HP scanner puts black bar on every image

[b_and_j]

we  have a HP all-in-one printer-scanner (Deskjet F4135) which recently started putting a black bar down the side of every document it scans. First thing I thought of was dirty glass - but it's sparkling clean. Next I thought of one (some?) of the lights on the bar that goes across under the glass being burnt out, but then I watched while it scanned my test document, and they all look good, especially in the area where the bar appears. Maybe the ribbon cable that attaches to the bar somehow gets tangled up on top of the bar? Nope, the cable attaches to the other end of the bar. Running out of ideas what could cause this.......

the black bar that appears is about 1/2 inch wide, about 3/4 inch from the edge. I attached the image.

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[BC_Programmer]

could be a problem with the actual CCDs in the scanner failing. Wouldn't know how to fix or confirm this, though.

[overthehill]

This is just a shot, and I don't know if your problem is in any way related to the one that I experienced, but I'm wondering if these are online scans? And, I'm wondering if you recently changed browsers? I had a similar black line on my scans (photo attached) but changing browsers cured my problem.

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[BC_Programmer]

I'm pretty sure they mean "scan" and "scanner" as in the hardware device that scans paper documents and whatnot

[b_and_j]

yes, BC_programmer, we're talking about a physical device, something like a copier, where a picture or document can be laid flat on top of the glass, press a button and the image appears in a file on your PC. No browser is involved; you don't even have to be connected to the Internet.
(In fact, it's an "all-in-one" - the same device functions as a scanner, a printer and a copier. But this concerns the scanning function. I'm at work now, but it just occurred to me that it might be something in the software. I'm having a hard time imagining software malfunctioning that way, but.... easiest way to find out is to copy something and see if the same black bar appears. I'll try that tonight, and I expect that it will.)
If it's the CCDs, then Hewlett Packard should be able to repair it. Thanks to all.

[overthehill]

Well as I said earlier, it's just a shot. I too have an HP "all in one". When I saw that "ugly black line", "HP -all in one", and "scan" what came to mind was the situation that I encountered.
Anyway,good luck in curing your problem.

[b_and_j]

Well, I tried my little experiment - I copied a document. Didn't even have the computer turned on. The black bar is there on the copy, not - of course - on the original. So the problem is definitely not in the driver on the computer. Repair shop, here we come.

[truenorth]

Be carefull re the "repair shop". Scanners (even the all in one variety) are so inexpensive nowadays that the cost of repair (even if it is just a bulb replacement) will more than likely exceed the cost of a "new" replacement unit. Sad but true. Unless of course we are still in a warranty stage.truenorth

[overthehill]

Absolutely correct, truenorth.
Let me tell you about an experience that I had on this subject.
A few years back,I  purchased a scanner(and I won't mention the company name) for $178. Less than two months after the warranty expired the scanner went "kaboom" I contacted the manufacturer and asked them for advice. They wouldn't consider any type of warranty and guided me to a local repair shop. After two weeks they(the repair shop) informed me (and I had to call them) that it would be $35 for them to look at it. Whatcha gonna do? I gave them the go ahead and a week later ( after phoning them again) they told me that I could get it fixed for $212. Needless to say, they kept it. The fellow at the repair shop couldn't believe that anyone would purchase a scanner without buying extended warranty?? He claimed that it was quite common for these things to crap out shortly after the warranty expired.? Anyway, I called the manufacturer again and told them the whole story. They were absolutely ignorant. No courtesy what so ever. I made myself a promise that day never to purchase anything ever again from them. And, I haven't and wont. They absolutely would not stand behind their product or give me a break of any kind. Yes, the warranty had expired but to cost more to repair it that it cost originally is absurd.
So,now, I purchased an HP"all in one" and because of the other episode I trust no one so I purchased extended warranty on this one. Hope I never need it.

[truenorth]

Whilst doing other chores your problem came back to me and i made certain assumptions which i realized i should not do. Some scanners automatically adjust the size of the project to fit the page others must have the parameters of the size input by the operator of the scanner. If you have one that requires adjustment of the "preview" to fill the page and this is NOT done the result can be the black line that you have. My assumption was that you had used the scanner often and would have been aware of the need to concider this factor.Truenorth

[overthehill]

Yes, but apparently this just started recently. I wonder why now?

[truenorth]

If the OP has always used it in a certain manner (not adjusting the page fit parameters) and is now trying a project where the adjustment needs to be made it would be a reason for "why now". Or conversely he/she used it the last time and made a size to fit adjustment and has forgotten they did so and need to address it for the current project. truenorth

[overthehill]

Hopefully you're right. I'm sure we'll find out.

[rthompson80819]

Does the black bar block out part of the document, or is the document reduced to fit inside of the black bar?

[truenorth]

Examining the jpg image attached to the OP seems to indicate it is blocking some of the scanned page (the year of the date is mostly missing--covered by the black bar).truenorth