Devices Scan for Hardware Changes in Windows 11

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brink
  • Start date Published: Start date Updated Updated:

Scan_for_hardware_changes_banner.webp

This tutorial will show you how to scan for hardware changes in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Sometimes you may need to manually scan the system for any device hardware changes when Windows doesn't automatically recognize a device just connected.

Scanning for hardware changes can cause the Plug and Play manager to detect new devices and to install device drivers without warning.

Scanning for hardware changes can detect some non-Plug and Play devices, particularly those that cannot notify the system when they are installed.


You must be signed in as an administrator to scan for hardware changes.



Contents





Option One

Turn On or Off Tablet-optimized Taskbar in Settings


1 Open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc).

2 Perform one of the following actions: (see screenshots below)
  • Click/tap on the Scan for hardware changes button on the toolbar.
  • Click/tap on the device name (ex: "BrinkW11") at the top, click/tap on Action on the menu bar, and click/tap on Scan for hardware changes.
Scan_for_hardware_changes_Device_Manager-1.png
Scan_for_hardware_changes_Device_Manager-2.png





Option Two

Turn On or Off Tablet-optimized Taskbar in Settings


learn.microsoft.com

PnPUtil Command Syntax - Windows drivers

How to run PnPUtil, including syntax and parameters.
learn.microsoft.com

1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select either Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt.

2 Copy and paste the command below into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

pnputil /scan-devices​

3 You can now close Windows Terminal (Admin) if you like.

Scan_for_hardware_changes_command.png



That's it,
Shawn Brink
 
Last edited:
Click to expand...
I just did a clean install of Windows 11. Also installed the driver for my Brother all-in-one printer. However it’s not printing correctly & only prints on half the paper.

Control Panel > Bluetooth & devices - Printer & scanners does not show my device. It shows the Brother Fax part but not the Brother printer part.
Historically they have always been shown as two devices.
1763396232970.webp



This shows I can set the settings for the MFC-L2700DW printer. Problem is the printer is not available.
1763396364266.webp


The Device manager shows the printer.
1763396533949.webp


I installed the Brother driver again and used both of your Options to scan for hardware changes but neither did anything.

Any suggestions on how to get the printer to show up in Control Panel?
Thanks.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H2Intel i5-1450016 GBIntel
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
ASRock B760M Pro RS/D4 motherboard
CPU
Intel i5-14500
Motherboard
ASRock
Memory
16 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel
Hard Drives
1 TB Samsung M.2 SSD
1 TB WD HDD
Chuck99 said:
I just did a clean install of Windows 11. Also installed the driver for my Brother all-in-one printer. However it’s not printing correctly & only prints on half the paper.

Control Panel > Bluetooth & devices - Printer & scanners does not show my device. It shows the Brother Fax part but not the Brother printer part.
Historically they have always been shown as two devices.
View attachment 153309


This shows I can set the settings for the MFC-L2700DW printer. Problem is the printer is not available.
View attachment 153310

The Device manager shows the printer.
View attachment 153311

I installed the Brother driver again and used both of your Options to scan for hardware changes but neither did anything.

Any suggestions on how to get the printer to show up in Control Panel?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Hello Chuck, :alien:

You can check at Brother's site below to see if you have the latest "full driver & software package" installed. You might also check its firmware.

Downloads | MFC-L2700DW | United States | Brother

support.brother.com support.brother.com
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GD...
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Brink said:
Hello Chuck, :alien:

You can check at Brother's site below to see if you have the latest "full driver & software package" installed. You might also check its firmware.

Downloads | MFC-L2700DW | United States | Brother

support.brother.com support.brother.com
Click to expand...

I did use that latest "full driver & software package".

Now I removed the FAX device from Bluetooth & devices - Printer & scanners.
Turned the Brother off/on thinking that might make a difference. Also disconnected the USB several times during my trials.
Installed the driver package again & this time it let me select the device & the only one listed was the L2700 printer. I don't recall that happening before, and the screen looked different now.

