Canon Printer’s ADF not seen when scanning from PC

I’m having a weird problem with my Canon MF264 printer/scanner. I’ve spent way too much time trying to figure this out - going to need some help.

The problem is that when I go to scan multiple documents placed in the ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) the Canon MF Scan Utility on the PC cant “see” the ADF.
Currently it fails because it can’t see that anything is in the ADF.
If I use the ScanGear option it fails with a Canon error message: “Scangear MF can’t communicate with the scanner” Code 155,0,0.

Background:

• Scanning from the ADF was working from the problem PC at one time. It has been a few months since I used it last.
• The printer is connected to the problem PC (running W10 22H2) by USB cable.
• The printer is also connected to the network via Ethernet cable. I’ve tried it with the Ethernet cable disconnected.
• All functions of the printer work. It copies on the printer from the ADF. It scans from the Platen Glass from the problem PC using the Scan Utility.
• I have a second printer/scanner (Epson) connected by USB that can scan from the problem PC using it’s ADF.
• When I use the Scan Utility to scan from the Feeder I get a message on the PC to “put a document in the feeder” - however a document is in the feeder.
• The printer’s LCD screen says “The original is in the Feeder”.
• Originally, in Canon MF Scan Utility, the only scanning option available was the “Platen Glass”. The other normal options - “Automatic” and “Feeder” - were not listed under any of the scanning methods in the Utility.
• I updated the printers firmware, printer drivers, and scanner driver to the most recent versions from Canon. There were updated versions. The new scanner driver was dated 11/28/2022.
• After the printer updates, the normal 3 scanning options are now present in the Utility, but it doesn’t work from the ADF Feeder with the error message I listed above.
• I have a second PC (W10-22H2) that is connected to the printer through the wired network. It can scan from the ADF just fine.
• I’ve tried disabling my antivirus software.
• Again, all functions of the printer and the drivers are working just fine.
• It is only the USB connected PC having a problem with the Canon printer.

There have probably been 5 or 6 Windows Updates since the ADF last worked and I think one of them was going from 21H2 to 22H2.
I recall a thread here talking about something like this just recently with a registry fix, but I can’t find it. If you are the OP let me know!

Any thoughts on how to get communication to and from the printer through USB connection?

And today - just like that - it starts working again.
No new changes were made.
I must have been trippin'.

Annnnd...
Today it's doing it again. Gotta be kidding me.

Hello @TV2,

I have noticed that you have NOT had ANY replies, so I thought that I would try and help.

TV2 said:

If I use the ScanGear option it fails with a Canon error message: “Scangear MF can’t communicate with the scanner” Code 155,0,0.

Background:

• The printer is connected to the problem PC (running W10 22H2) by USB cable.
• The printer is also connected to the network via Ethernet cable. I’ve tried it with the Ethernet cable disconnected.
• I have a second printer/scanner (Epson) connected by USB that can scan from the problem PC using it’s ADF.
• When I use the Scan Utility to scan from the Feeder I get a message on the PC to “put a document in the feeder” - however a document is in the feeder.
• I updated the printers firmware, printer drivers, and scanner driver to the most recent versions from Canon.
• I have a second PC (W10-22H2) that is connected to the printer through the wired network. It can scan from the ADF just fine.
• I’ve tried disabling my antivirus software.
• It is only the USB connected PC having a problem with the Canon printer.

Have you checked the PDF Manual to see exactly what that error [ Code 155,0,0 ] message relates to ?

Additionally, only a few suggestions I am afraid.

[1] Have you tried a previous [ Older ] Driver to see if that makes a difference ?
[2] Have you tried deleting the Printers and re-installing them? A bit drastic I know, but you never know.
[3] Have you checked that the Printer Queues are completely empty ?

If you are interested, I have a couple of Scripts that you can run that outputs information for the Printer and Scanner that might show any potential problem.

I hope this helps.

Well, I finally figured it out.
Bad USB cable.

Worse: a loose USB cable in a hub (my printers are 15 feet from the box.).
Drrrrrrr.

I did look up the error code 155 and it means what I already knew: The Utility can't communicate with the printer. That got me thinking to check the cable. I moved the printer close to the box and used a normal 6 ft cable and everything worked. That got me to climb under the desk and check the long cables and that's where I found the hub pinched behind the cabinet and the cable slightly pulled out of the port.

Lesson learned.

Hello @TV2,

TV2 said:

Well, I finally figured it out.

Excellent news, I am glad that you found the problem.