Begin by confirming the scanner is connected, powered, and visible to Windows — most problems are caused by missing drivers, connection issues, or a disabled Windows service. If your device is not responding, this guide shows how to diagnose and fix the common causes of Scanner doesn’t work in Windows 10 and get scanning working again.
This article explains the typical reasons a scanner stops working (drivers, USB/network, services, apps, security) and gives step‑by‑step fixes so you can test and repair each cause.
Key Takeaway
The fastest fix is to confirm connectivity, (re)install the official driver from the manufacturer, and ensure the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service is running — these three steps resolve the majority of scanner issues in Windows 10.
Quick Fix Guide
Quick Fix Guide
| Reason for the Problem | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
| 1. Missing or incorrect driver | Download and install the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website. |
| 2. USB or physical connection issue | Use a direct USB port, a different cable, or try another USB port. |
| 3. Scanner is powered off, asleep, or in error state | Power cycle the scanner and check its front-panel display for errors. |
| 4. Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service stopped | Start and set WIA to Automatic in services.msc. |
| 5. Windows Update or driver conflict | Roll back or reinstall the driver; check Windows Update for driver fixes. |
| 6. Scanner not added or wrong device selected | Add the scanner under Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners and choose it in the app. |
| 7. Firewall or antivirus blocking scanner functions | Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus or add scanner apps to allowed apps. |
| 8. Scanner app compatibility problems | Use the vendor’s scanning utility or the Windows Scan app from the Microsoft Store. |
| 9. Network scanner IP/subnet or discovery issues | Verify scanner’s IP, ping it, and add as network device or use the vendor utility. |
| 10. Print Spooler or related service problems | Restart Print Spooler service if device uses printer services for scanning. |
| 11. Permission or UAC problems | Run scanner app as administrator or fix user permissions for device access. |
| 12. Hardware failure | Test scanner on another PC; if it fails, repair or replace the unit. |
Detailed Fixes for “Scanner doesn’t work in Windows 10”
1. Missing or incorrect driver
Why it causes the problem:
Scanners require device-specific drivers (TWAIN, WIA, or vendor-specific) to communicate with Windows. Generic drivers may not support all functions or can break after updates.
Step-by-step fix:
- Identify your scanner model from the label or the original box.
- Visit the manufacturer’s support site (e.g., HP, Epson, Canon, Brother).
- Download the latest Windows 10 driver and scanner utility for your exact model and system type (32‑bit vs 64‑bit).
- Unplug the scanner (if USB), run the downloaded driver installer, and follow prompts; reconnect when instructed.
- If a driver is already installed and not working, open Device Manager (Right‑click Start > Device Manager), find your scanner under Imaging devices, Cameras, or Other devices, right‑click and choose Uninstall device, then reboot and install the fresh driver.
Notes:
- If the vendor only provides older drivers, try installing in Compatibility mode (right‑click installer > Properties > Compatibility).
2. USB or physical connection issue
Why it causes the problem:
Bad cables, USB hubs, or failing ports prevent the scanner from being detected, or cause intermittent recognition.
Step-by-step fix:
- Ensure the scanner is powered on.
- Disconnect the USB cable and plug it into a different USB port on the PC (preferably a USB‑A port directly on the PC, not a hub).
- Replace the USB cable with a known good cable.
- If using a USB hub, connect the scanner directly to the computer instead.
- Test other USB devices on the same port to confirm the port works.
- In Device Manager, run View > Show hidden devices, then check for any yellow exclamation marks and uninstall/reinstall as needed.
Tips:
- Use USB 2.0 ports for older scanners — some devices have issues with USB 3.0 ports.
3. Scanner is powered off, asleep, or in error state
Why it causes the problem:
Many scanners have sleep modes or require a front-panel acknowledgment after an error before they allow scanning.
Step-by-step fix:
- Check the scanner’s power LED and display for error codes.
- Turn the scanner off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on (power cycle).
- If the device has a “Cancel” or “Resume” button, press it to clear errors.
- Disable aggressive power‑saving settings on the scanner (refer to scanner menu/settings).
Notes:
- For multifunction printers, check that the scanner module isn’t reporting paper jams or lid sensors.
4. Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service stopped
Why it causes the problem:
WIA is the Windows service that many applications use to access imaging hardware. If it’s stopped or misconfigured, scanning fails.
Step-by-step fix:
- Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Find Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) in the list.
- Double‑click it, set Startup type to Automatic, and click Start if the service is stopped.
- Also check Shell Hardware Detection and Remote Procedure Call (RPC) are running.
Command-line alternative:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
- net start wia (to start WIA)
Notes:
- After enabling WIA, restart the computer and try scanning again.
5. Windows Update or driver conflict
Why it causes the problem:
Windows Update can install generic drivers or replace vendor drivers with incompatible versions; a recent update may have introduced a conflict.
Step-by-step fix:
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check update history for recent driver installs.
- In Device Manager, right‑click the scanner driver, select Properties > Driver and try Roll Back Driver if available.
- If roll back isn’t available, uninstall the device (right‑click > Uninstall device) and reinstall the driver from the manufacturer.
- Pause Windows updates temporarily if a specific update breaks scanning until the vendor releases a patch (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Pause updates).
Notes:
- Some vendors publish “signed” drivers to avoid Windows replacing them; always prefer official packages.
