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Canon Printer "Filter" Error

Got a new Canon all-in-one laser printer (ImageCLASS MF4770n). Installed the drivers from the Canon site, my iMac recognizes the printer.


But when trying to print anything it won't, and when checking the printer cue it keeps showing the same error message that mentions "Filter" -- see below:


I talked to Canon, they say it's a known problem, and the issue is a Mountain Lion issue. Apple has not been able to solve this, so far...


User uploaded file

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), 27", 8 GB Ram

Posted on Jan 29, 2013 9:46 AM

Reply
31 replies

Jan 29, 2013 2:30 PM in response to Eric Root

NOPE.


NOPE.


I've spent 4 HOURS today, talking to Canon, and twice to Apple. Nobody has any idea.....


Nothing is fixing this issue. I've read other threads as well, including this one:


https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4487894?start=0&tstart=0


...and this LONG one:


https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4158755?start=30&tstart=0


And I tried the ideas there.


NOTHING IS WORKING.


Hey, Apple, it's time to fix 10.8 and make it USABLE for the PAYING public !!!!!!!

Jan 29, 2013 3:23 PM in response to mynameismyname

Can you open System Information (Applications > Utilities), select Printers in the left column and you will see the MF4770 in the top right pane. Can you select it, which will provide information about the MF4770 print queue will be shown. (Note that if this is the only printer on your Mac then there will be no list of printers and the print queue information will be shown). Can you copy this information and paste back here.


I would also like to see more information about the filter failed error. If you open the Console application (also in Applications > Utilities) and then select the Show Logs button in the toolbar, a left column will appear with all the logs that are kept on the Mac. Can you expand the entry /var/log, by clicking the triangle next to the entry, and then expand the entry cups and then select error_log. The right pane will show each print job, shown with [square backets] around the number. You will see the most recent print job attempt at the bottom. Can you select all the information relating to this print job, copy and paste back here also.

Jan 29, 2013 3:35 PM in response to PAHU

Thanks in advance, PAHU... Here is the info:


Canon MF4700 Series:


Status: Idle

Print Server: Local

Driver Version: 1.1.0

Default: No

Shared: Yes

URI: usb://Canon/MF4700%20Series?serial=21273241E483

PPD: Canon MF4700 Series

PPD File Version: 1.1.0

PostScript Version: (3010.000) 550

(3010.000) 651

CUPS Version: 1.6svn (cups-327)

Scanning support: No

Printer Commands: none

CUPS filters:

capdftopdl:

Path: /Library/Printers/Canon/CUPS_MF_Printer/Bins/capdftopdl

Permissions: rwxr-xr-x

Fax support: No

PDEs:

BasicSettingsPDE.plugin:

Sandbox compliant: Yes


Here is the log for the last printing attempt I just made couple minutes ago:


E [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Job stopped due to filter errors; please consult the error_log file for details.

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] The following messages were recorded from 17:32:52 to 17:33:02

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Adding start banner page "none".

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Queued on "Canon_MF4700_Series" by "Ami".

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] File of type application/pdf queued by "Ami".

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Setting job-hold-until to no-hold

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Adding end banner page "none".

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Job released by user.

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] time-at-processing=1359502373

