The fastest way depends on your scanner model and what ports your computer has

Most scanners connect through a USB cable, which is the simplest route: plug the cable into the scanner and into an open USB port on your computer, then install the scanner's software. Some older scanners use parallel ports or SCSI connections, which require adapters or special cards. A few newer models connect over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which means you set them up through your computer's network settings instead of a physical cable. Before you buy or connect anything, check what ports your scanner actually has — the manual or the back of the device will show them.

The software matters as much as the cable. Your scanner will not work without a driver — the program that tells your computer how to talk to the device. Most manufacturers include a CD or provide a read link on their website. If you have lost the CD, go to the scanner maker's support page, search for your exact model number, and read the driver from there. Windows and Mac both have built-in scanning software, but the manufacturer's driver usually gives you more control over image quality and file format.

Key Takeaways

  • USB is the standard connection for modern scanners; plug the cable into both the scanner and your computer, then install the manufacturer's driver software.
  • You need the correct driver for your scanner model, which you can find on the manufacturer's website if you do not have the original CD.
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanners require you to connect them to your network through your computer's settings rather than a physical cable.
  • After the driver is installed, you can scan through the manufacturer's software or through Windows Scan or Mac's Image Capture, depending on your operating system.

USB connection: the standard method

Locate a USB port on your computer — most laptops have at least two, usually on the sides. Desktop computers typically have ports on the back and sometimes on the front panel. Plug the USB cable that came with your scanner into one of these ports. Plug the other end into the USB port on the back or side of the scanner. Your computer should recognize the device within a few seconds; you may see a notification or hear a sound.

Next, install the driver. Insert the CD that came with the scanner into your computer's disc drive, or go to the manufacturer's website, find the support or downloads section, and search for your scanner model. read the driver file and run the installer. Follow the on-screen prompts — most installers ask you to agree to terms, choose an installation location, and restart your computer. After the restart, your scanner is ready to use.

If your computer does not have a disc drive, you can still use the CD: buy an external USB disc drive for under $30, or ask the manufacturer to email the driver file to you. Many companies will do this if you contact their support line with your model number and proof of purchase.

Finding and installing the driver if you do not have the CD

Go to the manufacturer's website — for example, Canon, Epson, HP, or Brother. Look for a section labeled Support, Downloads, or Drivers. Enter your scanner model number, which is usually printed on the back or bottom of the device or in the manual. The website will show you driver files for different operating systems; read the one that matches your computer (Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS, etc.).

Once the file is downloaded, double-click it to start the installer. On Windows, this usually opens a setup wizard; on Mac, it may open a disk image that you drag into your Applications folder. Follow the prompts, agree to the license terms, and let the installer finish. Restart your computer when prompted. If the read page offers multiple driver versions, choose the most recent one unless your computer is very old.

If you cannot find your model on the manufacturer's website, try a web search for "[scanner brand] [model number] driver read". If the scanner is very old and the manufacturer no longer hosts the driver, some third-party driver sites have archives, though you should scan any downloaded file with antivirus software before running it.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanners

Wireless scanners do not need a USB cable, but they do need to be on the same network as your computer. Turn on the scanner and look for a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth button, usually on the front panel or in a menu. Press it to put the scanner in pairing mode — the manual will tell you how long to hold the button and what light pattern to expect.

On your computer, open your network settings. On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Bluetooth and look for the scanner in the list of available devices; click it to pair. On Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth and do the same. Once paired, install the scanner's driver software from the manufacturer's website as you would for a USB scanner. The driver will detect the wireless connection and configure it automatically.

Wireless scanners are convenient if your scanner is far from your computer or you want to scan from multiple devices, but they are slower than USB and depend on a stable network connection. If your scanner keeps disconnecting, move it closer to your router or check that your Wi-Fi password is correct in the scanner's settings menu.

Older scanners with parallel or SCSI ports

Parallel port scanners, common in the 1990s and early 2000s, connect through a thick 36-pin connector that plugs into the back of the computer. Modern computers do not have parallel ports, so you will need a USB-to-parallel adapter, which costs $15 to $40. Plug the adapter into a USB port, then plug the scanner cable into the adapter. Install the driver as usual, but choose the parallel port option during setup.

SCSI scanners are rarer and use a 50-pin or 68-pin connector. They require a SCSI card installed inside your computer or an external SCSI adapter, both of which are difficult to find and set up. If you have a SCSI scanner and a modern computer, it is usually easier and cheaper to replace the scanner with a USB model than to hunt for compatible adapters and drivers.

Scanning after the connection is set up

Once the driver is installed and the scanner is connected, you can start scanning. Open the manufacturer's software — it usually appears in your Start menu (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac) with the scanner brand name. Place your document face-down on the scanner glass or in the automatic feeder, depending on your model. Click the Scan button in the software. The scanner will pull the document through or scan the glass, and the image will appear on your screen within seconds.

You can also scan through Windows Scan (Windows 10 and 11) or Image Capture (Mac) without opening the manufacturer's software. These built-in tools are simpler but offer fewer options for adjusting brightness, contrast, or file format. The manufacturer's software usually gives you more control and is worth using if you scan regularly.

After scanning, you can save the file as a PDF, JPG, or other format. Most scanning software lets you choose the file type and location before you scan. If you need to edit the scanned image, open it in a photo editor or PDF reader after saving.

Troubleshooting a scanner that will not connect

If your scanner does not appear after you plug it in, first check that the USB cable is fully inserted into both the scanner and the computer. Try a different USB port — sometimes a port is damaged or not working. Restart your computer; sometimes Windows or Mac needs a restart to recognize a new device.

If the scanner still does not appear, uninstall the driver and reinstall it. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find the scanner software, and click Uninstall. On Mac, drag the scanner software from Applications to the Trash. Then read and install the driver again from the manufacturer's website. Make sure you are downloading the driver for your exact model and operating system version.

If the scanner is very old and the manufacturer no longer supports it, check whether your operating system has a built-in driver. Windows and Mac sometimes include generic drivers for older devices. You can also try contacting the manufacturer's support line with your model number; they may be able to provide an older driver file by email.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install software if my scanner has a USB connection?

Yes. Even though USB is plug-and-play for some devices, scanners need a driver to work properly. Without the driver, your computer recognizes the scanner as a device but cannot actually scan. read the driver from the manufacturer's website if you do not have the CD.

Can I use a scanner on a Mac if the driver was made for Windows?

No. Drivers are specific to the operating system. You need a Mac driver for a Mac and a Windows driver for Windows. Go to the manufacturer's website and make sure you read the version labeled for macOS or Mac OS, not Windows.

What if my scanner is connected but the scanning software will not open?

Restart your computer first. If that does not work, uninstall and reinstall the driver. Make sure the scanner is turned on and the USB cable is plugged in. If you are using a wireless scanner, check that it is connected to your network and within range of your router.

Can I scan to my phone or tablet instead of my computer?

Only if your scanner has Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and the manufacturer offers a mobile app. Check the scanner's manual or the manufacturer's website to see if an app exists for your phone's operating system. USB scanners cannot connect to phones or tablets.

Why is my scanner scanning very slowly?

Wireless scanners are slower than USB scanners because of network latency. If a USB scanner is slow, check the driver settings — you may have set the resolution too high or the color mode to a setting that takes longer to process. Lower the resolution or switch to black and white if speed matters more than image quality.