Solved Epson Scan software not working properly in Windows 8.1

john970

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My Epson V300 scanner was working perfectly in Windows 8x64 and before that Vista SP2x64 and Windows 7x64. After upgrading to Windows 8.1, it still functions, but I can't get into the Epson Scan software. I uninstalled and reinstalled the software (latest version), with no improvement. If I press the Scan button on the scanner or click on the Epson Scan icon, I see the splash screen for Epson Scan 3.50A as it loads, and the Epson Scan icon appears in the system tray. However, the Epson Scan software doesn't visibly open. Pressing the Scan button causes the scanner to scan a document at the default settings and it is saved to the Pictures folder. When I right-click the Epson Scan icon in the system tray and choose Epson Scan, I see a blank page in the small window that pops up.

The new Scan function in Metro works, so at least I can continue scanning in 8.1, although with reduced functionality and the necessity of looking at the miserable Metro display, which I have otherwise killed. Metro desperately needs an Invert Colors switch and the ability to blow up the text (+/-) to make it easier to read.

The only other serious problem with Windows 8.1 is that some programs including iTunes and OpenOffice as well as some internal screens such as printer setup display poorly with low resolution. They all displayed properly in Windows 8. I wonder if somebody at Microsoft will get a huge bonus for breaking OpenOffice and iTunes.

Update: Epson Customer Service provided a solution -- a cleaner utility to delete leftover Epson scan files and registry entries. After running this utility, I reinstalled Epson Scan, and it now works.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
A similar problem here with my Epson 4990. It previously worked in Windows 8x64 but in 8.1 I'm getting the error 'Epson scan cannot be started'.
The scanner appears in the Device Manager and works fine with VueScan.
I've removed the TWAIN folder, and all Epson references in the registry, and reinstalled to no avail. The same problem occurred when I installed it on a laptop also running Windows 8.1, and which didn't have Epson Scan on it previously.
Otherwise all three of my Windows 8.1 upgrades went very smoothly despite some of the ancient software I'm still running e.g. Word 97.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Update: Epson Customer Service provided a solution -- a cleaner utility to delete leftover Epson scan files and registry entries. After running this utility, I reinstalled Epson Scan, and it now works.

But what is the name of the utility? Where is it on the Epson site. My problem is similar except that it appears to have disappeared despite appearing as installed in Control Panel. I am hoping this will work for me as well
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
My problem is similar except that it appears to have disappeared despite appearing as installed in Control Panel.

I'm running 8.1 Pro and have never really tried the Epson Scan app; so, I launched it to see what happened. Nothing appeared to happen.

So, I launched Task Manager, and two things happened:
1) The task showed as running
2) The Epson Scanner window suddenly appeared on the desktop.
 

My Computer

Actually mine now works. All I did was install it again (even though 'Programmes and Features' showed it was already installed). It even came up with the preview image from the last time I used it.
Of course the computer automatically going to sleep in line with power plan remains very unpredictable - sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't, but of course that belongs to a different thread.......
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
Windows 8.1 seems to be a disaster.

I can no longer update icloud from Outlook and now I can no longer use Epson Scan with my Epson RX500 scanner/printer. I have tried re installing the printer but Epson scan does not come up as an option.

Can anyone please recommend a solution? Apart that is from not accepting Windows updates in future!!!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Do a "deep clean"

Update: Epson Customer Service provided a solution -- a cleaner utility to delete leftover Epson scan files and registry entries. After running this utility, I reinstalled Epson Scan, and it now works.

But what is the name of the utility? Where is it on the Epson site. My problem is similar except that it appears to have disappeared despite appearing as installed in Control Panel. I am hoping this will work for me as well

I used the IObit Windows uninstaller app. It first runs the Epson uninstaller, then it looks for leftover remnants. Delete everything it finds, then download and install the Windows 8, 8.1 installer for your scanner from the Epson support site.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
With a computer only a few months old I managed to end up with several copies of the printer registered in my Control Panel>Devices and Printers, partly due to various issues including wrong paper sizes (a basic Windows issue; geographical, mostly) and attempts to use the printer wirelessly from a variety of device.


The notice that 'Epson Scan is not working' plagued me one day possibly due to some conflict after installing an Intel PCIe Ethernet Apaptor (very pleased with the latter), or possibly just because I had tried to print something wirelessly the previous week and altered my printers in Printers and Devices.


I uninstalled every copy of the printer (Epson XP-312) via Control Panel>Progams and Features, with a complete reboot (not just a restart) of the computer after any which proved at all difficult (some did, with Task Manager involved to end the program).


I did also try Run> inf and checked through all my oem32.inf files (one suggestion on an Epson website page), opening them and then deleting any which were clearly Epson 312 printer or scanner files(I also run a Epson R2400 printer and a V700 scanner, and I was able to leave these alone through the entirety of this operation).


I then reinstalled a copy of the printer and scanner driver (separate) from the Epson website, and let them update once installed.


Still no joy. Until, desperate, I used the basic Epson scan utility to do a scan. Control Panel>Devices and Printers right click on the printer/scanner and 'Scan'. You then have to jump through a series of hoops in order to successfully scan a document.


Having done this, I then gamely clicked on the Epson Scan toolbar, fully expecting the same warning I had suffered over several long hours. It's back! It seems it simply needed to be reminded that it could work. Now, the basic function has disappeared from the right click menu, and I have two copies of the printer in my Devices and Printers... joy! One other thing, Epson software automatic updates is so irritating I'm wondering if it's best to just say 'no'! I remember from my first Windows98 computer, and an HP scanner, that scanner software can be the most 'difficult'. ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Search for and install Vuescan. This is a free programme but you have to pay for the full upgrade. It is not horribly expensive and has enabled my Canon Lide scanner to do far more than ever it could with the scanner drivers from Canon.

The website offers updates to Vuescan every Tuesday and I would personally recommend it as an independent user.

Before Vuescan my scanner was idle as it was not Windows 8 or 8.1 64 bit compatible. Now it is working far better than it ever did.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Yes, Vuescan looks good, and supports both my Epson scanners. I'm happy with the functionality of Epson Scan - when it runs!

I have to report that it comes and goes...

It's not the drivers, etc. The only problem is getting the program to open. It seems to be coming down to: 1. many people find Epson Scan works best when the scanner is connected by USB cable. 2. There's an issue when Epson Scan Settings (which open but are immediately covered by the Epson Scan fault window - frustrating) show 'Network' clicked, when it needs to say 'Local'.

Try; Turn Scanner off. Then open Epson Scan Settings. Change to 'Local'. Turn Scanner back on. Now Epson Scan will be able to see that the scanner is connected by USB, and will find it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
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