How To
by Niharika

How to Share a USB Scanner over Network 

November 4, 2026
0

You don’t need to move your scanner or connect it manually to every device if you use a USB scanner from multiple computers or locations. By learning how to share a USB scanner over a network, you can use your scanner from other PCs or locations without moving it.

To share your USB scanner over a network, you can use NAPS2 (Not Another PDF Scanner; free, open-source software that scans and identifies documents through WIA- and TWAIN-compatible scanners) or USB Network Gate. This article walks you through both approaches step-by-step.

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How to Share a Scanner on a Network

Below is how to share a USB scanner on a network via NAPS2 or USB Network Gate, whichever method you find most convenient.

Method 1: Share a USB scanner over the network using NAPS2

NAPS2 uses a PC with a local USB scanner as a scan server through which NAPS2 clients can connect over the network via eSCL (a scanning protocol without drivers). Below are instructions for configuring and using it to share a scanner over the network.

  • Go to the official NAPS2 website on a computer connected to the scanner.
  • Click the Download NAPS2 button for Windows.
  • Save the application file in an accessible location on your computer.
  • Double-click the downloaded file and follow the prompts to install NAPS2.
  • Create or choose a NAPS2 scan profile for the attached scanner and perform a quick test scan.
  • In NAPS2, launch the Scanner Sharing window from the Scan drop-down or Profiles window.
scanner sharing
  • Select the scanning device you wish to publish.
  • Give the scanning device an easily identifiable name, such as Home USB Scanner or Office USB Scanner.
  • Leave NAPS2 running to keep shared scanners available while NAPS2 is open on the computer.
  • Next, connect the device you want to scan from (the other computer/iPhone/iPad) to the same local or WiFi network as the PC running NAPS2.
  • Launch PDFScanner Neo and allow Local Network
  • Open the scanner picker at the top of the scan panel and then choose Refresh scanners.
  • Select the NAPS2-shared scanner by the name you choose, then scan normally.

Also know: How to Connect a USB Gamepad to a Laptop

Method 2: Share scanner over network using USB Network Gate

USB Network Gate is reliable software for sharing USB devices, such as a USB scanner, over a network. Below is how to share a scanner on a network using USB Network Gate.

  • Go to the official USB Network Gate website.
  • Install USB Network Gate on all computers that you plan to share your scanner with.
  • After installing USB Network Gate, open the application on the PC connected to the scanner.
  • Click Share next to the USB scanner that you want to share over the network.
Share scanner over network
  • Run the USB Network Gate application on the device you want to use the scanner on, locate your scanner in the list, and then click Connect to find the scanner in the Device Manager; follow the path Win+X > Device Manager > Imaging Devices or Universal Serial Bus Controllers to find the scanner.

What to Do If the Scanner Does Not Appear

If the scanner does not appear, ensure NAPS2 is open, check the network, allow NAPS2 ports, and ensure the computer and scanner are not in sleep mode.

  • NAPS2 does not work in the background; make sure the app is open when sharing the scanner.
  • Make sure the devices you share the scanner between are on the same subnet.
  • Allow NAPS2 ports for shared devices. NAPS2 uses TCP ports 9901-9950 for HTTPS and 9801-9850 for HTTP.
  • Wake the PC and scanner, as sleep mode can disconnect the scanner or make it disappear.

Also know: How to Recover Deleted Data from Pen Drive/USB With & Without Software

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How to share a USB scanner on Windows 10?

You can share a USB scanner over the network on Windows 10 using USB Network Gate. Install USB Network Gate on both the computer that has the USB scanner plugged in and the PC that needs to access the scanner remotely; run the app on the server PC; click Share next to the USB scanner; run the app on the PC where you want to access the scanner, find the scanner, and then click Connect.

Q2. How to share a USB scanner over Ethernet?

To share a USB scanner over Ethernet, download and install USB Network Gate on both devices (the one connected to the scanner and the PC you want to share the scanner with), run the app on the PC connected to the scanner, locate the device in the list of USB peripherals connected to the computer, and click Share.

Hopefully, this helps you share the USB scanner over the network. If any questions or concerns persist, leave us a comment.

