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Printer scans but computer won’t receive it? Fix scanning

Updated 2 min readWritten by the HelpMeFixPrinter support team

Printing works but scanning doesn’t — a very common combination, because scanning uses a separate driver and usually a separate app. Here’s how to get scanning working again.

Quick answer

Install the manufacturer’s full driver package (which includes the scanner driver), then scan with the manufacturer’s scan app, Windows Scan, or Image Capture on Mac.

Why this happens

  • Only the basic print driver is installed, not the scanner driver.
  • The scan app is looking for the printer at an old IP address.
  • Firewall settings blocking the scanner from sending to your computer.

Windows 11 and Windows 10

  1. Install the manufacturer’s full driver & software package for your model (it includes the scanner driver).
  2. Try scanning with the official app: HP Smart, Canon IJ Scan Utility (or MF Scan Utility for imageCLASS), Epson ScanSmart / Epson Scan 2, or Brother iPrint&Scan.
  3. Or use Microsoft’s free Windows Scan app from the Microsoft Store, or Windows Fax and Scan.
  4. If the scanner isn’t found on a network printer, check that the printer’s IP address hasn’t changed and that your network is set to Private.

Mac

  1. Open System Settings › Printers & Scanners, select the printer, and click Open Scanner (shown when scanning is supported).
  2. Or open the Image Capture app (in Applications) — your scanner should appear in the sidebar.
  3. If it’s missing, remove the printer and add it again so macOS adds the scanner too, or install the manufacturer’s Mac scanning software.

Scan to computer from the printer’s panel

Pressing Scan › to Computer on the printer only works when the manufacturer’s software is installed and running on your computer, because it listens for the scan. If that’s unreliable, start the scan from the computer instead — it’s usually more dependable.

Brand-specific tips

HP

In HP Smart, click Scan. On Windows, HP Scan (part of the full software) also works. More HP help

Canon

Use IJ Scan Utility for PIXMA and MF Scan Utility for imageCLASS models. More Canon help

Epson

Epson ScanSmart is the easy option; Epson Scan 2 gives more control. More Epson help

Brother

Brother iPrint&Scan handles scanning for most current models on Windows and Mac. More Brother help

Still stuck? Talk to a printer technician.

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Frequently asked questions

Why can my printer print but not scan?

Printing and scanning use different drivers. If only the print driver is installed — common when Windows adds the printer automatically — scanning won’t work until you install the full package.

Related fixes

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