Printer scanner not working from a phone or tablet

Printing and scanning from a phone are often handled differently. If you want to use the scanner built into an all-in-one printer, start with the printer maker's official mobile app.

1. Check the printer

Make sure the printer/scanner is on and not showing a jam, open cover, or other error.

2. Put both devices on the same Wi-Fi

The phone/tablet and printer should normally be on the same home or office network for local scanning.

3. Use the official printer app

Open the printer manufacturer's official app for your model and look for Scan or Scanner. If you do not have the app, get it only from the Apple App Store or Google Play and verify the publisher is the printer maker.

4. If the app cannot find the printer

Close and reopen the app after checking the Wi-Fi names. Restart the printer normally if needed. Do not reset the router or install an unknown scanner utility.

5. If printing works but scanning does not

That is a useful clue. Leave the printer's basic Wi-Fi setup alone and check whether the exact printer model supports mobile scanning in the manufacturer's app.