Author

Niharika

Niharika is a passionate soul who finds immense satisfaction in putting all her thoughts in writing. Being a technology enthusiast, she loves learning new things about tech and making everyone technologically literate through her articles. When not composing tech articles, you can find her bringing characters to life in her fictional stories, reading something intriguing, or spending time with her near and dear ones.

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Related Posts
How to Fix Discord Update Failed Windows 10

How to Fix Discord Update Failed Windows 10

May 8, 2024
0

You can effortlessly make your way out of the failed update loop of Discord with the help of this guide.

Discord needs no introduction. It is among the most popular VoIP social platforms to communicate with others through video/voice calls, media, files, and text messages. Moreover, it adds to the gaming fun by letting you interact with your friends while playing games on your computer. However, some users reportedly got stuck in a failed Discord update loop, preventing them from using the application.

Are you one of those users? If yes, this article is for you. Having struggled with a similar problem, we researched the issue in its entirety to find the best solutions to it. You will find the same in this article. However, let us start with understanding why the problem has occurred to solve it better.

What Caused a Failed Discord Update

The following factors may be the reason a Discord update is stuck in a loop or failed on Windows 10/11.

  • There may be some problem with the Discord server
  • You may have internet connection issues
  • The Discord application may have any technical glitch
  • Discord does not have administrative rights on your computer
  • Windows Firewall is interfering with the Discord update
  • The Discord application has accumulated a corrupt cache

After getting familiar with the possible causes of the issue you are experiencing, let us walk you through the most suitable fixes for it.

Fixes for Discord Update Failed Error

You can apply the below solutions if Discord fails to update on your Windows 11/Windows 10 device.

Fix 1: Check the internet connection

Discord needs an active and smooth internet connection to download and install the application updates. Hence, you may be experiencing the Discord update failure loop because of a faulty network connection. Thus, you can follow this guide to check and repair the internet connection in Windows to solve the problem. However, you can proceed to the following solutions if the issue persists.

Also Read: Best Discord Music Bot

Fix 2: Make sure the Discord server is not down

Sometimes, the problem may be at the Discord server’s end. The server may be going through glitches or downtime. Hence, you can navigate to the Discord server page to find out if there are any issues with the server. If there is any server problem, wait for some time before trying to use Discord. If all server systems are operational, you can try the next solutions to your problem.

Make sure the Discord server is not down

Fix 3: Open Discord with administrative rights

Discord may lack permission to access some crucial files and make changes to your PC, resulting in failed updates and other problems. Thus, launching the Discord app as an administrator can solve the issue. You can do this by following the below steps.

  • The first step is to access the search utility using the Win+S hotkey.
  • Secondly, input Discord in the search text box on your screen.
  • Next, right-click on Discord when it appears in the search results.
  • You can now select Run as administrator from the on-screen menu. Alternatively, you can choose “Run as administrator” from the Discord options in the right pane.Discord Run as administrator
  • Lastly, select Yes when the User Account Control appears to confirm your actions.

Also Read: Best Free Discord AI Image Generator 

Fix 4: Delete the Discord cache

Cache files enhance the user experience by launching the Discord application and performing various actions quickly. However, corruption of the cached data can be the culprit behind the Windows 11/Windows 10 Discord update failed loop. Hence, deleting the cache by following the below directions is one of the ways to solve the problem.

  • To begin the process of cache cleaning, you are required to open the AppData folder. To do so, launch the Run tool using the Win+R hotkey, input appdata in the on-screen text box, and click OK. appdata in run box
  • Next, choose Roaming from the AppData folder.Open roaming folder
  • You can now click Discord to open this folder.
  • The Discord folder will now appear on your screen. You can select Cache from the on-screen folder.open cache folder in discord folder
  • Now what you have on your screen is a folder containing all the Discord cache files. You can select all these files using the CTRL+A hotkey.
  • After selecting all the cache files, press the Delete button on your keyboard.
  • Lastly, click Yes when you are asked for confirmation to delete the cache.

Fix 5: Disable the Windows Firewall

Windows Firewall is responsible for ensuring your computer’s security by checking and blocking harmful incoming/outgoing network connections. Hence, it may have prevented Discord from accessing the internet, becoming a reason Discord failed to update. Thus, disabling the Firewall temporarily by following these steps can unblock the Discord application and allow you to update it.

