Application can’t find Scanner Error WIA_ERROR_OFFLINE, 0x80210005

If your applications can’t find the scanner & you see The device is offline message, this post will help you. 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 for applications that 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, connect it to a Windows-based computer, or 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 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.

Application can’t find Scanner

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

1. Restart the computer while the scanner is connected
2. Uninstall the connected scanner device & Reconnect
3. 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 usually resolve the problem, as the state will be reset. When the device is offline, 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 the WIN + X keyboard shortcut to open the Power menu, 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 the 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 resolves the issue.

How do I get Windows to recognize my scanner?

Usually, Windows can detect scanners when they are connected. However, if it fails to do so, you can try using the “Add a printer or scanner” option in Settings. In case that doesn’t work, you may need to manually install some scanners through the same menu. To ensure the scanner works properly, make sure that services such as “Windows Image Acquisition” are active. You can locate this option in the Start menu.

Why is my scanner driver unavailable?

The error message “Driver is Unavailable” usually indicates that your Windows operating system is unable to find the correct driver required to communicate with your printer. This can happen for several reasons, such as having installed outdated, corrupted, or incorrect drivers.