1. Check Cables
First, examine the connection between the scanner and your computer:
Ensure your scanner’s adapter is safely attached to both the scanner and an active electrical outlet. Verify that the PC and scanner are connected to the same network if the scanner is wireless. If they are connected via cable, you might have a loose or damaged connection between the scanner and your computer.
Ensure that you are using the correct cable for your scanner model.
Unplug all additional devices attached to your computer (printer, modem, etc.). Turn off programs that may interfere with scanning (anti-virus software, firewall, security software, etc.).
2. Update Scanner Drivers
Drivers allow the operating system to properly access and manage the attached devices. If you installed the drivers long ago, there’s a chance they are corrupted or out of date, preventing the system from properly connecting with your scanner. The best way to fix this is to update the driver. Tip: check out how to install unsigned drivers in Windows, if you want to learn.
3. Add Your Scanner Manually via the Settings
Most of the time, configuring a scanner is as easy as connecting it to your device. Your PC should configure the scanner automatically after you plug it in. This process can, however, occasionally go wrong for no apparent reason. Below, we show how to manually add your scanner from the Windows Settings app. Note: Although we tested the procedures with a wired scanner, they should also function similarly to those for wireless scanners. If you’re still having trouble connecting your wireless scanner to your home network and PC, check the scanner’s handbook or manufacturer’s website for extra information.
4. Set Scanner Services to Open Automatically
For images to display on your screen, the Windows Image Acquisition service must first receive them from a hardware device, such as a camera or scanner. Your PC won’t be able to receive images from your scanner or camera if you’ve disabled this service. You can restart the Windows Image Acquisition service here if you unintentionally deactivated it to fix the scanner not working on Windows issue: Have a QR code you want to scan instead? You don’t even need a mobile device for that, as you can scan with your Windows device.
5. Run Scanner in Compatibility Mode
You can also change the scanner’s compatibility mode to fix a scanner not working with Windows. If you’re unaware, Windows’ compatibility mode enables outdated and old programs to function flawlessly on a new OS. If you’re using the scanner app on Windows 11, this will fix your problem.
6. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
Microsoft includes a hardware and device troubleshooter tool to help you fix any hardware issues. This is one of the troubleshooting options available in the settings menu of Windows 10. While Microsoft has officially discontinued the Hardware troubleshooter in Windows 11, it is still accessible via a command. Getting a strange message while browsing on your PC? Here’s how to fix ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT on Windows. Image credit: Pexels. All screenshots by Farhad Pashaei.
