Software for this printer isn't available from Apple

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Level 1

89 points

Software for this printer isn't available from Apple

I apologize if the following query is not directly related to the OS but I don't know where else to pose this problem. I have a new Mac Mini with an old Canon iP4500 printer. When I try to add the printer and choose a driver, I get the following -

Software for this printer isn't available from Apple. Contact the printer's manufacturer for the latest software.

OK, that's easy enough but when I go to the Canon download page, I get -

Pixma iP4500 has been retired. Product support is no longer available. Driver and content updates are not being made.

What? I thought that there were laws in force against this kind of needless obsolesence! Am I out of luck here? It's a great printer and works just fine - there's no reason it should be tossed out.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Mac mini (M2 Pro, 2023)

Posted on Nov 15, 2023 11:39 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,169 points

Nov 15, 2023 03:46 PM in response to ttibsen

Hi,

Unfortunately, Canon PIXMA iP4500 drivers from the printer manufacturer appear to be for earlier Mac operating system versions only.

https://www.canon-europe.com/support/consumer/products/printers/pixma/ip-series/pixma-ip4500.html

There is no indication that the Canon Printer Drivers v3.4 for macOS from Apple can be used under macOS 14 Sonoma, but you never know (the closest would probably be one of the Canon iP4x00 16.10.0.0 drivers listed in the referenced article).

Experimental Canon iP4500 series Gutenprint drivers seem to be available elsewhere, but it is unclear whether these would work with anything later than macOS 10.14 Mojave.

Be careful when looking for printer drivers on the Internet. There are several dubious third-party "support" sites, often with misleading names. Download from a printer manufacturer's official web sites, or from another trustworthy source (such as Apple).

If you still have access to the old Mac, it could possibly be used as a print server of some kind.

If necessary, since there are drivers for some not too old Windows versions, the printer could perhaps be used with a PC instead.

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Answer 2

VikingOSX

Level 10

122,118 points

Nov 15, 2023 11:49 AM in response to ttibsen

There are no laws governing any vendor's driver support duration of their retired products. They either choose or choose not to continue product support.

Canon is the only source of driver support for the IP4500, and without that support, you are shopping for a new printer — or using it on an older Mac where there is driver support. If shopping, then preferably one that is networkable and advertises support for Apple's built-in Airprint, so you are not dependent on the printer vendor any longer.

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Answer 3

ttibsen Author

Level 1

89 points

Nov 15, 2023 05:01 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

Thanks for that very informative response Jan. There is just too big an interval between the vintage of the Canon iP4500 and the OS of my new Mac Mini (Ventura). The European Canon web page is definitely not the answer.

<< Canon Printer Drivers v3.4 for macOS from Apple>>

page doesn’t seem to be the answer either since there’s this discouraging disclaimer

<<This article has been archived and is no longer updated by Apple>>

The old iMac is toast as the Fusion Drive on it failed and even if it didn’t - I wouldn’t keep a 27” iMac around just to print stuff. Too unwieldy.

I’ll give the printer away as someone out there probably has a driver for it. The printer itself isn’t worth anything but I’ve got about $80 worth of cartridges for it - so that should make it somewhat attractive. I’ll just have to deal with this disappointing state of affairs and get a new printer. Again, thanks for your input - very helpful.

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