Canon imageFORMULA P-215II Can't Locate Device? How to Fix It
Updated: Sep 27
The Canon imageFORMULA P-215II is a great little document scanner, and I've set up plenty of them. After installing or upgrading to Windows 11, though, a lot of people find that the scanner stops showing up. The CaptureOnTouch software says it can't locate the device, even though the scanner is plugged in and powered on.
Almost every time, it comes down to one of three things: the Auto Start switch, the USB connection, or the driver. Here's how I work through it.
Fix 1: Check the Auto Start Switch
The P-215II has an Auto Start switch on the back. When it's on, the scanner runs a built-in version of the scanning software and shows up on your computer like a USB drive instead of a scanner. That's handy on a computer with no software installed, but it means the installed CaptureOnTouch software can't find it.
Unplug the scanner from the computer.
Turn the Auto Start switch on the back to OFF.
Plug the scanner back in and open CaptureOnTouch again.
Fix 2: Check the USB Connection
Plug the scanner directly into the computer, not into a USB hub, docking station or monitor.
Try a different USB port, preferably one on the computer itself.
Try a different USB cable if you have one. A worn cable can power the scanner without passing data.
Make sure the scanner's feed tray is open. The P-215II turns on when you open the tray.
Fix 3: Reinstall the Driver
If Windows still doesn't see it, the driver is usually the problem, especially after a Windows 11 upgrade. A clean reinstall fixes it.
Unplug the scanner.
Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find the Canon P-215II driver and CaptureOnTouch, and uninstall them.
Restart the computer.
Download the latest drivers from Canon's P-215II support page. Choose your version of Windows and look for the ISIS/TWAIN driver.
Extract the downloaded file.
Open the extracted folder, then the x64 folder, and find the setup file.
Right-click the setup file and choose Run as administrator. Follow the prompts to install it.
Install CaptureOnTouch again from the same Canon page.
Plug the scanner back in and wait for Windows to finish setting it up.
Running the installer as administrator matters. Without it, the driver can install partway and the scanner still won't show up.
Fix 4: Check Device Manager
Right-click the Start button and open Device Manager.
Look under Imaging devices for the Canon scanner.
If it has a yellow warning sign, right-click it, choose Uninstall device, unplug the scanner, restart, and plug it back in.
If it shows up under Disk drives or as a USB drive instead, the Auto Start switch is still on (see Fix 1).
Still Stuck?
If your scanner still can't be found, IT-Tech can connect remotely, install the right drivers and get you scanning again.
Book a remote support session and we'll get you sorted out.
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