Struggling new Linux user here.
I'm having some issues with scanning documents from a networked AIO printer. I can get it to work but it's inconsistent. I've tried almost every suggestion I've read online with mixed results. Most of this stuff is greek to me.
I understand scanning in linux uses SANE API/Interface. A complete SANE interface includes a Backend and a Frontend. The frontend being the client application accessing the scanner. Some of the software I use reports "no SANE devices found". Some software can find the device but doesn't recognize the correct parameters of the device (paper size, scan resolution, etc). One of the application developers I've messaged has stated that the backend, Airscan in this case, must be reporting the incorrect values to the frontend.
So more research later and I discover the device I am using isn't fully supported with the included backend for the current version of SANE. HP Color Lasejet MSF M281fdw.
Devices supported in the current SANE backends 1.4.0. My device is not on this list.
However if I look at the SANE External Backends, the HPAIO backend supports the device. If I follow those links to SourceForge, it takes me to HPLIP project. If I look at the files posted there, version 3.25 of HPLIP is released.
If I check http://localhost:8000 it says I have version 3.22.10-10 of HPLIP. I can see my printer listed in this interface. It seems logical that upgrading HPLIP to the latest is the thing to try.
If I go to Settings/Printers I see 4 devices. The one that shows up in HPLIP Web interface, 2 more instances of that same printer with a different name, an a PDF printer.
If I look at CUPS - http://localhost:631 I see the same devices shown in Settings/Printers.
If I launch the HPLIP Toolbox, it says "NO HP Devices found".
I've spent days on and off trying to get scanning to work consistently and reliably and the scanner to be recognized properly with the software apps I use. HPLIP, SANE, CUPS, Airscan, HPAIO..it's all getting mixed up in my mind.
It seems to me that I would need to get the latest version of HPLIP installed so that I can get the latest HPAIO running (assuming that's actually in the latest HPLIP) so that the device I use will be recognized correctly.
If I go to Version: 3.25.6 | hp's Developer Portal I can download the latest HPLIP 3.25.6. I get a hplip-3.25.6.run file. I don't know what to do with this file. It won't run with the "Install Linux app". It appears to be some sort of script.
Any suggestions on how to approach this?
Thank you