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] job-sheets=none,none

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] argv[0]="Canon_MF4700_Series"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] argv[1]="11"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] argv[2]="Ami"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] argv[3]="iPhone photographer"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] argv[4]="1"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] argv[5]="AP_ColorMatchingMode=AP_ApplicationColorMatching AP_D_InputSlot= brightness=100 CN_PdlWrapper_DebugMode=0 noCNBarCode CNBrightness=6 CNContrast=6 CNCopies=1 CNEncodeType=1 CNGamma=1.4 CNHalftone=pattern2 CNLANG=en_US CNPDECALL=CNLZ00B0 CNPDEUserName=QW1p CNPrintSetting..b. CNQueueDescription=Canon\ MF4700\ Series CNSpecialPrintMode=Mode2 CNSystemEncoding=0 noCNTonerSaving noCNWhiteGap collate com.apple.print.DocumentTicket.PMSpoolFormat=application/pdf com.apple.print.JobInfo.PMApplicationName=Mail com.apple.print.JobInfo.PMJobName=iPhone\ photographer com.apple.print.JobInfo.PMJobOwner=Ami com.apple.print.PageToPaperMappingMediaName=Letter com.apple.print.PageToPaperMappingType..n.=1 com.apple.print.PrinterInfo.PMColorDeviceID..n.=16900 com.apple.print.PrintSettings.PMColorSpaceModel..n.=1 com.apple.print.PrintSettings.PMCopies..n.=1 com.apple.print.PrintSettings.PMCopyCollate..b. com.apple.print.PrintSettings.PMDestinationType..n.=1 com.apple.print.PrintSettings.PMFirstPage..n.=1 com.apple.print.PrintSettings.PMLastPage..n.=2147483647 com.apple.print.PrintSettings.PMPageRange..a.0..n.=1 com.apple.print.PrintSettings.PMPageRange..a.1..n.=2147483647 DestinationPrinterID=Canon_MF4700_Series Filter=None gamma=1000 media=Letter MediaType=PlainPaper number-up=1 PageSize=Letter PaperInfoIsSuggested..b. printer-resolution=600x600dpi pserrorhandler-requested=standard Resolution=600x600dpi job-uuid=urn:uuid:d44fece3-654a-31f9-687a-8d81cdb93d9e job-originating-host-name=localhost time-at-creation=1359502372 time-at-processing=1359502373 job-impressions=1 com.apple.print.PrintSettings.PMTotalSidesImaged..n.=1 sides=one-sided Duplex=None com.apple.print.PrintSettings.PMTotalBeginPages..n.=1"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] argv[6]="/private/var/spool/cups/d00011-001"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[0]="<CFProcessPath>"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[1]="CUPS_CACHEDIR=/private/var/spool/cups/cache"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[2]="CUPS_DATADIR=/usr/share/cups"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[3]="CUPS_DOCROOT=/usr/share/doc/cups"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[4]="CUPS_FONTPATH=/usr/share/cups/fonts"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[5]="CUPS_REQUESTROOT=/private/var/spool/cups"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[6]="CUPS_SERVERBIN=/usr/libexec/cups"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[7]="CUPS_SERVERROOT=/private/etc/cups"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[8]="CUPS_STATEDIR=/private/etc/cups"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[9]="HOME=/private/var/spool/cups/tmp"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[10]="PATH=/usr/libexec/cups/filter:/usr/bin:/usr/sbin:/bin:/usr/bin"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[11]="SERVER_ADMIN=root@localhost"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[12]="SOFTWARE=CUPS/1.6svn"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[13]="TMPDIR=/private/var/spool/cups/tmp"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[14]="USER=root"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[15]="CUPS_MAX_MESSAGE=2047"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[16]="CUPS_SERVER=/private/var/run/cupsd"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[17]="CUPS_ENCRYPTION=IfRequested"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[18]="IPP_PORT=631"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[19]="CHARSET=utf-8"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[20]="LANG=en_US.UTF-8"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[21]="APPLE_LANGUAGE=en-US"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[22]="PPD=/private/etc/cups/ppd/Canon_MF4700_Series.ppd"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[23]="RIP_MAX_CACHE=128m"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[24]="CONTENT_TYPE=application/pdf"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[25]="DEVICE_URI=usb://Canon/MF4700%20Series?serial=21273241E483"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[26]="PRINTER_INFO=Canon MF4700 Series"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[27]="PRINTER_LOCATION="

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[28]="PRINTER=Canon_MF4700_Series"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[29]="PRINTER_STATE_REASONS=none"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[30]="CUPS_FILETYPE=document"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[31]="FINAL_CONTENT_TYPE=printer/Canon_MF4700_Series"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] envp[32]="AUTH_I****"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Started filter /Library/Printers/Canon/CUPS_MF_Printer/Bins/capdftopdl (PID 880)

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Started backend /usr/libexec/cups/backend/usb (PID 881)

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] capdftopdl start.

