Shared printer can't be used over WiFi

RickC said:

IMO you need to forget about the laptop for the moment (which appears to be a networking and/or permissions issue) and concentrate on the host computer, i.e. get the driver installations sorted so there's no more errors or Event Log entries complaining about the driver needing “further installation.”

Basically I'm suggesting the following order:

a) sort each of the multifunction device's driver functionality out on the host computer first so you know it all works as expected;
b) next, sort out the host computer's sharing of the printer as a network resource;
c) finally, look at the laptop both in terms of driver(s) and network connection to the shared resource.

Q8. On the host computer, did you also uninstall/reinstall the ScanGear driver at the same time?

Q9. Now you have installed the v7.12 printer driver on the host computer, are you now getting any more errors/Event Log entries or have they now been resolved and all 3 device functions (printer + scanner + copier) are now working as expected?

Hope this helps...

Regarding your Q8 and Q9, the answer is no to both. On the host, I removed each Canon instance in "Devices and Printers", removed each Canon device in "Device Manager", uninstalled the ScanGear software in "Programs and Features", then re-booted. I then disabled AV, disconnected the USB cable and ran the install for v7.12 using Custom install and selecting options for Default Printer and Shared Printer. I then reconnected the USB cable and checked Devices and Printers, and both the ScanGear device and v7.12 device were shown (???). Device Manager showed only the ScanGear device under Printers, both devices under Print Queues, and NOW a D530/D560 UFRII LT entry in Other Devices. The Other Device shows that a driver is not installed. The two Print Queue devices show to be successfully configured. The device in Printers still shows "further installation required." The Imaging Device that was shown previously, is now gone, unfortunately.

I'll have another go at all this tomorrow.

"Say goodnight, Gracie . . ."

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Back at it bright and early. Following are the steps taken this a.m.:

1. Disabled MS Defender AV.
2. Devices and Printers – Uninstalled all Canon devices.
3. Device Manager – Uninstalled all Canon devices under Imaging Devices, Print Queues and Printers.
4. Programs and Features – Uninstalled all Canon software, except ToolBox (Scanning software).
5. Disconnected printer USB cable.
6. Powered off printer.
7. Re-booted PC and disabled AV again.
8. Ran Canon V7.12 driver installer as Administrator.
9. Re-booted PC.
10. Disabled AV again.
11. Powered on Printer.
12. Re-connected printer USB cable.
13. Confirmed that printer appeared in Devices & Printers and Device Manager.
14. Confirmed that driver software was shown in Programs & Features
15. Checked Device Manger for event status.

Event Log showed that both the Imaging Device driver and Printer driver “needed further installation.”

1. Repeated steps 1-7 above.
2. Ran Cannon V4101 driver installer as Administrator.
3. Repeated steps 9-15 above.

Event Log showed that both the Imaging Device driver and Printer driver “needed further installation.”

1. Cracked open a new bottle of Scotch . . .

picktoo said:

1. Cracked open a new bottle of Scotch . . .

Sounds like a perfect solution.

The Event Log entry you previously posted showed a Plug'n'Play issue with 'Device USBPRINT', i.e. the printer device type, not the scanner and/or copier device type.

Can you please check Device Manager again to see what it says for the printer, particularly the entries on the 'Events' tab? Post back any relevant entries or screenshot with an error entry selected so the lower 'Information' window is populated.

I'm beginning to think you may need to use an uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller (the free, portable versions) to run the drivers' uninstaller routine then do a check of the registry that there's no remnants.

I also think that you may need to use something like Nir Sofer's small, free, portable USBDeview to check after uninstallation that there's no hub/port entries left outstanding in the registry... but check Device Manager first.

Hope this helps...

picktoo said:

I'm done trying to fix this issue with drivers only. I'd like to lean on you for guidance on how to resolve this as simply, inexpensively and reliably as possible.

Cool, I'll try to contribute.

