Ultimate Guide to Canon Printer Drivers for Linux: Seamless Printing & Scanning

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Introduction to Canon Printer Drivers for Linux

Running your Canon printer or multifunction device on a Linux operating system can sometimes present unique challenges, but with the right drivers and installation steps, you can achieve seamless printing and scanning. Canon offers official drivers for many of its devices, integrating with the Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) and Scanner Access Now Easy (SANE) to provide robust functionality. This guide will walk you through finding, installing, and troubleshooting Canon printer drivers specifically for your Linux environment.

Understanding Canon Linux Driver Types

Canon provides various types of drivers tailored to different product lines:

• UFR II/UFRII LT Printer Driver: This proprietary driver is common for Canon’s laser printers, including imageCLASS, i-SENSYS, and imageRUNNER series. It leverages CUPS for printing operations and is frequently updated. The latest version, V6.20, was updated on November 7, 2025.
• IJ Printer Driver: Designed primarily for Canon PIXMA inkjet printers. These drivers enable comprehensive printing features for inkjet models. For instance, version 6.60 for Debian-based systems was updated on April 6, 2023.
• ScanGear MP: If you own a Canon PIXMA multifunction device, ScanGear MP is the dedicated scanner driver component.
• SANE Driver: For Canon document scanners (e.g., DR-series), a specific SANE (Scanner Access Now Easy) driver is provided. These drivers ensure compatibility with Linux scanning applications and were last updated in August-September 2025 for various models.
• CAPT (Canon Advanced Printing Technology): Some Canon i-Sensys laser printers utilize this proprietary driver, which also integrates with CUPS.

While Canon officially supports Linux with basic drivers, it’s worth noting that full functionality may not always be available for every model, and support is often provided ‘as-is’.

How to Install Canon Printer Drivers on Linux

The installation process generally involves downloading the correct driver and running an installer script via the terminal. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Check Compatibility & Download Drivers

• Identify your Printer Model: Ensure you know the exact model number of your Canon printer or multifunction device.
• Visit the Official Canon Support Website: Navigate to your regional Canon support page (e.g., Canon Asia, Canon India, Canon USA) and go to the ‘Support’ or ‘Downloads’ section.
• Search for your Model: Enter your printer model to find its dedicated support page.
• Select ‘Linux’ as the Operating System: Download the appropriate driver package for your Linux distribution (e.g., .deb for Debian/Ubuntu, .rpm for Fedora/CentOS, or a source tarball). Look for the latest versions, such as UFR II/UFRII LT Printer Driver V6.20 or IJ Printer Driver Ver. 6.60.
• Download Scanner Drivers: If you have a multifunction device, also look for ScanGear MP or SANE drivers.

2. Prepare Your System

• Extract the Driver Package: Once downloaded, locate the driver package (usually a .tar.gz or .zip file) and extract its contents to a convenient location, such as your ‘Downloads’ folder or Desktop.
• Open a Terminal: You’ll need to use the command line for installation.
• Update System Packages: It’s good practice to update your system before installing new software. Run: sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade (for Debian/Ubuntu-based systems).
• Install CUPS (if not already present): CUPS is essential for printing on Linux. Install it using: sudo apt-get install cups cups-client. For Canon PIXMA series, consider installing printer-driver-gutenprint and system-config-printer for broader support.

3. Install the Driver

Navigate to the extracted driver folder in your terminal. Typically, there will be an install.sh script.

• Execute the Installer: Run the installation script with root privileges: cd path/to/driver/folder followed by sudo ./install.sh.
• Follow On-Screen Prompts: The installer will ask you to confirm the installation. Enter ‘Y’ to proceed.
• Register the Printer (if prompted): The installer might offer to register your printer. If so, enter ‘Y’ and follow the steps in the Canon Printer Setup Utility.

4. Add Your Canon Printer

After installing the drivers, you need to add your printer to the system.

• Using System Settings: Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Printers’ and click ‘Add Printer’. Your Canon printer should be detected, especially if connected via USB or on the same network. Follow the on-screen instructions.
• Using CUPS Web Interface: Open your web browser and go to http://localhost:631/admin. Click ‘Add Printer’ and select your Canon printer from the list. If it’s a network printer, you might need to select ‘AppSocket/HP JetDirect’ and input its IP address and port 9100. Select the installed Canon driver (PPD file) when prompted.
• For CAPT Printers: After running install.sh, you’ll need to use ccpdadmin to register the printer. For example: sudo ccpdadmin -p queue_name -o net:your_printer_ip. Then, start/enable the CAPT daemon: sudo systemctl enable ccpd.service && sudo systemctl start ccpd.service.

5. Test Your Printer

Print a test page to confirm that your printer is working correctly. Most printer configuration utilities offer this option.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with official drivers, you might encounter issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

• Printer Not Detected: Ensure your printer is powered on and properly connected (USB cable or Wi-Fi). Verify that the correct driver is installed. Restart both your printer and computer. Check firewall settings for network printers, ensuring incoming traffic to port 8612 (for MFNP/BJNP) is allowed.
• Print Quality Issues: If prints are faded, streaky, or incorrect colors, clean the print heads and perform a nozzle check through your printer’s utility or physical controls.
• Scanner Not Working: For multifunction devices, ensure you have installed the ScanGear MP or SANE driver. Verify that scanning applications (like Simple Scan or XSane) recognize your device.
• ‘Printer driver support is deprecated’ warning with CUPS: This might occur with older drivers on newer CUPS versions. Ensure you’re using the latest available Canon driver. For Gutenprint users, sometimes running sudo cups-genppdupdate and restarting CUPS (sudo systemctl restart cups) can resolve issues after updates.
• Installation Script Errors: Ensure you have administrative privileges (using sudo) and that all necessary dependencies are met. Some Canon drivers might require 32-bit libraries on a 64-bit system; check the driver’s README file for prerequisites.

Maintaining Your Canon Printer Drivers on Linux

Regularly checking for driver updates is crucial for performance and compatibility. Visit the Canon support website periodically for newer driver versions. If using open-source drivers like Gutenprint, keep your system’s package manager updated. Staying current ensures you benefit from bug fixes, performance improvements, and compatibility with the latest Linux distribution releases.