Hi Folks! I'm Anthony Danes and I'm a Technical Writer. I have been writing for various tech sites since 2007!I grew up with PCs and Windows, and have been a full-time programmer in the past. This has made writing about anything 'tech' a natural by-product :)
The FT232R UART device is a USB to serial interface chip from a company called Future Technology Devices International, or FTDI. The chip is used in a lot of USB-to-serial dongles that are needed for devices with a serial port. Since most modern computers don’t have a serial port (COM port) anymore, using a USB dongle enables such devices to connect to a computer. For this type of dongle to be used with Windows, an FT232R USB UART driver for Windows will be required.
What Devices need a serial connection?
Devices that use an FT232R USB UART connection with a PC typically involve serial communication. These include:
Embedded Systems & Microcontrollers – Many development boards, like Arduino Pro Mini, ESP8266, and ESP32, use FTDI chips to enable USB-to-serial communication for programming and debugging.
Industrial Equipment – Devices such as PLC controllers, CNC machines, and factory automation systems often require a USB-to-serial adapter to connect to a PC for configuration and monitoring.
Networking Hardware – Some routers, switches, and firewalls (especially those with serial console ports) use FTDI-based USB-to-serial adapters for initial setup and troubleshooting.
Scientific Instruments – Lab equipment like oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and data loggers may use FTDI chips to transfer data to a PC for analysis.
Ham Radio & Communications Equipment – Many amateur radio transceivers and digital mode interfaces use FTDI-based serial adapters to connect to a PC for programming and digital communication.
Medical Devices – Certain patient monitoring systems, infusion pumps, and diagnostic tools rely on USB-to-serial connections for data logging and software updates.
GPS Modules & Automotive Diagnostics – Many external GPS receivers and OBD-II diagnostic tools (for vehicle troubleshooting) use FTDI-based USB-to-serial converters to communicate with diagnostic software on a PC.
Legacy Serial Devices – Older devices like barcode scanners, cash registers, industrial scales, and POS systems often still use RS-232 interfaces, requiring an FTDI adapter for modern PC connectivity.
Installing an FT232R USB UART driver
To manually install a Windows driver for this type of device, you will first need to download the driver. In some cases, the dongle manufacturer will offer a driver download. Just visit the support site for the manufacturer and download the driver for your specific Windows version.
If the dongle manufacturer does not offer drivers, visit the FTDI site for the latest generic FT232R USB UART Drivers. You can use either the Virtual COM port drivers or the D2XX Direct drivers. After downloading, extract the ZIP file contents to a folder. Next, use the instructions from the link above to manually install the driver in Windows.
In the Device Manager, the dongle may show as an Unknown device, a FT232R USB UART device, or as a USB Serial Converter. If the device does not show, use the option Show hidden devices in the View menu, or add a setting to the System variables to show non-present devices.
If want to automatically find and download the latest FT232R USB UART driver for Windows, we recommend using our DriverFinder program. Based on all the hardware devices in your PC, the program will find the latest drivers for those devices and recommend driver updates.
For more on USB to serial converters and their drivers, also check the article on the Prolific PL2303 driver for Windows.
Additional Troubleshooting Steps
If you encounter issues with the installation of the FT232R USB UART driver, consider the following:
Check USB Connection – Try plugging the dongle into a different USB port or using a powered USB hub. Some ports may not provide sufficient power for proper operation.
Reinstall the Driver – If the dongle is not recognized after installation, uninstall the driver from Device Manager and reinstall it.
Update Windows – Ensure your Windows operating system is up to date, as missing updates can sometimes cause driver conflicts.
Disable Driver Signature Enforcement – On some Windows versions, unsigned drivers may not install correctly. Boot into Advanced Startup and disable driver signature enforcement temporarily.
Manually Assign COM Port – In Device Manager, right-click the FT232R USB UART device, select Properties > Port Settings > Advanced, and assign a COM port manually if necessary.
Check for Conflicts – If another USB-to-serial device is installed, it may be causing a driver conflict. Remove unnecessary devices and restart your PC.
Wireless communication is so common nowadays that we don’t think about it anymore. Whether it is outside on our mobile phones, using it at home on our laptops and tablets, or using portable devices on Bluetooth, wireless communication is just always there. We expect it to be available and fast. To make that possible, development never stops. The newest development now? Wi-Fi 7.
