The quality of a scanned image with Epson Scan is poor. What should I do?

• See the solutions below for your problem type.

  Image Consists of a Few Dots Only

  If your scanned image consists only of a few dots, try these solutions:

  • Make sure you placed your original for scanning facing the correct way.
  • If you are scanning using the Epson Scan Black & White setting, adjust the Threshold setting and scan again.
  Line of Dots Appears in All Scanned Images

  If a line of dots appears in all your scanned images, clean the scanner glass with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth or use a small amount of glass cleaner on the cloth, if necessary. Paper towels are not recommended. Caution: Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the scanner glass.

  Straight Lines in an Image Appear Crooked

  If straight lines in an original appear crooked in a scanned image, make sure to place your original straight when you scan it.

  Image is Distorted or Blurry

  If a scanned image appears distorted or blurry, try these solutions:

  • Make sure your original is not wrinkled or warped. This may prevent the original from laying flat on the scanner glass.
  • Do not move your original or your product during scanning.
  • Your product will not operate properly while tilted at an angle. Place it on a flat, stable surface that extends beyond the base of the product in all directions.
  • Adjust these Epson Scan settings (if available) and try scanning again:
    • Select the Unsharp Mask setting.
    • Adjust the Auto Exposure setting.
    • Increase the Resolution setting.
  Image Colors are Patchy at the Edges

  If you are scanning a thick or warped original, cover its edges with paper to block external light as you scan it.

  Image is Too Dark

  If your scanned image is too dark, try these solutions:

  • Adjust these Epson Scan settings (if available) and try scanning again:
    • Auto Exposure
    • Brightness
    • Histogram Adjustment
  • Check the brightness and contrast settings of your computer monitor.
  Back of Original Image Appears in Scanned Image

  If an image from the back of a thin original appears in your scanned image, place a piece of black paper on the back of the original and scan it again.

  Ripple Patterns Appear in an Image

  You may see a ripple pattern (called a moiré) in scanned images of printed documents. This is caused by interference from differing pitches in the scanner's screen and your original's half tone screen. To reduce this effect, adjust these Epson Scan settings (if available) and try scanning again:

  • Select the Descreening setting.
  • Select a lower Resolution setting.
  Image is Scanned Upside-Down

  Your product scans using the Auto Photo Orientation setting. This setting checks the preview image for faces, the sky, and other features, and then correctly rotates the photo when it is scanned, if necessary. If your photo is not oriented correctly using this option, deselect the Auto Photo Orientation setting and scan again.

  Scanned Image Colors Do Not Match Original Colors

  Printed colors can never exactly match the colors on your computer monitor because printers and monitors use different color systems: monitors use RGB (red, green, and blue) and printers typically use CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black).

  Check the color matching and color management capabilities of your computer, display adapter, and the software you are using to see if they are affecting the palette of colors you see on your screen.

  To adjust the colors in your scanned image, adjust these Epson Scan settings (if available) and try scanning again:

  • Change the Image Type setting and experiment with different combinations of the next settings.
  • Adjust the Tone Correction setting.
  • Adjust the Auto Exposure setting.
  Scan Area is Not Adjustable in Thumbnail Preview

  If you cannot adjust the scan area while viewing a Thumbnail preview in Epson Scan, try these solutions:

  • Create a scan area by drawing a marquee on your preview image and adjusting it as necessary.
  • Switch to Normal preview mode, if available, and preview your image again.
  Scanned Image Edges are Cropped

  If the edges of a scanned image are cropped, make sure your original is placed correctly for scanning. If necessary, move your original away from the edges of the scanner glass slightly.

  Related concepts
  Image Preview Guidelines
  Related tasks
  Selecting a Scan Area - Home Mode
  Selecting a Scan Area - Professional Mode
  Placing Originals on the Scanner Glass
  Cleaning Your Product
  Related information
  Placing Originals on the Product
  Selecting EPSON Scan Settings