Canon Printer Won't Scan? 12 Easy Fixes for Windows & Mac

Is your Canon printer not scanning even though it prints documents without any problems? A scanner that suddenly stops working can interrupt everyday tasks, especially when you need to scan documents, photographs, receipts, or important paperwork.

You may encounter problems such as Canon printer won't scan to computer, Canon scanner not detected, Canon IJ Scan Utility not working, or Canon printer won't scan over WiFi. These errors can occur on Windows 11, Windows 10, and Mac computers.

Scanner problems often result from connection failures, incorrect scanner selection, outdated software, missing permissions, or temporary communication errors.

This guide explains why your Canon printer won't scan and provides twelve practical troubleshooting methods to restore scanning functionality.

Quick Fix: Restart your Canon printer and computer, confirm the USB or Wi-Fi connection, open the correct scanning application, and check whether your scanner is detected. If scanning still fails, review compatible scanner drivers and software.

Why Is My Canon Printer Not Scanning?

There are several reasons why a Canon printer may print successfully but fail to scan.

• Canon scanner disconnected from the computer.
• Printer and computer connected to different networks.
• Incorrect scanner selected in the scanning application.
• Canon IJ Scan Utility unable to detect the scanner.
• Missing or incompatible scanner drivers.
• Scanner permissions disabled in the operating system.
• USB cable or port communication problems.
• Firewall or network discovery restrictions.
• Outdated printer firmware or scanning software.
• Temporary errors in the printer or computer.

Some Canon printers support printing only, while multifunction models include scanning capabilities. Confirm that your specific Canon model supports the scanning feature you are trying to use.

How to Fix Canon Printer Won't Scan: 12 Easy Solutions

1. Restart Your Canon Printer and Computer

Temporary software or communication errors can prevent a scanner from responding correctly.

1. Close any open scanning applications.
2. Turn off your Canon printer.
3. Restart your Windows computer or Mac.
4. Turn the printer back on.
5. Wait until the printer completes startup.
6. Open your scanning application and try again.

If the scanner begins working after a restart, the problem may have been caused by a temporary communication issue.

2. Check Your Canon Printer's USB Connection

If your Canon printer is connected through USB, inspect the cable and connection ports.

1. Disconnect the USB cable from both devices.
2. Inspect the cable for visible damage.
3. Reconnect it securely.
4. Try another compatible USB port if available.
5. Avoid unreliable USB hubs during troubleshooting.
6. Open the scanning application and test the scanner.

If possible, try another compatible USB cable to rule out a cable problem.

3. Check the Canon Printer Wi-Fi Connection

If your Canon printer won't scan over WiFi, make sure the printer is connected to the correct wireless network.

Check the printer's network status using its control panel or supported network information report.

Confirm that your computer and printer can communicate over the same local network. Guest Wi-Fi networks sometimes prevent connected devices from discovering one another.

If the printer has lost its wireless connection, reconnect it using the setup method supported by your Canon model.

For detailed wireless troubleshooting, read our Canon Printer Not Connecting to WiFi guide.

4. Select the Correct Canon Scanner

Some computers have multiple scanner entries, especially when a printer has been installed more than once.

If the scanning application selects an outdated or unavailable scanner, the scan may fail.

1. Open your scanning application.
2. Locate the scanner or device selection option.
3. Check the available Canon scanner entries.
4. Select the currently connected scanner.
5. Confirm that the correct connection method is selected if required.
6. Try scanning a document.

For network scanning, some Canon software provides a separate scanner selection utility. Its availability depends on your printer model and software package.

5. Check Canon IJ Scan Utility

Canon IJ Scan Utility is a scanning application available for certain compatible Canon printer models.

If Canon IJ Scan Utility is not working, first confirm that the correct scanner is selected and that your device is connected.

1. Open Canon IJ Scan Utility if installed.
2. Check the scanner selection.
3. Confirm that the printer is powered on.
4. Check the USB or wireless connection.
5. Choose the appropriate document or photo scan option.
6. Try scanning again.

If the application cannot detect your scanner, check whether your model requires IJ Scan Utility, IJ Scan Utility Lite, ScanGear, or another supported scanning application.

Not every Canon scanner uses the same software.