What is Wi-Fi 7?
Wi-Fi 7 is like you would expect, the successor of the previous Wi-Fi standard, Wi-Fi 6 (and Wi-Fi 6E). Wi-Fi 7 will be known as the 802.11be standard. It will use the 2.5, 5, and 6 GHz frequency bands, which is the same for the 6 and 6E versions. Nothing new there.
What is new in the Wi-Fi 7 standard is the use of a 320 MHz channel in the 6 GHZ band. So, more bandwidth for data, which will benefit high-demand data streams. At the same time, Wi-Fi 7 will be downwards compatible, so it can be used with all devices that only support older Wi-Fi standards.
The biggest improvement I believe is the changes in the Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) support. The number of channels is increased from 8 to 16. This together with the addition of Multi-Link Operation (MLO) improves the data transfer and reduces the latency. MLO allows the switching (or even parallel) use of the band used for data transfer rather than a single one.
What are the benefits?
With the wider frequency channels on the supported bands, together with the multi-link options, the main advantages of Wi-Fi 7 over the previous Wi-Fi versions are improved speed and reduced latency.
In theory Wi-Fi 7 will enable transfer speeds up to 46 Gbps. Compared to the 9.6 Gbps of the Wi-Fi 6E standard, that is a significant increase. Intel expects a typical laptop to have a data transfer rate of up to 5.8 Gbps). Although the support of a 320 MHz channel contributes to this, the Multi-Link Operation (MLO) is the main reason for these improvements.
A secondary benefit of the new Wi-Fi 7 standard is the new feature called Restricted Wake Time, which will help your devices save battery. Devices will be in power save mode as much as possible since the awake time allows access points and routers to manage the network activity (Also see Target Wake Time – TWT).
The last new benefit of Wi-Fi 7 is that it will support more simultaneous connections. So I you plan to connect all devices in your home (or have a lot of parties with guests that use your Wi-Fi connection), the new standard will help ensure speed and latency are optimal.
When will Wi-Fi 7 be available?
Routers that will support Wi-Fi 7 will become available are expected later in 2023, with all major manufacturers planning releases.
Qualcomm will have Wi-Fi 7 chipset available that enables speeds up to 33 Gbps. Linksys is planning to use this chipset in their new routers, even though they have not announced any releases. TP-Link (Archer BE900), Netgear (Nighthawk RS-700), Asus (ROG Rapture GT-BE98), and MSI (RadiX BE22000 Turbo) did already announce new products with Wi-Fi 7 support.
Do I need Wi-Fi 7?
Currently? Maybe not. In the future, more likely, yes. As is clear from the above, the benefits are speed, multi-device support, reduced latency, and more bandwidth. If you are an avid gamer, low latency is important. Other things that might be considered for upgrading are video streaming (with 8K becoming more common), or the internet of things (IoT) where we connect all our devices to the Internet (your fridge ordering your groceries for example).
As always with device upgrades, the need to upgrade will also depend on the current situation. If you plan to upgrade or replace an older router, waiting for the new Wi-Fi 7-enabled routers would be a good idea. If you don’t think you will need the advantages the Wi-Fi 7 standard offers, your ISP speed is low anyway, or the cost of a router is a consideration, getting a Wi-Fi 7-enabled router would not be recommended.
Do keep in mind that all your other wireless devices will also need support for Wi-Fi 7. The latest mobile phones and laptops might have it, but a lot of other wireless devices will currently not include support.
One of the new protection features in Windows 11 is called Core isolation. This feature helps protect against vulnerabilities that may harm the system. It is also referred to as virtualization-based security (or VBS). An important aspect of this protection is the setting memory integrity. Enabling this setting will allow Windows to shield the memory from bad code or invalid access.
A limitation of memory integrity protection is the fact that it can be impossible to enable it due to incompatible drivers. Device drivers are an important piece of any operating system, including Windows 11. Since device drivers enable communication with hardware devices, they are operating at a high-security level in Windows with access to critical system resources.
Even with systems that had no problems in the past, Windows updates can result in the core isolation option being disabled with no obvious cause.
In this article, we show how to enable memory integrity and how to deal with incompatible drivers that may block the enabling of the core isolation protection.
