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Publius7
Participant
October 30, 2025
Question

photoshop elements 2026 crashes when I try to use wia support

  • October 30, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 269 views

I used to use Photoshop Elements 15 in which I was able to use the wia support function to scan in documents and photos.

I recently upgraded to PE 26 and when I try to use the wia support function the program crashes creating a pop-up Error Report.

I have attached an image of the Pop-Up screen, below, and the actual error report generated by the program.

I originally sent the report to Adobe but have not receive any response.

I updated the driver for my printer, but that doesn't appear to make any difference.

I know the wia support function uses a file called WIASupport.8LI - don't know if it is corrupt and/or how to find out.

Anyway - bottom line - I have no clue why this is happening and even less of a clue how to fix it.

1 reply

Glenn 8675309
Glenn 8675309
Legend
October 30, 2025

I have a printer, a new printer that does not have wia support.   I jsut use one of three scanning programs- the printer one, the windows one, and one I purchased separated.   I just scan it using one of those, and never bother doing it from within the program.   

WIA support refers to Windows Image Acquisition, a built-in Microsoft driver model and application programming interface (API) that allows software to communicate with imaging devices like scanners and digital cameras. It provides a standardized way for applications to discover devices, set properties, and transfer image data, enabling more stable and efficient image capture. 
 
How it works
  • Application layer: Applications interact with the WIA API to request image capture.
  • WIA service: The WIA service acts as an intermediary, receiving requests from applications and passing them to the correct driver.
  • Minidriver: A WIA driver component, or minidriver, handles the specific communication with the hardware.
  • Hardware: The minidriver communicates with the device, such as a scanner, to perform the requested actions. 
 
Key benefits
  • Standardized communication: WIA provides a consistent framework for applications to use imaging hardware, reducing compatibility issues.
  • Built-in support: It's a native Windows feature, often requiring only the WIA service to be enabled and the correct driver to be installed.
  • Advanced features: It supports more advanced features than older models, such as enumerating multiple devices, querying properties, and event handling. 
 
Common issues and fixes
  • "No WIA compatible devices" error: This can occur if the WIA service is disabled, the driver is missing, or the driver is outdated.
  • Fixing the service: To resolve this, you can enable the "Windows Image Acquisition" service in the Services application and set its startup type to "Automatic," as shown in this YouTube video.
  • Driver updates: Ensure you have the latest driver from the device manufacturer, as this is often required for WIA to function correctly. 
    P
    Publius7Author
    Participant
    October 31, 2025

    Hello Glenn - thanks for your response.

    I did not realize Windows had its own scanner - works exactly as I want.

    Of course, this does not fix the Adobe Photoshop issue, but, guess, this is now a moot point.

    Admittedly, strange Adobe includes the option - even though it doesn't work.

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