How to Scan a Document from a Lexmark Printer to a Computer: 7-Step Checklist (Plus Lexmark X2670 Cartridge Compatibility)

Use this checklist when you need to get a document off the glass and onto a computer fast. Whether it's a Lexmark printer X2670 at a small office or a networked multifunction unit, the scanning logic is the same. Seven steps in total.

In my role coordinating print and document workflows for B2B clients, I've handled more than 200 rush document jobs in the last six years. The most common call isn't "the printer won't print." It's "I honestly don't know how to scan a document from printer to computer." So here's the exact process I use when a deadline is ticking.

Before you start: Lexmark printer cartridge compatibility chart

The scanner can work with low ink, but if you need to print the scanned file right after, a bad cartridge will make you think the scan failed. Keep this close to the machine:

What most people don't realize is that the X2670 shares cartridges with a few other Lexmark models—but the rest of the lineup is not interchangeable. Check the number on the cartridge before you order. A compatibility chart is faster than a support ticket.

One more thing: if a third-party cartridge says "recyclable," pay attention. The FTC Green Guides (ftc.gov, 16 CFR Part 260) require environmental claims to be substantiated. I use Lexmark's Return Program cartridges on client machines because the recycling program is documented. That's a compliance detail that matters in a B2B environment.

How to scan a document from a Lexmark printer to a computer

Step 1: Connect and power on

Connect the printer to the computer with USB, or make sure it's on the same network. Wait until the panel says Ready. Honestly, half the "scanner not found" issues I see are just people opening software before the printer has finished booting.

Step 2: Load the document correctly

On the flatbed, place the document face down in the top-left corner. In the automatic document feeder, check the diagram printed on the tray—it shows which side faces up. If you load it crooked, the scan will be crooked. Period.

Step 3: Open the scanning software

On Windows, use Windows Scan or Windows Fax and Scan. On Mac, use Image Capture. If you installed Lexmark's full driver package, the Lexmark scan app works too. The key point: the scanner driver has to be installed. Plugging in a USB cable doesn't automatically make a dialog box appear.

Step 4: Set resolution, file type, and color

This is the step most people skip. They hit Scan and accept whatever default the software chose. Then they send a 600 DPI TIFF that's impossible to email.

• 300 DPI for documents you will print, OCR, or archive.
• 200 DPI for internal drafts.
• 600 DPI for photos or tiny text.
• PDF for multi-page documents; JPEG for single images; searchable PDF if you need to copy text.

Step 5: Preview before scanning

Click Preview. Check the page edges, orientation, and straightness. A 5-second preview saves you from scanning a 40-page document upside down. In March 2024, a client needed a 25-page agreement scanned, OCR'd, and submitted in two hours. The first scan looked like a draft because nobody previewed it. We fixed it in ten minutes by changing the resolution and running Preview. Since then, the rule is: no preview, no scan.

Step 6: Scan and save to a deliberate location

Choose a folder, name the file with the client or project name, and wait for the save confirmation before closing the app. If the scanned PDF is huge, go back to Step 4 and drop the resolution or switch to black-and-white.

Step 7: Verify the output file

Open the file. Check page count, orientation, and legibility. It feels like extra work, but output quality is brand quality. A blurry, crooked scan sent to a client says "we don't pay attention to details." The difference between an okay scan and a client-ready scan is just a 30-second check. Do it.

Common mistakes and what to do instead

• Using the wrong cartridge. If the Lexmark X2670 prints light or says "cartridge not recognized," verify the 34/35 numbers before ordering. The compatibility chart above is your friend.
• Scanning at screen resolution. 72 DPI is for web previews, not documents. Use 300 DPI for anything that matters.
• Saving everything as JPEG. Text documents should be PDF. JPEG compression can make text look ragged.
• Skipping driver updates. After a Windows update, the scan button often does nothing. Reinstall the scanner driver before calling support.
• Ignoring scanner glass. Dust and smudges cause vertical streaks. Clean the glass with a lint-free cloth.
• Feeding the ADF wrong. If the pages come out in the wrong order, check the loading diagram on the tray. It's not a software bug.
• Looking for the fix in an online calculator. A "no tax on overtime calculator" is useful for payroll, and a "Starbucks nutrition calculator" is useful for coffee runs. Neither will tell you why your scan came out sideways. Use the checklist.

That's the checklist. Faster scanning isn't about expensive software or a newer printer. It's about settings, preview, and verification. Not exciting. But workable. Use it when someone is waiting on a document and the deadline is closer than you'd like.