  • Firstly, use the Win+I hotkey to access the Windows settings.
  • Secondly, choose Privacy & Security from the settings menu.open privacy and security
  • The Privacy & Security settings will now appear on your screen. You can choose Windows Security from the available options.Open Windows Security
  • You can now toggle off the Virus & threat protection to disable the Windows Firewall. However, if any antivirus software controls your Firewall, you also need to turn off the Firewall in this application by following the directions in the software manual.

Also Read: How to Fix Discord Mic Not Working in Windows 10, 11

Fix 6: Try disabling the antivirus software

If you use any third-party antivirus software, the antivirus may block Discord updates. Hence, you can disable the antivirus software temporarily to fix the issue. Since the steps to disable the software vary from program to program, you can check the software manual to learn how to do it.

Fix 7: Rename the update file of Discord

A corrupted update file may be another reason Discord failed to update. Renaming the file can fix this issue. Hence, you can take these steps to rename the file.

  • Firstly, use the Win+R keyboard shortcut to open the Run box.
  • Next, input appdata in the on-screen box and click OK to open the AppData folder.appdata in run box
  • After the AppData folder appears, click on the Local folder to open it.
  • You can now choose Discord from the Local folders.Open Discord fodler
  • Next, find and right-click the Update file and choose rename from the context menu that appears.Update file and choose rename
  • Lastly, type the update file’s new name and hit the Enter key on your keyboard.

Fix 8: Uninstall and reinstall Discord

Uninstalling Discord deletes all the corrupted data that may have led to the problem you are trying to solve. Hence, you can follow the below directions to uninstall Discord and reinstall it.

  • The first step requires you to open settings using the Win+I keyboard shortcut.
  • After opening the settings, choose Apps from the available menu.Installed apps to view all the applications present on your computer
  • You can now navigate to the Installed apps to view all the applications present on your computer.
  • Next, find Discord in the available applications and choose to Uninstall this application from your device.Discord in the available applications and choose to Uninstall
  • After uninstalling Discord, you can reinstall it from the official website.

Also Read: How to Do Spoilers on Discord to Hide Images and Text

Discord Update Failed Issue Fixed

We hope you find the above guide helpful in solving Discord issues if the Discord fails to update or is stuck in a failed update loop on Windows 10/11. One of these fixes is certainly going to solve your problem. However, you can contact us via the comments section if any confusion persists or if you have any suggestions to help us improve this article. Also, be sure to subscribe to our mailing list and follow us on our social media to learn more about solving various tech problems effortlessly.

SoundMAX Driver Download and Update for Windows

SoundMAX Driver Download and Update for Windows

July 13, 2023
0

Read to know about the best way to download and install the SoundMAX drivers for Windows 11, 10, 8, 7.

SoundMAX is an audio processing package tailored to function on ADI components. This audio processing suite is empowered to sound device manufacturers, who incorporate them with the signal processing solutions of ADI in order to provide an optimal listening experience to their users.

SoundMAX digital audio driver enables your system to play sound devices from several manufacturers. Additionally, it is an essential driver for users who have SoundMAX audio cards. In this blog post, you will learn how to install SoundMAX driver update in no time.

Hassle-Free Way to Update SoundMAX Driver on Windows PC (Strongly Recommended)

If you have no time to update the drivers manually, you can do it automatically with Bit Driver Updater. It is one of the best driver updater tools available. It automatically detects your operating system and finds the most compatible drivers for the device. Additionally, it updates all outdated drivers in just one click. Moreover, it ensures updated and enhanced PC performance. To try Bit Driver Updater for Free, click on the Download button below.

Windows-Download-Button

How to Download, Install and Update SoundMAX Driver on Windows PC

Following are the several approaches that you can use to download and install SoundMAX drivers for Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.

Method 1: Use Official Website to Manually Download SoundMAX Driver

You can get the driver file from your system manufacturer’s website and manually install the drivers. However, to do so, you must know what system is running on your computer, plus, the compatible Windows version as well like Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11, whether it’s a 32-bit or 64-bit version. To use this method, simply follow the steps provided below:

  1. Visit the official website of your motherboard or computer manufacturer.
  2. Then. search for the product model of your system.
  3. Head to your product’s driver download page.
  4. Next, click on the Download presented next to the SoundMAX audio driver.
  5. Once the SoundMAX driver file is downloaded, double-click on it and follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process.

