How to fix a printer that won't scan or is not recognised as a scanner in Windows 10/11

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix a printer that won't scan or is not recognised as a scanner in Windows 10/11. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

If your multi-function printer can print but the scanner is missing, greyed out, or not detected in Windows 10 or 11, the issue is usually related to drivers, services, or how Windows recognises the device. This guide walks you through the most common fixes, starting with the quickest checks and moving to more detailed troubleshooting.

Quick Fix Steps

Try these steps first — they resolve the issue in most cases:

1. Restart the printer and your computer.
2. Confirm the printer is connected via USB or the same network as your PC.
3. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and check whether the device appears as a printer only (no "Scan" option).
4. Run the built-in printer troubleshooter: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Printer > Run.
5. Reinstall the manufacturer's full software package (not just the basic driver).

If the scanner is still missing, work through the detailed steps below.

Detailed Instructions

1. Confirm the Scanner Is Supported by Windows

Modern multi-function printers use one of two scanning protocols:

• WIA (Windows Image Acquisition) — the older Windows-native method.
• WSD Scan or AirScan (eSCL) — the modern network-based method used by most printers made after 2017.

If your printer only supports WSD Scan or a vendor-specific protocol, Windows may detect it as a printer but offer no scanning option. In that case, you must install the manufacturer's full software suite to access scanning.

2. Check the Windows Scanner Service

Windows relies on a background service to expose scanner functionality. If it's stopped, scanning won't appear.

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Locate Windows Image Acquisition (WIA).
3. Double-click it, set Startup type to Automatic, click Start if it's stopped, then click OK.
4. Also confirm the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service is running and set to Automatic.
5. Restart your computer.

3. Reinstall the Printer Using the Manufacturer's Software

The generic Windows driver often installs the print queue only and skips scanning. Removing the device and reinstalling through the vendor's installer usually restores full functionality.

1. Download the latest full driver package from the printer manufacturer's website (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, etc.). Look for the "Full Feature" or "Complete" driver, not the basic one.
2. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
3. Click your printer, then click Remove.
4. Uninstall any related software via Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
5. Run the downloaded installer and follow the prompts. When asked, choose a USB or Network (Wi-Fi/Ethernet) connection as appropriate.
6. Restart your computer once installation completes.

4. Check Network Discovery and Firewall Rules (Network Printers)

For wireless or Ethernet-connected printers, scanning requires additional network ports and protocols that printing alone does not.

1. Confirm your PC and printer are on the same network and subnet.
2. Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings and ensure Network discovery is turned on.
3. In Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security, confirm the following inbound rules are enabled:
   • Network Discovery (WSD Events)
   • Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
4. If your printer has a web interface (usually http://<printer-ip>), log in and ensure WS-Scan, AirPrint, or Mopria is enabled.

5. Manually Add a Scanner Using WIA

If Windows still doesn't show a scan option, you can force-add the scanner:

1. Press Win + R, type control /name Microsoft.ScannersAndCameras, and press Enter.
2. Click Add Device.
3. Select your printer from the list and click Add.
4. Test scanning by double-clicking the new entry.

6. Test with a Different Application

To determine whether the problem is with Windows or a specific program:

• Open the Windows Scan app (search for it from the Start menu).
• Try scanning from your manufacturer's app (HP Smart, Epson Smart Panel, Canon PRINT, etc.).
• Test with Paint: click File > From scanner or camera.

If scanning works in one app but not another, the issue is with that specific application, not the printer or Windows.

Troubleshooting

Scanner Works on Another Computer but Not This One

This points to a local configuration issue. Repeat the steps in Section 2 and Section 4, and check for conflicting scanner software from previous installations.

USB Scanner Disconnects During Use

• Try a different USB cable and port — preferably a USB port directly on the motherboard (rear of a desktop PC).
• Avoid USB hubs and extension cables.
• In Device Manager, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers and disable USB selective suspend under Power Management for each USB Root Hub.

Scanner Appears Briefly Then Disappears

This is usually caused by a driver conflict. Boot Windows into Safe Mode with Networking, uninstall all printer-related software, then reinstall the manufacturer's full driver package in normal mode.

Still Not Working?

If you've worked through every step and the scanner is still not recognised, the printer itself may have a hardware fault or require a firmware update from the manufacturer. Collect the following before contacting support:

• Printer make and model
• Firmware version (printed from the printer's menu or shown on its web interface)
• Windows version (run winver)
• Connection type (USB or network)
• Screenshots of Device Manager showing any yellow warning icons

You can submit these details and open a support ticket at app.220.com.au and our team will assist you further.

Related Articles

• Printer not printing / offline
• Keyboard or mouse not responding
• How to connect Bluetooth devices
• Sound not working
• Screen brightness adjustment

Still Having Issues?