All-in-one printers: fixes and guides
Printers that also scan, copy and fax: document feeder, scan to email and fax lines.
All-in-one printers add a scanner, a copier, often a document feeder and sometimes a fax. Those extra parts bring their own problems: scans that never reach the computer, feeder jams, scan to email and network folders, and fax lines.
Common problems (15)
- Scanner not working or not detectedComputer can't find your scanner, or scanning won't start? Check the connection, install the full software, restart the scan service and test again.
- Scan to computer from the printer not workingPressing Scan to Computer on the printer does nothing or can't find your PC or Mac? Set up the maker's software, network and firewall to fix it.
- Document feeder jams or pulls in several pagesOriginals jamming in the automatic document feeder, or several going through at once? Prepare the stack, set the guides and clean the feeder rollers.
- Copier won't copy or copies come out blankPressing Copy does nothing, or copies come out blank or faint? Check how the original is placed, clean the glass, review copy settings and test the print side.
- Scan to email not working or emails never arrivePrinter can't send scans by email, shows a server or sign-in error, or emails never arrive? Fix SMTP settings, app passwords, file size and firmware.
- Scan to network folder fails or can't connectPrinter can't save scans to a shared folder on your PC, Mac or server? Check the path, sign-in format, sharing permissions, SMB version and firewall.
- Can't scan multiple pages into one PDFEvery scanned page saves as a separate file? Use the document feeder, an add page option, Image Capture or Preview, or combine the pages afterwards.
- Scans are blurry, dull or low resolutionScanned text fuzzy, photos dull or files pixelated when you zoom in? Choose the right resolution and color mode, clean the glass and keep originals flat.
- Scans come out blank, black or all whiteScanner producing blank, white, black or very dark images? Check how the original is placed, the scan mode and brightness, the lid and the lamp.
- Lines or streaks on scans and copiesVertical lines, streaks or spots on scans and copies but not on prints? Clean the scanner glass and the document feeder's scanning strip to fix it.
- Scanning app says no TWAIN or WIA scanner foundA photo or document app can't find your scanner, or Windows says you need a WIA driver? Install the full driver, pick the right source and match 32 or 64-bit.
- Fax won't send or keeps failingFaxes fail, hang up partway or never connect? Check the dial tone, the cord in the LINE port, the dialing prefix, fax speed and the receiving machine.
- Fax won't receive or incoming faxes don't printIncoming faxes not answered, taken by voicemail, or received but never printed? Fix answer mode, rings to answer, distinctive ring and fax memory.
- Fax fails on a VoIP, cable or fiber phone lineFaxing unreliable since your phone line moved to internet, cable or fiber? Lower the fax speed, adjust ECM, use the right adapter port or a fax alternative.
- Set up a new printer out of the boxJust unboxed a printer? Remove the packing, install ink or toner, load paper, connect it to Wi-Fi or USB and add it to your computer or phone.
Guides for all-in-one printers
- How to scan a document on Windows 11 or 10Scan documents and photos on Windows 11 or 10 with the free Windows Scan app or Windows Fax and Scan, and choose the right resolution and file type.
- How to scan a document on a MacScan documents and photos on a Mac with the built-in Image Capture and Preview apps, choose good settings and save several pages as one PDF.
- How to set up scan to emailSet up scan to email on your printer's built-in web page or the maker's cloud service, with the right SMTP settings, a secure sign-in and a test scan.
- How to set up your printer's faxConnect an all-in-one printer to a phone line, share it with a phone or answering machine, then set the fax header, answer mode and rings and send a test fax.
- How to send a fax from your computerSend a fax from Windows with your printer's PC-fax software or Windows Fax and Scan, from a Mac with the maker's tools, or with an online fax service.
- How to reset a printer to factory settingsRestore a printer to factory settings from its control panel or built-in web page, know what gets erased, and wipe it properly before selling or recycling.
Problems with connections, drivers and print queues are the same on every type of printer. See connection fixes and driver fixes.