How to Restore Double-Sided Scanning in Acrobat Professional 2017
Question details
The user is unable to perform automatic double-sided (duplex) scanning using the automatic document feeder in Acrobat Professional 2017.
- Product
- Acrobat Professional 2017
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Scanning physical documents into a digital PDF format using a scanner with an automatic document feeder (ADF).
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat bypasses the scanner's native interface and defaults to the Windows WIA interface, which prevents automatic duplex scanning and limits hardware capabilities.
Ensure your scanner hardware physically supports duplex scanning and is properly connected to your computer before modifying application settings.
Enable the Scanner's Native Interface in Acrobat Settings
By forcing Acrobat to use the scanner's native interface (often TWAIN) instead of Windows WIA, you can regain access to advanced hardware features like double-sided scanning.
Acrobat 2017 occasionally defaults to the basic Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) driver, which does not always support advanced scanning features like automatic duplexing through an ADF. Switching back to the scanner's native interface resolves this limitation.
Launch Acrobat Professional 2017, go to 'File', select 'Create', and click on 'PDF from Scanner'. Choose 'Custom Scan' to open the scanning preferences.
In the scanner dropdown menu, look for your scanner's name. Avoid the option that starts with 'WIA-' and instead select the standard scanner name or the 'TWAIN' option.
Under the 'User Interface' options, select 'Show Scanner's User Interface' instead of hiding it. Click 'Scan' to open your scanner's native software window, where duplex options will be available.
Update or Reinstall the Scanner Driver
If the native interface is missing from Acrobat, updating the driver software ensures the correct files are communicating with your applications.
Test Device Capabilities Outside Acrobat
This isolates the issue to determine whether the problem is strictly related to Acrobat or if it is a system-wide driver failure.
Scan Documents Directly to PDF with WPS Office
If third-party interface bugs are slowing down your workflow, WPS Office provides built-in PDF tools to seamlessly connect with your scanner, create high-quality PDFs, and edit them directly without complex configuration.
- 1. Open WPS PDF: Launch WPS Office and click on the 'PDF' tab to access the dedicated PDF workspace.
- 2. Initiate Scanner Integration: Click on 'Create PDF' and select 'From Scanner'. A prompt will appear allowing you to select your connected scanning device.
- 3. Configure and Scan: Choose your preferred scanning settings in the prompt, execute the scan, and your physical document will instantly become an editable digital PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between WIA and TWAIN in Acrobat?
WIA (Windows Image Acquisition) is a basic Microsoft driver that provides essential scanning capabilities, but it often lacks advanced hardware controls like ADF duplex scanning. TWAIN is a universal software protocol commonly used by manufacturers as the native interface, granting full access to the scanner's advanced hardware features.
Why did Acrobat suddenly switch to the WIA driver?
Acrobat may default to WIA after a Windows update, a scanner driver update, or if the original native driver becomes temporarily unavailable or corrupted on the system.
How do I know if my scanner supports automatic duplex scanning?
You can check your scanner's physical hardware for an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) tray. Alternatively, consult the user manual or look up your scanner model on the manufacturer's official website to confirm its hardware specifications.
