HP OfficeJet Pro 8710 Printer Assistant Error opening External Application

I have a HP OfficeJet Pro directly connected to a Government HP Laptop and it has been working fine for printing and scanning. Recently though when I open the Printer Assistant App and try to open the scan function, I get a window that pops up and says "Error opening external application". Without being able to open the scan function of the printer assistant I can not scan anything. The printer still works as a printer. My local Comm guys have tried reinstalling the drivers and software with no luck. Not sure exactly what they did all together and in what order.