If a Canon all-in-one still prints but will not scan, the printer hardware is usually not the problem. Scanning uses separate Canon software and scan drivers, so a print driver can work while IJ Scan Utility or the scanner driver is missing or broken.
Does this affect you?
Use this guide if the computer cannot detect the Canon scanner, IJ Scan Utility does not list it, or scanning fails while printing still works.
Reinstall Canon scanning software
This fixes many scanner-only problems because the scan driver is separate from the print driver.
- Go to Canon Support and search the exact model number.
- Download the full driver package, MP Drivers, scan driver, and IJ Scan Utility if listed separately.
- Uninstall existing Canon software from Windows Apps or remove Canon apps from Applications on Mac.
- Restart the computer, then install the fresh Canon package.
- Open IJ Scan Utility and confirm the printer appears under scanner selection.
Use the operating system scan tool
This is a useful workaround and helps identify whether Canon software or the connection is the problem.
- On Windows, open Windows Fax and Scan, click New Scan, and choose the Canon device.
- On Mac, open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, choose the Canon printer, and click Open Scanner if available.
- If the built-in tool also cannot see the scanner, check that the printer is powered on and added with scanning support, not only as a basic printer.
If Windows or macOS scanning works but Canon software does not, reinstall or reset the Canon utilities rather than troubleshooting the hardware.
More control
USB scanner not detected
Try another USB port directly on the computer and another cable if available. Scanning moves more data than basic printing, so a marginal cable can show up only during scans.
Wi-Fi scanner not found
Print a network configuration page and confirm the Canon printer has an IP address on the same network as the computer. Guest networks and separated Wi-Fi bands can block discovery.
Start Windows Image Acquisition
On Windows, open services.msc, find Windows Image Acquisition (WIA), and start it if stopped. Scanning depends on that service.
Sources
- Canon Support – Cannot Scan / Scanner Not Detected (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Scan a document or picture in Windows (2025)
- Apple Support – Scan documents and photos on Mac (2025)