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So, this past weekend it happened. I actually needed to scan a document to send via email to someone. I didn’t have access to a digital version of the document so I was left to my own devices in figuring out a lower-tech way to get it to onto the web. I had my trusty Chromebook and a network-connected HP All-in-one 6500 series printer.
Some printer/scanners have the capability to scan directly to email and that’s a very useful feature but I honestly couldn’t figure out how to do so on this printer. (I was crunched for time and my patience was pretty thin) Chrome OS doesn’t have a native scanning option and the only viable Chrome app is pretty hit or miss on what devices it will work.
I distinctly remember conversations in the past about this subject and this method never came up but it works great and is super simple. After searching the web for a bit, I came across a support article from HP about their Embedded Web Server. Many of you may know this already but it was new to me and I was crazy thankful to have found it. The caveat here is that this works with HP All-in-one printers. Other devices and other manufactures are still a mystery to me. I did try this method on a Brother All-in-on and it did not work.
Okay, here’s how it works. First, your HP printer and your Chrome device must be connected to the same network. Once you’re connected simply head to your HP printed and locate the IP address. Depending on your printer it can be found in different locations. For the 6500 series you can find it by going to setup>network>view network summary>wireless. There you will see the printer’s IP address.
Back at your Chromebook simply enter the IP address in the omnibox (url bar) and hit enter. You should be greeted with something that looks like this.
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From there you can click “start scan” to capture an image or you can hit ‘Webscan” an adjust your scan settings. The web server will let you choose from .JPG or .PDF as well as change your DPI settings and pick black/white or color. I could only get this to work using the flat-bed scanning option not the multiple document feed but still, it worked. After your document is scanned you just right-click it and save wherever you like.
Easy peasy. I will be testing other printers as I am able and will update if I find any others that have this option. Between this and the HP Print for Chrome App, Hewlett Packard is quickly becoming one of the best devices to use with Chrome OS while we wait for more native options.
Source: HP Support
