Short answer: if your scanner won’t work on Windows 10 it’s usually caused by connection, driver, service, permission, or network issues — and most problems can be fixed with the checks below. The core problem is Scanner software doesn’t work in Windows 10. This article explains common causes and gives step-by-step fixes so you can get scanning working again.
You’ll learn quick checks, detailed procedures (menus, commands, and service settings), and preventive steps so the scanner keeps working.
Key Takeaway
Most scanner problems are resolved by ensuring the device is properly connected, using the correct driver (WIA/TWAIN), and making sure the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service is running; if that fails, reinstall drivers and use SFC/DISM to repair Windows components.
Quick Fix Guide
| Reason for the Problem | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
| 1. Scanner not powered or connected | Power on the scanner and check USB/network cables or Wi‑Fi connection. |
| 2. Faulty USB cable or port | Try a different USB cable and port (avoid unpowered hubs). |
| 3. Scanner on different network / IP conflict | Ensure PC and scanner are on the same subnet and note the scanner IP. |
| 4. Outdated or wrong driver | Download and install the latest driver from the manufacturer’s site. |
| 5. App incompatibility (Windows Scan vs manufacturer app) | Use the manufacturer’s app or a compatible TWAIN/WIA driver. |
| 6. Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service stopped | Start and set WIA service to Automatic in Services.msc. |
| 7. Conflicting or corrupted scanner software | Uninstall scanner software, reboot, and reinstall latest version. |
| 8. Firewall or antivirus blocking scanner | Temporarily disable firewall/AV or allow scanner app through firewall. |
| 9. Incorrect default scanner selected | Remove extra scanners in Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners and re-add. |
| 10. App permissions or account restrictions | Grant permissions or run the app as Administrator. |
| 11. Corrupted Windows files | Run sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. |
| 12. Firmware or OS incompatibility | Update scanner firmware or roll back incompatible Windows updates. |
Detailed Fixes for “tu mets ici le probleme du 12 reasons why Scanner software doesn’t work in Windows 10 (and how to fix it)”
1. Scanner not powered or connected
Why this causes the problem:
If the scanner has no power or is disconnected, Windows can’t detect it and the scanning software won’t find the device.
Step-by-step solution:
- Ensure the scanner is plugged into a working power outlet and turned on — check the scanner’s display or power LED.
- If USB, confirm the USB cable is securely connected to the scanner and PC.
- If network/Wi‑Fi, verify the scanner shows a connected status on its control panel (or print a network configuration page from the scanner).
- On Windows 10, open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners and see if the scanner appears.
Tips:
- Many scanners have a sleep mode; wake it before scanning.
- If the scanner has a dedicated network button, use it to re-establish Wi‑Fi.
2. Faulty USB cable or port
Why this causes the problem:
Damaged cables or incompatible ports (USB 3.0 quirks) prevent stable communication.
Step-by-step solution:
- Unplug the scanner USB cable from the PC and scanner.
- Try a different known-good USB cable (preferably the cable supplied by the manufacturer).
- Plug directly into a rear-panel USB port on a desktop (avoid front ports and hubs).
- If using USB 3.0 (blue), try a USB 2.0 port — some older scanners work better on USB 2.0.
- Reboot Windows after changing ports.
Notes:
- Avoid unpowered hubs; use direct connection or a powered hub.
3. Scanner on different network / IP conflict
Why this causes the problem:
Network scanners must be on the same local network/subnet as the PC; IP conflicts or guest networks block discovery.
Step-by-step solution:
- On the scanner, print network settings to get its IP address.
- On Windows, open Command Prompt and run ping
to test reachability. - If ping fails, ensure PC Wi‑Fi/Ethernet is on the same network (SSID and IP range).
- Disable AP Isolation on the router if present, or move both PC and scanner to the main network.
- If the scanner uses DHCP, consider assigning a static IP in the scanner menu or router to avoid IP changes.
Tips:
- Use the manufacturer’s “Find my scanner” utility if available.
4. Outdated or wrong driver
Why this causes the problem:
Windows needs the correct WIA/TWAIN driver to communicate; generic drivers may lack scanning features.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Device Manager (right-click Start > Device Manager).
- Expand Imaging devices or Other devices, find the scanner, right-click and choose Properties to confirm device status.
- Right-click the scanner and choose Update driver > Search automatically; if that fails:
- Visit the scanner manufacturer’s support site, download the latest Windows 10 driver matching your OS (32/64-bit).
- Run the downloaded installer or in Device Manager choose Update driver > Browse my computer and point to the downloaded driver.
- Reboot after driver install.
Notes:
- If the manufacturer provides a full software package (TWAIN/WIA + utility), prefer that over the generic Windows driver.
5. App incompatibility (Windows Scan vs manufacturer app)
Why this causes the problem:
Some scanners require the vendor’s app or a TWAIN plugin; Windows Scan may not support all features.
Step-by-step solution:
- Try scanning with the built-in Windows Scan or Windows Fax and Scan: open Start, type Windows Scan, and try a test scan.
- If that fails, install the manufacturer’s scanning application (from vendor site).
- In the manufacturer app, choose the correct device from the device list and try scanning.
