Scan Documents on Ubuntu With HP, Brother, Canon or Epson

Scanning on Ubuntu lets you turn paper documents or photos into files you can save, email or share. You can usually scan with Ubuntu’s built-in document app or Simple Scan; first connect the printer and scanner, and install the manufacturer’s Linux software only if Ubuntu cannot detect the device.

What You’ll Need

A printer or all-in-one device with a working scanner, powered on and connected to the same network as your computer or directly by USB.
An Ubuntu computer with permission to install applications or drivers if needed.
The document to scan. For a multi-page document, use the automatic document feeder (ADF) if your printer has one.
Optional: Simple Scan, also called Document Scanner in some Ubuntu menus. It is commonly installed already; you can install it from Ubuntu Software or with sudo apt install simple-scan.

Step-by-Step

Connect the printer. Turn it on. For USB, connect the cable directly to the computer and wait a moment. For Wi-Fi or Ethernet, make sure the printer and computer are on the same local network. Complete any wireless setup on the printer itself first.
Check whether Ubuntu sees the scanner. Open Settings and look under Printers to see whether the printer is listed. This confirms printing setup, but a listed printer does not always mean its scanner is ready. Open the applications menu and search for Document Scanner or Simple Scan.
Install a scanning app if needed. If the app is missing, open Ubuntu Software, search for Document Scanner or Simple Scan, and install it. Alternatively, open Terminal and run sudo apt update, then sudo apt install simple-scan. Enter your Ubuntu password if prompted; characters may not appear as you type.
Open the scanner app and select the device. Start Document Scanner. If it finds more than one scanner, open the device or scanner menu and choose the correct printer. Menu wording varies between app versions. If no scanner appears, use the troubleshooting steps below before installing random driver files.
Position the page. For a single sheet, place it face down on the flatbed glass, aligned with the corner or guide mark shown on the printer. Close the lid to reduce stray light. For several pages, load them face up or face down as indicated by the ADF markings; remove staples and make sure pages are straight.
Set scan options. Choose Text for ordinary documents, or Photo for pictures and detailed graphics. Select the paper size and color mode, then choose a resolution. Around 300 dpi is a practical choice for readable documents; lower settings create smaller files, while higher settings increase detail and file size.
Preview or scan. If the app offers a preview, use it to check orientation and cropping. Select Scan to capture the page. For an ADF, choose the option to scan multiple pages or both sides if available. Follow the app’s prompts; duplex scanning depends on the printer’s hardware and driver support.
Review the result. Check that text is legible, the page is not cut off, and the orientation is correct. Use the app’s rotate, crop or reorder controls if available. Add further pages with the app’s scan or plus control rather than saving each page separately, if you want one combined document.
Save the file. Choose Save or Save As, pick a folder and enter a clear filename. Select PDF for a document or JPEG/PNG for an image, where those formats are offered. For a multipage document, save as PDF so pages can remain together. Reopen the saved file once to confirm it is complete and readable.

Common Mistakes

Assuming printing means scanning is configured. Printing and scanning can use separate drivers and services, so test the scanner in the scan app itself.
Choosing an unsuitable format. JPEG is convenient for a single photo but is not ideal for a multipage text document. Use PDF for pages you want to keep together.
Setting resolution unnecessarily high. Very high dpi can make scans slow and files unwieldy. Start around 300 dpi for text and increase it only when small print or fine image detail requires it.
Putting paper on the wrong side. Flatbed glass and ADFs may use different orientations. Follow the icons on the printer and check the preview.
Saving without checking. A clipped margin, blank page or unreadable scan is easier to fix before you close the app or remove the originals.

Tips

Clean dust and fingerprints from the glass with a soft, lint-free cloth; do not spray cleaner directly onto the scanner.
Use descriptive names such as invoice-2026-11.pdf, and save to a folder you can find later.
For searchable text, look for an OCR or text-recognition option in the scanning app. It may require additional software and is not available in every setup; always proofread recognized text.
For sensitive paperwork, save locally to a folder you control and check any sharing or cloud-sync settings before uploading it.
Keep the printer’s firmware and Ubuntu packages reasonably current, and use driver downloads only from the printer maker’s support site when they are actually needed.

Troubleshooting

The scanner is not listed: Check power, cables and network connection. Restart the printer and computer, then reopen the scan app. On a network printer, verify both devices are on the same network and that guest-network isolation is not separating them. For USB, try another port and avoid an unpowered hub.

The printer appears, but scanning fails: Install pending Ubuntu updates, close and reopen the app, and try selecting the scanner again. Some models need a separate scanning driver or utility. Search the manufacturer’s official support pages for the exact model and Linux/Ubuntu instructions; follow the stated installation method and avoid packages for a different model or release.

Simple Scan is missing or cannot find a device: Confirm the app is installed, then check whether another scan application can detect the scanner. For a technical check, install SANE utilities with sudo apt install sane-utils and run scanimage -L in Terminal. If it reports no devices, the scanner may need a compatible driver, or its connection may be unavailable. The command’s result is diagnostic, not a guarantee that every model is supported.

The scan is blank, crooked or cut off: Reseat the page, check the correct side is facing the glass or feeder, and preview again. Ensure the selected paper size matches the original. If the ADF repeatedly misfeeds, scan from the flatbed one page at a time.

The file is too large or unreadable: For text, use a document or grayscale mode and a moderate resolution. If letters are fuzzy, clean the glass, select a higher resolution, and check focus and paper placement. Save again under a new filename so you can compare versions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I scan on Ubuntu without installing a printer driver?
Often, yes. Ubuntu may detect the scanner automatically through its built-in scanning support. Some models require a manufacturer-provided Linux driver or utility.

Does Simple Scan work with HP, Brother, Canon and Epson printers?
It works with many scanners from these manufacturers, but support depends on the exact model and driver. Check Ubuntu’s detection first and consult the maker’s Linux support page if it is not found.

Can I scan several pages into one PDF?
Usually. Scan each page in the same session, then save the group as a PDF. An ADF can feed pages automatically; the available controls depend on your app and scanner.

How do I scan both sides of a page?
If the printer has a duplex ADF and the app exposes duplex scanning, select that option. Otherwise, scan one side, turn the pages over as directed by the app, and scan the other side; you may need to reorder the pages before saving.

Where are scanned files saved?
The app asks for a destination when you save. Choose a folder such as Documents or Pictures and note the filename. If you cannot find a scan, search your home folder for its filename or recently modified files.

Can I scan from the printer’s buttons?
Sometimes, but button-to-computer scanning requires compatible software and setup. Starting the scan from Ubuntu’s scanning app is generally the simplest way to choose settings and save the file.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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