6. Fix Canon Scanner Not Working on Windows 11

If your Canon scanner is not working on Windows 11, check whether Windows recognizes the device.

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Bluetooth & devices.
3. Choose Printers & scanners.
4. Check whether your Canon device appears.
5. Confirm that it is connected and available.
6. Open Windows Scan or another compatible scanning application.
7. Select your scanner and attempt a test scan.

Windows Scan may need to be installed separately, and not every scanner supports every Windows scanning application.

If the scanner does not appear, check compatible drivers and Canon scanning software for your exact model.

7. Fix Canon Printer Not Scanning on Windows 10

Canon scanner problems on Windows 10 can occur when the scanner is not properly installed or the scanning application cannot communicate with it.

1. Open Windows Settings.
2. Select Devices.
3. Choose Printers & scanners.
4. Check whether your Canon printer is listed.
5. Open a compatible scanning application.
6. Select the correct scanner.
7. Try scanning a test document.

If the scanner remains unavailable, review its USB or Wi-Fi connection and install compatible scanning software if required.

8. Fix Canon Printer Won't Scan on Mac

If your Canon printer won't scan on Mac, the problem may involve scanner detection, permissions, or software compatibility.

1. Open the Apple menu.
2. Select System Settings.
3. Choose Printers & Scanners.
4. Select your Canon multifunction printer.
5. Look for an available scanning option.
6. Alternatively, open Image Capture if the scanner is supported.
7. Select your scanner and try scanning.

Some compatible Canon scanners work through macOS Image Capture, while others require Canon's scanning software.

On older macOS versions, printer and scanner settings may appear under System Preferences.

9. Update or Reinstall Canon Scanner Drivers

Scanner drivers allow your operating system and scanning application to communicate with your Canon device.

If the driver is missing, damaged, or incompatible, scanning may fail even when printing works.

1. Find your exact Canon printer model number.
2. Check your Windows or macOS version.
3. Visit Canon's official regional website.
4. Locate compatible scanner drivers or software.
5. Download the recommended package if available.
6. Follow the installation instructions.
7. Restart the computer if required.
8. Try scanning again.

Some scanners use built-in operating system support and do not require a separate driver. Always check the supported installation method for your model.

10. Check Firewall and Security Permissions

Network scanning may fail when security software or network settings block communication between the computer and scanner.

Check whether the printer and computer can communicate on the local network.

Review application permissions and any security notifications related to your scanning software.

On macOS, compatible scanning applications may require access to devices on the local network.

Do not permanently disable your firewall or antivirus software to troubleshoot scanning. Instead, review trusted application permissions and follow the software provider's guidance.

11. Check Scanner Glass, Document Feeder, and Error Messages

Sometimes a scanner appears to be malfunctioning because the document is incorrectly positioned or the printer has a mechanical error.

1. Open the scanner lid if your model has a flatbed scanner.
2. Place the document correctly on the scanner glass.
3. Close the lid gently.
4. If using an automatic document feeder, check for paper jams.
5. Inspect the printer display for error messages.
6. Resolve any indicated errors.
7. Try scanning again.

Follow the cleaning and maintenance instructions for your specific model. Avoid applying liquids directly to scanner components.

12. Remove and Reinstall the Scanner Connection

If your Canon printer still won't scan, the scanner configuration may be outdated or damaged.

Removing and adding the device again can sometimes restore communication.

On Windows:

1. Open Printers & scanners.
2. Select the affected Canon device.
3. Remove the device if appropriate.
4. Restart your computer.
5. Reconnect the printer using USB or Wi-Fi.
6. Add the printer or scanner again.
7. Install supported software if required.
8. Test the scanning function.

On Mac:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Select Printers & Scanners.
3. Remove the affected Canon device if necessary.
4. Choose the option to add a printer or scanner.
5. Select your Canon device.
6. Complete setup using a compatible method.
7. Open Image Capture or supported Canon scanning software.
8. Try scanning again.

Removing a device may also remove saved settings or pending print jobs. Check your configuration before proceeding.

Canon Printer Won't Scan to Computer: What Should You Check?

If your Canon printer prints normally but will not scan to your computer, identify whether the problem occurs when scanning from the computer or when starting a scan from the printer's control panel.

