Suddenly I cannot scan (but it used to work fine)

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Level 1

4 points

Suddenly I cannot scan (but it used to work fine)

For a long time my Canon TR8520 would both print and scan without problems. Today I can't find a way to get a scan at all, and opening the menu doesn't even offer scanning as an option. I tried installing the printer again and it does not help. It works fine as a printer but the Mac doesn’t even recognize it as a scanner any more.

I am running an iMac with an Apple M3 chip on Mac OS 26.6.2. Since I have made no changes to my hardware or software I suspect that OS upgrades are responsible for this.

How do I get scanning capability restored?

iMac (M3, 2023)

Posted on Nov 2, 2026 8:24 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

98,940 points

Nov 2, 2026 8:51 AM in response to 711Joe

You're welcome.

I only use Image Capture for scanning and have for around 20 years.

The other option, is to go to Canon Support and see if the IJ Scan Utility Lite Ver.4.2.1 (Mac) fixes the problem.

https://www.usa.canon.com/support/p/pixma-tr8520

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

98,940 points

Nov 2, 2026 8:29 AM in response to 711Joe

Open Image Capture and give it a try.

Image Capture User Guide for Mac - Apple Support

Scan images or documents using a scanner and your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 3

711Joe Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 2, 2026 8:41 AM in response to den.thed

Thank you, that worked. I'd never used Image Capture before and didn't even know it existed. Doesn't explain why, mysteriously, the way I had scanned for years suddenly did not work, but at least I can get it done now.

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Answer 4

Nov 2, 2026 8:51 AM in response to 711Joe

When using third party software for scanning, after an update you may need to give permission for that app to access your Local Network. Go to  > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network, and if you see the Canon software there with the toggle turned off, try turning it on.

That is just something I would check, but honestly the Image Capture app is probably going to be the correct solution for you.

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