How to enable memory integrity
Open the Settings by pressing the Windows + I keys, or use the Start menu.
In the Settings window, click Privacy & security (1) in the left-hand pane.
Next, click Windows Security (2) in the right-hand pane.
Then, click Device security in the right-hand pane. This will open a new window called Windows Security.
Under Core isolation, click the Core isolation details link.
Now toggle the switch for Memory integrity from Off to On. Windows will start checking for driver compatibility before enabling the memory integrity option.
Close the Windows Security window and the Settings windows.
After this, the core isolation in Windows 11 is enabled, helping protect the memory from invalid access. This will add an extra layer of protection against malware on your PC.
Incompatible drivers
So what happens with incompatible drivers are installed in the system? In that case, enabling the Memory integrity feature will fail and the Core isolation will not be working.
To find out which drivers are incompatible, click the Review incompatible drivers link.
You will now see one or more entries of drivers (.sys file names) that are incompatible with the Windows 11 driver system. That means, the device for which the driver is intended may work fine, but the driver is not fully compatible with the Windows 11 security system. This may happen if older drivers are installed (e.g. Windows 7 or Windows 10 drivers).
Clicking the downward pointing arrow to the right of the driver’s name will reveal details about the driver. This information, date, version, and INF name can be used in the process to solve the driver incompatibility.
It is also possible that no imcompatibvle drivers are shown. In that case, try the manual enabling option.
Solve driver incompatibility issues
The simplest choice is to simply leave the Core isolation feature in Windows 11 disabled. That way, the incompatible driver can still be used and the device will function. Considering the possible vulnerability to the system this is not the preferred option. Only when no compatible driver for the device can be found and the device is really needed would you use this option.
The better solution to enabling the memory integrity option in Windows 11 is to replace any incompatible drivers with a newer, compatible version of the device driver.
Our example shows the stm_tpm.sys driver, which is an STMicroelectronics Trusted Platform Module. Other frequently occurring examples are the ene.sys driver and the wdcsam.sys (or wdcsam64_prewin8.sys), which are MSI and Western Digital drivers respectively.
#1 Update the driver from the Device Manager
Replacing an incompatible driver with a newer version is the best way to guarantee the driver will be compatible with Windows 11. Use the Device Manager to check for updates for the device.
In this process, Windows 11 will check the Microsoft Update Catalog for a newer version of the driver for the specific device. Take note that the device does not show any error in this example. The device and driver are functioning without device errors in Windows 11.
Note: If you do not see the problematic driver, use the option Show hidden devices in the View menu to show additional devices with their drivers.
In case any device is listed with an exclamation mark, it indicates a problem. Updating the driver for the device may fix the problem, otherwise check the error code for the device to solve the issue.
#2 Uninstall the driver to enable memory integrity
If the incompatible driver is not loaded and used by Windows, the memory integrity option can be turned on. Use the device manager to Uninstall the device, and then use the command prompt (or PowerShell) to delete the driver using the pnputil /delete-driver command.
Note: It is important to uninstall the device first, otherwise the command above will fail because the driver package is still in use.
The INF file name used in the command can be found in the details of the incompatible drivers in the Windows Security window. See the Published name detail. The /uninstall parameter ensures the driver package is removed from any devices that use the driver. The /force parameter allows the driver to be deleted even when it is in use.
Once the device is uninstalled and the driver is deleted, enable the memory integrity option as described earlier. If it still fails, try the other solutions listed here.
#3 Manually replace the incompatible driver
If the device is needed, option #2 is not possible, since the device will not work without a driver. But if the automatic update of the incompatible driver also does not work, a manual solution is required.
Use the Device Manager to uninstall the device. If Windows shows the option to Attempt to remove the driver for this device during the device uninstall, select that option. This option will not show for all devices and will only work if the driver is not in use by another device.
After this, find a new driver for the device on the manufacturer’s website. In the case of the wdcsam.sys error, the latest Western Digital drivers will solve the issue. Our ene.sys article has the details for a solution with that driver. For other manufacturers, their support site should provide the latest drivers if available.
Enable Memory Integrity using the Windows Registry
If the above steps do not resolve the issue, it is possible to force the activation of the memory integrity in Windows 10 and Windows 11 using the Windows Registry. Although it is possible to use the Registry Editor for this to manually add the required keys and entries, it is easier to execute the commands to insert the registry keys from the console. Below are the steps.
