Scanner Not Working in Windows 11 How to Fix It

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Scanner Not Working in Windows 11: How to Fix It

Your scanner - or the scan part of an all-in-one printer - isn't detected, the Scan app says it can't find it, or scanning starts and then fails. Most scanner problems come down to the connection, the driver, or a Windows service. Work through these steps in order.

1. Check Power, Cable and Connection

Make sure the scanner is on and not showing an error (paper jam, open lid, error light).
USB: plug the cable straight into the PC, not into a hub or keyboard port. Try another USB port and, if you have one, another cable.
Wi-Fi/network: check the scanner is connected to the same network as the PC - not a guest network. Most all-in-one printers can print a network configuration page that shows the network and IP address.
Restart the scanner and the PC. With a network scanner, restarting the router can help too.

2. Add the Scanner in Windows

Microsoft says most scanners set themselves up when you connect them. If yours doesn't:

Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
Select Add device (next to Add a printer or scanner).
Wait for Windows to find it, then select Add device next to your scanner.

If it isn't found, select Add manually (the link under the search) to add a network device by its IP address, or move on to step 4 to install the maker's software.

For all-in-one printers, the printer appearing in the list doesn't always mean scanning works - see step 4.

3. Scan With the Windows Scan App

To test whether Windows can use the scanner at all, use Microsoft's Windows Scan app:

Search Start for Scan. If it isn't installed, get Windows Scan free from the Microsoft Store.
Open it and choose your scanner in the Scanner list.
Choose the Source: Flatbed (the glass) or Feeder (the document feeder).
Pick a file type (PDF, JPEG, PNG...), then select Scan.

By default, scans are saved in a Scans folder inside Pictures. If Windows Scan works but your usual program doesn't, the problem is that program - reinstall or update it.

4. Install the Right Driver (All-in-One Printers Especially)

Printing and scanning use separate drivers. Windows often installs a basic print driver automatically, but no scan driver - so the printer prints and the scanner is "missing".

Go to the printer or scanner maker's support website and find your exact model.
Download the full driver / software package for Windows 11 (sometimes called "full feature" software). It usually includes the scan driver and the maker's own scan app.
Install it, restart the PC, and try scanning again.

Get drivers only from the maker's own site or from Windows Update, never from "driver updater" tools. See how to update drivers in Windows 11 the safe way.

If the scanner shows in Device Manager with a yellow warning under Imaging devices or Other devices, the driver is missing or broken - reinstall it as above.

5. Restart the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) Service

Most scanners talk to apps through Windows Image Acquisition (WIA). Microsoft's advice for scanner problems includes restarting this service, or restarting the PC with the scanner connected.

Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and press Enter.
Find Windows Image Acquisition (WIA).
Right-click it and choose Restart (or Start if it isn't running).
Double-click it and check that Startup type is Automatic.

While you're there, check that Shell Hardware Detection is running too - some scan buttons rely on it.

6. Remove and Re-Add the Scanner

A stuck or duplicate device entry can confuse Windows.

In Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select the scanner and choose Remove.
Disconnect the USB cable (for USB scanners), restart the PC, and reconnect it.
Add it again (step 2), or reinstall the maker's software.

7. Scan Button on the Scanner Doesn't Work

The physical Scan button on many scanners only works with the maker's software installed and running. Install the full package (step 4) and check its settings for which app opens when you press the button. For network scanners, "scan to computer" usually must be set up in that software first.

8. Other Things to Check

Security software or firewall: some block network scanning. Check its log or settings for a blocked scan app - don't turn protection off permanently.
Windows updates: install pending updates in Settings > Windows Update, and check Advanced options > Optional updates for a scanner or printer driver.
Old scanner: some older models have no Windows 11 driver. Check the maker's site - if there's none, the maker may list a compatible driver or an alternative.

Printing Problems Too?

If the printer part of an all-in-one is also failing, see printer not printing in Windows and printer offline error.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why does my printer print but not scan in Windows 11?

On an all-in-one printer, printing and scanning use different drivers. Windows often installs a print-only driver automatically. Install the full software or scan driver from the printer maker's website, then check that the scanner appears in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.

How do I scan a document in Windows 11?

Open the Windows Scan app (install it free from the Microsoft Store if it's missing), select your scanner and the source (Flatbed or Feeder), choose the file type, then select Scan. Scans are saved to the Scans folder in Pictures by default.

What is the Windows Image Acquisition service?

It's the Windows service that most scanners use to talk to apps. If scanning stops working, restarting it (in Services, as Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)) or restarting the PC with the scanner connected often fixes it.

My network scanner isn't found. What should I check?

Make sure the scanner and PC are on the same network (not a guest network), print the printer's network settings page to check its IP address, restart the router and the scanner, and install the maker's full software, which often includes a network scan tool.