Install and use a scanner in Windows 10 (2024)

In most cases, all you have to do to set up a scanner is to connect it to your device. Plug the USB cable from your scanner into an available USB port on your device, and turn the scanneron.If that doesn't work, here's a way to do it manually.

1. Select Start>Settings>Devices>Printers & scanners or use the following button.
   

2. SelectAdd a printer or scanner.Wait for it to find nearby scanners, then choose the one you want to use and selectAdd device.

Note:If your scanneris included in a multifunction or All-In-One printer, you may only seethe name of your printer.To see your scanner, under Printers & scanners,select your installed printer, select Manage, and then chooseyour scanner.

If your scanneris turned on and connected to the network, Windows should find it automatically. Available scanners can include all scanners on a network, such as Bluetooth and wireless scanners or scanners that are plugged into another deviceand shared on the network. Here's a way to do it manually.

1. Select Start>Settings>Devices>Printers & scanners or use the following button.
   

2. SelectAdd a printer or scanner.Wait for it to find nearby scanners, then choose the one you want to use, and selectAdd device.

If your scanner isn't in the list, selectThe printer that I want isn't listed, and then follow the instructions to add it manually.

If you want to see if yourscanner is installed, make sure that your scanner is turned on and use the Open the Printers & scannerssettings button, orfollow these steps:

1. Select Start>Settings>Devices>Printers & scanners.
   

2. Under Printers & devices, look for your scanner.

Note:If your scanneris included in a multifunction or All-In-One printer, you may only seethe name of your printer.To see your scanner, under Printers & scanners,select your installed printer, select Manage, and then chooseyour scanner.

Once your scanner is installed, use the Windows Scan app to scan a picture or document. Here's how:

Note:Need to install the Windows Scan app? You can get the app at Microsoft Store.

1. Make sure your scanner is turned on.

2. In the search box on the taskbar, type Windows Scan, and then select Scan from the results.

3. Do one of the following:

   See Also

   What is a scanner?

   • Place the item you want to scan face down on the scanner's flatbed and close the cover.

   • Place the item you want to scan in the scanner's document feeder.

4. On the Scan page, do the following:

   • Under Scanner, select the scanner you want to use.

   • Under Source,select the location you prefer to scan from.

   • Under File type, select the type of file you want the scan to be saved as. For example, you can save the file in different file formats—such as JPEG, Bitmap, and PNG.

   • Select Show more to showtheSave file to options.

   • Under Save file to,browse to the location where you want to save the scan.

5. SelectScan at the bottom of the screen to scan your document or picture.

6. After your scan is finished, selectView toseethe scanned file before you save it, or selectClose to save it.You can edit the scanned document or picture in the preview that appears when you select View.

Tolocate a previously saved scan file, selectFile Explorerfrom the taskbar, and then select the location that youchose to save your scanned files.

If none of these instructions solvedyour scanner problem, there could be an issue with the scanner itself. Go to the scanner manufacturer's website for specific troubleshooting info.