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] usb: AppleLanguages="en-US"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] STATE: +connecting-to-device

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Looking for 'Canon MF4700 Series'

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Directory "/System/Library/Printers/Libraries/USBGenericPrintingClass.plugin" permissions OK (040755/uid=0/gid=0).

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] load_classdriver(/System/Library/Printers/Libraries/USBGenericPrintingClass.plu gin) (kr:0x00000000)

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Directory "/System/Library/Printers/Libraries/USBGenericPrintingClass.plugin" permissions OK (040755/uid=0/gid=0).

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] load_classdriver(/System/Library/Printers/Libraries/USBGenericPrintingClass.plu gin) (kr:0x00000000)

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Opening connection

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Directory "/System/Library/Printers/Libraries/USBGenericPrintingClass.plugin" permissions OK (040755/uid=0/gid=0).

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] load_classdriver(/System/Library/Printers/Libraries/USBGenericPrintingClass.plu gin) (kr:0x00000000)

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] STATE: -connecting-to-device

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Sending data to printer.

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Set job-printer-state-message to "Sending data to printer.", current level=INFO

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] STATE: -com.canon.unsupportedsize-error

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] PID 880 (/Library/Printers/Canon/CUPS_MF_Printer/Bins/capdftopdl) stopped with status 1.

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Hint: Try setting the LogLevel to "debug" to find out more.

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Sent 0 bytes...

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Waiting for read thread to exit...

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Read thread still active, aborting the pending read...

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] Got USB return aborted during read

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] PID 881 (/usr/libexec/cups/backend/usb) exited with no errors.

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] End of messages

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] printer-state=3(idle)

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] printer-state-message="Filter failed"

D [29/Jan/2013:17:33:02 -0600] [Job 11] printer-state-reasons=none

Jan 29, 2013 5:00 PM in response to mynameismyname

Thank you for providing that information. The log shows the problem is being caused by a Canon driver file "capdftopdl". So it's a Canon issue, regardless of what you have been told by Canon, and not a Mtn Lion issue. Canon support should have asked you for the same information I have requested but it would seem that they just wanted to pass you off.


I don't have an MF4700 series but I do have an MF4580 that can use the same Mac CUPS v1.10 driver from Canon. It is currently printing fine so I will do some testing today and see if I can generate the same error and then determine a solution for you.

Jan 29, 2013 5:10 PM in response to PAHU

Wow.... I'm impressed. 😍


Yes, please keep me posted.... The question is, once you've determined the exact problem, do I call Canon and bug them to resolve it (which could take days/weeks/months — if they even bother at all...), or could there be a practical work-around solution for me that would allow me to keep this printer and actually use it?...


Thanks again, PAHU !


😉 😉 😉 😉 😉 😉

Jan 29, 2013 7:22 PM in response to PAHU

PAHU, come to think of it, the one thing I don't get is, why do you think it's a Canon issue, when we read of so many others having the same exact issue, and they own the 2 other brands of printers, HP and even more -- Epson. Unless there is something in the way Apple wrote the software that makes those other companies misinterpret or erroneously write their own drivers?....




Jan 29, 2013 7:46 PM in response to mynameismyname

mynameismyname wrote:


PAHU, come to think of it, the one thing I don't get is, why do you think it's a Canon issue

Because your log is showing a Canon file crashing, not an Apple file, when you attempt to print. But remember that this is happening on your Mac; it is not happening on all 10.8 Mac's. My iMac running 10.8.2 is printing fine using this same driver to an MF4580 and MF4890.


mynameismyname wrote:


... we read of so many others having the same exact issue, and they own the 2 other brands of printers, HP and even more -- Epson.

