Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Canon printer drivers in Sierra

Hey Guys,


Just reporting issues with the Canon Pixma printer line. Since upgrading to Sierra, PNG files with transparent backgrounds are printing with issues. They are usually stretched and appear to have a weird mask spread across them. Sometimes, the printer queue just errors out and doesn't print the PNG at all. I have tested this with multiple PNGs and Multiple computers. Sierra Macs printing to my Canon inkjet all print with this PNG problem. Same computers printing the same PNGs to HP or Epson printers work fine. So far, the Canons print TIFFs and PSDs just fine.


I am pretty confident this is a Canon printer driver issue.

Posted on Sep 22, 2016 12:53 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Sep 22, 2016 1:01 PM

Tried a reset yet?


Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners then select the Printers tab then right or control click the printer on the left then click: Reset printing system


More help here > Resolve printer issues on your Mac - Apple Support

37 replies

Sep 22, 2016 12:57 PM in response to Andrew Mcvinnie

Have you tried installing the latest drivers from the Cannon website?


Make sure you uninstall and reinstall the printer if so.


You could also try resting the printing system by Right-Clicking in the blank space in Printer Settings and selecting "Reset Printing System". This will delete all of the printers installed on that computer.

Sep 22, 2016 1:16 PM in response to Andrew Mcvinnie

You are correct regarding suspecting a driver issue, I have the MG7150 and on some prints get "Filter failed" in the print queue and nothing on the paper!


Going to either Canon US or UK web sites shows they are aware of an issue re Sierra compatibility - the US one also posts a temporary work around! From memory think they list all printers that could be affected and describe what can happen (Filter failed, partial prints and colour shifts).


Think we may just have to wait.

Sep 22, 2016 1:12 PM in response to Andrew Mcvinnie

Are you connecting to a networked or USB printer?


If it's networked you could also try using generic apple drivers for the printer. You do this by changing the option in the "Use:" box and the select either "Generic PCL" or "Generic Post Script". This will prevent you from using certain printer-specific features like scanning or hole-punching, but at least you will be able to print.

Sep 22, 2016 1:20 PM in response to SiHancox

Thanks for the update. Yesterday when i looked at Canon USA, I did not see that post, but I will go look again for the work around.


I appreciate your post!


I found their blurb on the compatibility chart:

"Canon is working with Apple to resolve certain compatibility issues between Mac OS X Sierra v10.12 and printer drivers for Canon PIXMA inkjet printers.

Every effort is being made to resolve these issues.

We deeply apologize for any inconvenience you may experience.

Please refer to our Knowledge Base articleon how to print successfully with Mac OS X v10.12.?

Sep 28, 2016 5:04 PM in response to Andrew Mcvinnie

Just viewed the Canon UK web site and noted they have just posted the first driver for Sierra, although it's only the one for ICA (scanner) and it appears the same version (v4.1.3) that was already available under El Capitan it non the less indicates things could be moving on the update front. Those in the US have had this shown for a few days though.


The above is for MG7150 or Series MG7100 printers, lets hope the updated printer driver (CUPS) follows as quickly.

Oct 3, 2016 6:44 AM in response to Andrew Mcvinnie

Same problems with MX892. Many Canon printers share the same driver technology. Apparently Apple approached Canon 6 months ago with the interface change to printer drivers and Canon didn't bother adapting - maybe Apple should have retained the old interface, who knows.


Anyway, if you have embedded CGI graphics - in my case a JPEG included in a WORD file, the converter that rasterizes the JPEG is incompatible with Sierra:


Process: cgpdftoraster [6316]

Path: /usr/libexec/cups/filter/cgpdftoraster

Identifier: cgpdftoraster

Version: 71

Code Type: X86-64 (Native)

Parent Process: cupsd [1880]

Responsible: cgpdftoraster [6316]


The work around is to print to a PDF (in the bottom left of your print menu) and print the resultant PDF. It works fine in my case.


Looks like an antitrust issue to me :-) Apple has decided to adopt Microsoft's quality control procedures to give Microsoft a customer benefit. It would have been straightforward to test for known incompatibilities - Applecare knew the problem when I called.


Anyway, at least I know - now I send the files to be printed to a non-upgraded Mac and circumvent the problem.

Oct 5, 2016 9:12 AM in response to gaginker

Hi Nick,


At the moment, using the printer driver "AirPrint" works for me. You can tell it does weird things with the color usage, but it does work. As for Canon drivers, I'm sure they will have them updated soon. Though they do post them on their website, they also give them to Apple to bundle with the OS, so I would expect to see them in the next .x release at least. Just seems like the recent Sierra update caught them with their pants down.


For now, AirPrint driver gets the job done.

Canon printer drivers in Sierra

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.