When a scanner is not connecting to Windows, the following steps should be taken to troubleshoot the issue:
1. Ensure that all cables are securely plugged in and that the power is turned on.
2. Check the software installed on the computer, making sure that it is compatible with the scanner.
3. Make sure that the scanner is recognized by the Operating System; this can usually be done through Device Manager or Control Panel.
4. Unplug any other USB devices from the computer, as these may be interfering with the scanner’s recognition.
5. Reboot the computer and see if the scanner is recognized.
6. Check for possible driver conflicts between the device and the scanner. If a conflict exists, uninstall the conflicting driver and then reinstall the correct scanner driver.
7. Try installing a different scanner driver, if available.
8. Uninstall and reinstall any associated software applications.
9. Update the scanner driver to the most current version available.
10. Reset the scanner settings.
11. Try another port if possible, such as a USB 2.0 port.
12. Check the scanner’s connection through its diagnostic utility.
13. Try connecting the scanner to a different computer, if available.
14. Contact the manufacturer of the scanner for further help.
15. If all else fails, try a different scanner.