Hp 4700 has come up with message scan failure unable to scan or copy

Try scanning from MS Paint or Acrobat & see if it works. If it does, the HP/Vista software is probably at fault. If not, the scanner is probably faulty.

Did it ever work or did you just plug it in? (Did you load the correct drivers?)

Solved! I now can scan wirelessly throughout my network. I downloaded the drivers for a friends newer HP all-in-one scanner and I can scan. Look for the driver for the 309a series of printers and install it. Complete the install and set up your existing printer. You can now scan, print, fax wirelessly. It includes updated HP apps for these functions that work with OS 10.5. I didn't upgrade to the HP 1.1 drivers through Apple. The file name is: PS_AIO_05_C309a_Net_Full_Mac_WW_102.dmg

Is there any error message displayed on the control panel of the printer just like one of the following:
Scanner failure, power off and on
Scanner System Failure
Scanner failed, cannot make copies or fax
Scanner failure. Unable to scan, copy, or send a fax
Scanner failure, cycle power

You may want to try following these steps:
1. Check if the scanner light does turn on when you initiated the scanning process, if not you need to reset the product.
2. Try using your other electrical outlet because your AVR or Surge Extension may not be providing enough voltage for the printer.
3. Try using dirty cycle, meaning you need to directly cut the power of your printer by pulling of the power cord from the rear side of your printer and wait for about 30 seconds before inserting again and turn it on.

If all these steps do not improve your printer functionality, you may want to call the HP online help and ask for replacement.

Job Espinosa

Try using the HP Scan Diagnostic Utility in Windows - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

hardware failure contact Hp for replacement

replace the scanner assembly

Obviously its scanner error,the whole scanner assembly needs replacement.It could be the bulb or the scanner board, but upon replacing it needs both.

Install all the software on the installation cd.

"SCAN FAILURE UNABLE TO COPY OR SCAN."
I have the same problem.

Hi,
you can run a reset on the printer and clear the scanner failure yourself. You can find the instructions at: http://www.inkbank.com.au/webcontent21.htm
good luck...
L.C.