Open a command prompt window with administrator privileges.
Each command should show that the operation completed successfully.
After that, close the command prompt window (type “exit” followed by pressing the Enter key), and restart Windows.
Now check that the memory integrity option in Windows Security is enabled.
Note: The commands above are for Windows 10 version 1607 and later (including Windows 11). For earlier Windows 10 versions (1511 and below), use these commands.
Note: Using the registry edit option can result in Windows showing the Memory Integrity option as “This setting is managed by your administrator“. If that is the case, revert the registry settings to undo the change.
Bluetooth problems in Windows computers are often related to incorrect or missing drivers for a Bluetooth device. In the case of the Broadcom BCM20702A0 device, the right BCM20702A0 driver is required for the device to function in Windows. Otherwise, the device will not work and show an error. Any other Bluetooth devices depending on the BCM20702A0 device will most likely also not work or not be recognized.
What is BCM20702A0?
BCM20702A0 refers to a Broadcom Bluetooth 4.0 chip. It is often used in USB Bluetooth dongles, but can also be embedded directly in a computer (laptop, desktop, or all-in-one PC). The chip implements Bluetooth communication which allows a Windows-based PC with this device to connect to external, wireless devices that support Bluetooth. Examples are headsets, game controllers, printers, mice, mobile phones, and similar.
Since the BCM20702A0 chip is used on hardware solutions from different manufacturers, a driver specific to the manufacturer may be required to ensure the BCM20702A0 device is recognized by Windows. Dell, Lenovo, Asus, and others all have drivers available for hardware using the Broadcom BCM20702A0 chip.
BCM20702A0 Related Problems
If the BCM20702A0 driver is not installed, or not compatible with the installed device or Windows version, there will be an error. In the Windows Device Manager, the device will be listed under the Other devices category. An exclamation mark on the device icon indicates it is not working properly.
The possible error message for not working Bluetooth devices in Windows:
This device cannot start. (Code 10)
The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28) In Windows 10 and Windows 11, the message will say “There are no compatible drivers for this device”. Instead of “There is no driver selected for the device information set or element”.
This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31)
In normal circumstances, all working Bluetooth devices will show in the Bluetooth category in the Device Manager. But if the right driver is not installed, this category might not show at all.
The result of a non-working Bluetooth module is that Windows will not be able to connect to any Bluetooth devices. Pairing with Bluetooth devices will be impossible.
Steps to solve BCM20702A0 problems in Windows
The most common cause of the problems related to the BCM20702A0 device is a driver problem. So, in solving the error, the first steps are focused on getting the right driver installed. If after that, the device still does not work, try the other methods to fix the issue.
Before starting with the steps, make sure that the Bluetooth USB dongle is plugged (in case an external Bluetooth solution is used). Trying to solve the Bluetooth problem without the device physically present in the computer will not work. This sounds silly but it is better to check than wasting time trying to fix a non-issue. Also, make sure you reboot your computer. Pending restarts after updates can be the source of problems.
Update the BCM20702A0 driver from the Device Manager
The Device Manager is the most common method to install and update drivers for devices in all Windows versions. So, try these steps to update the driver.
Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Type devmgmt.msc in the Run box and press Enter or click OK. This will open the Device Manager.
In the Device Manager window, locate the problematic Bluetooth device in either the Other devices category or the Bluetooth category.
Right-click the BCM20702A0 device and in the popup menu, select Update Driver Software (Update driver in Windows 10 and Windows 11).
Use the Search automatically for drivers option to let Windows find the correct driver for the device. Click Close when the driver has been installed.
In case Windows does find a driver for the device, a driver will need to be manually downloaded from the manufacturer’s website.
Manually download the BCM20702A0 driver
If Microsoft has not included a driver for the BCM20702A0 device in the version of Windows that you are running, a driver will need to be added manually. This means a Bluetooth interface driver needs to be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website. Check your computer brand and model and locate the manufacturer’s support website to search for the driver.
Note: Broadcom used to support their own version of the Bluetooth software, including drivers. This generic WIDCOMM Bluetooth Software is no longer maintained and supported.
