can't get my computer to see the epson printer over the network for scanning, even though printing works fine.

Diagnosis

This issue occurs because printing and scanning utilize entirely different network protocols. Printing typically uses the standard TCP/IP port 9100 or LPR, which are generally open by default in most OS environments. Scanning, however, relies on the WSD (Web Services for Devices) protocol or a proprietary bidirectional communication link managed by the Epson Scan 2 utility. When your computer "sees" the printer for printing but not for scanning, it means the printer's IP address is registered in the print spooler, but the scanning software cannot establish a "handshake" with the scanner's specific network port. This failure is most commonly caused by a "Public" network profile setting in Windows or macOS, which triggers a strict firewall that blocks the incoming data packets from the WF-2960. Additionally, if the printer was assigned a dynamic IP address via DHCP, the printer's IP may have shifted, leaving the scanning software searching for a device at an address that no longer exists, even while the print driver manages to find it via broadcast. You can confirm this by attempting to access the printer's web interface (Web Config) by typing the printer's IP address into a browser; if the page loads but the scan software fails, the issue is software/firewall related, not hardware.

How to Fix It

To resolve the communication gap between your computer and the WF-2960 scanner, follow these precise steps:

1. Uninstall any existing "Epson Scan" or "Epson Event Manager" software from your Control Panel (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac) to clear corrupted registry keys.
2. Download the "Drivers and Utilities Combo Package" specifically for the WF-2960. Do not use the basic driver provided by the OS.
3. During the installation process, when prompted for the connection method, select Network Connection. If the software does not automatically detect the printer, select "Search for printer on network" and manually enter the printer's IP address (found by printing a Network Status Sheet from the printer's Maintenance menu).
4. Once installed, open the Epson Scan 2 Utility (a separate app from the scanning interface).
5. In the Utility, change the "Connection" setting from "Auto" to "Network."
6. Click the "Add" button, enter the IP address of the WF-2960, and click "OK." This forces a static link between the software and the hardware.
7. Restart your computer and attempt a scan using the Epson Scan 2 interface.

If That Didn't Work

• Adjust Firewall Exceptions: Open your Windows Defender Firewall or third-party antivirus settings. Navigate to "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall." Ensure that "Epson Scan 2" and "Event Manager" are checked for both "Private" and "Public" networks. If they aren't listed, manually add the .exe files from the Epson installation folder in Program Files.
• Switch Network Profile: Go to your Network and Internet settings. Ensure your current Wi-Fi connection is set to "Private" rather than "Public." Public profiles block the discovery ports required for the WF-2960 to announce its scanning capabilities to the local network.
• Assign a Static IP: Access the printer's Web Config page by entering its IP address in a browser. Navigate to Network Settings > TCP/IP. Change the IP address assignment from "Auto/DHCP" to "Manual." Assign an IP address high in your range (e.g., 192.168.1.200) to prevent IP conflicts and ensure the scanning software never loses the connection.
• Disable WSD Scanning: If you are on Windows, go to "Devices and Printers," right-click the WF-2960, and select "Remove Device." Then, instead of letting Windows "find" the printer, use the Epson Scan 2 Utility to manually map the device by IP. This bypasses the unreliable Windows Scan-and-Print discovery service.

Heads Up

• Avoid USB-to-Network Mix-ups: Never have the printer connected via USB while attempting to configure network scanning; the software often prioritizes the USB port and will disable network polling.
• Firmware Updates: Periodically check the printer's "Firmware Update" section in the on-screen menu. Outdated firmware on the WF-2960 can cause intermittent drops in the WSD protocol.
• Sleep Mode Issues: If the printer has been in "Deep Sleep" for several hours, the network card may power down. Wake the printer using the physical power button before launching the scan software.
• Router Frequency: Ensure your computer and printer are on the same subnet. If your router has separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands with "Guest Mode" enabled, the printer (which typically uses 2.4GHz) may be isolated from your computer.