Canon Printer Not Scanning? Troubleshoot Scanning Problems

If your Canon Printer Not Scanning, the problem may be with the scanner connection, Canon’s scanning software, the scanner driver, USB or Wi-Fi communication, or the way the scan is being started. A printer can continue printing normally while its scanning function stops working.

The quickest way to find the cause is to first determine whether the computer can see the scanner. If it cannot, focus on the connection and driver. If the scanner is detected but scanning still fails, the problem is more likely related to Canon’s scan utility, application settings, or the operating system.

Quick Diagnosis: Start Here

What you’re seeing	Start here
The printer does not respond when you press Scan	Go to Fix 1
Your computer cannot find the Canon scanner	Go to Fix 2
The scanner works over USB but not Wi-Fi	Go to Fix 3
The printer is connected by USB but scanning does not start	Go to Fix 4
Canon IJ Scan Utility cannot find the scanner	Go to Fix 5
Scanning stopped after changing Wi-Fi or router	Go to Fix 6
Scanning stopped after a Windows or macOS update	Go to Fix 7
The scanner is detected but the scan fails	Go to Fix 8
Printing works but scanning does not	Go to Fix 9
Nothing fixes the scanning problem	Go to Fix 10

Why This Happens

Scanning depends on more than the printer itself.

Common causes include:

• The scanner is not properly connected to the computer
• A USB connection is going through a hub or problematic port
• The printer and computer are no longer on the same network
• Canon scanning software is not installed
• The scanner driver is missing or incorrectly installed
• The wrong scanner is selected in the scanning application
• Network scanner selection has been lost
• Firewall or security software is interfering with network scanning
• Canon scan software is not running when a scan is initiated from the printer
• An operating-system update has affected the scanner driver or scanning software
• The printer is available for printing but its scanner component is not correctly configured

Canon uses different scanning software and drivers across its printer families, so the exact names and menus can vary between models.

Fix 1: Make Sure the Printer Is Ready to Scan

Start with the printer itself.

Check the display for:

• Error messages
• Paper jams
• Open covers
• Ink or other hardware errors
• Network connection warnings

Clear any active printer error first.

Then make sure the document is positioned correctly on the scanner glass or automatic document feeder, depending on what you are using.

If you are trying to start scanning from the printer’s physical Scan button, remember that some Canon models and operating-system combinations require Canon’s scanning software to be running on the computer first.

Canon’s current Mac documentation, for example, notes that some USB-connected models require IJ Scan Utility to be launched before initiating a scan from the product. The exact behaviour varies by model and operating system.

If the printer is ready but nothing happens when you start the scan, continue to Fix 2.

Fix 2: Check Whether Your Computer Detects the Scanner

Before changing scan settings, find out whether the computer actually recognizes the scanner.

If the scanner does not appear to the operating system or scanning application, the problem is likely to be connection, driver or device-selection related.

For Canon multifunction printers, the scanner driver is installed separately as part of the relevant Canon software package on supported models. Canon documentation also notes that a correctly installed network or USB scanner driver should appear in the appropriate Windows scanner/device area.

If your computer cannot see the scanner:

1. Turn the Canon printer off.
2. Wait a few seconds.
3. Turn it back on.
4. Restart the computer.
5. Check the scanning application again.

If the scanner is still missing, continue to the connection-specific fixes below.

Fix 3: Check the USB Connection

If your Canon printer is connected to the computer by USB, inspect the connection before reinstalling anything.

Try these steps:

1. Disconnect the USB cable from the computer.
2. Reconnect it directly to the computer.
3. If you are using a USB hub, remove the hub and connect the printer directly.
4. Try another USB port on the computer.
5. Restart the printer and computer.
6. Try scanning again.

Canon’s scanner troubleshooting documentation specifically recommends connecting the scanner directly rather than through a USB hub and trying another USB port if the scanner is not recognized.

If printing works over USB but scanning does not, continue to Fix 5 because the scanner driver or Canon scan software may be the problem.

Fix 4: Check USB Scanning from the Computer

Some Canon models do not support starting a scan from the printer’s physical Scan button under particular operating-system or USB configurations.

In those cases, start the scan directly from the computer using the Canon scanning application or supported scanner driver.

Canon’s current Mac documentation includes models where USB scanning from the device button is not available and recommends starting the scan from the computer instead.

If scanning works from the computer but not from the printer’s physical button, the scanner itself may be working correctly. The issue may instead be related to the push-scan function, operating-system restrictions or the software configuration.

Fix 5: Check Canon IJ Scan Utility and the Scanner Driver

For many Canon inkjet multifunction printers, IJ Scan Utility is the software used to scan documents and photos.

If the scanner is detected but the scan does not start, check that the appropriate Canon software and scanner driver are installed.

If IJ Scan Utility is missing or cannot communicate with the printer:

1. Check Canon’s support page for your exact printer model.
2. Download the current compatible scanner software/driver for your operating system.
3. Install it.
4. Restart the computer if requested.
5. Open the Canon scanning application.
6. Select the correct Canon scanner if prompted.
7. Try scanning again.

Canon’s documentation identifies IJ Scan Utility as the application used for scanning on supported models and notes that the scanner driver also needs to be installed.

If the scanner was previously working and suddenly disappeared from the scanning application, reinstalling the appropriate Canon software can also rebuild the scanner configuration.

Fix 6: Recheck the Network Connection

If your Canon printer scans over Wi-Fi or another network connection, make sure the printer and computer are still communicating with the same network.