Once downloaded, run the setup or install program for the driver package to install the driver in Windows. Note that a user account with administrator privileges is required to install drivers.
If a driver is not available for your Windows version, you can try running an driver for an older Windows version in compatibility mode. For example, say we are running Windows 10, but the Dell installer for the Bluetooth module is suited only for Windows 7. If there is no Windows 10 driver available, we run the Windows 7 installer as follows:
Right-click the downloaded installer file.
In the popup menu, select Properties.
In the file properties dialog box, select the Compatibility tab.
Under Compatibility mode, select the checkbox for Run this program in compatibility mode for (1), and select Windows 7 in the dropdown box (2).
Click OK to confirm and close the properties dialog box.
Now execute the driver installer again.
Important: The driver needs to match the Windows architecture in order to work. Installing a 32-bit driver on a 64-bit system will not work, even in compatibility mode.
If the downloaded driver package does not have a setup or install program, you need to manually install the driver using the Device Manager.
Update drivers using Microsoft Update
Microsoft has included support for many devices in every updated version of Windows. Although that means that many devices are detected and supported directly, some devices require optional updates. In Windows 10 and Windows 11, optional updates often include updated drivers for devices. To check if the Broadcom BCM20702A0 driver is available, follow these steps.
Open the Settings windows from the Start menu.
In the Settings window, select Windows Update.
In Windows 11, click Advanced options (skip this step in Windows 10).
Next, click View optional updates.
Under Optional updates, click the Driver updates entry to expand the list and see the available driver updates.
If there is an entry for the BCM20702A0 driver, select it and click the Download and install button.
If no driver update is available for the Bluetooth device, the BCM20702A0 device is not supported in Windows. At least not by Microsoft directly. You will need to use the steps to manually download the driver to get it to work.
Restart the Bluetooth Services
This is the first of the steps that do not directly relate to the BCM20702A0 driver. Even if the driver is installed, the device can still give an error. The error might be solved by one of the following solutions.
Windows uses several services (background tasks) for making sure the Bluetooth devices and functions can work. In some cases, a service may have a problem, and manually starting or restarting the service can fix the problem.
Here are the steps to restart the Bluetooth services in Windows.
Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Type services.msc in the Run box and press Enter or click OK. This will open the Services window.
In the Services window, locate the Bluetooth Support Service and right-click it.
In the popup menu, click Restart.
Close the Services window when done.
You can repeat these steps for other Bluetooth services, like the Bluetooth Driver Management Service. If the services are not in a Running state, simply try starting them instead of restarting them. Not all Bluetooth services need to be running for the BCM20702A0 device to be detected and installed. Some are for support tasks, like audio over Bluetooth. But starting or restarting them manually ensures that they are not the reason the device is not working.
Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter
In Windows 10 and Windows 11, there is the possibility to run a Windows troubleshooter for a number of problems. Microsoft has included a troubleshooter function for common problems that can be automatically solved. One such troubleshooter is the Bluetooth troubleshooter.
To execute the Bluetooth troubleshooter in Windows 10, follow these steps.
Open the Settings window from the Start menu.
In the Settings window, select Update & security.
Next, click Troubleshoot in the left-hand pane.
In the right-hand pane, click the Additional troubleshooters link.
Next, under Find and fix other problems, click the Bluetooth option.
This will show the button Run the troubleshooter. Click it to start the troubleshooter.
A new window will come up showing Windows is Detecting problems with Bluetooth. Wait for the process to finish analyzing and fixing any Bluetooth-related issues.
Click Close when done.
In Windows 11, the steps are a little different.
Open the Settings window from the Start menu (or press the Windows + I keys).
In the Settings window, click System.
Next, click Troubleshoot in the right-hand pane.
Click the Other troubleshooters link.
Click the Run button next to Bluetooth under Other.
Wait for the troubleshooter to finish analyzing and fixing any Bluetooth-related problems.
Note: The Bluetooth troubleshooter can take considerable time to complete.
Check the Airplane mode setting
This is mentioned as one of the last solutions since the option would normally only be used on portable devices for a specific reason. But if you have been traveling with your laptop, it is a step that is worth taking.
Personally, I simply disable the Bluetooth option in Windows and only enable it when needed. Active communication on any device is a security risk these days. But if you have Bluetooth turned in normal circumstances, you can opt to use the Airplane mode in Windows to disable all communication when traveling.