1. Laptop/Windows device server method
Choose a computer to become your print server, it will serve this purpose along with file sharing too if you want to. I suggest you perform a clean install, I've done this with XP, W7 and W8.1, you don't need a powerhouse. After finishing your Windows install, modify the power settings and disable sleep/suspend, same goes to any energy saving policy on USB ports and network, this is needed to make sure the computer stays on at all times without disconnecting the USB or the network. Then install your printer software, connect your printer and perform all the local (USB wired) tests you need over and over until you are satisfied.

After this, check network access (ethernet of Wifi), make sure your network is set as home/private with network discovery, so this device can see others in the group and also be seen (and accessed). Now go to devices and printers and right-click properties on your printer to enable printer sharing, set a name for your printer. Share a folder if you want file sharing on your network if you find this useful.

I highly suggest you set up an username with password on this computer.

* You might want to disable antivirus or custom firewall software by now. Just so you know, in the past while using Kaspersky had multiple issues with one of my printers (Canon Pro9000) plugged via USB, only to find out after 2 weeks later of hard work... it was the last update of Kaspersky (then), as it messed with the USB ports somehow, everything worked as long as Kaspersky was removed (not disabled: removed), so I switched back to Windows Defender, this is a confirmed issue (https://support.kaspersky.com/kes11/...ng/other/15855), other antivirus might cause similar problems, I don't know about each case but I can confirm Karspersky.

Now go to any of your other PC's (I highly suggest setting an username and password here too), go to explorer/network to see what appears on the list, with luck (and network discovery ON) you will see your local computer along with your Windows device that would become your print server. When double clicking you will be asked for the username and password for that computer, proceed and you will see the user folders (name, desktop, documents, etc), along with the shared printer. It would appear .

You can go on accessing the shared folders, and for the printer, as far as I remember you have to right click and continue to add it to your local computer. Anyway, you can add it from your local devices and printers "add printer" or "add device", it should appear there with the name you gave it for sharing. If you can't see the folders or the printer, or access this part, check your network configuration on both computers along with Windows services, that's why I suggest sharing a folder because it might help for diagnosing. When adding the printer to your local computer you will be asked to install the drivers, proceed and perform some tests, keep in mind "bidirectional" printing as a preference that you might have to check, as sometimes it has an effect over the proper functions of the printers, sometimes it doesn't matter.

This has worked for me perfectly over and over. Only on rare occasions I had to restart because somehow one computer wouldn't see the other, but that's it. I even did this with a laptop with no screen. Keep in mind, if your printer is an old model, you might have to try installing a diff driver, example: I had issues with an old IP1800 Canon, worked perfectly with some W8.1 driver, not with all the others, that's why I keep an specific copy of it on my HDD. Same goes to drivers that might need to be installed with compatibility mode (as previous versions of Windows). Again, I tried this method with diff computers, even a cheap Windows tablet via USB hub. IF... you experience issues, I suggest trying with a diff computer, this... to discard any local configuration issues. Also, keep in mind as I said on the previous posts, some older printers can be shared... but won't appear (won't be listed) on the network devices, and then you have to add them via IP, it's a method that makes no sense but it works, even if you don't see the printer at all, it will be added and it will work, perhaps not showing ink levels, but it works (guess who? again the IP1800 in my case).

2. Router method
This depends on what kind of device you get. Some brands offer specific models with ethernet and/or USB ports along with WIFI, you might want to explore your local options. I don't remember the devices I tried, I think it covered Dlink, Linksys and Buffallo? and some others, I don't remember. Just checked, and my current router is NetGear (located behind the multi printer furniture). The configuration of the router will depend on your brand and model (IF... it's printer share enabled). Don't rush buying any router with an USB port because some have it for printer and device sharing, and others for router-configuration purposes only, meaning only the first ones work.

