Alex Ruben
How To Resolve Scanner Error 0x00000015 on Windows 11/10
If a scanner error like 0x00000015 pops up while trying to digitize documents, it’s kind of annoying. Usually it means your PC can’t properly talk to the scanner — maybe it’s a driver issue, connection hiccup, or something with Windows services. Knowing how to troubleshoot this kinda saves the day, especially if it’s blocking your workflow. The goal here is to make the scanner recognize again and work smoothly without throwing error messages every time. Once fixed, you should be able to scan without fuss, just like before.
How to Fix Scanner Error 0x00000015 in Windows 10 and 11
Check the USB Connection—Make Sure It’s Plugged In Properly
This sounds basic but trust me, sometimes the simplest fix does the trick. If your scanner isn’t recognized or keeps throwing 0x00000015, first unplug it from the USB port. Wait a few seconds — maybe 10, maybe a bit longer — then plug it back in. If you’re using a cheap USB hub, try connecting directly to the PC’s main port instead. Windows can be picky, especially if the connection is shaky or the port is malfunctioning. Some machines also have different ports, so moving the cable around might help identify a bad port or loose connection.
Restart Your PC—Sometimes a Simple Reboot Can Reset Things
This classic step still works more often than you’d think. Restart Windows and see if the scanner now plays nice. Windows services sometimes hang, and a reboot can clear out those temporary weird states. Be aware: on some setups, you need to do this a couple of times or after disconnecting/reconnecting the device for the driver to fully refresh. It’s weird, but not everything is instantly fixed by rebooting — sometimes you gotta refresh multiple times or try reconnecting after boot.
Update the Scanner Drivers—Get the Latest from Manufacturer
Outdated, corrupted, or buggy drivers are prime suspects in these scenarios. To check for driver updates:
- Right-click the Start button and pick Device Manager.
- Expand the Imaging Devices or Printers section.
- Right-click your scanner and select Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
- If Windows finds new drivers, let it install. After that’s done, restart and test scanning again.
This helps because sometimes Windows doesn’t pick up the latest software, especially if the scanner’s been out for a while. Worth noting: check your manufacturer’s website for the latest driver files—sometimes Windows’ automatic search doesn’t find the newest version. For example, you can go to HP Support or Canon Support, depending on your brand.
Reinstall the Scanner—Remove and Add It Back
If driver updates don’t do the trick, it might be time to reinstall the device entirely. Here’s what to do:
- In Device Manager, right-click your scanner and choose Uninstall device.
- Unplug the scanner from the USB port.
- Wait about a minute. Sometimes, just unplugging it for a bit helps Windows ‘forget’ old config.
- Plug it back in. Windows should detect it and try reinstalling drivers automatically.
- If not, visit the scanner manufacturer’s site to download a fresh driver package and install manually. Files are usually in a folder like
C:\Drivers\Scanneror similar.
This process can clear out corrupt configs causing the error, especially if the driver got messed up or stuck.
Check the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) Service—Because Windows Needs It Running
The WIA service is kinda crucial for scanners to work properly. If it’s stopped, scanning will fail with errors like 0x00000015. To confirm it’s running:
- Press Windows + R to pop open the Run dialog.
- Type
services.mscand hit Enter. - Scroll down to Windows Image Acquisition (WIA).
- Right-click and pick Properties.
- Set Startup type to Automatic. If it’s stopped, click Start. Then, hit Apply and OK.
Some folks report that on certain Windows setups, WIA starts disabled for whatever reason. Making sure it’s enabled and set to auto can fix that communication problem. You might need to restart the service after changes or reboot, but sometimes just toggling it on fixes the issue.
Remove and Re-add the Scanner via Control Panel
If the issue keeps coming back, resetting the device in Windows’ device list might help:
- Open Control Panel and go to Devices and Printers.
- Find your scanner, right-click, and pick Remove device.
- Click on Add a device. Windows will scan for connected devices and will hopefully recognize the scanner again.
This is kind of like giving Windows a fresh start with the device. Sometimes, the scanner’s software just gets out of sync, and re-adding it resets everything.
Stop Antivirus/Firewall Interference—Because Evil Antivirus Can Block Scanning
This is actually pretty common. Some security suites flag scanner drivers or services as suspicious, blocking their communication. Try disabling your antivirus or firewall temporarily. If the scanner works afterward, you’ll know it’s a security block, and then you can add an exception. For example, in Windows Defender, you can do this via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection. Just be cautious—only disable it briefly and only if you trust the scanner device.
Reinstall Manufacturer Software—Because Sometimes the Whole Package Is Corrupt
If you’re using software from the scanner maker (like Epson Scan, Canon Mp Navigator, etc.), sometimes just reinstalling that helps. Uninstall the existing program, restart your PC, then download and install the latest version from the official site. It refreshes the software that might have become buggy, especially after Windows updates or driver changes.
Test on Another Computer—Because Maybe Your System Is the Culprit
If none of the above works, try plugging the scanner into a different PC. If it works fine there, then the problem’s definitely with your system setup, not the scanner itself. It’s easier than it sounds — just to rule out hardware issues or Windows configuration quirks, really.
Extra Tips & Common Pitfalls
- Make sure your Windows is fully updated — sometimes Windows updates fix underlying driver issues.
- Check for known issues on forums or the manufacturer’s support pages for your model.
- When inserting or removing the scanner, do so with the PC powered on, but it’s okay to disable and re-enable USB ports in Device Manager if needed.
Summary
- Ensure USB connection is solid and plugged into main ports.
- Restart your PC and try reconnecting.
- Update or reinstall scanner drivers.
- Check the WIA service is enabled and running.
- Remove and add the scanner device again via Control Panel.
- Temporarily disable antivirus/firewall and test.
- Reinstall manufacturer software if applicable.
- Test on another PC to rule out hardware issues.
Wrap-up
This whole process might seem like overkill, but these steps cover most root causes of error 0x00000015. Even if the fix isn’t immediate, methodically working through the hardware and software setup can get the scanner back online. Sometimes Windows just refuses to cooperate, but with patience, the fix usually surfaces. Fingers crossed this helps someone save time and frustration — worked for me, so hopefully it does for others.