Scanner not working or not detected on Windows
A very common pattern: the printer part of a multifunction device works, but scanning fails - because printing and scanning use separate drivers and software. The scan side may be missing, incompatible with the current Windows build, or blocked by a connection issue.
Quick checks first
1. Check the connection and power
For USB: cable seated on both ends, try a rear port. For Wi-Fi scanners: the scanner and the PC must be on the same network - check the network name on the device's own screen.
2. Try scanning from Windows itself
Open the built-in Windows Scan app (or Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → your device → Scan). If Windows can scan but the vendor app can't, the driver is fine - reinstall the vendor software.
3. Restart both devices
Power-cycle the scanner/MFP (off, ten seconds, on) and restart the PC. Scanner modules inside multifunction devices hang independently of the printer part.
4. Did scanning break after a Windows upgrade?
If scanning worked on the previous Windows version, the scan driver is likely incompatible with the new build - the manual reinstall below targets exactly this.
If scanning still fails, the scan driver itself is the likely cause. The next step is to identify the exact model and install its scanner driver - manually, or automatically if the model isn't clear.
Fixing it manually
Install the scanner driver for your exact model
- Find the exact model on the device label (e.g. Canon PIXMA MG3650, Epson L3250 - the suffix matters).
- Search the model in our database and pick the scanner driver or the full driver package matching your Windows version.
- Create a restore point, install, then reconnect the device and test with the Windows Scan app first.
Reinstall the vendor's scan utility
- Scanning software is separate from the driver: Canon IJ Scan Utility, Epson Scan 2, HP Scan, Brother iPrint&Scan.
- Remove the old utility (Settings → Apps), install the current version for your model, and let it search for the device.
- For network devices, add the scanner by IP address if automatic discovery fails (the IP shows on the device's network settings page).
Know the exact device model?
Search the scanner and printer driver database by model name or Hardware ID. Review matching Windows versions and available driver releases.
For scanners and MFPs the model name on the device is usually enough. USB-connected devices also show a Hardware ID in Device Manager (under Imaging devices or Printers), useful when the label is unreadable.
Try for example: Canon IJ Scan Utility · read the Hardware ID guide · or browse the driver category
Frequently asked questions
▸The printer prints but won't scan. How is that possible?
Printing and scanning use separate drivers and often separate software. A Windows upgrade or a partial installation can leave the print side working while the scan side is missing or incompatible - reinstalling the scan driver and utility usually addresses it.
▸Windows Scan works but the vendor's utility doesn't find the scanner.
That means the driver is working and the problem is in the vendor software: an outdated utility version, or network discovery being blocked. Install the current utility for your model and, for network devices, try adding the scanner by IP address.
▸Can the scanner driver be identified automatically?
Automatic detection can identify the scanner or MFP as Windows sees it, check the current driver information and show available updates without the exact model name. The scan and results are free, and nothing changes until you review the results and choose what to apply.