Canon Printer Won't Scan: Easy Fixes and Troubleshooting Guide

Why Is My Canon Printer Not Scanning?

There can be several reasons why a Canon printer scanner does not work. The printer may not be connected correctly, the computer may not detect the scanner, or the required scanning software may not be installed or configured correctly.

Common causes include:

• Canon printer is not turned on.
• Printer and computer are not connected correctly.
• WiFi connection is unavailable or unstable.
• USB cable is loose or damaged.
• Scanner is not detected by the computer.
• Canon scanner driver is missing or outdated.
• Scanning software is not installed correctly.
• The wrong scanner is selected.
• Another application is using the scanner.
• Printer or computer needs to be restarted.

How to Fix a Canon Printer That Won't Scan

1. Check That the Canon Printer Is Turned On

Make sure the Canon printer is powered on and ready. Check the power cable and make sure the printer display or power indicator is active.

If the printer does not turn on, resolve the power problem before trying to scan a document.

2. Restart the Canon Printer

Restarting the printer can clear temporary communication problems that may prevent the scanner from working correctly.

1. Turn off the Canon printer.
2. Wait several seconds.
3. Turn the printer back on.
4. Wait until the printer finishes starting.
5. Try scanning again.

3. Restart Your Computer

Temporary problems with the operating system or scanning software can prevent the computer from communicating with the scanner.

Restart your Windows computer or Mac and then try scanning again.

4. Check the Scanner Connection

If you are using WiFi, make sure the Canon printer is connected to the correct wireless network and that your computer is connected to the same local network.

If you are using USB, make sure the cable is securely connected to both the Canon printer and computer.

You can review the wireless setup guide here: Canon Printer WiFi Setup.

5. Check the USB Cable

If your Canon printer is connected to the computer using USB, a loose or damaged cable can prevent scanning.

• Disconnect the USB cable.
• Reconnect it securely.
• Try another USB port.
• Check the cable for visible damage.
• Restart the printer and computer.
• Try scanning again.

6. Check Whether the Computer Detects the Scanner

Your computer must recognize the scanner before scanning software can communicate with it.

Check the available printers and scanners in your operating system settings. If the Canon device does not appear, check the WiFi or USB connection and verify that the appropriate Canon software and driver are installed.

7. Check the Canon Scanner Driver

A scanner driver allows the operating system and scanning applications to communicate with the Canon scanner.

If the driver is missing, outdated, or incorrectly installed, the scanner may not work correctly.

Check your exact Canon printer model and use the manufacturer's official resources when downloading the appropriate software and drivers.

8. Check the Scanning Software

Canon scanning software can be used to start scans and configure scanning settings. If the software is missing or cannot detect the scanner, scanning may not work.

Make sure the appropriate scanning application for your Canon printer model is installed and configured correctly.

9. Select the Correct Scanner

If more than one printer or scanner is installed on your computer, the scanning application may be using the wrong device.

Open the scanning application and check the selected scanner. Select your Canon printer or scanner and try scanning again.

10. Check the Document Placement

Make sure the document or photo is placed correctly on the scanner glass or in the document feeder, depending on your Canon printer model.

Keep the scanner glass clean and make sure the document is positioned according to the printer's instructions.

Canon Printer Won't Scan on Windows

If your Canon printer does not scan on Windows, first check the printer connection and make sure Windows can detect the scanner.

1. Turn on the Canon printer.
2. Check the WiFi or USB connection.
3. Make sure the printer is connected to the correct network.
4. Check Windows printer and scanner settings.
5. Confirm that the Canon scanner is detected.
6. Check the Canon scanner driver.
7. Open the scanning application.
8. Select the correct scanner.
9. Try scanning a test document.

Canon Printer Won't Scan on Mac

If your Canon printer will not scan on a Mac, check the printer connection and make sure the scanner is available to macOS.

1. Turn on the Canon printer.
2. Check the WiFi or USB connection.
3. Make sure the Mac is connected to the correct network.
4. Check the printer and scanner settings.
5. Verify that the Canon scanner is detected.
6. Check the required Canon software.
7. Select the correct scanner.
8. Restart the printer and Mac.
9. Try scanning again.

Canon Printer Connected to WiFi but Won't Scan

A Canon printer may be connected to WiFi but still fail to scan if the computer cannot communicate with the scanner.

Make sure the printer and computer are connected to the same local network. Restart the printer, computer, and router if necessary.

If the printer cannot connect to WiFi, see: Canon Printer Won't Connect to WiFi .

Canon Printer Won't Scan Over USB

If scanning does not work through USB, check the cable and USB port. Disconnect and reconnect the cable and try another USB port if available.

Restart the printer and computer, then check whether the scanner appears in the computer's printer and scanner settings.

Canon Printer Scanner Not Detected

If the computer cannot find the Canon scanner, check the physical or wireless connection first.

Then check whether the required Canon scanner driver and software are installed correctly.

If you recently changed your WiFi network or router, reconnect the printer to the current network before trying to scan again.

Canon IJ Scan Utility Not Working

If Canon IJ Scan Utility does not detect your scanner, check the connection between the printer and computer. Make sure the correct Canon printer or scanner is selected and that the required scanner software is installed.

Restarting the printer and computer can also help clear temporary software or communication problems.

Canon Printer Scans but Does Not Save the File

If the scanner completes the scan but the file is not saved correctly, check the selected save location and file format in the scanning software.

Make sure the computer has enough available storage and that the selected folder can be accessed by the scanning application.

Canon Printer Scanning Checklist

Related Canon Printer Troubleshooting Guides

• Canon Printer WiFi Setup
• Canon Printer Offline
• Canon Printer Won't Connect to WiFi
• Canon Printer Not Printing
• Canon Printer Not Connecting to Computer

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Canon printer not scanning?

A Canon printer may not scan because of a connection problem, missing scanner driver, incorrect scanner selection, scanning software problem, or communication issue between the printer and computer.

Why is my Canon printer connected but not scanning?

Check whether the printer and computer are connected to the same network. Also verify that the scanner is detected and that the appropriate Canon scanning software and driver are installed.

Why is my Canon scanner not detected by my computer?

Check the WiFi or USB connection and restart both devices. If the scanner is still not detected, check the scanner driver and Canon scanning software.

Why won't my Canon printer scan to my computer?

Make sure the printer is connected correctly, the computer can detect the scanner, and the correct scanning application and scanner are selected.

Why is Canon IJ Scan Utility not detecting my printer?

Check the printer connection, scanner selection, and installed Canon scanning software. Restart the printer and computer and try again.

Why won't my Canon printer scan over WiFi?

Make sure the printer and computer are connected to the same network. Check the wireless connection and scanner settings, then restart the printer and computer.

Why won't my Canon printer scan over USB?

Check the USB cable and USB port. Reconnect the cable, try another USB port, restart the printer and computer, and check whether the scanner driver is installed correctly.

What should I do if my Canon printer still won't scan?

Check the printer connection, scanner detection, driver, scanning software, document placement, and scanner settings. If the problem continues, consult the documentation and support resources for your specific Canon printer model.