Scan to computer: Canon MF443dw to MacBook Air - wifi network

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Scan to computer: Canon MF443dw to MacBook Air - wifi network

Hello,

I have a wireless network (dlink router) to connect a Canon MF430dw multi-function printer and a MacBook (Air early 2015 with macOS Big Sur latest updates) plus other devices (like iPhones and Windows laptops) which all work fine.

The print works every time between the 2 devices and I can also scan, using the Canon MF Scan Utility (or macOS Image Capture) on the MacBook. But most of the time when I try to scan from the MF menu (Scan to -> Computer -> MacBook) I get an error message ("there was an error") and sometimes the printer doesn't display the Mac at all (even though the Windows laptops are there and I can scan to them); some of the times it works without a problem but most of the times it doesn't - I can't pinpoint the problem, because nothing I have tried (reconnecting to the wifi, turned off wifi altogether and turning it on afterwards, software restarting the MF, turning it off and back on, restarting the router) offered a fix, not even a temporary one. There is a connection between the 2, because I see the laptop in MF menu (or I can print, even though I can't see the Mac on the MF).

I have absolutely no problems when I am on Windows (either through Bootcamp on the same laptop or a different laptop) so my thought is that the problem is with macOS rather than the Canon MF.

Any thoughts?

Posted on Mar 26, 2021 3:32 AM

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Answer 1

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VikingOSX

Level 10

123,626 points

Mar 26, 2021 3:55 AM in response to Leonard MC

You have a couple of choices with the i-SENSYS MF443dw. As a networked device, Apple's built-in AirPrint drivers support it without any Canon drivers or MF Scan Utility required. Or, Canon as of 3 Mar 2021, released a full suite of driver updates for this device, which they claim support through macOS 11.2.1. Inherent may be updates to the MF Scan Utility.

Whether you choose the AirPrint route or download the updated Canon drivers, you will need to re-add the MF443dw in order to assign the driver change to the device. You do this by visiting the customary System Preferences > Printers & Scanners panel, and right-clicking on the device entry, and choosing Reset printing system… from the secondary menu.

The MF443dw will be temporarily removed from the Printers listing, and a Bonjour panel will appear indicating that it has discovered this MFP on your network. Click that entry, and proceed to the re-add panel, where you have either the choice of AirPrint or the specific Canon drivers for the MF443dw device. You then re-add the device and test print/scan.

At this point, you should have print and scan functionality provided by either driver choice, with AirPrint supporting Image Capture. However, the installation of the Canon software could adversely impact the behavior of Apple's AirPrint functionality. Perhaps not.

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Answer 2

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,626 points

Mar 26, 2021 9:46 AM in response to Leonard MC

Are you setting the IP address on that printer via DHCP which would potentially change it every time the computer, router, or printer were powered off/on?

As I mentioned, I set up a normal DHCP assignment range of n.n.n.50 - 75 and then set reserved (static) DHCP addresses (e.g. n.n.n.10 - 15) for my laser printer, the Synology DiskStation, and other devices that I don't want the IP address changing.

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Answer 3

Leonard MC Author

Level 1

12 points

Mar 26, 2021 7:00 AM in response to VikingOSX

Tried some things:

First of all I have removed every piece of Canon software from the Mac, I downloaded and installed the files (UFR II/UFRII LT Printer Driver & Utilities for Macintosh V10.19.8 [Mac OS : 10.11.6 - 11.2.1] and Scanner Driver & Utilities for Macintosh V2.15.7 [Mac OS : 10.11.6 - 11.2.1]).

I added the device as a network device (before every single change I reset the printing system to assure there aren't any conflicts); with every protocol - AirPrint, IPP, LPD - it's the same: I can scan from Mac, but I get "error" when I want to scan from MF to computer -> Mac.
I added the device with Bonjour, trying every single use: Secure AirPrint, AirPrint, Cannon MF440 and Cannon MF440 CARPS2 - the same result: If I scan from the Mac, it's OK, but when I scan from MF to computer, I get the "error".

All that time I am able to scan all right to a Windows computer and every single time I can print from Mac.

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Answer 4

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,626 points

Mar 26, 2021 8:00 AM in response to Leonard MC

Do not assume that the Windows drivers provided by Canon share anything in common with their Mac software/driver counterparts. functionality. Something's going on, but as I don't have the MF443dw, I cannot test here. Did you reboot your Mac, and attempt to again print?

I am using a different vendor's laser printer via AirPrint, and do not use a 0 network number for the reserved DHCP static address for the printer.

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Answer 5

Leonard MC Author

Level 1

12 points

Mar 26, 2021 8:39 AM in response to VikingOSX

I only tested on a Windows device to be sure it's a macOS related issue.

Yes, rebooting the Mac fixed the problem for a few minutes: I was able to scan to Mac from the MF but now - 1h later, after I have used the Mac just as usually do - the problem is back.

"do not use a 0 network number for the reserved DHCP static address for the printer"

I will change the sub-network address (even though I see no logic in that).

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Answer 6

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,626 points

Mar 26, 2021 9:19 AM in response to Leonard MC

The non-zero sub-net number is just a wag, but in 30+ years in the computer industry, customer sites, and my own home network, I have not seen instances where a zero sub-net value was used for LAN segments. That does not mean it will not work but just that it resides outside of most comfort zones.

Why you are having persistent issues with print/scan after it was working for a while remains a puzzle.

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Answer 7

Leonard MC Author

Level 1

12 points

Mar 26, 2021 9:29 AM in response to VikingOSX

You are of course right with the 0 (it was a router's default and I didn't bother to change it).

I noticed that every time I change the IP, the problem gets fixed (for a while at least) - I will get back to the issue Monday morning; something blocks all of a sudden the communication from the MF to my Mac and it's not the firewall.

Thanks for your input so far; if you think of anything else, please share it with me :)!

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Answer 8

Leonard MC Author

Level 1

12 points

Mar 26, 2021 10:54 AM in response to VikingOSX

I have set both of the printers to get the IP through DHCP but the the router assigns them a fixed IP every time (100 and 110) - the IP doesn't change unless I change it.

I noticed something: right after I change the IP in the router and both the MF and my laptop get the new IPs, scan to computer works fine; I am yet to test what happens a few minutes (maybe an hour) later.

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Scan to computer: Canon MF443dw to MacBook Air - wifi network

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