Why is my Epson printer scanner not working?

If you are annoyed because your Epson scanner not working then don’t worry. Many customers have encountered circumstances in which the printer produces flawlessly but the scanner refuses to respond. You may encounter an Epson scan error the scan function may stall or Epson scan to computer may not operate even when the device is attached. 

To help you understand the fundamental causes and rapidly resolve this issue below are the most common reasons your Epson scanner may stop operating – along with simple remedies. 

Typical Causes for Your Epson Scanner Not Working

Connection Problems Between Computer and Epson Scanner 

• A loose or disconnected USB cable is one of the most prevalent causes of Epson scanners not working. 

• If you’re using Wi-Fi make sure your computer and Epson printer are on the same network. 

• Even if the printer continues to function the scanner occasionally loses access to the network. This is why many consumers report that their Epson printer works but their scanner does not—the printing protocol is connected but the scanning protocol is not. 

Fix: 

• Check the USB cord and reconnect to the Wi-Fi network. 

• Restart the router. 

• Re-add the printer and scanner to your PC’s settings. 

Epson Scan Software is not working properly 

The Epson scanning program occasionally fails to launch or crashes abruptly. You may see an Epson scan error warning because the program is unable to interact with the scanner. 

Fix: 

• Close the Epson Scan app and reopen it. 

• If the problem persists, reinstall Epson Scan Utility from Epson’s official website. 

• Ensure that no other scanning applications are interfering. 

Outdated or corrupted scanner drivers 

Scanner drivers provide communication between the computer and the scanner. If these drivers are out of current or corrupted the Epson scan to computer not working problem will surface instantly. 

Fix: 

• Download the most recent drivers for your Epson model. 

• Update your device drivers using Device Manager. 

• Restart your computer and do scanning again. 

Windows Update Conflicts 

Some scanners cease responding following big Windows upgrades due to changes in system files or permissions. You may discover that printing still works but scanning does not resulting in the epson printer works but not scanner scenario. 

Fix: 

• Run the Windows Scanner Troubleshooter. 

• Reinstall the Epson scanner driver after the Windows upgrade. 

• Allow the app over the firewall to avoid bottlenecks. 

The Epson Scan Utility is set to the wrong mode

Epson scanners support a variety of connectivity channels including network USB and local. If the incorrect mode is selected your scanner will not recognize the connected computer. 

Fix: 

• Open the Epson Scan Utility settings. 

• Select the appropriate mode based on how your device is connected. 

• Restart the scanning service as needed. 

Blocking Epson Scan with Firewall or Antivirus 

Security software can occasionally interfere with Epson’s scanning process. This causes communication failure resulting in Epson scanner not working problems. 

Fix: 

• Temporarily disable antivirus and see if scanning works. 

• Add Epson Scan Utility to the approved list in the firewall configuration. 

• Following that re-enable your antivirus. 

The scanner is busy or stuck inside. 

If the scanner head is stuck or the device is busy scanning will not begin. This may also result in Epson scan error messages. 

Fix: 

• Turn off and disconnect the printer for one minute. 

• Turn it on and try scanning again. 

• Confirm that the scanner glass area is free of impediments. 

Wrong Epson software installed. 

Epson Connect Printer Setup is required for new Epson models whilst older versions utilize the original Epson Scan Utility. Installing the incorrect software may prevent scanning features from operating. 

Fix: 

• Check your Epson model number. 

• Install the appropriate scanning program as advised on Epson’s official support page. 

The printer contains internal errors. 

Internal device difficulties might hinder scanning even when printing is normal. You may find that the device is sluggish freezes or displays strange messages. 

Fix: 

• Restart the printer. 

• Reset your network settings. 

• If the problem persists, reset the printer completely. 

Rare Case: Hardware Failure. 

If nothing works your scanner might have a physical problem with its bulb sensor or internal board. This is unusual but possible particularly with older models. 

Fix: 

• Contact support. 

• Have the scanner serviced or replaced. 

• If your scanner stops scanning and says Epson Printer Not Printing it is a clear indication of hardware failure. 

Final Thoughts 

Simple misconfigurations, outdated drivers or software incompatibilities are the most common causes of Epson scanner not working. While printing and scanning operations appear to be comparable they employ entirely distinct communication protocols which is why Epson printers regularly work but scanners do not.