Canon “Support Code 2,140,21” — Windows scanner driver error

Joe B.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: Windows 11/10, Canon IJ/MF drivers, WIA/TWAIN, USB & Network Scanning

Fix Canon Support Code 2,140,21 — Windows scanner driver error, WIA service, TWAIN, IJ Scan Utility

Technician

Hi! We’ll clear the Canon scanner error 2,140,21 (aka Support Code 214021) on Windows. It usually means the scanner driver or the WIA/TWAIN interface can’t talk to the device.
A few checks: which Canon model (PIXMA TS/TR/MG, imageCLASS/MF, G-series)? USB or Wi-Fi? Do you use IJ Scan Utility or MF Scan Utility? And did this start after a Windows update or changing USB ports?

Customer

PIXMA TS3522 over USB. After a Windows 11 update, the Canon IJ Scan Utility shows Support Code 2,140,21 and says it can’t communicate with the scanner.

Technician

Got it. Typical causes for 2,140,21: the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service is stopped, the Canon TWAIN/WIA driver is corrupted, Windows chose the wrong USB imaging device, or security software is blocking the TWAIN DSM process. We’ll: 1) restart WIA and dependencies, 2) refresh the driver, 3) fix the USB binding, 4) test with IJ Scan Utility.

Customer

Where do I restart WIA? I don’t see it in normal settings.

Technician

Step 1 — Restart the Windows scanning stack
1) Press Win+R → type services.msc. Find Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) → set Startup type to Automatic → click Restart.
2) Also restart Remote Procedure Call (RPC), Shell Hardware Detection, and DCOM Server Process Launcher if stopped.
3) Try a scan in IJ Scan Utility. If you still get Support Code 2,140,21, we’ll refresh the Canon driver.

Customer

After restarting WIA the code persists. How do I refresh the driver?

Technician

Step 2 — Reinstall Canon WIA/TWAIN driver
• Open Device Manager → Imaging devices or Cameras. Right-click the Canon scanner → Uninstall device (check “Delete the driver software for this device” if offered).
• Disconnect USB. Download and install the latest Canon IJ driver for your model (or MF Scan Utility for imageCLASS).
• Reboot, then reconnect to a rear USB 2.0 port (avoid hubs). Windows should bind to the Canon WIA driver, not a generic one.

Customer

Device Manager lists it as “USB Imaging Device.” Is that wrong?

Technician

If it shows only as USB Imaging Device, Windows is using a generic driver — that can trigger scanner driver error 2,140,21.
• Right-click → Update driver → Browse my computer → point to the Canon driver folder you installed.
• Try a different physical port (rear panel) and a shorter cable. Some Canon models are picky with USB 3.x hubs.

Customer

Does firewall/antivirus matter for scanning?

Technician

It can. Some suites block the TWAIN DSM process or Canon background services, causing Support Code 214021.
• Temporarily disable the antivirus or add exceptions for CNQX/Twain_32 paths and IJ Scan Utility executables.
• Ensure the Function Discovery services are running if you scan over network/Wi-Fi.

Customer

Reinstalled the driver and moved to a rear USB 2.0 port — the error changed to “scanner not detected.”

Technician

Step 3 — Remove hidden/old scanner entries
• In Device Manager click View → Show hidden devices. Under Imaging devices/Cameras remove greyed-out Canon entries.
• In Control Panel → Programs uninstall old Canon toolkits (MP Navigator, legacy IJ packages) to avoid conflicts.
• Reboot, launch IJ Scan Utility → choose your model explicitly (not “Auto”). Try a test scan.

Customer

Now it scans! Any tips to keep error 2,140,21 from coming back?

Technician

Prevention:
• Keep WIA set to Automatic. After Windows feature updates, re-install the Canon package.
• Avoid passive USB hubs; use a direct cable and stable power.
• For Wi-Fi scanning, assign a static IP and add the device in the utility by IP, not just discovery.
• Update firmware/drivers quarterly; remove old TWAIN modules that can conflict.

Customer

Great — scans are working in IJ Scan Utility and Windows Fax and Scan. Thanks!

Technician

Summary: To fix Canon Support Code 2,140,21 — Windows scanner driver error, restart the WIA service, reinstall the Canon WIA/TWAIN driver, bind the device correctly in Device Manager, remove hidden entries, and test with IJ/MF Scan Utility. Need hands-on help? Open the chat.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix for Canon scanner error 2,140,21: set Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) to Automatic and restart it, reinstall the Canon WIA/TWAIN driver, reconnect via a rear USB 2.0 port, remove hidden scanner entries, then scan with IJ/MF Scan Utility. For Wi-Fi, add the device by IP.

FAQ

Step-by-step (Windows 10/11)

1. Open services.msc → set Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) to Automatic and restart it.
2. Uninstall old Canon components and remove the scanner in Device Manager (delete driver if offered).
3. Install the latest Canon IJ/MF Scan Utility and model driver; reboot.
4. Connect to a rear USB 2.0 port or add the network scanner by static IP.
5. Show hidden devices, remove duplicates, and test scanning in IJ/MF Scan Utility and Windows Fax and Scan.

Note for mixed environments (macOS)

1. macOS uses ICA/AirScan. If Windows works but macOS fails, reinstall the Canon ICA driver or use AirPrint/Bonjour.
2. For multi-OS homes, keep the device on a static IP so both stacks discover it consistently.

Sources

• Microsoft — Fix scanner problems in Windows
• Canon Support — Drivers & Utilities (by model)
• Microsoft — Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) overview

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