Even in this digital age, paper copies are still considered the norm. Sending a scanned copy is considerably easier, especially when you have to send the hard copy overseas. However, it might be a little confusing and intimidating at times with all those modern printer features. Rather than scratching your head, thank yourself for bringing you to this article.
Today I’ll show you how to scan from printer to computer in the most informative way possible. I have researched out the simplest way for individual printers, whether you’re using Windows or Mac. Furthermore, I have also included the best way to locate scanned documents on your computer at the end of this article.
So buckle up, and let’s get started!
How to Scan from Printer to Computer?
1. HP Printers – Windows/Mac
Step 1: HP Smart App
Installing the HP Smart App for scanning documents is a must to get started because it makes life easier for you. Regardless of whether you use a wireless printer or not, you must install this program.
HP Smart App is available for free download from HP’s official website. After you’ve installed it, make sure you login in to take advantage of its features. Sign up for an HP account if you don’t already have one.
Step 2: Connect your HP Printer
If you’re using a wireless HP printer, connect your computer to your Wifi network (remove the ethernet cord if it’s connected) and go to HP Smart App to search for printers on the same Wifi network by clicking “Add printer.”
Step 3: Place the Document
Whether it’s a document or just a picture you want to scan, place it on the printer’s scanner glass or in the automatic document reader if available. Make sure to spread the paper properly and not leave behind any curls to scan documents accurately.
Step 4: Scan
You’re now ready to scan your paper. Just open the HP Smart App and select the printer you want to use as a scanner on your computer. If you have connected any additional printers, you may have more printer choices; simply scroll through the names in the HP app until you find the printer where you placed your paper.
There will be some grided menus beneath the names, with a Scan option. Simply click it, and the scan window will appear. Scan settings will be on the left, where you can select your preferred demands, such as auto enhancement scan and resolution size, to receive the best results.
After you’ve finished setting everything up, click Scan.
Step 5: Edit
By now, your paper should be visible on your screen. You can make any changes you like to your soft copy document, such as cropping it or applying filters to make it look more professional.
Simply click the Save button in the bottom right corner and select the location where you want to save it after everything looks good.
And that’s it! Your document is now saved. Don’t worry if you feel these steps are lengthy because you will only need to work from step 3 further on after you have done it once.
2. Canon Printers – Windows/Mac
Step 1: Is It All In One?
The first step in using your Canon printer as a scanner is to verify whether it supports scanning. It is usually printed in big letters on the printer’s box. You can always look up answers on the internet, but it saves time to see if the printer’s box says “All in one” or “Scanner” while moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Canon Utility
The Canon Utility software makes it easier than any other Windows built-in Scanning feature. It is specifically made for your Canon device, so why not use it!
You can download the Cannon Utility Software from here: https://www.freeprinterdriverdownload.org/canon/
Simply go through the printers or search your printer name to find the utility software custom-made for you.
If you cannot find your software from the link above, then you can always check here: https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support/drivers-downloads
This follows the same protocol, type in the product name, then find your product series, and you will be led to the page where it shows all the utilities made for your product. Just choose your Operating System and find the Scanner driver to hit download.
FYI: Canon Utility is a very lightweight software.
Step 3: Connect and Place
Now you are ready to connect your Canon Printer to your computer. Plug the USB cable and wait for your OS to give you the green light signal saying it’s ready to use.
Open your Canon Printer lid and place the paper facing downwards properly to proceed to the next step.
Step 4: IJ Scan Utility
Remember downloading the utility from step 2? After installing the software, simply head to the Windows Start menu or Mac LaunchPad to find the folder “Canon Utilities.” As you’ve installed the software, this must have just appeared on your menu.
Clicking on the right arrow beside it will show a list of apps installed for your Canon Printer. Click on the IJ Scan Utility to open the most simple scan to computer applications ever.
Trust me on this: Canon’s UI is like they have a userbase of 8-years old. It only has got 6 buttons that will help you in different situations.
Step 5: Settings
As the IJ Scan utility window is very small, you must locate the “Settings” right away. It is suggested to take a tour of the settings and tweak it to scan the best out of it. You can also choose the file format to save in or where on your computer to save it.
Enough steps, and now it’s your turn to scan. Hit the scan button on the UI, and you don’t need further instructions to move on.
3. Epson Printers – Windows/Mac
Step 1: Epson Scan
For any Epson printer to be used as a scanner on your Mac or Windows, you must install Epson Scan, just like any other printer.
To do so, open your preferred browser and paste this link into the URL bar: https://drivers.softpedia.com/get/PRINTER/EPSON/
You will find a variety of drivers for numerous EPSON printers here. But rather than scrolling through them, you can simply search for your model number and download the driver.
Step 2: Downside of Being Informative
As I promised you to be as informative as possible, how can I miss this step? Without this, scanning documents would be impossible; do you get what I am saying? Just plug the USB cable on your computer and place the paper on that EPSON printer.
Step 3: Preferred Scan
Now that you’ve downloaded your EPSON driver, all you have to do is install it by accepting the terms and conditions, and you’re set to go.
Open the Epson Scanner software and go to the “Modes” drop-down menu, and you get to select your preferred scan. You will be able to select the color modes of Black and White and Colored scan there.
Select the resolution and color selection based on your needs and the dimensions of your paper.
Step 4: Scanned Preview
You will be shown a scanned preview of your documents after selecting the “Scan” option at the bottom. It’s usually a good idea to get a preview of your scan before storing it, so you can go back and rescan for the perfect scan.
4. Brother Printers – Windows/Mac
Step 1: Set Up
Note: SKIP this step if you already have your printer connected to your computer.
