Printer is Printing but Not Scanning Windows 11/10 [Fix]

It can be frustrating when your printer works perfectly for printing documents, but suddenly refuses to scan. This issue is very common on both Windows 11 and Windows 10, especially after a Windows update, driver conflict, incorrect scanner settings, or network connection problem. In many cases, the printer hardware is completely fine, but the scanning feature stops working because Windows cannot properly communicate with the scanner service.

If your all-in-one printer can print but cannot scan, the problem is usually related to the scanner driver, Windows Image Acquisition service, printer permissions, or scan software settings. 

This guide explains every solution in a detailed way so you can restore scanning functionality on your Windows PC.

Why the Printer Prints but Does Not Scan

Printing and scanning use different communication processes in Windows. Your printer may still print because the print driver works correctly, while the scanner driver becomes corrupted, outdated, or blocked.

Some common causes include:

• Corrupted scanner drivers
• Disabled Windows scanning services
• Outdated printer firmware
• Network connection problems
• Missing scanner permissions
• Windows updates are causing compatibility issues
• Incorrect scanner software settings
• Firewall or antivirus interference
• USB connection failures

Now, let’s learn the ways to resolve this issue!

Printer is Printing but Not Scanning Windows 11/10 [Fix]

If your printer prints normally but scanning does not work, follow these quick fixes first:

• Restart the printer and computer.
• Check the USB cable or WiFi connection.
• Run the Windows Printer Troubleshooter.
• Restart the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service.
• Update or reinstall the printer and scanner drivers.
• Set the printer as the default device.
• Allow scanner permissions in Windows settings.
• Install the latest scanner software from the printer manufacturer.
• Use the Windows Scan app to test scanning.
• Reset the printer network connection if using WiFi.

If the issue continues after these quick steps, follow the detailed solutions below.

1: Restart the Printer, Computer, and Connection

Sometimes the scanning issue happens because of a temporary communication glitch between Windows and the printer. Restarting all connected devices refreshes the connection and clears temporary errors.

Turn off the printer completely and unplug the power cable from the wall outlet. Wait for at least 60 seconds. Restart your computer during this time.

If you are using a USB printer, disconnect the USB cable and reconnect it after restarting the PC. Try using another USB port because some ports may stop responding properly.

If you are using a wireless printer, restart your WiFi router as well. After restarting everything, reconnect the printer to the network and test the scanner again.

Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and check whether your printer appears online.

Open the scanner software and try scanning a test document.

2: Run the Windows Printer Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that automatically detects printer and scanner-related issues. It can repair service errors, device conflicts, and driver problems.

Go to Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Find Printer and click Run next to it.

Windows will begin checking the printer configuration. Follow the instructions shown on the screen. If Windows detects any issue with the scanner service or printer communication, it may automatically repair it.

After the troubleshooting process finishes, restart the computer and test scanning again.

In Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Printer > Run the troubleshooter.

This method is especially useful if the problem started after a recent Windows update.

3: Restart the Windows Image Acquisition Service

The Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service controls communication between Windows and imaging devices such as scanners and cameras. If this service stops running, scanning will fail even though printing continues working normally.

Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type services.msc and press Enter.

In the Services window, scroll down and locate Windows Image Acquisition (WIA).

Double-click the service to open its properties. Under Startup type, select Automatic.

If the service status shows Stopped, click Start. Then click Apply and select OK. Now restart your computer.

After rebooting, open the scanner software again and test whether the scanner responds correctly.

Many users fix scanning problems immediately after restarting the WIA service.

4: Check Scanner Permissions in Windows

Windows privacy settings can block apps from accessing scanners. This usually happens after a system update or security configuration change.

Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > App permissions > Camera.

Make sure Camera access is turned on because scanners sometimes use camera-related permissions. Next, go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > App permissions > Documents.

Enable document access for desktop applications. Now go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and select your printer.

Open the scanner settings and confirm the scanner appears available.

Try scanning using the default Windows Scan app after enabling permissions.

5: Update the Printer and Scanner Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers are one of the most common reasons why scanning stops working in Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Press Windows + X and choose Device Manager.

Expand the Imaging devices section. Right-click your scanner or printer model and choose Update driver.

Select Search automatically for drivers. Windows will search for updated drivers online and install them automatically if available.

Next, expand Printers and update the printer driver as well. If Windows cannot find a driver, visit the printer manufacturer’s website and download the latest full-featured driver package compatible with your version of Windows.

Install the software completely and restart the PC after installation.

