Lack of Canon printer recognition in Ventura 13.1

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Level 1

9 points

Lack of Canon printer recognition in Ventura 13.1

While printing is a very rare occurrence these days, upon actually needing to print a hard copy of a document it was revealed that the (13.1?) update to Ventura on iMac has rendered the old (and non-AirPrint compatible) Canon MX870 unrecognized, though it still appears in the list of printers. Steps to rectify the issue have been:

- reconnect printer to network
- install latest driver available from Canon
- download the Canon IJ Network Tool v.4.7.5 (Mac) to try to recognize/locate the device (it is not identified)
- connect a physical USB cable between the devices
- remove the printer from the list of printers and try to re-add it (the printer does not appear because it is not identified by the computer as on the network or connected via USB)
- add the printer manually using the IP address of the printer (printer can be added to the list, but the computer does not locate/recognize it)
- add the printer manually using the submask of the printer (ibid.)
- restart computer and printer

Is there something else that could/should be attempted? While a clunky and deprecated device, the printer still works very well on the rare occasions when needed.

iMac 27″

Posted on Jan 8, 2023 5:41 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

22,639 points

Jan 9, 2023 12:08 PM in response to seleniumgirl

Hi,

The latest actual printer driver from the Canon U.S.A. site is for OS X 10.11 El Capitan.

The Canon Europe site has a printer driver, but also for up to OS X 10.11 El Capitan only.

https://www.canon-europe.com/support/consumer_products/products/fax__multifunctionals/inkjet/pixma_mx_series/pixma_mx870.html?type=drivers&language=en&os=os%20x%2010.11%20(el%20capitan)

This does not necessarily mean that a few newer system versions cannot be used as well, but that would be entirely experimental. A printing system reset between tests may be needed.

Reset the printing system on your Mac to solve a problem – Apple Support (UK)

Add a printer to your printer list so you can use it on Mac – Apple Support (UK)

Apple's support pages have a Canon Printer Drivers v3.4 for macOS package download. The system requirements indicate a system before macOS 12 (Monterey) only, and anything later would be experimental. For a test, one could look for something like the Canon MX870 series 16.10.0.0 driver listed in the referenced article Printer and scanner drivers for Mac - Apple Support. However, it has also been reported that this download does not open/install properly with macOS 13 Ventura. Similar difficulties have been reported regarding old Samsung printers. The following discussion with a workaround, just as an example, could perhaps be of some interest in this context.

Samsung ML-1860 and latest MacOS - Apple Community

A Canon PIXMA MX870 experimental driver is mentioned on the Gutenprint site. However, it is unclear whether this would be at all compatible with a system like Ventura.

The general recommendation is to download drivers from the printer manufacturer, or from another trustworthy source (such as Apple). Anything else would be at your own risk. Do not download anything from unknown third-party "support" sites (often with misleading names).

As always, make sure that you have backup copies of all important files before testing anything. Software conflicts cannot be ruled out.

If nothing else helps, you may have to look for someone with a Windows PC. A printer driver for up to Windows 10 appears to be available from Canon. You could then transfer PDF files to the PC for printing.

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Answer 2

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

22,639 points

Jan 9, 2023 12:38 PM in response to seleniumgirl

Also, perhaps a workaround? At least according to the following web page, a PIXMA MX870 would be compatible with the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app. So, if you have an iPhone or iPad, and could handle the content of interest via such a device, you may be able to arrange printing that way.

https://www.canon-europe.com/support/consumer_products/pixma_wireless_printing_and_app_compatibility/

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/canon-print-inkjet-selphy/id664425773

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Answer 3

seleniumgirl Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 9, 2023 6:39 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

After repeated attempts to identify or select the printer, the current app from the US Apple Store does not appear to recognize the printer on the network. It does recognize the Bonjour name for scanning, interestingly.

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Answer 4

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

22,639 points

Jan 9, 2023 7:05 PM in response to seleniumgirl

Is the printer using Wi-Fi for the connection to the router? If so, any change if you connect the printer by Ethernet cable to one of the LAN ports of the Wi-Fi router?

Also, you could perhaps try the following power-cycle sequence (with these waiting times; do not forget the router): Power off the Wi-Fi router, the printer, the iPhone/iPad, and all other connected devices/computers. Wait two to three minutes. Power on the router. Wait two to three minutes. Power on the printer. Wait a minute or two. Power on the iPhone/iPad. Finally, power on all other devices/computers.

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Answer 5

seleniumgirl Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 14, 2023 11:45 AM in response to seleniumgirl

An update on this matter: While the printer is connected to the network via WiFi (Ethernet is not an option) and is not locate-able on the network, trialing the classic USB connection provides no recognition of the printer by the iMac. The seemingly excellent Inkjet/Selphy app by Canon does not (yet) appear to recognize this printer model in the United States. It cannot be manually added to the app either.

For short-term fix, the public library provided printing solutions. For longer term needs, it seems a shame to have to get a new device when this one is in excellent condition and the only issue is the iMac running Ventura fails to see it with the most current driver available.

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