It is possible to safely uninstall and reinstall a scanner driver, although it is important to ensure that it is done correctly in order to avoid any potential issues.
Before uninstalling, it is important to check that the manufacturer’s website has the most up-to-date driver available for the device, as this will ensure that the driver supports the hardware and will provide the best possible performance. Once you have found the correct download, you can proceed to uninstall the existing driver.
Step 1 – Uninstalling the Scanner Driver
The first step is to open the Device Manager, which can be accessed by going to the start menu and then searching for Device Manager. Once inside, locate the section that contains Imaging devices and select it. Right click on the scanner and select ‘uninstall device’. If you are then prompted that additional software needs to be removed, follow the instructions on the screen and select ‘OK’.
It is also important to take note of any drivers that are non-generic (e.g. ones that were supplied by the scanner manufacturer) as these may need to be removed separately. To do this, go to the start menu and type ‘Uninstall Programs’. Select the option to ‘View installed updates’, look for any non-generic drivers listed and select ‘uninstall’.
Once complete, it is recommended to restart your computer to ensure all drivers have been removed.
Step 2 – Installing the Scanner Driver
Once the computer has restarted, you can begin the installation process. Download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website. Once downloaded, open up the folder containing the drivers, right click the executable file and select ‘Run as Administrator’. If asked, allow the driver to install itself.
If the driver includes additional software such as control panel applications or driver utilities, these should be installed next. Search the folder containing the driver files for an ‘install.exe’ and if found, double click and follow the instructions to install it.
Once all the software components have been installed, restart the computer one last time.
Step 3 – Testing the Scanner Driver
On successful completion of the installation, the scanner should be ready to use. To make sure it has been installed correctly, try testing it with a basic scan. Open up the scanning software found on the computer and scan a simple document or photograph. You can check the results to make sure the scan has been successful.
Additionally, you should also check that the scanner driver is listed as working in the Device Manager window. This can be accessed from the Start Menu, followed by typing ‘Device Manager’. Next, select ‘Imaging Devices’ and check whether the scanner is listed correctly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, uninstalling and reinstalling a scanner driver can be done safely with the right steps. Before uninstalling the driver, it is important to check that the manufacturer’s website has the most up-to-date driver available for the device. Then, follow the steps outlined above to uninstall, then reinstall the driver. Finally, test the driver with a basic scan to make sure that it has been installed correctly.