It all started years ago when I purchased my HP F2480 printer scanner combo, primarily for the scanner. My old scanners were no longer compatible with the new Windows 7, and scanning documents was a necessity. Initially, the scanner worked fine, but the printer part of this HP device has been nothing but trouble from day one.
Six months after purchase, I attempted to use the printer, and it simply refused to print a single page. Despite using the cartridges that came with the device, it malfunctioned. Following HP’s suggestion, I invested in new cartridges, hoping for a resolution. Unfortunately, the issue persisted. To my dismay, HP customer care then informed me that the device was out of warranty and declined to offer any further assistance. This experience left me deeply frustrated and resolved to avoid HP products and inkjet printers in the future. The initial Hp Printer Scanner Customer Care experience was exceptionally poor.
However, the scanner component continued to function adequately, which was my primary need. This lasted until a Windows 10 upgrade. After the upgrade, the HP Solution Center, which I relied on to operate the scanner, vanished from my computer and could not be reinstalled. Fortunately, I discovered the Microsoft Windows SCAN App, and it proved to be a workable alternative, allowing me to continue using the scanner.
The introduction of Windows 11 brought a new wave of problems. Both my desktop and laptop were deemed incompatible with the upgrade. My desktop’s performance deteriorated significantly, plagued by constant freezing and restart failures. Switching to my laptop temporarily offered some respite, but I soon discovered that HP Solution Center had also disappeared from this machine, and the Windows SCAN app no longer recognized my scanner.
As scanning documents became a weekly necessity, I was forced to purchase a new desktop computer. This new machine automatically upgraded to Windows 11 upon activation, but to my frustration, neither SCAN nor Fax and Scan could detect my HP scanner. I exhausted every troubleshooting step suggested on the HP website, fully anticipating unhelpful HP printer scanner customer care if I were to directly contact them. The HP website offered no drivers, only various “assistant” programs to download, which proved ineffective. Even my original installation disc lacked an “INSTALL” button and failed to run.
After dedicating countless hours over two weeks, I finally stumbled upon a partial solution. I located a website (https://printerdrivers.com/hp-deskjet-f2480-driver/) that still hosted a functional HP Solution Center. Downloading and installing it from this third-party source restored scanner functionality – albeit with persistent and annoying prompts to purchase more ink. While the Windows SCAN app now recognizes my printer again, it still fails to connect.
It’s disheartening to feel pressured by technology companies to constantly replace functional devices due to software and driver obsolescence. The experience extends beyond just printers and scanners; I’ve also encountered recent failures with external hard drives and other hardware, and older software becoming incompatible. The struggle to update drivers, particularly for older devices like my 2008 drivers, feels like a deliberate obstacle. While a new scanner-printer is an option, the cost and current scarcity make it less appealing. It seems inevitable that HP’s approach to customer care and product lifecycle will eventually force my hand, further solidifying my negative view of their products and support.