After doing so, start your computer all over again so the recently installed drivers take effect.

Method 2: Update SoundMAX Driver in Device Manager

Windows operating system has an in-built utility tool called Device Manager that views and controls all the hardware connected to the PC and their drivers, respectively. So, you can use Device Manager to download SoundMAX drivers for Windows 10, 11, or older versions. Here is how to do that:

  1. Altogether press Windows and R keys from your keyboard to invoke the Run terminal window.
  2. In the Run box, type the following command and press Enter to execute the same.
    devmgmt.msc
  3. Input devmgmt.msc in the Displayed BoxThis will open Device Manager on your screen, here you need to look for the Sound, video, and game controllers category. Then, double click on the same to expand it.
  4. Next, right-click on SoundMAX driver and select Update Driver Software from the context menu list.
  5. Update driver in windows 10After that, select the Search Automatically option from the subsequent prompt.

Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software

Wait for the Device Manager to find and install the correct SoundMAX drivers on Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11 PC. Once drivers are installed, restart your device.

Also read: Fix Audio Playback Sound Problems in Windows 10

Method 3: Automatically Install SoundMAX Driver via Bit Driver Updater (Recommended)

If you do not have time, patience, and technical skills to install your outdated PC drivers manually, then you can do it automatically using Bit Driver Updater.

Bit Driver Updater is one of the best third-party driver updating programs that automatically recognizes your device and finds out the most suitable drivers for it. You do need to know exactly what system your PD is running, and there is no chance of downloading and installing the wrong or incompatible versions of drivers.

You can update outdated drivers by using either the Free or Pro version of Bit Driver Updater. But with the full or pro version, it just takes only two-simple clicks of the mouse, additionally, you get complete technical support and a full money-back guarantee but for a limited period. On the other hand, you can update drivers with the free version as well, but do keep in mind that the free version lets you update one driver at a time. This could be time-consuming and tedious, hence, we recommend you to rely on the pro version of Bit Driver Updater.

Below is how Bit Driver Updater works:

  1. Download the setup of Bit Driver Updater from the button given below.Windows Download Button
  2. Double click on the downloaded file and follow the installation wizard to complete the process.
  3. Launch the driver updater on your computer and click on Scan from the left menu pane.
  4. Scan the Outdated driver through Bit Driver UpdaterWait until the scanning is done and display the results.
  5. If you are using the free version, then click on the Update Now button adjacent to the driver you wish to update. Users with the pro version can click on the Update All button. This will help you install drivers in bulk.

Update all the driver through bit driver updater

Method 4: Run Windows Update to Download SoundMAX Driver

Last but not least, you can also use Windows Update to perform SoundMAX driver download on Windows PC. Below are the steps that you need to follow:

  1. On your keyboard, press the Windows and X keys together.
  2. Then, choose Settings from the available options and click on it.
  3. Click on SettingsThis action will open the Windows Settings menu on your computer screen. Here you need to click on the Update & Security option.
  4. Updates and SecurityAfter that, check to see if the Windows Update is selected from the left menu pane. If not, choose Windows Update to proceed.
  5. Lastly, click on the Check for Updates option.

Check for Updates on windows settings

That’s it! Now, sit back and enjoy until Windows installs all the pending updates including SoundMAX driver updates on your PC. Once done, reboot your system to save the new changes.

Also read: Realtek HD Audio Manager Download for Windows

How to Download and Update SoundMAX Driver on Windows: Explained

So, these were some of the different ways to find and download the correct version of the SoundMAX driver on the Windows operating system. However, out of all, we suggest you use Bit Driver Updater. It is the simplest method for performing SoundMAX driver updates with just 2 simple clicks of the mouse. Also, you can deal with other Windows-related errors using this all-in-one solution.

We hope you find this write-up pretty much helpful. If you have any queries or better suggestions, then please tell us in the comment box below. Do subscribe to our Newsletter for more technical tips and useful articles related to technology and the latest gadgets.

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