install a WIA driver

How do I install a WIA driver?

Check the Windows Image Acquisition Service is Enabled


  1. First, check that the Windows Image Acquisition service is enabled and running. To do that, right-click the Start button and select Run.
  2. Enter services.msc in Runs Open box, and select the OK option.




Then double-click Windows Image Acquisition to open the window shown directly below.




  1. Select Automatic on the Startup type drop-down menu.
  2. Click the Start button.
  3. If the service is already running, click the Stop button. Then press Start to restart WIA.
  4. Press the Apply button to confirm the settings, and click OK to close the window.


2. Reinstall the WIA Driver


  1. As the You need a WIA driver is primarily a driver error, reinstalling the scanner WIA driver might resolve the issue. Users can do that by right-clicking the Start button and selecting the Device Manager, which will open the window in the snapshot directly below.





  1. Click View > Show hidden devices if Device Manager doesnt display the Imaging devices category. Then double-click Image devices to expand that category.
  2. Right-click the scanner device and select Uninstall device.
  3. Thereafter, click Uninstall to confirm.




Windows will automatically reinstall the WIA driver after users restart the platform.