Updating both printer and scanner drivers often restores scanning functionality immediately.

6: Remove and Reinstall the Printer

Sometimes the installed printer profile becomes corrupted. Reinstalling the device creates a fresh connection between Windows and the printer.

Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Select your printer and click Remove device.

Disconnect the USB cable or disconnect the printer from WiFi temporarily. Restart the computer.

Now reconnect the printer and add it again. Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add device.

Allow Windows to detect the printer automatically. After installation completes, test both printing and scanning functions.

If your printer came with official scanner software, reinstall that software after adding the printer.

7: Use the Windows Scan App

The issue may sometimes come from the manufacturer’s scanning software instead of the scanner itself. Testing with the Windows Scan app helps identify the problem.

Open the Microsoft Store and install the Windows Scan application if it is not already installed. After installation, open the app.

Select your scanner from the device list. Place a document on the scanner glass and click Preview. If the preview appears correctly, click Scan.

If scanning works in the Windows Scan app but fails in your printer software, reinstall the manufacturer’s scanning application.

This method helps confirm whether Windows can communicate with the scanner hardware properly.

8: Check the Network Connection for Wireless Printers

Wireless printers often print successfully, while scanning fails because scanning requires a more stable network connection.

First, confirm that both the printer and computer are connected to the same WiFi network.

Go to Start > Settings > Network & Internet> WiFi and check the connected network name.

Now check the WiFi connection directly on the printer display panel. If the networks are different, reconnect the printer to the correct WiFi network.

You can also improve the connection by placing the printer closer to the router. If scanning still fails, reset the printer network settings and reconnect it to WiFi again.

Many scanner communication problems disappear after reconnecting the wireless printer properly.

9: Disable Firewall or Antivirus Temporarily

Security software can sometimes block scanner communication, especially for wireless scanning.

Temporarily disable your antivirus protection and Windows Firewall to test whether they are interfering with the scanner.

Go to Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall > Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off. Temporarily disable the firewall for private networks.

Now test the scanner again.

If scanning works after disabling security software, add the printer software to the firewall exception list and re-enable protection immediately.

Never leave the firewall disabled permanently.

10: Update Windows

Windows updates often include bug fixes for printers, scanners, drivers, and hardware compatibility issues.

Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update. Click Check for updates.

Download and install all available updates. Restart the computer after installation finishes.

After rebooting, reconnect the printer and test scanning again.

Keeping Windows fully updated improves compatibility with newer printer drivers and scanner software.

11: Check Printer Manufacturer Software

Most printer brands provide dedicated scanning software that includes advanced settings and troubleshooting tools.

If you use brands like HP, Canon, Epson, or Brother, install the latest full-featured software package from the manufacturer’s website.

The software may include:

• Scanner diagnostics
• Network repair tools
• Driver updates
• Firmware updates
• Scan profile repair tools

Open the manufacturer’s software and run any available scanner troubleshooting utility.

Updating the firmware can also solve communication problems between Windows and the printer.

12: Test the Scanner on Another Computer

If none of the previous methods work, connect the printer to another Windows computer.

Install the scanner software and test scanning.

If scanning works on another PC, the issue is likely related to your Windows settings, drivers, or software conflicts.

If scanning still does not work on another device, the scanner hardware itself may be faulty.

In that case, contact the printer manufacturer’s support team for repair or replacement options.

FAQs

Why is my printer printing but not scanning?

This usually happens because the scanner driver is corrupted, the Windows Image Acquisition service is disabled, or the scanner connection is blocked by permissions or firewall settings.

How do I enable scanning on Windows 11?

Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select your printer, and make sure the scanner is detected properly. Also, confirm the WIA service is running.

Can outdated drivers stop scanning?

Yes. Old or corrupted scanner drivers commonly prevent scanners from communicating with Windows correctly, even though printing still works.

Why does wireless scanning fail, but printing works?

Wireless scanning requires stronger two-way communication than printing. Weak WiFi signals, incorrect network settings, or firewall restrictions can interrupt the scanning process.

What is the Windows Image Acquisition service?

The Windows Image Acquisition service manages communication between Windows and imaging devices like scanners and cameras. If it stops running, scanning features may fail.

Should I reinstall my printer software?

Yes. Reinstalling the printer and scanner software often fixes corrupted settings, damaged drivers, and communication errors.

Do Windows 10 and Windows 11 have a built-in scan app?

Yes. Windows includes the Windows Scan app, which allows users to scan documents and images without needing third-party software.