While you may have read of other brands getting filter errors, it will not be the same filter that is having the problem because this particular filter is Canon.


mynameismyname wrote:

Unless there is something in the way Apple wrote the software that makes those other companies misinterpret or erroneously write their own drivers?....

If this driver made use of the Apple core printing system then you could make that assumption. But this driver has its own filters, plugins and transports and does not use the core files to create the print job and submit it to the printer.


As for my testing, I'm having no luck in getting this driver to error. Preview, TextEdit and Safari are all printing fine for me. I was going to suggest you remove the driver files and reinstall, but I just saw your other post saying that you have already tried this.


Did your Mac have 10.6 or 10.7 and you upgraded to 10.8, or is it a new installation of 10.8?

Jan 29, 2013 8:04 PM in response to PAHU

No, this is a brand new iMac I just purchased a week ago (my 7-year old G5 died on me one morning, must have been the motherboard).


So what you're saying is that a "filter" error can mean many things, I guess...


See, going thru the Apple list of compatible printers and scanners, I don't see any of your 2 printers listed there:


http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3669#canon

Jan 29, 2013 8:19 PM in response to mynameismyname

mynameismyname wrote:


So what you're saying is that a "filter" error can mean many things, I guess...

Yes. It's like a generic term. The printer driver is made up of different components, and filters are one of those components.


mynameismyname wrote:


See, going thru the Apple list of compatible printers and scanners, I don't see any of your 2 printers listed there:


http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3669#canon

That's because the list shows what drivers are available from Apple via Software Update. It is not to be thought of as these are the only printers supported by Apple on 10.8, as some people take it to mean.


With regards to the Canon devices in the list, these are regarded as consumer products. Your MF is made by the same department that makes the business multifunction copiers and laser beam printers, and that department does not provide drivers to Apple.

Jan 29, 2013 8:26 PM in response to PAHU

But still, your 2 MF printers are working fine with the same iMac and OS 10.8.2...


See, the Apple guy with whom I spent about an hour on the phone today was actually the one sending me the link, to show me that my printer is not listed there...... I was actually willing to return my Canon and get a comparable all-in-one HP product (even if it would cost me couple bucks more), but I haven't seen any of the current HP models (checked HP's website) on that Apple list....

Jan 29, 2013 8:47 PM in response to mynameismyname

mynameismyname wrote:


But still, your 2 MF printers are working fine with the same iMac and OS 10.8.2...

Correct. I'm not saying that the driver is incompatible with 10.8.2. It does work, but there is something about the way it is installed on your Mac that is stopping it from working. So I need to determine what they could be and then provide you with the process to fix it.


mynameismyname wrote:


See, the Apple guy with whom I spent about an hour on the phone today was actually the one sending me the link, to show me that my printer is not listed there......

As I said, people misinterpret the list as these are the only printers that work with 10.8. The thing is, even if you had a printer that was on this list the Apple support is not going to fix this sort of error. They will get you to remove the printer and add it again and if that doesn't fix it they will probably ask you to post here.


mynameismyname wrote:


I was actually willing to return my Canon and get a comparable all-in-one HP product (even if it would cost me couple bucks more), but I haven't seen any of the current HP models (checked HP's website) on that Apple list....

Again, don't rely on the Apple list. If you want to try replacing the Canon with a HP then check the HP web site for a 10.8 driver. It will either have one or they will state that you need to get it from Apple. Also, 10.8 has been out since August 2012 so a new printer could include a CD with supporting drivers.

Jan 29, 2013 8:57 PM in response to mynameismyname

mynameismyname wrote:


Well, as you say, SOMETHING is going wrong within my system (but some others' too, from what we read on those threads...), so the same could go wrong with an HP all-in-one printer....

Absolutely. But it would be a different cause.


mynameismyname wrote:


I can only attest to the fact that my daughter's dinky, old, cheap HP LaserJet P1006 was working like a charm all last week, before I bought this Canon...

So is the HP still working? Or has installing the Canon also stopped the HP from printing?

Canon Printer "Filter" Error

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