scanner not connected

nancy Sadowski 0 Reputation points
2026-08-23T18:40:23.4833333+00:00

Cannot scan any documents. Printing works, but the scanner is not connected

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | User experience | Print, fax, and scan
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  1. Harry Phan 29,430 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-24T02:19:34.3+00:00

    Hello Nancy,

    If printing works but scanning fails with “scanner not connected,” the issue is almost always tied to the Windows imaging subsystem or the device driver stack. First, confirm that the scanner service is running: open services.msc and check that Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) is set to Automatic and is started. If WIA is stopped, scanning will not function even though printing does. Restart the service if needed.

    Next, verify the driver installation. Go to Device Manager and expand “Imaging devices.” If your scanner is listed with a yellow warning icon, right‑click and update the driver. If it is missing entirely, reinstall the full driver package from the manufacturer’s support site rather than relying on Windows Update. Many multifunction printers install only the print driver by default, and the scan component requires the full software suite.

    Also check the connection method. If you are using USB, try a different port and cable. For network scanners, ensure the device’s IP address is reachable by ping and that the scanning software is configured to use the correct address. Some vendors require their proprietary scan utility rather than Windows Fax and Scan.

    If you recently upgraded Windows, it’s possible the old TWAIN driver is incompatible. In that case, remove the device from Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, reboot, and reinstall using the latest package.

    I hope you've found something useful here. If it helps you get more insight into the issue, it's appreciated to accept the answer. Should you have more questions, feel free to leave a message. Have a nice day!

    HP.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-23T18:40:45.22+00:00

    If printing works but scanning shows scanner not connected, try these Windows-side steps in order:

    1. Restart the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service
      • Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
      • Find Windows Image Acquisition (WIA).
      • Right-click it and select Restart.
      • This is a documented workaround for scanner detection issues.
    2. Remove and reconnect the scanner or multifunction printer
      • Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
      • Select the affected device and remove it.
      • If it is USB-connected, unplug the USB cable, then reconnect it.
      • On some Windows 11 systems, reconnecting the USB device can temporarily restore scanner detection.
    3. If another scanner was previously connected, restart scanner detection
      • Uninstall the currently connected scanner in Device Manager, then reconnect it.
      • Or stop and restart the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service.
      • Or restart the PC while the scanner is connected.
      • This is specifically documented for cases where Windows does not find a newly connected scanner after a different scanner was disconnected.
    4. If the scanner uses TWAIN and the scan app shows errors or hangs
      • Try scanning immediately after opening the scan dialog.
      • If available, use a WIA-aware app instead of a TWAIN-aware app.
      • On 64-bit Windows, some 32-bit TWAIN applications can hang or show Server Busy during scanning.
    5. If the scanner is part of a USB multifunction printer on Windows 11
      • A known issue can affect scanner detection on USB-connected multifunction printers that use IPP over USB on Windows 11 with KB5079473 or later.
      • In that case, removing the device in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, disconnecting the USB cable, and reconnecting it may temporarily restore scanner detection.
      • There is currently no confirmed workaround beyond reconnection.
    6. If the problem started after switching scanners
      • This issue is documented on Windows 10 up to version 1909 and is fixed in Windows 10 version 2004.
      • The practical workarounds are: reconnect the scanner, restart the WIA service, or restart the PC with the scanner connected.

    If the device is vendor-specific and Windows still detects printing but not scanning, reinstalling the latest manufacturer scan driver or scan utility is often the next step after restarting WIA and reconnecting the device.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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