• What is a scanner driver software?

Scanner drivers are software programs that tell computers how to run and communicate with a scanner. Installing scanner drivers is an essential step in setting up a working scanner.

• What types of scanner drivers are available on Windows and Mac?
  • TWAIN: It's the standard interface between software programs and image-capturing devices such as scanners and digital cameras. Nearly all scanner software contains a TWAIN driver, which typically comes with an advanced GUI, using which users can configure all advanced scanner settings.
  • Native Drivers: A platform-specific (Windows or OS X) driver that performs the basic scanning functionalities. Native drivers are either automatically downloaded on the system, or the user must download and install them manually from the scanner manufacturer’s website.
    • WIA: Windows Image Acquisition is a proprietary Microsoft driver model and application programming interface (API) for Microsoft Windows Me and later Windows operating systems that enables graphics software to communicate with imaging hardware such as scanners.
    • ICA: Image Capture Application (a default Mac scanning utility software) driver that can perform basic scanning operations.

Note: In some cases, the scanners may not have both the TWAIN and Native scanner drivers. In those scenarios, all the scanner operations can be accessed by the available driver.

• How to find and install the drivers?
  
• Steps to find the driver on the web and install it:
  
•  1. If in case, no website information is available then make a search on the web for the Device model name and driver for e.g., <Scanner company> <Model Name> scanner driver. Select any of the links which direct to the manufacturer’s website.
  
• 2. On the website look for keywords like “Downloads”, “Drivers”, “Support” etc. and follow those.
• 3. If any space is provided on the site for choosing a device for which the drivers are needed, then type-in or select your device model in the space provided.
• Steps to auto-install the drivers: ICA driver: The latest ICA Scanner Driver for this product is available only via Apple's Software Update. Here's how to get it:
  1. Do one of the following:
     1. If you're using a USB or Ethernet* connection, connect the printer/scanner to your Mac and make sure it is powered on. 
     2. If you're using a wireless connection and your printer is already connected to your router, make sure it is powered on. 
     3. If you're using a wireless connection and your printer is not connected to your router, you'll need to connect your printer to your router. Use your product's control panel to establish the Wi-Fi connection.  
        (*Not all products have an Ethernet port.)
  2. Select the Apple menu and then select Software Update. 
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the available updates.

  WIA Driver: Users of Windows must first log in as Administrator to install programs.

  1. Attach the supplied USB cable to the computer’s USB port and the camera’s Digital Terminal. Prepare the camera for communication with the computer.
  2. After a moment, the computer will automatically install the TWAIN Driver or WIA Driver or the user may be presented with an installation wizard.
  3. If you are prompted to restart the computer, restart the computer as per the onscreen messages.
     
  
  
• Steps to install using the software package provided by the manufacturer