There are a lot of reviews on the Internet and a lot of questions like “The scanner doesn’t scan, help!” or “I bought a new printer, but the scanner doesn’t work. What should I do??!”, a lot of information on repairing or eliminating “symptoms of the disease.” Experts say that in 30% of cases a completely serviceable car gets sick. So there is no need to immediately run to the service center and send the printer for repair. You can do the repairs yourself.
For example, try preliminary scanning, that is, run any software that will allow you to obtain an image.
When scanning starts, the previously installed driver is launched. If the driver has not been installed, then you need to take the installation disk that comes with the kit and simply install the one you need. If the driver is installed and ready to work, then the steps are completely different.
The driver is installed, but the scanner still does not work
So, the software is there, but the device is not detected. The first step to start diagnosing the problem is to click on the Start panel, Find and go to Control Panel. Then find the Administration item, click on it. A window opens with a list of different functions. You need to find and launch the device manager (a lightweight option is to go to the My Computer shortcut, right-click on an empty space, and go to the hardware tab).
The item is found and another window pops up on the monitor, with a bunch of plus signs and names. You need to find the scanner and determine if it is installed. Searching for "Imaging Devices" shouldn't take long. So, click on the plus sign and there it is, the name of the model and next to it an exclamation mark on a yellow background. What does it mean? This means that the drivers are either not suitable or are outdated. But the way out is the same. We go to the Internet and find the driver we need.
You can also download a program that will automatically update all drivers on your hardware. The drivers are found and installed, we restart the machine, everything is ready.
But what to do if everything is in working order in the device manager? The scanner is detected, but still refuses to work? There's one more catch. For normal operation, you need to purchase a certain program on the manufacturer’s website. And, of course, not for a small amount. But this problem can also be solved in the same way: you need to go to the Internet and find the necessary software.
Having considered the technical problems, let's move on to the physical ones.
People often ask this question: why, even if the device is working properly, does the hardware refuse to scan? Some solutions to this problem.
- Checking the power supply and power cord (if both elements are faulty, the scanner will not function).
- Inspect the wire connecting the system unit and the scanner itself for visible damage.
- Check the voltage in the network (it happens that many electrical appliances are working at the same time, and the scanning device simply does not have enough power).
- Some experts claim that scanners may not work due to the creation of microwaves by some objects (just in case, turn off the microwave, it may help).
Check the grounding of the electrical wiring. - Finally, check your settings in case it's just not configured correctly and resetting to default settings will restore everything.
If the device uses a USB interface, then perhaps the reason is in the connection port and installing it on a different port will solve all the problems.
It still doesn't work even though everything has already been checked?
The operating system installed on your computer or laptop plays an important role. Most manufacturers have recently released printers, and scanners are designed for use on the Windows 7 operating system.
Let's sum it up
The simplest method to check is to open the “device manager” and check the controller, it should not be marked with a yellow exclamation mark. The controller must operate in optimal mode. If a problem occurs, then you should try installing the scanner on another computer; perhaps the problem is with your hardware. It often happens that perfectly serviceable systems simply refuse to work. A striking example is the Mustek scanner, which simply refuses to work with bus controllers manufactured by Tekram. So before installing a scanner, you should definitely consult which bus this product operates on or ask for recommendations on choosing a new controller.
If none of the proposed options are suitable and the scanner continues to refuse to work, then there is only one way out: take it to a service center for warranty service. The service center will definitely help you and explain what the reason was.
MFP Canon i-SENSYS MF226dn
An unexpected problem occurred in one of the offices with network scanning; the Canon MF226dn network scanner stopped working on a couple of computers.
More precisely, on the Canon i-SENSYS MF226dn MFP itself, two computers from the office network no longer appear in the list of devices available for scanning.
At the same time, scanner drivers were installed on the PCs themselves, the scanner access program ScanGear was launched, and the scanner was visible over the network.
As it turned out, on one of the PCs the problem arose after installing the next big Windows 10 update; on the other, the OS was reinstalled and the drivers were installed from the original disk.