Press the Menu button on your Brother printer after it has been turned on. Set up your Brother printer using your preferred method: Wifi or USB.
If you want to set it up with a USB, use the UP and DOWN buttons on your printer to scroll down and select General Setup.
If you want to use it with your Wifi, go to the bottom of the page and look for the WLAN option.
Step 2: All in One Control Center
A CD should have come along with your printer that contains the All in One control center of Brothers printer. If you have lost it, there’s always an alternative.
Download Brothers Printer Control Center: https://www.brother-usa.com/brother-support/driver-downloads
Step 3: Control Center 3
Head to the Start menu if you are using Windows or Launchpad if you are using Mac. Open the Brother Utility Software and select Scan from the left corner. You will see an application called Control Center 3 with a blue icon.
Control Center 3 should pop up on your screen with all the functions you need for scanning documents.
Once you click Scan, a few options will appear that allow you to scan with your tweaks.
Those are the only three steps that you need to scan your document with Brother Printer.
5. Lexmark Printers – Windows/Mac
For Lexmark Printers, I found that using built-in Windows Fax And Scan is easier than using their Utility software. Don’t worry. I also got Mac users back here.
Windows:
Place the document on your printer and plug in the USB, to begin with. Just go to Start Menu and search “Windows Fax And Scan” and open it to access the built-in scanner app from Microsoft. Just click on the New Scan button on the top to direct you to the options.
You can select the file type, color, and resolution from there to get the best output for you. Also, there is an option to change the Brightness and Contrast to make your scan look sharp and clear.
After hitting the next button, your computer will automatically scan for printers connected with it and then select your Lexmark printer to proceed.
Mac:
Hover to that Apple logo on the top (the logo that you bought your Macbook for) and right-click on it to get the option to go to System preferences. Click on it and then go to “Printers and Scanners” out of all the functions.
You will see the printer model that is connected to your computer in the left corner; go there. Now on the top mid, you will see “Print” and “Scan” held together. You move to the Scan option and click on Open Scanner.
That’s it, your put the document you want to scan there, and it will get you the scanned copy. However, you can always adjust the settings on the bottom left, “Show Details,” which will take you to a new window with options.
6. Kyocera Printers – Windows/Mac
Step 1: Kyocera Mita Scanner File Utility
To make things just one click away, downloading the Kyocera Mita Scanner File Utility can come in handy.
You can download the utility from here: http://usa.kyoceramita.com/KMAGlobalpub/jsp/Kyocera/download_center.jsp?prod=5059
Search your printer model here and download the utility from the website easily with just a few clicks.
Step 2: Setting up your Kyocera
To set up your printer with your computer, you have to follow these steps according to your OS:
Find your IP address on Windows:
- Go to the command prompt from Start Menu.
- Type “ipconfig” there and hit enter.
- IPv4 Address is your IP Address.
Find your IP address on Mac:
- Click on the Apple icon on the upper-left corner of the screen.
- Scroll down and select System Preferences.
- Network and select your connection in the left sidebar.
- Click Advanced > TCP/IP
- IPv4 Address is your IP Address.
Now connect your Printer with your computer by inputting the IP address on your printer.
Step 3: Scan
Press the Scan button on the left side of your Kyocera printer and touch the “Scan to PC” on the screen. Select your Computer’s name on the screen.
Now move to your Kyocera Mita Scanner File Utility, place the document on your printer, and hit scan. You will see the green light passing over your paper, meaning it is scanning your document.
Once your scanning is finished, simply touch the “Scanning Finished” option on your printer screen.
The steps might look a bit tricky at first because it is, but the bright side is that you only need to use step three from further on.
What is the Best Way to Locate Scanned Documents on my Computer?
Now that you have completed scanning documents using your Printers & scanners, it might get tricky to locate those scanned documents. Yes, there are options to choose where to save your document after scanning in the printer utilities, but we don’t even notice most of the time. We scan the documents and get lost in our 1TB hard disk searching for it.
I have found some tips and tricks for both Windows and Mac that might come in handy. Check it out:
Tricks for both Windows And Mac:
Date: You might not know that, but if you haven’t named your document or messed with anything but saved it, then there’s good news for you. Most printers save the un-messed files as the date. You can always search for the date in the search box.
Extension: Searching by extension can also be really useful. Most of them have a default file extension of “PDF.” Searching “.pdf” will give you a list of all the pdfs. Another hack is to change the formatting to “Date Modified” to get the latest date pdfs at the top.
Tricks For Windows:
If you haven’t selected the location of your saved scanned documents, then there is a high chance of finding it here:
- Firstly, go to My Computer.
- Go to Pictures from the left bar.
- Go to Scanned Documents
Tricks for Mac:
Third parties file searches are another way for Mac users to find what they have lost. EaseUS is widely used, and it can separate each file from Date Created to file extensions.
You can download it for Mac from here: https://down.easeus.com/product/mac_drw_trial_setup
This really does all the sorting for you. You can even select a specific drive to search and do the sorting.
Conclusion
I hope this how to scan from printer to computer guide was helpful to you. As you have seen, almost all the printers have their own utility tool to help you scan to computer very smoothly. There’s always that default Windows Fax and Scan feature to help you get through the day if anything goes wrong.
But I highly recommend using the individual printer’s utility software as it unlocks many doors and tweaks to scanning. All of them except the Lexmark Printers have their Utilities easier to use than the Window’s one.
If you frequently lose your scanned files, then using third-party software isn’t a bad choice. It quickens the searching task and easily sorts them for you. EaseUS is one of them, and tons of free software can help you search.