Application can't find Scanner

When multiple devices are connected to the computer, it may so happen that disconnecting one makes the other one disappear. When you start a new application to use the scanner, it cannot find it. In this post, we will share solutions when applications do not find a new scanning device after another device is disconnected.

The problem can occur when you disconnect a Web Services on Devices (WSD) scanner or connect it to a Windows-based computer or when you connect a different scanning device, such as a USB scanner, to the computer. All of these point to a state change. When a machine cannot be found, it means it is still offline. When the OS makes a query for its status, it will receive WIA ERROR OFFLINE error.

WIA_ERROR_OFFLINE, The device is offline, Make sure the device is powered on and connected to the PC, Error code 0x80210005

Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) enables graphics software to communicate with imaging hardware such as scanners. The error occurs here when the initialization process fails.

Most of the time, the problem is temporary, and restarting both the scanner and computer may solve it. Here are our suggestions:

Restart the computer while the scanner is connected
Uninstall the connected scanner device & Reconnect
Restart the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) Service

You may need an administrator account for removing devices from the device manager.

1] Restart the computer while the scanner is connected

It will resolve the problem most of the time as the state will be reset. When the device is stuck in offline mode, the scanner driver may experience a WIA_ERROR_OFFLINE error when it calls the IStiDevice::LockDevice method. When you restart, the state is reset.

2] Uninstall the connected scanner device & Reconnect

Use WIN + X keyboard shortcut to open the Power menu, and then select Device Manager.
Locate the scanner, right-click and uninstall
Restart the computer
Once you are back into your account, reconnect the scanner.
Windows will start detecting it again and install the required drivers.

3] Restart the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) Service

We have already talked about WIA service, and it would be a good idea to restart it too.

In the Run prompt, type services.msc and press the Enter key.
Loca WIA service. The description should say, “Provides image acquisition services for scanners and cameras.”
Double click to open, and then click on the Stop button, and later on the Start button.
You can also right-click on the service, and choose Restart from the context menu

TIP: This post will help you troubleshoot Scanner problems.

I hope the guide was easy to follow, and one of these solutions resolve the issue-Applications do not find a new scanning device after another device is disconnected.