The device drivers were reinstalled from the original disk, network access to the scanner was checked, the influence of antiviruses and the firewall was checked, but the Canon i-SENSYS MF226dn MFP still did not display two PCs in the scanning list.
The problem turned out to be known to the manufacturer and there is a patch on the official Canon website that corrects this problem.
By the way, according to the description of the fix, the problem may also occur with a regular USB connection to the Canon MF226dn MFP, and it will also appear again with the next Windows update, after which you will have to apply this fix again.
You can download the patch that corrects the Canon MF226dn network scanning problem from the official website.
Also, for network scanning to work successfully, the Canon Tool Box program must be installed on the PC, and when updating the Tool Box, you may encounter the following error - on the scanner you select the PC you need, start the scanning process, but it ends with an error. At the same time, the Tool Box application is launched on the PC.
To fix this situation, also run the above fix.
From the author:
If the problem is solved, one of the ways to say “Thank you” to the author is indicated - .
If the problem could not be resolved or additional questions arise, you can ask them on our website, in a special section.
Often, office equipment users are faced with the need to find an answer to the question of why the printer does not scan. The cause of the problem may lie in the multifunction printer/printer and personal computer, or in the connection between them. To find the source of the problem and determine why the scanner is not working, you need to look at several possible causes and try to resolve them. If you are sure that the device scanner is in working order, then check it by connecting it to another PC. If nothing helps, then, of course, you will have to resort to the services of a service center.
Possible causes and ways to eliminate them
So, what to do if the MFP does not scan? First of all, pay attention to the computer, which together with the printing device must be turned off, and then disconnect the power cable from both devices. Wait about a minute, and after connecting the power again, turn on both devices. Thanks to such actions, the memory of the computer and multifunction device will be cleared, which will allow the MFP to operate normally.
But if the scanning still does not start, and the previously working multifunctional device began to produce various error codes, then be sure to eliminate them in a timely manner. You can find detailed descriptions of them in the instructions that came with the printer. In addition, a multifunctional device of almost any model makes it possible to perform scanning and copying in the so-called. service mode. To start it, first of all, turn off the device itself. Then hold down “Reset” and the “Power” button. Next, release the first button and press it twice (for different models, the number of such presses may be different - read the device’s operating instructions for more details). Finally, release "Power" and check if the printer begins to respond to scanning commands.
If the printer does not scan and the above recommendations did not help you, then be sure to try reconnecting the USB cable. Pull it out and connect it to another port on your PC. It is advisable to organize such a connection not through a USB hub, but directly to a personal computer. Then, first of all, check whether the PC can see the printing device connected to it. If the printer has become visible to the computer, then try scanning and printing a couple of sheets. 
Another reason that the printer prints but does not scan is scanner drivers that the user simply forgot to install. The question arises, what to do in this situation? So, if the PC does not see the scanner precisely for this reason, then either go to the website of the manufacturer of your office equipment and install it. If you don’t know what exactly to download, then it’s better to download the full device driver. In addition, the reason may even lie in the installed driver, which simply “flew”. In such a situation, you will have to first uninstall it and install the updated version.
If the printer prints but does not scan, you will have to reset its settings. This method will also help in solving the following problems: the printer does not copy, has stopped responding to user commands. You should reset the settings from the device menu or using special software.
In addition, the device may stop scanning due to a breakdown of the power supply - most models are connected to the electrical network using a similar part, just like mobile phones. The problem can be solved by purchasing and installing a power supply with similar characteristics.
In general, it is not uncommon for the printer to work, but the MFP scanner does not function. This problem especially takes the user by surprise when a printer that is still printing normally fails. According to some specialists, the MFP scanner may stop functioning due to the creation of microwaves by any objects. Therefore, before using the device for printing, it would be a good idea to turn off the microwave oven - perhaps this will help you.
In addition, if the printer works, but the scanner itself does not, then check the grounding of the wiring, the voltage in the network, and carefully inspect the wire connecting the PC to the scanner for visible damage.
