Canon scanning on inkjet models uses the IJ Scan Utility, installed with the printer driver package. Canon's guide says to make sure the printer is on, place the item on the scanner glass, start IJ Scan Utility and click Auto, and the utility detects the item type and scans. Canon warns that some items may not scan correctly with Auto: photos with a whitish background, items printed on white paper, hand-written text and business cards, and very thin or thick items; for those adjust the cropping frames in the whole image view of ScanGear and scan again, or choose Document or Photo instead of Auto.
Use the Settings dialog to choose where scans save and advanced options. If the utility cannot find the printer, check the printer is on the same network as the computer or connected by USB,
The checks in more detail
re-run the network scan settings (Canon's article lists them for TR and TS models), reinstall the driver package, which reinstalls IJ Scan Utility, and allow the app through the firewall. On Mac use IJ Scan Utility Lite or Canon's scan tools. For scan quality, clean the glass and lid backing with a soft lint-free cloth, and place the original face down at the alignment mark. Canon PRINT on phones can scan too.
Update the drivers. imageCLASS models scan to network folders or email through the touch screen. Keep a lint-free cloth near the printer and wipe the glass every few weeks. Most scanner faults that look like software turn out to be a dirty glass, the wrong scan mode or the wrong connection. Scan a page at 300 dpi first to test, since very high resolutions take long and can stall on a network connection.
Differential
Likely causes of “Canon printers scanner is not found or scanning fails”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The utility cannot find the printer
What separates it The scan will not start because the utility cannot find the printer
How to confirm Check the network or USB and re-run setup
- 2
An unsuitable Auto scan
What separates it The scan has the wrong crop or is blank because Auto scan is unsuitable
How to confirm Choose Document or Photo, and not Auto, and scan again
- 3
A missing utility
What separates it There is no scan button because the utility is missing
How to confirm Reinstall the driver package, so that the scan utility is installed
- 4
A firewall
What separates it The utility cannot connect because a firewall blocks it
How to confirm Allow the utility in the firewall, and scan again
- 5
A dirty glass
What separates it There are lines or spots on scans because the glass is dirty
How to confirm Clean the glass with a soft cloth, and scan again
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The scan utility that you use and its version
- The type of connection, network or USB
- The item that you are trying to scan
- The exact error message that the utility shows
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedPlace the original
ReversiblePlace the original face down on the glass, lined up with the corner mark, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Open IJ Scan Utility
ReversibleOpen IJ Scan Utility, and choose Auto, Document or Photo, to match your original, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Adjust the frame
ReversibleAdjust the frame for difficult originals, so that the whole page is included, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the connection
ReversibleCheck the connection, whether network or USB, and reconnect it if it is lost, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Reinstall the driver package
ReversibleReinstall the driver package, if the utility is missing from your computer, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Clean the glass
ReversibleClean the glass with a soft cloth, to remove dust and marks, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Scan again
ReversibleScan again, and confirm that the lines and spots have gone, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Laser
- imageCLASS models scan from the touch screen to email or a folder.
- ADF
- Models with a feeder scan stacks through the feeder.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models TS9521C, PIXMA TS6420a, G7020, G6020, GX7021, GX4020, Color imageCLASS LBP632Cdw, imageCLASS MF455dw, Color imageCLASS MF656Cdw.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the utility still cannot find the printer after reinstalling, use USB to test
- !If scans show lines after cleaning, the scan module may need service
- !If copies work but scans do not, the fault is in the connection
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Auto Scan and difficult originals.
Basic scanning.
Network scan settings.
Installing the scan utility.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Which utility does Canon use?+
Canon uses IJ Scan Utility, which is installed with the driver package.
What is Auto scan?+
Auto scan detects the type of item that you place on the glass.
Which items may not scan right?+
White-background photos, hand-written text, thin or thick items.
What can I do then?+
Adjust the cropping frame in ScanGear.
Where do scans save?+
Scans save to the folder that you set in the Settings dialog.
How do I install it?+
You install it with the driver package, from Canon's support site.
Is there a Mac version?+
On a Mac, there is a version called IJ Scan Utility Lite.
Can I scan from a phone?+
Yes, you can scan from a phone, with the Canon PRINT app.