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Ubuntu 20.04LTS --

Printing works fine so I don't want to mess that up since I print more often than I scan.

There are 58 items in usr/share/hplip/ including a folder called scan with 3 items.

Simple scan does not find a scanner.

This would be nice to have but I can work around it by plugging a USB stick in and capturing the scan there.

If anyone has gotten this to work, I'd be interested in the solution.

Thanks!

Rosalyn Dods
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3 Answers3

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The HP Linux Imaging and Printing site lists all supported printers.

The good news is that "HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 All-in-one Printer" is listed as a supported printer. Additionally the 7th column shows that "Scan to PC" is also supported for this model.

Install HPLIP (HP Linux Imaging and Printing)

  1. Open a terminal

    (Although most things in Ubuntu can be done using a GUI interface, I'll list the commands because it's more expedient and also easier to document the exact steps).

  2. Ensure you have the software repository enabled

    sudo apt-add-repository universe

    This will automatically update your repositories, but you can also execute sudo apt update to manually update, if needed.

  3. Install HPLIP

    sudo apt install hplip

  4. Optionally, install HPLIP GUI tools

    sudo apt install hplip-gui

Setup your printer (HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 All-in-one Printer)

  1. Get your printer's network name

    On your printer's LCD control panel, drag the gray top-bar down, tap the network icon, and write down the Host Name.

    The network name may be something like "HP_OfficeJet_Pro_8720".

    (You can use your printer's IP address, but I highly recommend setting up your printer using its network name, because IP addresses can change).

  2. Setup HPLIP to use your printer

    On your Ubuntu computer, execute the following command.

    Replace "HP_OfficeJet_Pro_8720" with the actual network name of your printer from the previous step.

    Be sure to add .local at the end, as shown!

    sudo hp-setup -i HP_OfficeJet_Pro_8720.local

  3. Supply the following information when requested:

    • Please enter a name for this print queue (m=use model name:'psc_2500'*, q=quit) ?:

      HP_8720_Printer

    • Does this PPD file appear to be the correct one (y=yes*, n=no, q=quit) ?

      y

    • Enter a location description for this printer (q=quit) ?

      If you want to leave this blank, just press Enter

    • Enter additional information or notes for this printer (q=quit) ?

      HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 Printer

    • Please enter a name for this fax queue (m=use model name:'psc_2500_fax'*, q=quit) ?

      HP_8720_Fax

    • Enter a location description for this printer (q=quit) ?

      If you want to leave this blank, just press Enter

    • Enter additional information or notes for this printer (q=quit) ?

      HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 Fax

    • Would you like to perform fax header setup (y=yes*, n=no, q=quit) ?

      n

    • Would you like to print a test page (y=yes*, n=no, q=quit) ?

      n

  4. Make the printer default

    1. In Ubuntu, open System Settings app
    2. Select Printers in the left pane
    3. Click the gear icon next to "HP_8720_Printer"
    4. Check-mark "Use Printer by Default"

Test Scanning

  1. Launch Simple Scan (aka. "Document Scanner")
  2. Wait for "Searching for Scanners" to complete
  3. You should see the message "Ready to Scan"
  4. Select "HP HP_OfficeJet_Pro_8720" from the drop down
  5. Click the Scan button in the header bar
Enterprise
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@PJ Singh has given a very full answer in the context of HPLIP. My answer is in the context of of fitting your present modern printing setup into a modern scanning method.

Basically: Nothing of HPLIP is needed. This will come as a shock to all the users who advocate its use. However, things have moved on in 2021.

Install sane-airscan (main page).

Debian packages are here.

I would be very interested in the outputs of scanimage -L and airscan-discover and whether you can now scan.

brian_p
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I solved my printer problem by turning the printer's power off and then back on.

BeastOfCaerbannog
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Paul Miller
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