Now the printer showed up in Printer & scanners but not the FAX. I removed the printer & installed the driver package again. This time the install did not show any device.

I uninstalled the drivers using the Brother app & re-installed the driver package which only listed the L2700 printer. The printer works, not sure what will happen when/if the FAX is needed.

Here's screenshots showing the printer but no FAX. Obviously Brother considers these 2 different devices, maybe because different drivers are needed?
1763400412438.webp



1763400316172.webp


Thanks for your replies.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H2Intel i5-1450016 GBIntel
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
ASRock B760M Pro RS/D4 motherboard
CPU
Intel i5-14500
Motherboard
ASRock
Memory
16 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel
Hard Drives
1 TB Samsung M.2 SSD
1 TB WD HDD
Chuck99 said:
I did use that latest "full driver & software package".

Now I removed the FAX device from Bluetooth & devices - Printer & scanners.
Turned the Brother off/on thinking that might make a difference. Also disconnected the USB several times during my trials.
Installed the driver package again & this time it let me select the device & the only one listed was the L2700 printer. I don't recall that happening before, and the screen looked different now.

Now the printer showed up in Printer & scanners but not the FAX. I removed the printer & installed the driver package again. This time the install did not show any device.

I uninstalled the drivers using the Brother app & re-installed the driver package which only listed the L2700 printer. The printer works, not sure what will happen when/if the FAX is needed.

Here's screenshots showing the printer but no FAX. Obviously Brother considers these 2 different devices, maybe because different drivers are needed?
View attachment 153317


View attachment 153316

Thanks for your replies.
Click to expand...

The full package should include all drivers and software. Does it have a separate installed fax software app to open and use instead?

If you haven't already, test using a different USB port if available.

I'd also check to see if you have the latest firmware update for the printer to see if that may help.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GD...
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Brink said:
The full package should include all drivers and software. Does it have a separate installed fax software app to open and use instead?

If you haven't already, test using a different USB port if available.

I'd also check to see if you have the latest firmware update for the printer to see if that may help.
Click to expand...

There's always only been 1 driver/software package to download which includes some creative apps.
I did use a different USB port last time when I got the Printer working earlier but not sure if it made any difference.
I don't see any firmware updates listed.

Thought I'd push ahead & used the Brother uninstall app. However there was a Brother folder in both the Program Files folder & Program Files (x86) folder. Each had several sub-folders. The uninstall app did not remove these so I manually deleted them.

I turned the Brother & PC off, then back on. Tried to install the Driver Package again but it could not find any device & could not proceed. I tried searching for new hardware but to no avail.

Device Manager > Other devices lists the L2700 printer twice, and there is no Printer entry in the drop down list.

I forgot to mention, initially when the FAX device showed up in Control Center but no Printer, the Device Manager did show a Printer entry with the L2700.

Think I'll re-install WIndows 11 because not much has been added to the C: drive yet.
There's always only been 1 driver/software package to download which includes some creative apps.
I did use a different USB port last time when I got the Printer working earlier but not sure if it made any difference.
I didn't see any firmware updates listed.

Thought I'd push ahead & used the Brother uninstall app. However there was a Brother folder in both the Program Files folder & Program Files (x86) folder. Each had several sub-folders. The uninstall app did not remove these so I manually deleted them.

I turned the Brother & PC off, then back on. Tried to install the Driver Package again but it could not find any device & could not proceed. I tried searching for new hardware but to no avail.

Device Manager > Other devices lists the L2700 printed twice. But there is not a Printer entry in the drop down list.

I forgot to mention, initially when the FAX device showed up in Control Center but no Printer, the Device Manager did show a Printer entry with the L2700.

Think I'll re-install WIndows 11 because not much has been added to the C: drive yet.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H2Intel i5-1450016 GBIntel
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
ASRock B760M Pro RS/D4 motherboard
CPU
Intel i5-14500
Motherboard
ASRock
Memory
16 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel
Hard Drives
1 TB Samsung M.2 SSD
1 TB WD HDD
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