In both Windows 10 and Windows 11, the Airplane mode can be enabled or disabled by clicking the network icon in the taskbar and selecting the Airplane mode in the quick access popup window.
Note that the Airplane mode will show active when enabled (blue in this example but that will depend on the active Windows theme). Airplane mode should be disabled for Bluetooth to work.
If you prefer to use the Windows Settings, follow these steps.
Open the Settings window from the Start menu.
In the Settings window, click the Network & internet option.
Next, click the Airplane mode option.
Now make sure both switches are in the Off position. In Windows 11, you have the option to disable the Airplane mode directly, or like in Windows 10, select the Airplane mode option to control the individual settings. Windows 11 remembers which communication was on when you enable and disable Airplane mode. So, if only Wi-Fi was on and Bluetooth was off when airplane mode was activated, Bluetooth would remain off when airplane mode is disabled again. This is why it is a good idea to check this setting.
Close the Settings window when done.
After this, the network and Bluetooth devices should be working. There is no need to restart the computer, the changes take effect immediately.
Reset the hardware devices
Windows keeps configuration information for all devices in the computer. In rare cases, the configuration of a device can be a problem. Installing similar devices with similar drivers, or installing additional USB devices on the same controller can result in a BCM20702A0-based device to stop working.
To fix the issue, it is possible to reset the device by removing it and letting Windows reinstall the device with the proper configuration settings. These steps need to be executed from within the Device Manager.
Follow the steps to update the BCM20702A0 driver from the Device Manager, but instead of picking the Update driver option, select the Uninstall option. In the Uninstall Device confirmation window, click the Uninstall button (1). This will remove the device from Windows. After this reboot to let Windows automatically detect and reinstall the device.
First, try the uninstall option and keep the drivers installed. If that does not fix the issue, use the option Delete the driver software for this device when uninstalling it (2). That will force Windows to reload the driver for the Bluetooth device.
If the BCM20702A0 device is a USB dongle, it can also help to uninstall the USB Host Controllers in the Universal Serial Bus controller category. These controllers ensure that all connected USB devices are detected are installed. Resetting them can solve problems caused by the USB interface itself.
If things are still not working after this, then you might still be able to get things working again. That partly depends on whether the BCM20702A0 device was working on your system previously. If it was, a system restore or system recovery can bring back the working BCM20702A0 driver.
For help in finding the right drivers for your Windows devices, including the BCM20702A0 device, you can use the DriverFinder program. By scanning the hardware present, it will locate and offer the required device drivers.
If your ScanSnap iX500 scanner stopped working on Windows 10 or Windows 11, it is most likely due to a driver problem. Fujitsu updated their scanner software from ScanSnap Manager to ScanSnap Home. The latest software will also install the latest ScanSnap iX500 driver. Even though the iX500 model was introduced quite a few years ago (2013), it is still a popular and useful device.
The ScanSnap iX500 is a duplex color scanner for A4/Letter/Legal paper sizes with an automatic document feeder. Using the latest Fujitsu scanner software will allow you to to keep it working on the latest Windows versions.
Download the ScanSnap software
You can download the software driver from the Fujitsu support website to get the ScanSnap iX500 working on Windows 10 or Windows 11. Follow the steps below.
Under Discontinued scanners, click the ScanSnap iX500 This will open the ScanSnap iX500 software downloads page.
Next, select the Windows version in the dropdown list (1), and then click the Display software list button (2).
Under Setup Programs, click the Download link next to the SnapScan Home Download Installer 2.7.0 (the version number might be higher when you visit the page).
This will open a new page to download the installer. Make sure your browser does not have a popup blocker active, or the new window will not open. Select your location and then click the Download Installer
Read the license agreement and click the Agree button to start the software download.
The software installer will be downloaded (depending on your browser you may need to select a download location).
Open a File Explorer window and navigate to the download location on your PC.
Double-click the downloaded installer to execute it. Note: If you cannot execute the file, you may need to unblock it.
Right-click the file, and in the popup menu, select Properties.
In the General tab, select the checkbox Unblock (next to Security in the bottom of the window).
