue , you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists , continue to the next solution.

Solution three: Check the system requirements

The condition might occur if your computer does not meet the recommended system requirements for your product. Follow these steps to make sure that your computer meets the product's recommended system requirements.

Step one: Check the system requirements

Make sure that your computer meets the system requirements for computer processor , RAM , available hard disk space , and the port .
Minimum system requirementsRecommended system requirements
Pentium(R) processor 200 Pentium Class processor 333 or higher
32 MB of RAM 64 MB of RAM or more
165 MB available hard disk space, plus 50 MB for full color scanning 210 MB available hard disk space, plus 50 MB for full color scanning
High speed (12 Mbps) USB port

Bidirectional parallel port 		High speed (12 Mbps) USB port
Follow these steps to view your computer system's specifications.
  1. On the Windows taskbar, click Start ( ), and then click My Computer .
  2. Click View system information. The System Properties window displays.
  3. Click the General tab.
  4. Under the Computer section, view the system's processor type and amount of RAM. Compare these properties to the system requirements.
    Figure 1: System Properties
    Image of system properties
    1 - Processor type
    2 - RAM
  5. Close the System Properties window.
  6. In the My Computer window, click the hard disk drive, for example System (C:) .
  7. Click the Down Arrow to the right of Details to view the Free Space .
    Figure 2: Locations of the hard disk icon and amount of free space
  8. Compare the computer's free disk space to the product's minimum requirements.

Step two: Upgrade the components that do not meet the product’s system requirements

Service the computer and upgrade the components to meet the minimum or recommended requirements.
To increase hard disk space, delete temporary or unwanted files; or offload files to an external storage medium (for example, CD-ROM, DVD writer, or other storage device).

Step three: Test the scanner

Try the scan again.
  • If these steps resolved the issue , you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists , continue to the next solution.

Solution four: Upgrade to a USB connection

If the product is connected to a parallel port on the computer , the product might not perform as well as when connected to a USB port. If your computer has a USB port, acquire a USB cable, and then connect the product to the computer's USB port.
Figure 3: USB cable
Image of USB cable
If the product is already connected to a USB port on the computer , skip to the next solution.

Step one: Upgrade to a USB connection

  1. Press the Power button ( ) to turn off the product.
  2. Disconnect the parallel cable from the computer's parallel port.
    Figure 4: Parallel cable
    Image of parallel cable
  3. Disconnect the parallel cable from the rear of the product.
  4. Press the Power button ( ) to turn on the product.
  5. Connect the USB cable to the USB port on the rear of the product.
  6. Plug the USB cable into the USB port on the computer.
    Figure 5: Install the USB cable
    Image of installing the USB cable
    The computer recognizes the new hardware, and then automatically installs the driver.
  7. Look for the New Hardware Found message on the task bar.
    If the driver does not install automatically , follow these steps in Windows XP to change the port setting in the printer driver setup:
    1. On the Windows taskbar, click Start ( ), and then click Printers and Faxes .
    2. Right-click the product, and then choose Properties .
    3. Click the Ports tab.
    4. Check the box for USB (Local Port).
      Figure 6: Printer Ports Setting
      Image of printer ports setting
    5. Click the General tab, and then click Print Test Page . The test page prints.
      • If the test page prints , the connection between the computer and the product is good. Continue to the next step.
      • If the test page does not print , click the Troubleshoot button to resolve the connection issue.
        Figure 7: Troubleshoot button
        Image of the Troubleshoot button

Step two: Test the scanner

Try the scan again.
  • If these steps resolved the issue , you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists , continue to the next solution.

Solution five: Install the newest product software

Follow these steps to install the newest software in Windows XP.

Step one: Uninstall the existing product software

Click on this link, and then follow the directions to uninstall the existing driver: Uninstalling the Printer Software (c02259020) (in English).

Step two: Download the newest software

Follow these steps to download the product software and save it to your computer.

Video of downloading and installing the software from the HP Web site

The following video demonstrates how to download and install the software in Windows XP.
If you have trouble viewing the video or to view the video in a different size, click here to play the video on YouTube.
Many products have more than one driver option on the downloads page. Choices might include a Basic type, and Full Feature type. If both options are available, the following information might help you decide which driver to download.
Basic typeFull Feature type
For basic printing: This driver runs the basic print functions of your product.

For quick download: The file size is smaller than the Full Feature driver, so it is faster to download and install.		For enhanced printing: HP includes valuable software to help you get the most from your product. The software varies by product , but here are some examples:

  • Searchable help files tailored to your product
  • Image-editing software
  • HP Solution Center: This important tool helps you establish settings for printing. It also helps you with product maintenance, troubleshooting, software updates, and links to buy supplies.


NOTE: During the Full Feature installation process, you can choose a custom installation, where you select the specific software items that you want to install.
HP recommends the Full Feature type of download, if available, to ensure the best support for your product.
Follow these steps to download the product software and save it to your computer.
  1. Disconnect the USB cable from both the product and the computer (if you already connected it).
  2. Turn the product on.
  3. Browse to the Get Software and Drivers page: Get Software and Drivers
  4. Check the instructions on the page, and then click the Plus sign (+) next to the correct heading for additional instructions:
  5. Click the Plus sign ( ) next to Driver , and then click the driver that you want to download. If you need help deciding, see the information in the previous table.
  6. Read through the minimum system requirements and additional instructions. You can also click View directions ( ) for complete download instructions.
  7. Click Download .
  8. If the File Download Security Warning window displays, click Save , and then browse to the location on your computer where you want to save the file.
  9. Click Save . The software downloads to your computer.
    Hint: Make a note of the place that you saved the file, in case you want to install it at a later time.

Step three: Install the software

Click on this link, and then follow the directions to install the driver: Installing the Software and Drivers in Windows XP (buu01854) (in English).

Step four: Test the scanner

Try the scan again.
  • If these steps resolved the issue , you do not need to continue troubleshooting.
  • If the issue persists , continue to the next solution.

Solution six: Service the computer

Service the computer, including the following:
  • Scan for and remove viruses.
  • Remove programs, services, and applications that automatically start when you turn on your computer.
  • Resolve any hardware or software conflicts and errors.
  • Test the USB port setup.
  • Upgrade components that do not meet the minimum or recommended system requirements. See the solution for checking the system requirements.

Workaround: Scan the image at a lower resolution

Scan the image at a lower resolution, from 75 to 150 pixels per inch (ppi). If the scan is successful at a lower resolution, the computer might not be able to scan at a high resolution.
Follow the instructions below to scan at a lower resolution in the HP Director software.
  1. Open HP Director with one of the following methods:
    Click Start , click All Programs, click the HP folder, and then click HP Director .
    Double-click the icon ( ) on your desktop.
    If you have more than one HP device installed, you might need to select your product from the "Select Device" drop-down list.
  2. Click Settings , click Scan Settings & Preferences , and then read through the menu options for the scan settings:
    • Scan Picture Settings : Select destination, file type, resolution, etc.
    • Scan Document Settings : Select destination, file type, resolution, etc.
  3. For each menu item, choose the settings that you want, and then click OK .
    NOTE: HP Director software versions vary, depending on the age of your product, and whether you installed updated software after the initial setup. For specific instructions on all the settings the software offers, click Help on the home screen in HP Director.
If the computer locks up when scanning at a low resolution, the computer might not meet the minimum or recommended system requirements. See the solution for checking the system requirements.