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Canon Printer Won’t Scan? Here’s How to Fix It Quickly

Author: William Smith
by William Smith
Posted: Sep 02, 2025

If your Canon printer won’t scan +1-801-878-6858:, you're not alone. Many users encounter scanning problems with their Canon all-in-one printers—whether it's the PIXMA, MAXIFY, or image CLASS series. This issue can arise due to software glitches, driver problems, connection errors, or misconfigured settings. The good news is that most of these problems can be resolved with a few straightforward troubleshooting steps.

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In this article, we’ll walk you through how to fix a Canon printer not scanning issue on both Windows and macOS devices.

Common Reasons Why Your Canon Printer Won’t Scan

Before diving into solutions, it’s helpful to understand why your Canon printer won’t scan:

  • Outdated or corrupt scanner drivers

  • USB or Wi-Fi connection issues

  • Misconfigured scanning software

  • Firewall or antivirus blocking scanner access

  • Printer not set as the default scanner

  • Compatibility issues after an OS update

Step-by-Step Fixes When Your Canon Printer Won’t Scan 1. Check the Physical Connection

Whether you're using a USB or wireless Canon printer, make sure the connection is stable.

  • For USB: Reconnect the USB cable and try a different port on your computer.

  • For Wi-Fi: Ensure your printer and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

A broken or disconnected cable or being on different networks can often cause your Canon printer not to scan.

2. Restart Devices

Restarting the printer, computer, and router can refresh the connection and fix temporary glitches that may prevent scanning.

  1. Turn off your printer and unplug it.

  2. Restart your computer.

  3. Restart your Wi-Fi router if using a wireless setup.

  4. Plug your printer back in and turn it on.

3. Update or Reinstall Canon Printer Drivers

Driver issues are one of the most common reasons a Canon printer won’t scan. Always use the latest drivers compatible with your operating system.

  • Enter your printer model.

  • Download and install the latest drivers and scanning software.

Windows users: Also check if the WIA (Windows Image Acquisition) service is running. This service enables scanning functionality.

4. Use the Correct Scanning Application

For best results, use Canon’s dedicated software like:

  • IJ Scan Utility for Canon PIXMA and MAXIFY printers

  • MF Scan Utility for imageCLASS printers

Make sure the software detects your printer. If not, reinstall it or re-add the printer in the app settings.

5. Set Your Canon Printer as Default Scanner

Your system may not recognize your Canon printer as the default scanner.

On Windows:

  • Go to Control Panel> Devices and Printers

  • Right-click on your Canon device and choose Set as Default

On Mac:

  • Go to System Preferences> Printers & Scanners

  • Select your Canon printer and check scanning settings

6. Temporarily Disable Firewall or Antivirus

Security software may block your scanner’s communication with your computer. Temporarily disable firewalls or antivirus software and try scanning again. If successful, add an exception for your Canon software in the firewall settings.

7. Run the Scanner Troubleshooter (Windows Only)
  • Go to Settings> Update & Security> Troubleshoot

  • Select Scanner and run the troubleshooter

This tool can identify and fix minor configuration problems automatically.

Bonus Tip: Reset Network Settings

If your Canon wireless printer won’t scan, resetting the network settings on the printer and reconnecting to Wi-Fi can solve the issue. This is especially helpful if you’ve recently changed your Wi-Fi router or network name.

When to Contact Canon Support

If you’ve tried all these steps and your Canon printer still won’t scan, it might be a deeper software or hardware issue. At this point, contacting Canon printer support is recommended. They can walk you through advanced diagnostics or advise if your device needs servicing.

Final Thoughts

A Canon printer not scanning can be frustrating, but it’s rarely a permanent issue. Whether it’s a driver conflict, a connection issue, or a software error, most scanning problems can be resolved with a few quick adjustments. Follow the steps above to troubleshoot the issue efficiently and get your printer scanning again.

About the Author

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Author: William Smith
Professional Member

William Smith

Member since: Jul 14, 2025
Published articles: 99

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