How to install TWAIN driver on Windows 11/10

If you have a scanner, you probably know about the TWAIN standard. Today, most scanning devices support TWAIN drivers so that users can enjoy a hassle-free experience while scanning the images. In this article, we will describe what TWAIN is and how you can install TWAIN driver on Windows 11/10 computers.

What is TWAIN and How did it make the image scanning easy?

TWAIN is a standard for scanning devices. It was first released in 1992 for the computers running on Windows and Macintosh operating systems. The release of TWAIN has made the process of image scanning hassle-free. Before TWAIN, users have to select a special application to receive the image from the scanner, then save the image to the disk. After that, they were able to open that image in the software of their choice to work with.

With TWAIN, there is no need to save the scanned image on the disk. TWAIN establishes a communication link between the image processing software and the devices such as scanners, digital cameras, etc. This lets users open the scanned image directly in the software which they use for image processing, provided they have installed a TWAIN driver on their system.

How to install TWAIN driver on Windows 11/10

Every brand develops its own TWAIN drivers that support the scanners of that brand. You can download the drivers from the official website of the brand, the scanner of which you are using. Here, we will describe the process to install the TWAIN driver on Windows 11/10 for the five most popular brands:

1. HP
2. Cannon
3. Epson
4. Brother
5. Xerox

1] HP TWAIN Scan

HP TWAIN Scan is a TWAIN-compliant software developed by HP enterprise for its MFP (Multifunction Printer). It is a free software that allows users to scan their documents and files from their computer connected to a network. The installation package of HP TWAIN Scan includes:

• HP Scan TWAIN driver.
• HP Device Selection tool.
• HP scan software.

Before you begin, make sure that you have updated the firmware of your printer to the latest version. You can find more information about updating the printer firmware from HP.com. After updating the firmware, you have to configure the network and security settings via EWS (Embedded Web Server).

When you are done, follow the below-listed instructions:

1. First, you have to download the HP Scan TWAIN driver from its official website. Please note the location where you save the scan driver file.
2. Double-click the downloaded file to run. it will launch the installation wizard.
3. Accept the license agreement and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. On the HP Scan Twain Setup Wizard window, you will see Run HP TWAIN Device Selection Tool option at the bottom left side. If you select the checkbox adjacent to it, the HP TWAIN Device Selection tool will be installed automatically. If you deselect the checkbox, you have to install the tool manually.
5. Click Finish to complete the setup.

HP TWAIN Scan is now installed on your computer.

2] Canon ScanGear Tool

Canon ScanGear tool is a TWAIN-compliant driver for the Canon scanner. Different versions of this tool support different Windows 10 architecture. You can visit Canon’s official website for more information. Follow the below-listed steps to install the Canon ScanGear tool on your computer:

1. Visit Canon’s official website and download the Canon ScanGear Tool.
2. The file will be downloaded in the self-extracting format.
3. After downloading the file, double-click on it and the file will decompress automatically.
4. The decompressed file will be available in a new folder of the same name as the compressed file.
5. Open the folder containing the decompressed file. Double-click on the file to run.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the Canon ScanGear Tool.

3] Epson Scan and Epson Scan 2

Epson Scan and Epson Scan 2 are TWAIN-compliant drivers. The former supports 32-bit Windows architecture and the latter supports both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows architectures. You can download the web installer of these drivers from Epson’s official website or order a software CD.

Do note that you cannot use both Epson Scan and Epson Scan 2 on the same computer. For example, if you have installed Epson Scan on your system and you want to install Epson Scan 2, you have to uninstall the Epson Scan before installing Epson Scan 2.

Follow the below-listed instructions:

• Insert the software CD that you have ordered from Epson into the CD-ROM of your system.
• Click on the installation file and follow the on-screen instructions.

If you have downloaded the Epson Scan or Epson Scan 2 driver software from Epson’s official website, first, extract it if it is downloaded in the zip format. Then, click on the installation file to run it and follow the on-screen instructions.

4] Brother MFL-Pro Suite

Brother MFL-Pro Suite software comes with a TWAIN-compliant scanner driver. You can download either MFL-Pro USB or MFL-Pro Wireless scanner driver depending on your scanning device. We will explain here the installation instructions for both USB and wireless Brother scanner drivers.

