scanner not appearing

Question

Scanner is not appearing in a multi function printer and scanner

Answer 1

Dear Kathleen Clapham, 

I understand how inconvenient this can be, especially when the printer is detected but the scanner function does not appear on your Windows device. At this point, I recommend that you try the steps provided in the AI-generated answer on your thread. Also, please share the detail requested by the Independent Advisor, as this can help move the troubleshooting forward and avoid repeating the same questions. 

To help narrow down the issue, could you please confirm the following: 

• Is the issue that the scanner does not appear in Windows Scan / Windows Fax and Scan / the manufacturer’s scan app, or does it also not appear in Device Manager? 
• Is the device connected by USB or over the network/Wi-Fi? 
• Does scanning fail on this PC only, or does the scanner also not appear when checked from another computer? 
• If you open the printer manufacturer’s software, is the device shown there with print only, or is the scan function missing there as well? 
• Which version and edition of Windows are you currently using (for example, Windows 10 Home or Windows 11 Home)? 

In the meantime, please try the checks below: 

1. Verify the Windows Image Acquisition service 

• Press Windows + R > type services.msc and press Enter 
• Locate Windows Image Acquisition
• Check whether the service is Running > if it is not running, start it 
• Also set Startup type to Automatic 
• After that, test scanning again. 

2. Check Device Manager for the imaging component 

• Right-click Start > Device Manager 
• Expand Imaging devices, Printers and Universal Serial Bus controllers 
• Check whether the scanner appears under Imaging devices or whether there is any unknown device / warning icon 

3. Test with a Windows scanning app 

• Open Windows Scan (if installed) or open Windows Fax and Scan 
• See whether the scanner is available there 

4. If this is a network printer/scanner 

• The PC and printer/scanner are connected to the same network 
• The device has a valid IP address 
• The manufacturer’s scan utility can still discover the device 
• Any VPN or security software is temporarily disabled for testing. 

5. If this is a USB-connected device 

• Try a different USB port on the PC 
• Avoid using a USB hub or docking station 
• Test with another USB cable if available 

6. Restart the print and scan-related services 

• Please restart these services from Windows +R, type services.msc > Enter if available: Print Spooler and Windows Image Acquisition
• Then restart the PC and test scanning again. 

While my initial response may not fully resolve the issue, I truly appreciate your cooperation as we work together toward identifying the most effective solution. Thank you so much for your understanding. 

I hope these steps help narrow down the cause of the missing scanner function. Wishing you a smooth experience in getting the device fully recognized in Windows. 

---

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".  

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread. 

Answer 2

Hi, I'm Bernard, a fellow Windows user. I'm happy to help!

Kindly follow the steps provided by Q&A Assist. If the issue persists, please let me know the make and model of your printer. A full reinstallation of the driver is the best option to sort out the issue.

Answer 3

For a multifunction printer where the scanner part is not appearing in Windows, verify that Windows has detected and installed it as a scanner, not only as a printer.

1. Make sure the device is powered on and connected (USB or network) to the Windows PC.
2. Open the Windows settings for printers and scanners:
   • Windows 11: Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Or use this shortcut: Open Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & scanners
   • Windows 10: Select Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners. Or use this shortcut: Open Printers & scanners
3. Check if the multifunction device is listed:
   • If it is not listed at all, add it:
     • Windows 11: In Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select Add device next to Add printer or scanner, wait for the search to finish, then select Add device next to the printer/scanner.
     • Windows 10: In Printers & scanners, under Add printers & scanners, select Add a printer or scanner, wait for the search, then select the device and choose Add device.
4. If the device is listed only as a printer, confirm that Windows also detects the scanner:
   • Windows 11: In Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer. In the <Printer_Name> window, check if Scanner settings appears as an option. If it does, the scanner is installed.
   • Windows 10: In Printers & scanners, select the printer and then Manage. In Manage your device, open the drop-down menu and look for an entry prefixed with Scanner:. If present, the scanner is installed.
5. If the device appears only as a printer and there is no scanner entry or Scanner settings, reinstall the device using the steps above, and if needed install the latest driver package from the printer manufacturer so that Windows can detect the scanner component.

---

References:

• Install and use a scanner in Windows