6. Scanner not added or wrong device selected
Why it causes the problem:
Windows may not have the scanner added as a device, or the scanning application might be trying to use a different device.
Step-by-step fix:
- Open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
- If your scanner is not listed, click Add a printer or scanner and follow prompts. If Windows finds it, click Add device.
- In the scanning app (e.g., Windows Scan or vendor utility), ensure the correct device is selected from the device dropdown.
- For network scanners, click The printer that I want isn’t listed and choose Add a device by IP address if necessary.
Tip:
- Restart scanning app after adding the device to refresh device list.
7. Firewall or antivirus blocking scanner functions
Why it causes the problem:
Security software can block the scanner’s network discovery or the scanning app from accessing the device.
Step-by-step fix:
- Temporarily disable third‑party antivirus/firewall and test scanning.
- If scanning works, add the scanning app and scanner vendor utilities to the firewall/antivirus allow list.
- For Windows Defender Firewall: open Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall, then allow relevant apps.
Notes:
- Re‑enable security software after testing and only whitelist trusted vendor software.
8. Scanner app compatibility problems
Why it causes the problem:
The built-in Windows app may not work with all scanner models or older drivers; vendor utilities often include updated detection and features.
Step-by-step fix:
- Try scanning with another app: install Windows Scan from the Microsoft Store or use the manufacturer’s scanning utility.
- For older apps that used TWAIN, ensure the TWAIN driver is installed and the app is running with required permissions.
- If using Windows Fax and Scan, run it as Administrator (right‑click > Run as administrator) and test.
Tip:
- The vendor’s app often provides advanced options (resolution, scan to PDF, network discovery) that the generic app doesn’t.
9. Network scanner IP/subnet or discovery issues
Why it causes the problem:
Network scanners must be on the same network and subnet and have a valid IP address for Windows or the vendor app to find them.
Step-by-step fix:
- Print a network configuration page from the scanner (consult the device manual) to get its IP address.
- From the PC, open Command Prompt and run ping
to check connectivity. - If no reply, reboot the router and scanner or set a static IP on the scanner via its control panel.
- In Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, use Add a printer or scanner and when it fails choose The printer that I want isn’t listed > Add a printer using TCP/IP address or hostname and enter the scanner IP.
Notes:
- If the scanner uses Wi‑Fi, ensure it’s connected to the same SSID (not a guest network).
Why it causes the problem:
Multifunction devices sometimes route scanning operations through print services; a stopped or corrupted Print Spooler can affect scanning.
Step-by-step fix:
- Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Find Print Spooler, right‑click and choose Restart.
- If Print Spooler won’t start, open Event Viewer (Right‑click Start > Event Viewer) and check for related errors under Windows Logs > System.
- Clear spooler files: stop the service, delete files in C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS, then start the service.
Tip:
- This is also a common fix when scanning to a shared network folder fails.
11. Permission or UAC problems
Why it causes the problem:
User Account Control or insufficient permissions can prevent an app from accessing hardware or saving scanned files.
Step-by-step fix:
- Run the scanning app as administrator (right‑click the app > Run as administrator) and test.
- Check the folder destination for scans — right‑click the folder, Properties > Security, and ensure your user has Write permissions.
- If using network shares, ensure authentication credentials are set up and saved.
Notes:
- Avoid permanently running apps as admin unless necessary; fix permissions properly.
12. Hardware failure
Why it causes the problem:
If the scanner hardware (sensor, USB interface, power supply) is failing, software fixes won’t help.
Step-by-step fix:
- Test the scanner on another computer to confirm hardware failure.
- Try scanning via the vendor’s utility in case Windows compatibility is masking partial failures.
- If the scanner fails on multiple PCs, contact manufacturer support for repair or replacement under warranty.
Tip:
- Sometimes replacing components (power adapter, USB cable) resolves the issue if the main unit is functional.
When to contact support or replace hardware
If you’ve tried drivers, services, cables, and testing on another PC and the scanner still fails, contact the manufacturer with details (model, serial, steps tried, Windows version). If the unit is out of warranty and repair cost approaches replacement cost, consider buying a modern scanner with current driver support and network features.
FAQ
How can I prevent scanner problems in the future?
Keep drivers and Windows updated, avoid using unpowered USB hubs, use vendor utilities, and regularly check that WIA and related services are set to Automatic.
Can I scan over Remote Desktop (RDP)?
Not by default — Remote Desktop doesn’t forward scanner hardware. Use vendor network scanning, a cloud service, or third‑party solutions that support device redirection.
My scanner works on one account but not another — why?
User profile permissions or app access can differ. Ensure the non‑working account has proper folder permissions and try running the scanning app as administrator in that account.
Do TWAIN and WIA drivers conflict?
They can if both are installed incorrectly; prefer the driver recommended by the vendor. Some apps use TWAIN, others WIA — install both if the vendor package provides them.
How do I scan directly to PDF or cloud?
Use the vendor’s utility or the Windows Scan app to save as PDF, or configure scan-to-cloud via the manufacturer’s cloud services (e.g., Epson Connect, HP Smart) which often require a free account and internet setup.
Conclusion
Most scanning problems in Windows 10 trace back to drivers, connectivity, or the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service; addressing those usually restores functionality. Follow the checks and fixes above to diagnose and resolve the common causes of Scanner doesn’t work in Windows 10.
