SCANNER CANNOT SAVE SCANNED IMAGE

Question

WHEN I TRY TO SCAN, IT WON'T SAVE AND SAYS: CANNOT SAVE SCANNED IMAGE

Answer 1

Hi Stacy Smith,

Since Q&A Assist already covered checking the Windows Scan app save location and basic permissions, here’s a few things you can check out if the previous solutions don’t work:

1 - Check controlled folder access

• Open Windows Security > Go to Virus & threat protection
• Click Manage ransomware protection > Controlled folder access
• If it’s ON > Allow an app through Controlled folder access (if available)
• Add your scan app (or Windows Scan) > After done, restart & try scanning again

2 - Test saving to another folder

• Create a new folder in PC base drive, e.g. D:\Test
• Set this folder as the save location in your scan app
• If this works, the issue is with the original permissions.

3 - Verify your user profile isn’t corrupted

• Press Win + R > type control > Enter
• Go to User Accounts > Manage another account
• Create a new local account > sign into it and try scanning.

4 - Check the scanner’s own software (if used)

• Visit your printer’s site (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, etc.)
• Search to see if there’s a specific app for it (e.g. HP Smart))

If you’d like, tell me Scanner brand and model, as well as whether you tried the Windows Scan app yet! It can help us narrow this down further!

---

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

Use the Windows Scan app to verify and correct the save settings for the scanner.

1. Make sure the scanner is turned on and connected.
2. Right-click the Start menu, select Search, and type: Windows Scan.
3. Select Scan from the search results. If it is missing, install it from Microsoft Store using the Windows Scan app link in the documentation.
4. In the Scan app, select the scanner in the Scanner drop-down.
5. Select the correct Source (Flatbed, Feeder, or Auto-configured) depending on how the document is placed.
6. In File type, choose a supported format (JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or Bitmap).
7. Select Show more, then under Save file to, click the folder link.
8. In the Select Folder window, choose a folder where the account has write permissions (for example, a folder under Documents or Pictures), then click Select Folder.
9. Try scanning again by selecting Scan at the bottom of the app.

If no folder is selected, the Windows Scan app saves by default to Pictures/Scans in the user folder. Use File Explorer to confirm that this folder exists and is accessible:

1. Right-click the Start menu and select File Explorer.
2. Browse to Pictures → Scans and verify that new scans appear there after running a test scan.

If the problem persists after confirming the save folder and permissions, check the scanner manufacturer’s website for updated drivers or troubleshooting steps for Windows 10.

---

References:

• Install and use a scanner in Windows