Fix: You Need a WIA Driver to Use This Device [Windows 10/11]

The Windows Image Acquisition service enables scanners, and other imaging devices, to communicate with graphics software, such as Photoshop.

However, some users have stated on forums that the You need a WIA driver error message pops up when they try to utilize their HP or Canon scanners.

The full WIA driver error message states: You need a WIA driver to use this device. Please install it from the installation CD or manufacturer’s website and try again. So, it suggests that users update their WIA drivers to resolve the issue.

What is WIA driver Canon scanner?

The WIA driver model may be found in Windows XP and subsequent iterations of the operating system. You won’t need to use an application because it allows you to scan things without one.

There is a good chance that the WIA driver for the scanner is outdated; in which case it is not compatible with the new operating system; alternatively, the driver could have become corrupted for reasons that are not known.

Where does this error occur and what to expect?

While we’re at it, let’s quickly review some related issues that our readers reported so that you know exactly what you’re up against.

• The WIA driver is in use and cannot be installed – Before updating or installing the WIA driver, you will need to disconnect or turn off your scanner.
• Windows WIA scan error (WIA error code 80004005) – This error is easily fixable by simply uninstalling and reinstalling your WIA driver.
• You need a WIA driver to use this device Epson/HP/Canon scanner/Brother scanner/Fujitsu/Lexmark – In such cases, the Canon printer simply won’t scan, nor will the HP printer, among others.
• The WIA driver is in use and cannot be installed Kodak – Kodak users are no exception from this; simply follow the steps below to fix the issue.
• ScanSnap WIA driver missing (ScanSnap ix500 WIA driver error) – The are multiple ways in which you can download the specific driver. Find out more below.
• HP Print and Scan Doctor stuck on Windows (WIA) scan – Scanning is not possible unless there is a driver that will allow communication between the computer and the scanner.
• You need a WIA driver to use this device Windows 7 – The solutions below are applicable in Windows 7 as well, though the steps will differ a bit.

Without further ado, let’s see what you can do to mix the You need a WIA driver to use this device issue in Windows 10.11. Follow along!

How do I fix You need a WIA driver to use this device?

1. Update the WIA driver

There are a few ways users can update device drivers. As the error message says, users can download the latest WIA drivers from their scanner manufacturer’s websites.

Alternatively, users can update device drivers with a professional tool that will scan for and list devices with an antiquated driver.

A dedicated tool will scan your PC, detect old drivers, and then proceed to download and install the proper replacements, bringing your PC up to date as soon as possible.

2. Reinstall the WIA driver

1. Right-click the Start button and select the Device Manager option.
2. Click View followed by Show hidden devices if the Device Manager doesn’t display the Imaging devices category.
3. Then double-click Image devices to expand that category. Right-click the scanner device and select Uninstall device.
4. Thereafter, click Uninstall to confirm.
5. Windows will automatically reinstall the WIA driver after users restart the platform.

As You need a WIA driver is primarily a driver error, reinstalling the scanner WIA driver might resolve the issue.

3. Check if the Windows Image Acquisition service is enabled

1. Right-click the Start button and select Run. Enter services.msc in Run’s Open box, and select the OK button.
2. Then double-click Windows Image Acquisition to open the properties window.
3. Select Automatic on the Startup type drop-down menu.
4. Click the Start button.
5. If the service is already running, click the Stop button. Then press Start to restart WIA.
6. Click OK to close the window and save the changes made.

What is TWAIN driver?

TWAIN is a helpful tool that was developed to automatically scan photos into a variety of graphic programs like Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and a great deal of other software.

If you have the TWAIN driver installed on your computer, you can open a picture in a software to edit it with only the click of a button, rather than having to save the image first and then wait for it to upload.

Those were the most probable resolutions for the You need a WIA driver error, that you can follow to successfully fix the issue.

In addition, some companies provide their own troubleshooters for their scanners, such as the HP Print and Scan Doctor, which might also come in handy for fixing the WIA driver issue.

Was this guide useful to you? Don’t forget to leave a comment in the section below and share your thoughts with us. Thanks for reading!