Click the OK button.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install the ScanSnap Home software. Note: Additional files are downloaded during installation, so make sure your Internet connection is active. Also check available disk space, as he fully installed software takes over 740 MB.
Restart your computer when finished.
Reinstalling the software can also help if are facing problems scanning directly to email (like Outlook). Make sure to fully uninstall the existing version first.
Install the ScanSnap iX500 driver
After installing the ScanSnap Home software, the ScanSnap iX500 driver for the device can be installed.
Execute the ScanSnap Home software.
In the setup window, select the iX500 model and click the Start setup button. Tip: The software not only allows installation of the iX500 driver, but also supports the ScanSnap iX1600 driver and all iX models in between.
Make sure the scanner power is connected and that the scanner is connected to the computer via a USB cable.
Click Next to continue.
Ensure the device is powered on (blue or purple Scan button), and then click Next.
Wait for the device to be installed.
Click the Finish button.
After the connection setup finishes, the Windows driver for the iX500 will be installed and you can use the scanner with your Windows PC. Click the Scan button in the top-left corner to start scanning.
Need to find or update more device drivers for Windows? Download our DriverFinder program to automatically check your Windows PC for missing or outdated drivers.
For generic troubleshooting regarding the SnapScan IX500 device, you can also have a look at the Ricoh support page.
FAQ
Can I still use the ScanSnap Manager with the iX500?
Yes, the ScanSnap Manager software can still be used for the iX500 for Windows 7 up to Windows 11. There will however be no new features and no updates with this software.
Can I keep my old scan settings?
Yes, if you switch from the ScanSnap Manager software to the ScanSnap Home software, you can keep your old scan settings. This entails creating a profile in the ScanSnap Home software and migrating the settings. For details on the migration, please see the instructions on the website.
Can I Install ScanSnap Home when I have ScanSnap Manager installed?
Yes, it is possible to have both the old and new software installed on the same configuration. When you install the new software, make sure the installation path is different (use the Custom install option). After installing the new version, you can safely delete the old software. Settings -> Apps -> ScanSnap Manager -> Uninstall.
How to fix the “Unable to connect with SnapScan” error?
First, make sure the latest version of the ScanSnap software is installed. Also, check that the Windows Image Acquisition service is running (starts automatically), and try changing the Log on as to a Local System account with the checkbox Allow service to interact with the desktop enabled.
The steps:
Press the Windows + R keys to bring up the Run window.
Enter services.msc and press Enter or click OK.
In the Services window, scroll down to the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service.
Double-click the service.
Make sure the Startup type is Automatic, and if the service is not running, click Start.
Select the Log On tab.
Select the Local System account radio button and mark the checkbox to Allow service to interact with the desktop.
Click the OK button to confirm, and close the Services window.
If this does not fix the connection error, try disabling all other Imaging devices in the Device Manager.
How to fix “Make sure that ScanSnap is not being used by another user or application, and then try again.” error
This error may show in the ScanSnap software if the program cannot access the scanner. First, try the steps from the connect error.
If that does not work, try connecting the scanner directly to a (different) USB port on the computer. Don’t use a USB hub or a WiFi connection. Also, test the USB cable if you suspect it may be faulty.
If you are using the ScanSnap Manager software, you can run the ScanSnap support tool to check the access privileges for the scanner device. Start the support tool from the Start menu in the ScanSnap Manager group. In the support tool, select the Recover tab (1) and then click the Check button (2).
After this, click the Recover button to find out if the problem has been resolved.
If the ScanSnap iX500 still supported by Fujitsu?
Even though the iX500 is considered a discontinued product, it is still being supported until January 31, 2024. Until this date software updates will still support the iX500. The recommended successor model is the iX1500, but even that model is scheduled to be discontinued by December 31, 2025.
Can I use other scanning software with my ScanSnap iX500?
Unfortunately, not. The scanner uses a driver that does not support the common TWAIN or ISIS standards for scanning devices. As a result, the iX500 will not show up as a scanning or imaging device in other scan applications. The ScanSnap Manager or ScanSnap Home software is required, which uses the Windows Imaging Acquisition driver.
A company called JSE Imaging Solutions has a TWAIN driver (SnapTwain) that works in combination with Fujitsu ScanSnap Home software. At EUR 99, it is a relatively expensive solution, but if you really need TWAIN support, you could try this option.