- If you need TWAIN compatibility for software like Photoshop, install the vendor’s TWAIN driver.
Tip:
- If the Windows Store app shows issues, try the desktop utility from the manufacturer.
6. Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service stopped
Why this causes the problem:
WIA is the Windows service that handles most scanner communications; if stopped, scanning fails.
Step-by-step solution:
- Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- In Services, find Windows Image Acquisition (WIA).
- If the Status is not Running, right-click and choose Start.
- Right-click, choose Properties, set Startup type to Automatic, and click OK.
- If dependent services are stopped (like Shell Hardware Detection), start them too.
Notes:
- After starting WIA, retry the scan. If WIA won’t start, check the Event Viewer for errors.
7. Conflicting or corrupted scanner software
Why this causes the problem:
Old or partially installed scanner suites can conflict with new drivers or Windows services.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find any scanner or printer software and choose Uninstall.
- In Control Panel > Programs and Features, remove remaining scanner-related entries.
- Reboot the PC.
- Download the latest full software package from the manufacturer and install it cleanly.
- Follow any on-screen prompts to connect the scanner during setup.
Tip:
- Use the vendor’s cleanup utility if provided to remove old drivers completely.
8. Firewall or antivirus blocking scanner
Why this causes the problem:
Security software can block network discovery or the vendor app’s network traffic.
Step-by-step solution:
- Temporarily disable third-party antivirus/firewall and test scanning.
- If scanning works, add the scanner app or the scanner’s IP to the firewall allow list:
- Open Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
- Click Change settings, then Allow another app… and add the scanner app.
- For third-party firewalls, create a rule to permit the scanner’s application and TCP/UDP ports recommended by the vendor.
Notes:
- Re-enable your firewall/AV after testing and configure exceptions instead of disabling permanently.
9. Incorrect default scanner selected
Why this causes the problem:
Windows may try to use another device if multiple imaging devices are present.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
- Remove any old or duplicate scanner entries by selecting them and clicking Remove device.
- Click Add a printer or scanner, wait for discovery, and select your scanner.
- Launch the scanning app and ensure the correct device is selected in the app’s device list.
10. App permissions or account restrictions
Why this causes the problem:
Certain Store apps or restricted accounts might not have required permissions.
Step-by-step solution:
- If using a Windows Store app, go to Settings > Privacy & security and ensure relevant permissions (e.g., Camera, Documents, Files) are enabled if the app needs them.
- Right-click the scanning application and choose Run as administrator to test permission issues.
- For corporate PCs, check with IT about group policy restrictions.
11. Corrupted Windows files
Why this causes the problem:
Damaged system files can break service dependencies and app communication.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator (right-click Start > Windows PowerShell (Admin)).
- Run: sfc /scannow and wait for completion.
- If issues persist, run:
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Reboot and test scanning again.
Notes:
- These commands can take time; run with a stable internet connection for DISM.
12. Firmware or OS incompatibility
Why this causes the problem:
Old scanner firmware can be incompatible with newer Windows updates; conversely, a Windows update can break older drivers.
Step-by-step solution:
- Check the manufacturer’s support page for scanner firmware updates and follow their firmware update tool instructions.
- If the scanner stopped working after a Windows Update, check Settings > Update & Security > View update history.
- If necessary, uninstall the problematic update in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates or roll back drivers in Device Manager.
- Contact vendor support if no firmware or driver updates are available.
Tip:
- Always follow the manufacturer’s exact firmware update steps to avoid bricking the scanner.
Maintenance and Prevention
- Keep drivers and firmware updated quarterly or when you get new Windows updates.
- Use the manufacturer’s USB cable and a direct port rather than hubs.
- Create a system restore point before installing scanner drivers or firmware.
- Regularly test a scan to ensure functionality and catch problems early.
- Document the scanner’s IP and admin login so you can quickly reconnect after network changes.
FAQ
How can I find my scanner’s IP address if the display won’t show it?
Check the router’s DHCP client list (login to your router’s web interface) to find devices by manufacturer name, or print a network configuration page from the scanner (many models have this option in the Settings menu).
Can I use my phone as a scanner instead of fixing the scanner?
Yes — smartphone scanning apps like Microsoft Office Lens, Adobe Scan, or the vendor’s mobile app can be temporary alternatives, but they don’t replace features like high-resolution, duplex, or document feeder scanning.
What do I do if scanning works locally but not from networked PCs?
Ensure the scanner has a static IP or DHCP reservation, verify firewall rules on the scanner and PCs, and confirm all PCs are on the same subnet and have the scanner added via IP address if discovery fails.
Is there a universal scanner driver that will always work?
No universal driver guarantees full functionality; TWAIN and WIA drivers differ by vendor and model. Always prefer the manufacturer-provided driver for full features.
My scanner shows error codes — where do I find their meaning?
Check the scanner manual or the manufacturer’s support site for error code lists. If unavailable, note the code and search the vendor knowledge base or contact support.
In summary, most cases of Scanner software doesn’t work in Windows 10 are solved by checking connections, updating/reinstalling drivers, starting the WIA service, and addressing network or permission issues. Follow the steps above in order — from simple hardware checks to driver and system repairs — to restore scanning quickly.
