Why won't the printer scan and how can I solve the problem?

A very common problem that MFPs have is failure of the scanner when the other functions of the device are fully operational. This situation can arise not only during the first use of the device, but also after a long work in normal mode. This article will show you the most common reasons for the inoperability of the scanning device and provide recommendations for correcting the situation.

The printer can start to be "naughty" for many reasons. They can be divided into two groups.

Any modern printer has not only drivers, but also a preinstalled utility program that simplifies work with the device. Sometimes it happens that software is accidentally uninstalled or installed incorrectly, and, as a result, the printer starts to work "crookedly".

The presence of viruses on your computer may also cause the scanner to malfunction. The least common problem is driver conflict. Most often, this situation occurs if several MFPs are connected to one computer. Such a problem is possible with devices connected together via a local network.

Such problems are associated with the "internal stuffing" of the device. If the MFP shuts down or displays a speed error on the screen (a message stating that this device may work faster), then most often the breakdown is caused by a malfunction of the USB output, cable or driver.

Also, some electrical appliances may interfere with the scanner, such as microwave ovens. A defective power supply can also cause failure of some functions... Sometimes the device is trite low on paper or cartridgeused for printing.

If you find a problem with the scanner, you can try to fix the problem yourself by following the tips below.

1. Replace cable. Most modern technology, including MFPs, works with long USB cords. This is very convenient, but not all peripheral devices can work correctly. The solution is to replace the long cable with a short one (no more than 1.5 m in length). Very often, after these actions, the device starts working without failures.
2. Use additional programs... For example, you can download a program called "Scanner" from the official Microsoft store. This software is free and the controls are intuitive. The VueScan program is also popular. It is ideally compatible with MFPs from most manufacturers (HP, Canon, Epson).
3. Updating drivers. For a printer / scanner of any manufacturer, you can download the latest drivers on the official website. The fact is that the initially installed drivers may become outdated and, accordingly, the device will not work correctly. Usually this software is installed automatically.
4. Correct setup and connection. A very commonly used MFP is not assigned as the default device. This error can be corrected through the control panel.
5. The cartridge is incorrectly stitched. In modern devices, there are many sensors that protect the device, therefore, if the ink is changed incorrectly, the MFP can start to seriously "freeze". If the scanner does not work after changing the cartridge, then it must be replaced.
6. Clear print queue... Combined devices (MFPs) cannot perform different operations at the same time. That is, you cannot simultaneously send a series of documents to print and scan at the same time. But sometimes the printing does not work, and the scanner does not want to work. In this case, you need to go to the "Print queue" and delete the documents on the waiting list.

Sometimes the problem in which the scanner refuses to work is not the device itself or the software, but the wrong hardware. This can be easily verified by going into the "Device Manager" of your computer. There should be no yellow exclamation mark in front of the controller. If it is, then there is a hardware incompatibility. You can try reinstalling or updating the drivers. If that doesn't work, then the only way out is to connect the scanning device to another computer.

No colored power indicator indicates a damaged power cord or AC adapter... In this case, it is necessary to replace the failed element. Luminous red indicator signals a device malfunction.

When scanning documents slowly, you need to check portto which the scanner is connected. If it is connected to USB 1.1, then the solution to the problem is to change the port to USB 2.0.

Scanning equipment problems Is a fairly common occurrence. But most of them can be completely corrected by yourself, following the recommendations given in the article.

For how to solve this problem, see the next video.