Brother MFL-Pro Suite USB installation instructions

1. Download the complete driver and software package from Brother’s official website and double-click on the installation file to run it. If you have ordered Brother CD, insert it into the CD ROM of your system.
2. Accept the license agreement and click Next.
3. Now, select Local Connection (USB) and then click Next.
4. Now, you will be asked to connect the Brother machine to your computer via a USB cable. But before that make sure that you have turned ON the Brother machine.
5. Select your Brother device model from the list and click Next.
6. Select the Standard (Recommended) option and click Next.
7. On the “Additional Software” screen, you can select any software from the list or leave it blank. Click Next.
8. On the “Additional Options” screen, select the checkbox adjacent to the Desired optional software and click Next.
9. Click Finish. The installation process is now complete.

Brother MFL-Pro Suite Wireless installation instructions

Download the software from Brother’s official website or run software CD. Run the installation file. You will see the installation wizard. Accept the license agreement and click Next.

Select the wireless network (Wi-Fi) and click Next. Connect your Brother machine to the Wi-Fi network and select your machine from the list. When done, click Next. You should connect your computer and Brother machine to the same Wi-Fi network, otherwise, you will not see your machine in the list.

If despite connecting both computer and Brother device to the same network, you will not see Brother machine in the list, restart your router and wait for a minute. After that click Refresh.

Read: How to connect a Wireless Printer to Windows PC.

The remaining steps are the same as steps 6 to 9 of the Brother MFL-Pro Suite USB installation process described above.

5] Xerox WorkCenter Pro TWAIN Scan Driver

Visit Xerox’s official website and download the WorkCenter Pro TWAIN Scan driver. The file will be downloaded in a zip format. Extract it. This will create a new folder of the same name as the zip file. This folder contains the WorkCenter Pro TWAIN Scan driver file.

Launch the Run dialog box. Type Control Panel and click OK. Type View scanners and cameras in the search box and click on the respective link.

A new window will open. Click on the Add Device button. Click Yes if the UAC window prompts. This will open the Scanner and Camera Installation Wizard.

Now, click Next and then click on the Have Disk button.

Now, click on the Browse button and select the TWAIN driver file. Click Open and then OK. Now, you will see the Xerox WorkCenter Pro TWAIN Scan driver in the installation wizard window. Click Next. In the Name field, you can enter a new name or go with the default name. After that, click Next.

Now, Windows will display the Hardware Update Wizard. Click Next. If you get a warning message “The software you are installing has not passed Windows Logon testing,” select Continue Anyway.

Enter the printer’s Host Name or IP address in the required field and click Confirm. Click Next and then Finish. The driver is now installed on your computer.

There is no TWAIN-compliant device installed

After installing the TWAIN driver on your system, you can start scanning your documents and files. But, some users have reported that they were unable to scan their documents and files even after installing and configuring the TWAIN driver due to the following error message:

There is no TWAIN-compliant device installed

If you are also experiencing the same error on your system, the following troubleshooting steps may help you:

1. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter.
2. Disable the security software temporarily.
3. Uninstall and reinstall the printer or scanner.

1] Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Windows troubleshooter is a built-in tool that scans for errors and fixes them if possible. You can run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter on your system and see if it helps. This tool is hidden in Windows 10. Hence, you will not find it in the Settings app.

2] Disable your security software temporarily

Sometimes antivirus software blocks some programs from running. This may also be the cause of the error “no TWAIN-compliant device installed.” You can try disabling the Windows Defender or your antivirus software temporarily and check if it helps.

Do not forget to enable the security software again.

3] Uninstall and reinstall the printer or scanner

Please follow the instructions listed below:

1. Open the Settings app and click on Devices.
2. Select Printers & Scanners from the left pane.
3. Select the printer or scanner on the right side and then click on the Remove device button.
4. Visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest printer or scanner driver.
5. Install the drivers and restart your system.
6. Open Printers & Scanners in the Settings app again and click on the Add a printer or scanner button. Windows will detect the device automatically. If it does not detect the device, click on the link “The printer that I want isn’t listed.”
7. Select your printer or scanner and follow the on-screen instructions.

Hope this helps.

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