MacOS12 Monterey and older printers

Question

MacOS12 Monterey and older printers

I have two older printers, an Epson CX7450 and a Canon Pixma iP8720. I use them daily. Without thinking it through, I went ahead and upgraded recently to MacOS12 Monterey. Now I have come to find out that there are no new drivers for OS12 for each of these printers. I would have never upgraded if I knew these printers were not supported anymore. I can live without the Epson but not without the Canon. Furthermore, when I download the Canon utility, it's not even recognized by the operating system (I've downloaded the software and the drivers for the printer about 4 times already, it shows up as a file but when adding it under Preferences > Printers & Scanners, it is non-existent). I've been on Apple Chat, got upgraded to a senior person, we worked on it for an hour with no luck. I'm so mad at myself for upgrading. Anybody have any suggestions (other than buying new printers!!!). This printer prints larger format papers so it is super handy to have. Plus I thought it was an ink problem and bought $100 worth of ink last week. HELP!!!

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 11.3

Posted on Jul 14, 2022 02:41 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,157 points

Jul 14, 2022 03:11 PM in response to Nancy Anderson4

Hi,

An AirPrint-enabled printer is compatible with macOS (Monterey) and can be used without having to install additional drivers, provided that the printer and the Mac computer are connected to the same network (Wi-Fi-router). AirPrint works with wired (Ethernet) or wireless (Wi-Fi) network connections.

Of your printers, the Canon iP8720 is listed as a supported model in About AirPrint - Apple Support.

The following AirPrint guide from Canon Europe (for similar models, such as the iP8750) could perhaps be of some interest to you.

https://www.canon-europe.com/support/consumer_products/apple_airprint_guide/

Software from the printer manufacturer may or may not add functionality.

https://downloads.canon.com/nw/printer/products/printers-and-multifunction/pixma-ip-series/pixma-ip8720/spec-sheets/iP8720_LSS.pdf

Add a printer to your printer list so you can use it on Mac – Apple Support (UK)

Reset the printing system on your Mac to solve a problem – Apple Support (UK)

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Answer 2

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,157 points

Jul 15, 2022 04:42 AM in response to Nancy Anderson4

Thank you for the update.

It may be wise to reset the printing system (according to Reset the printing system on your Mac to solve a problem – Apple Support (UK)), and then concentrate on the Canon and AirPrint to begin with.

First of all, check that the Canon printer is wirelessly connected to the router's Wi-Fi network (if applicable/necessary, use WPS). Check that this is the same Wi-Fi network that the Mac is wirelessly connected to. Do not connect anything by Ethernet or USB now. Do not install/use any drivers now.

https://www.canon-europe.com/support/consumer_products/pixma_printer_wireless_connection_setup/ip8750_printer_wireless_connection_setup/#wps

Next, see https://www.canon-europe.com/support/consumer_products/apple_airprint_guide/#Pmac for general information about AirPrint (the dialogues/menus may look slightly different). A printer supporting the driverless AirPrint technology (such as the Pixma iP8720) should be automatically discovered (Bonjour/mDNS).

If there is a problem with AirPrint printer discovery, you may want to try the following complete procedure (in the exact order):

Power off the Wi-Fi router, the Canon printer, the Mac, and all other devices/computers. Wait two to three minutes. Power on the router. Wait two to three minutes. Power on the Canon printer. Wait a minute or two. Power on the Mac. Finally, power on all other devices/computers.

You should be able to verify that AirPrint is working if you have access to an iPhone or iPad. The Canon should appear as an accessible AirPrint printer.

Use AirPrint to print from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

If AirPrint does not work with the Canon printer for some reason after the above steps, you could continue with printer software/driver tests.

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Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

214,212 points

Jul 14, 2022 05:12 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

I fully agree with Jan. If all else fails give the free, open-source Gutenprint print driver a try. Check this page to see if your printer is supported: Gutenprint Supported Printers.

Also check the European site for Epson drivers as often they are bound to provide drivers for the European market while not the American.

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Answer 4

Jul 14, 2022 09:21 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

Okay, so I feel like I am part of the way there. I am now able to see the Canon Printer via Wi-fi on the network. I looked up my wi-fi address and added the printer that way (through the network icon). I kept the wifi address with my Wifi name as to distinguish it from any Gutenprint Canon drivers once I figure that out. However, it still is unable to print anything and there seems to be a communication error. See attached screenshots. However in the screenshots, you will see that it sees/reecognizes that the Canon Pixma iP8720, is recognized. Furthermore, to make sure that the printer (Canon) is online, when I press the wi-fi button on the Canon printer, the start (top white) button blinks twice as it should and then the blue wifi symbol blinks but never goes solid. Maybe I missed something in the setup of the printer? And everything is connected (ethernet cable from the printer to the dongle, then to the MacBookPro USB-C port.) The Mac won't recognize it unless the ethernet cable is attached. BTW, I downloaded and installed the Gutenprint installer, it installed but now when I search for it, it doesn't show up anywhere on the Mac. Somebody is playing tricks on me! Hahaha!

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Answer 5

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,157 points

Jul 14, 2022 04:26 PM in response to Nancy Anderson4

It has often been suggested to use Gutenprint drivers when other solutions do not exist. For example, Canon iP8700 series and Epson Stylus CX7400 drivers are listed on the Gutenprint site (http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/p_Supported_Printers.php). This may or may not work, and would be entirely experimental in a case like this. Normally, it is recommended to download from the printer manufacturer only, or from Apple, so anything else would be at your own risk. As always, make sure that you have backup copies of all important files (documents, photos, etc).

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Answer 6

Jul 15, 2022 10:21 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

Thanks Jan! I am finally able to say that I can print on the Canon printer!!! SUCCESS!!!! So here is how I was able to complete this process: I followed your instructions regarding resetting the printers. I went to the Gutenprint website and added the Canon driver (not the Gutenprint one but the actual Canon IP8720 one.) I tried reconfiguring the printer again and when printing I selected the newly added Canon printer again but nothing printed. Then I went back to the Canon website and decided to re-load the printer software from scratch. here: (it is misleading because it says "optional drivers" but then I saw that it re-installs the whole software system. https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support/details/printers/inkjet-single-function/ip-series/ip8720/pixma-ip8720 I installed the software and went back to adding printers to the network. I could then see the Canon iP8720 "Bonjour" on the network. I went back to the article on setting up the wireless feature, https://support.usa.canon.com/kb/index?page=content&id=ART166929 and followed the instructions. I printed a file and it didn't print. UGH! But I remembered that in between deleting all printers, I set up the Canon via IP address and quite possibly it may have tried to access the gutenprint "Canon driver", so I went back and deleted that "printer" option. I re-sent the file and voila! It printed and I am forever grateful for your help. Thanks for sticking with me on this! I am so happy and it is FRIDAY too!! Thanks again!

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