This is particularly important if you recently:

• Changed your Wi-Fi password
• Replaced your router
• Changed your Wi-Fi network name
• Moved the printer to another network
• Changed network equipment
• Reconfigured your home or office network

A printer can sometimes continue to appear available for printing while scanning software loses its connection to the scanner.

Reconnect the printer to the correct network and then restart both the printer and computer.

For Canon network scanning configurations, the scanner may also need to be selected or registered in Canon’s network-scanning software. Canon documentation describes selecting the scanner and testing the connection when using network scanning.

Fix 7: Check After a Windows or macOS Update

If scanning stopped immediately after an operating-system update, check Canon’s support page for your exact printer model and operating system before assuming the scanner has failed.

Drivers and scanning applications can be affected by operating-system changes.

This is particularly relevant for Windows 11. Canon has documented a specific MF Scan Utility scanning problem affecting Windows 11 version 24H2 on certain compatible models. Canon’s documented solution involves applying the relevant Windows update/patch and reinstalling the MF drivers where applicable. Canon

For other Canon models, the required driver or software can be different.

So don’t install a random scanner driver. Search Canon support using your exact printer model and select the software that matches your operating system.

Fix 8: Check Which Scanner Is Selected

If you have more than one scanner or a Canon printer that has both USB and network scanning configurations, the scanning application may be trying to use the wrong device.

Open your scanning application and check the selected scanner.

For Canon network-scanning environments, Canon’s documentation explains that the scanner must be selected before use. The scanner can be discovered on the network or, where supported, selected using its IP address or host name.

If the wrong scanner is selected:

1. Open the scanner-selection option.
2. Look for your Canon printer.
3. Select the correct device.
4. If available, test the connection.
5. Start a new scan.

If the Canon scanner does not appear at all, go back to Fix 3 or Fix 6 depending on whether you are using USB or network scanning.

Fix 9: Reinstall the Canon Scanner Software

If printing works normally but scanning remains unavailable, reinstalling the Canon scanner software can help separate a printer-side problem from a software problem.

First remove the relevant Canon scanner software/driver according to your operating system and model instructions.

Then:

1. Restart the computer.
2. Download the correct Canon software for your exact printer.
3. Install the scanner driver and scanning utility.
4. Reconnect the printer if the installer asks you to.
5. Open the scanning application.
6. Check that the Canon scanner is selected.
7. Perform a test scan.

Canon’s troubleshooting guidance for an unrecognized scanner includes uninstalling and reinstalling the scanner driver when the scanner is not correctly listed in the application.

Avoid using a driver intended for a different Canon model simply because it has a similar product name.

Fix 10: Try Scanning Again With a Simple Document

If the scanner is detected but scanning still fails, simplify the test.

Place a single sheet of paper on the scanner glass and try a basic scan using the default settings.

Avoid testing with:

• Very high resolution
• Complex image-correction settings
• Large multi-page jobs
• Unusual document sizes
• Advanced scan adjustments

The goal is to determine whether basic scanning works.

If a simple scan succeeds, the scanner itself may be fine and the problem may be related to the particular scan settings, document or application.

If even a basic scan fails after the scanner has been detected and the Canon software has been reinstalled, the problem may require model-specific troubleshooting or service.

How to Prevent Canon Printer Scanning Problems

A few simple practices can reduce scanning problems:

• Keep Canon’s scanner software and drivers compatible with your operating system.
• Avoid unnecessary USB hubs when connecting the printer.
• Keep the printer and computer on the same network when using network scanning.
• After changing your Wi-Fi network, reconfigure the printer’s network connection.
• Use the Canon software intended for your exact printer model.
• Don’t assume that printing and scanning use exactly the same connection or driver.
• If you upgrade Windows or macOS, check Canon’s support page for compatibility.
• If scanning from the printer’s control panel, make sure the required Canon scanning software is running when your model requires it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Canon printer printing but not scanning?

Printing and scanning use different software and drivers, so a printer can print normally while its scanner is not detected or configured correctly. Check the scanner driver, Canon scanning application and connection.

Why is my Canon scanner not detected by my computer?

The most common areas to check are the USB or network connection, scanner driver and scanner selection in the scanning application. If using USB, connect the printer directly rather than through a hub.

Why does my Canon printer scan over USB but not Wi-Fi?

The printer may have lost its network configuration or the computer may no longer be communicating with the scanner over the network. Check that both devices are on the correct network and that the Canon network-scanning configuration is set up correctly.

Why does Canon IJ Scan Utility not find my printer?

The scanner may not be properly connected, the scanner driver may be missing, or the network scanner may not be selected. Check the connection first, then verify the Canon scanner software and device selection.

Why did my Canon scanner stop working after a Windows update?

An operating-system update can affect scanner drivers or Canon scanning software. Check Canon’s support page for your exact model and Windows version. Canon has documented specific Windows 11 24H2 scanning issues for some MF Scan Utility configurations. Canon

Can I scan if my Canon printer is connected by USB?

Yes, on supported models. However, the exact scanning method depends on the printer and operating system. Some Canon models require the scanning application to be launched on the computer before a scan can be initiated from the printer.

Why does my Canon printer scan from the computer but not from the printer?

The scanner itself may be working, while the printer’s push-scan function is not configured or supported in your particular operating-system and connection combination. Check the model-specific Canon instructions for scanning from the device panel.