These workflows may use different software and network communication methods.

Scanning from the computer: Open a supported scanning application, select the scanner, and start the scan from the computer.

Scanning from the printer: Select the supported scan-to-computer option on the printer, if available. The destination computer may need to be configured through compatible Canon software.

Some Canon models require a network scanner selector or background utility for scans initiated from the printer's control panel.

Check your printer's model-specific instructions before changing advanced settings.

Canon Printer Scanning Troubleshooting Table

Use this quick table to identify the most relevant checks for your scanning problem.

Scanning Problem	What to Check
Canon printer won't scan	Connection, scanner selection, software
Canon scanner not working Windows 11	Scanner detection and compatible drivers
Canon printer not scanning Windows 10	Device setup and scanning application
Canon printer won't scan on Mac	Image Capture, permissions, compatibility
Canon IJ Scan Utility not working	Correct scanner and supported software
Canon printer won't scan over WiFi	Local network and scanner discovery
Canon scanner not detected	USB, Wi-Fi, drivers, device configuration
Canon printer won't scan to computer	Destination settings and scanning utility

How to Prevent Canon Scanner Problems

Once your Canon scanner starts working again, follow these practices to reduce future scanning errors.

• Keep your scanner connected to a stable USB or Wi-Fi network.
• Use compatible Canon scanning software.
• Install supported operating system and scanner updates.
• Keep scanner glass clean using model-approved methods.
• Remove jammed documents carefully.
• Check scanner selection after changing computers or routers.
• Avoid unnecessary changes to security and network settings.
• Restart your printer when temporary communication problems occur.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Canon printer not scanning but printing works?

Printing and scanning may use different drivers, applications, and network services. Your printer may print successfully while scanning fails because of missing scanner software, incorrect scanner selection, or communication problems.

How do I fix my Canon printer that won't scan?

Restart the printer and computer, verify the USB or Wi-Fi connection, select the correct scanner, and test with a compatible scanning application. Check scanner software and drivers if the problem continues.

Why is Canon IJ Scan Utility not detecting my scanner?

The selected scanner may be unavailable, disconnected, or unsupported by the installed utility. Check the connection, scanner selection, and compatible software for your exact Canon model.

How do I fix Canon scanner not working on Windows 11?

Check whether the scanner is recognized in Windows, verify its connection, and try a compatible scanning application. Install supported scanner software if needed.

Why won't my Canon printer scan on Mac?

Common causes include scanner detection problems, unsupported software, missing permissions, or network connection issues. Try Image Capture or a supported Canon scanning application.

Can I scan wirelessly with my Canon printer?

Yes, if your Canon multifunction printer supports wireless scanning. Connect it to a compatible network, configure supported scanning software, and select the correct scanner.

Why is my Canon scanner not detected by my computer?

Your scanner may not be detected because of a USB problem, Wi-Fi connection issue, missing driver, incompatible software, or incorrect device configuration.

Do I need Canon IJ Scan Utility to scan documents?

Not always. Some Canon models use IJ Scan Utility or IJ Scan Utility Lite, while others support ScanGear, Windows scanning applications, or macOS Image Capture. The correct method depends on your model.

Should I reset my Canon printer if scanning stops working?

A reset should not be your first step. Check connections, software, scanner selection, and error messages before considering a model-specific reset procedure.

Related Canon Printer Troubleshooting Guides

If your Canon printer also has installation or connectivity problems, explore these related guides:

• Canon Printer Offline: Fixes for Windows and Mac
• Canon Printer Not Connecting to WiFi: 12 Fixes
• How to Install Canon Printer to Computer

Visit the Know Kase Know homepage for more practical technology troubleshooting articles.

Final Thoughts

If your Canon printer won't scan on Windows 11, Windows 10, or Mac, start by checking the connection and confirming that your scanning application recognizes the correct device.

For wireless scanning problems, verify the local network and printer discovery settings. If the scanner is detected but still fails, review compatible drivers, scanning applications, and device permissions.

Most scanner problems can be investigated without resetting the entire printer. Follow the setup and troubleshooting instructions for your specific Canon model to restore reliable scanning.