1. Ensure Scanner is Connected Properly
The first step to take when your scanner is not detected is to make sure that it is securely connected to the computer. If the scanner is connected through a USB cable, you can check to make sure the connection is secure by unplugging it and plugging it back in. Make sure you have the correct type of USB cable for your scanner as different scanners require different types of cables.
2. Check Device Manager
The next step is to check Windows’ Device Manager to make sure that the scanner is recognized by the operating system. To open the Device Manager, type “Device Manager” in the Search bar on the taskbar and select it from the results. Once you’ve opened the Device Manager, navigate through the list of devices until you find the name of your scanner. Verify that the status for your scanner device is “working properly”. If it is not, try unplugging and replugging the scanner as this can sometimes fix it.
3. Update Drivers
If the Device Manager shows that the scanner is recognized but is not working properly, you may need to update its drivers. To do this, locate the manufacturer’s website and search for the most recent driver available for download. When you have found the correct driver, download it, and then follow the installation instructions. Once the installation is complete, restart your computer and check to see if the scanner is now detected.
4. Use Compatibility Mode
If the above steps still do not rectify the issue, try running the driver in compatibility mode. To do this, locate the setup file for the driver, right-click on it and select Properties. Select the Compatibility tab, then tick the box labeled “Run this program in compatibility mode for:”. From the drop-down list, select the version of Windows that the driver was designed for, such as Windows 7 or 8. Then select Apply and OK to confirm the changes. Try restarting your computer again and check to see if your scanner is now detected.
5. Perform Troubleshooting
If you are still having issues with the scanner being undetected, you may need to perform a troubleshoot. To do this, type “troubleshoot” into the Search bar on the Windows taskbar and select Troubleshoot from the results. Select Hardware and devices, then follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter. This should help identify any problems with the scanner or its drivers and provide possible solutions.
6. Reinstall the Drivers
If none of the previous steps have been successful, you may need to completely uninstall the existing driver software and then reinstall it. To do this, first, open the Device Manager and locate the device name of your scanner. Right-click it and select Uninstall. Once the driver has been removed, visit the manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest version of the driver again. After the installation is complete, restart your computer and check to see if the scanner is now detected.