HP M428 can't scan from PC and can't reinstall driver
I've had this printer for years, and I've had the scanning stop working in the past. Usually the solution is to uninstall the printer, reboot, then install it again from the full driver download available at HP (that hasn't changed since 2022.) Except this time, during the installation, it fails to find the printer. It's connected via WIFI, and I can access the web interface using its IP address, so I know it's connected. The installation asks for the IP address or the host name; I've tried both and it apparently can't access the printer. I did a reset of all the settings on the printer, rejoined the WIFI, and same thing. Uninstalled the driver, removed them via the control panel, restarted the PC, and again during the installation it cannot find the printer.
During the driver install, there's a place where it's supposed to show your WIFI network name and password, and it says unknown for both.
I then tried the HP Smart app. It finds the printer almost immediately and installs the printer, but in order to scan you have to go through the HP Smart app which is cumbersome. Plus why I need to log into HP to use my scanner, I don't understand. But at least it lets me scan.
I tried disabling the Windows firewall, didn't help. I have a feeling a Windows update is to blame.
Even if I let HP Smart add the printer to Windows, if I run the downloaded installer, it still can't find the printer. It puts icons on the desktop, one being the scanner app, but it can't start because it can't find the printer/scanner. Installed on Windows 11
Any help is greatly appreciated!