CanoScan LiDE 300 scanner compatibility issues with macOS 26 on M1 Mac

The Canon CanoScan LiDE 300 does not have native, dedicated software updates from Canon for recent macOS releases, but it can run on an M1 Mac using Apple's built-in ICA architecture. Don't use the Canon apps/drivers, use Apple's native tools or, if those aren't working for some reason, use third-party drivers.

Common Fixes for Connectivity & Scanning Failures

• Unlock the Scanner: Ensure the physical lock switch on the bottom or side of the scanner is unlocked.
• Re-add in System Settings: Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, remove the old device entry if present, click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax, and re-add the LiDE 300. 
• Use Apple Image Capture: Open the built-in Image Capture app on your Mac, it should see the scanner as a device or shared device (depending on the connection, wired vs network).
• Check USB Connection & Hubs: Connect the scanner directly to a port on your Mac using a direct USB-A to USB-C adapter rather than an unpowered USB hub.
• Try Third-Party Software: If Apple’s native layer fails to communicate, applications like VueScanbypass native driver limitations entirely.

More info: Image Capture User Guide for Mac - Apple Support

The Canon LiDE 300 and 400 are supported by Apple's AirPrint as USB connected devices. No vendor software is required, even if it were still available for the LiDE 300.

My LiDE 400 is supported nicely in macOS 26.6.2 in both Apple's Image Capture, Preview, and VueScan Professional.

You would need a USB-A to USB-C cable or dongle to connect to any USB-C port on newer hardware. Then click the Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax… button and add the LiDE 300/400 as shown.

If you want lasting support for your printer, scanner, or multi-function device, you absolutely want AirPrint and IPP/IPPS support for printing, and want ICA and TWAIN for scanning. Also Apple AirPrint Scanning / Apple AirScan / Mopria eSCL scanning support where available, too.

These features eliminate the need for separately-installed vendor drivers.

Most anything else is best assumed disposable, and its usefulness to end when the vendor ceases driver support.

Reading the specs here, this scanner appears to use add-on software for TWAIN support, and does not list ICA, all of which is problematic.

For this particular Canon scanner, VueScan is the available third-party option for this scanner.

Vuescan supports your LiDE 300 ... and doesn't need any drivers ... and it's much more capable than the Image Capture app.

I have used Vuescan for many years on many different scanners, Mac & versions of macOS. Hamrick does a great job of supporting the app and adding enhancements.

VikingOSX wrote:

Its inherent AirPrint support solves this scanner's usage issues with software as I mentioned earlier.

Good to know.

Went looking for the specs, and found this:

https://ij.manual.canon/ij/webmanual/ScanUtility/All/LiDE%20300/1.0/EN/SU/su-020.html

which wasn’t promising for connectivity, with what looks like emulated TWAIN, and with no ICA or AirPrint or AirScan or eSCL listed.

It's not able to scan. The following status message is displayed when trying to use the latest version of Canons scanner software (IJ Scan Utility Lite Ver.4.2.1 (Mac)):

Did you try Image Capture?

Yea, I know that AirPrint isn't a 'Driver'. It actually looks like according to the 'About AirPrint' support article;

AirPrint is a driver, for printers. ICA is the scanner driver. Normally, a multifunction device that supports AirPrint is also ICA compatible.

CUPS but this is for Zebra thermal label printers. It's crazy how well it works.

CUPS just comes with the Unix underpinnings.

The scanner is connected, and it's recognized by the system; as seen. I believe I need to bypass the driver, like @neuroanatomist said. I will try using the tool suggested. (VueScan)

Did you try Image Capture?

What happens when you try to scan?

AirPrint isn’t a scanner driver. The equivalent for scanning is Image Capture Architecture (ICA). The ICA driver can be embedded in the firmware just like the AirPrint driver, or it can be installed on the Mac separately. If that scanner has it embedded, its version might not be compatible anymore which would require a firmware update or separate ICA driver.

An AirPrint certified device may also support ICA, but they are separate drivers.

earthling4554 wrote:

…Yea, I know that AirPrint isn't a 'Driver'.

AirPrint is based on mDNS / Bonjour and Internet Printing Protocol (IPP, with IPPS being the encrypted-connection version), and uses a common host printing interface with printer firmware-based drivers.

There are drivers, they’re just not something needing install or update.

Bugs in firmware absolutely do exist too, so there are and will be firmware updates, too.

But these firmware updates are independent of the computers.

No separate installation is needed for use an AirPrint, same as with an IPP- or IPPS-based printer.

Though AirPrint use of mDNS /Bonjour makes it easier for the local computers to find the printer.

It actually looks like according to the 'About AirPrint' support article; it states that it's a technology from Adobe, Conexant, and Qualcomm...I'm not surprised.

I suspect that is a reference to applicable patents.

On a separate topic Apple has CUPS but this is for Zebra thermal label printers. It's crazy how well it works.

CUPS now largely supports IPP-based printing, though with people still buying themselves other sorts of printer trouble based on price or nostalgia. Per one report, 98% of the printers now being sold support IPP, but most of the remaining 2% are probably also the cheapest printers in existence.

Background info: https://www.dynamsoft.com/blog/insights/comparative-guide-of-document-scanning-protocols/

Its inherent AirPrint support solves this scanner's usage issues with software as I mentioned earlier.