Why Is My Canon Printer Scanner Not Working and How to Fix It?

Canon printers are widely known for their reliability and performance, especially when it comes to printing and scanning. But even with the best devices, users sometimes face issues where the Canon printer scanner stops working, becomes unresponsive, or fails to detect documents. If you are struggling with a scanner that won’t scan, won’t connect to your computer, or keeps showing errors, this guide will walk you through every possible cause and solution in simple steps.

Whether you are a home user or running an office setup, scanning issues can slow down your productivity. But don’t worry — most scanning problems happen due to minor software conflicts, corrupted Canon printer drivers, outdated settings, or connectivity failures. This complete troubleshooting guide will help you understand why your Canon scanner is not working and how to fix it quickly.

Common Reasons Why Your Canon Printer Scanner Is Not Working

Several factors may prevent your Canon printer from scanning correctly. Understanding the root cause is the first step to solving the issue.

1. Outdated or Corrupted Canon Printer Drivers

Your scanner relies on proper Canon printer drivers to function smoothly. If the driver is outdated, missing, or corrupted, your computer may fail to detect the scanner.

2. USB or Wi-Fi Connectivity Problems

Loose cables, faulty USB ports, or unstable Wi-Fi networks can interrupt communication between your printer and computer.

3. Scanner Software Glitches

Sometimes the Canon scanning software (IJ Scan Utility / MF Scan Utility) stops responding due to bugs or misconfigured settings.

4. Windows or macOS Update Conflicts

A recent system update can cause compatibility issues with the existing drivers or scanning applications.

5. Firewall or Security Blockage

Antivirus or firewall applications may block the scanning communication channel.

6. Incorrect Scanner Selection

Your PC may be using a different default scanner instead of your Canon device.

7. Internal Printer Errors

Internal firmware errors, locked scanner units, or hardware failures can also stop the scanner from functioning.

How to Fix Canon Printer Scanner Not Working (Step-by-Step Solutions)

Here are the most effective and practical solutions to bring your Canon scanner back to life.

1. Restart the Printer, PC, and Scanner Services

This basic step often resolves temporary glitches.

How to do it:

1. Turn off your Canon printer and unplug it.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Wait for 1–2 minutes.
4. Plug in the printer again and turn it ON.

A clean restart resets the entire scanning system and clears internal memory.

2. Check Connectivity (USB / Wi-Fi)

If using USB:

• Try a different USB port.
• Avoid using USB hubs — connect directly to the PC.
• Replace the USB cable if it feels loose or damaged.

If using Wi-Fi scanning:

• Make sure your Canon printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network.
• Restart your router.
• Check if the printer shows a stable wireless signal on its display.

Unstable connections often break the scanning link.

3. Reinstall or Update Canon Printer Drivers

Faulty or outdated drivers are the major cause of scanning issues. Updating or reinstalling Canon printer drivers ensures proper communication between your devices.

How to update drivers:

Windows:

1. Press Windows + R, type: devmgmt.msc → Enter.
2. Expand Print Queues or Imaging Devices.
3. Right-click your Canon scanner → Update driver.

Manual installation:

You can download the latest drivers directly from the official Canon website for your printer model.

Why this works:

Fresh drivers fix compatibility issues, system conflicts, and scanning failures.

4. Run the Canon IJ Scan Utility / MF Scan Utility

Canon’s official scanning software is required for many models to function properly.

Steps:

• Search for IJ Scan Utility or MF Scan Utility on your PC.
• Open it and check if the scanner is detected.
• Try scanning a document from the software directly.

If the scanner works here but not in other apps, your system settings may be misconfigured.

5. Select the Correct Scanner in Your Computer Settings

Sometimes multiple scanners or previous device entries confuse the system.

Windows:

1. Open Control Panel → Devices & Printers
2. Right-click your Canon printer → Start Scan
3. Ensure it says “Ready”.

macOS:

• Go to System Preferences → Printers & Scanners
• Select your Canon device
• Click Scan.

If the wrong scanner is selected, the computer won’t scan.

6. Allow Scanner Access Through Firewall or Antivirus

Security applications often block scanning services.

How to allow scanner:

1. Open Windows Security
2. Go to Firewall & network protection
3. Click Allow an app through the firewall
4. Enable all Canon-related services.

If using a third-party antivirus, add Canon utilities to the safe list.

7. Fix “Scanner Not Responding” Using Windows Services

The Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service controls scanning.

Follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R → type services.msc
2. Find Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
3. Right-click → Restart
4. Set Startup type: Automatic

If WIA is disabled, your scanner will fail every time.

8. Reinstall the Full Canon Printer Package

Uninstalling the full package removes corrupted files.

Windows:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps
2. Search Canon
3. Uninstall all related software
4. Restart your PC
5. Install the complete package from Canon’s official website

This refreshes everything — drivers, utilities, scanning modules.

9. Check for Firmware Updates

Canon occasionally releases firmware updates to fix bugs and improve connectivity.

Steps:

• Open your printer’s menu
• Navigate to Device Settings → Firmware Update
• Install available updates

This helps especially when the scanner stops working after a Windows/macOS update.

10. Reset Printer to Factory Settings

A last-resort solution if nothing else works.

How to reset:

• Go to Settings → Reset → Restore Default Settings
• Confirm and reboot your printer

This clears software issues and restores normal scanning.

When to Seek Professional Canon Printer Support

If none of the above solutions work, the problem may be due to:

• Damaged scanner sensor
• Internal mechanical jam
• Faulty scanner lamp
• Broken ribbon cable
• Mainboard issues

In such cases, the best option is to contact Canon printer support or a certified technician.

Trying to fix hardware issues at home can worsen the problem.

Preventive Tips to Avoid Future Scanner Problems

• Keep your Canon printer drivers updated regularly
• Avoid sudden power cuts by using a UPS
• Clean the scanner glass frequently
• Do not overload Wi-Fi networks with too many devices
• Use genuine Canon software tools for scanning
• Restart your printer weekly to clear internal memory

These small steps maintain your device’s performance.

Final Thoughts

A non-working scanner can be frustrating, but most Canon scanning issues are due to simple software or connectivity faults — not hardware failures. By following the steps above, you can quickly resolve the problem and get your printer back to scanning smoothly.

From updating Canon printer drivers, checking connections, configuring scanning tools, or performing Canon printer troubleshooting, every solution listed here is beginner-friendly and effective.

If you need help with a specific Canon printer model or want personalized Canon printer support, feel free to ask — I can guide you step by step.