In my specific case, my NetGear router worked for file sharing perfectly, but the printer sharing wasn't perfect. So I flashed it with tomato router firmware (there are other options available depending on your router). The installation-flashing might require extra effort, it depends on your patience. I don't remember how much I spent on this, I've had about 10 routers, and since #5 I stayed with second hand routers and I only needed the printer share functionality. Locally, second hand were about US$5 to US$15.

Here is what I did with mine, yes, it was that easy in my case:
[HOWTO] Turn your USB Printer into a Wireless Printer (using Tomato Router) - YouTube

Depending your case (your router) you might have to explore the USB support options on your router configuration. At least the router option will list your printer on the configuration page, it helps for diagnosing issues.

* Keep in mind!!!! you might also have to explore any local printer configuration options, such as "energy saving". Most Canon printers have some sort of sleep functions and would wake up on network or usb data being sent, other models might not work as expected, I had some issues with a Brother printer configured this way, but now it works perfectly via Ethernet plugged to my router. For future reference, keep in mind network ready printers connected to printer servers (or routers) might give you a hard time, as they might change IP address, and the software on your computer might have a printer/ip explorer, such as the Officejet HP series (these work better with fixed IP addresses).

Hope this works. The way I see it, if you can find a cheap router with full USB support, specially second hand... this would be a faster solution, a day will be enough, 2 if it resist!!! and you won't spend much money on hardware, or energy while keeping this on. Apologies if the post doesn't cover all the details, you might find better and specific tutorials online, hope this helps.

RickC said:

Sounds like a perfect solution.

The Event Log entry you previously posted showed a Plug'n'Play issue with 'Device USBPRINT', i.e. the printer device type, not the scanner and/or copier device type.

Can you please check Device Manager again to see what it says for the printer, particularly the entries on the 'Events' tab? Post back any relevant entries or screenshot with an error entry selected so the lower 'Information' window is populated.

I'm beginning to think you may need to use an uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller (the free, portable versions) to run the drivers' uninstaller routine then do a check of the registry that there's no remnants.

I also think that you may need to use something like Nir Sofer's small, free, portable USBDeview to check after uninstallation that there's no hub/port entries left outstanding in the registry... but check Device Manager first.

Hope this helps...

Hope this is what you're requesting. Thanks.

picktoo said:

Hope this is what you're requesting.

For the printer's Events, what happens if you click on the View All Events... button? (It should open Event Viewer with a custom view of all events related to the printer.)

What do you see if you expand the Imaging devices entry?

hrolden, thanks for all that very useful info. Unfortunately, until I get this printer driver figured out, I can't move on to reconfiguring things with a print server or router.

One question, though. My current rounter is an ATT fiber combo modem / router. I'm sure it's not the greatest, but it does have a couple of open ethernet ports (no USB port). Would it be possible to attach a USB to Ethernet adapter to the printer's USB port, connect it to the router with an ethernet cable, then configure everything based on that setup?

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RickC said:

For the printer's Events, what happens if you click on the View All Events... button? (It should open Event Viewer with a custom view of all events related to the printer.)

The third image in my previous post is the result of selecting View All Events. That displays the Event Viewer, and all the recent events associated with that device. I've attached it again, below.

picktoo said:

The third image in my previous post is the result of selecting View All Events. That displays the Event Viewer, and all the recent events associated with that device.

No error... it didn't even try to install the printer driver! OK, drastic measures called for. Please try this:

1. Disconnect the USB cable.
2. Download, unblock and run the free, portable version of Revo Uninstaller.
3. Use Revo to uninstall all the Canon software, including ScanGear. Revo will run the Canon uninstaller first then show you any registry remnants. Remove the remnants.
4. Reboot. This is so the HKLM (i.e. system-wide) registry hive is refreshed and read again.
5. Download, unblock, and unzip the version of UsbDeview that's appropriate for your Windows architecture (x64, most likely).
6. Temporarily disable your AV.
7. Right-click on usbdeview.exe and select Run as administrator (and accept the prompt).
8. Click on the column header for Description to sort by name. I don't know what you'll see but it should be obvious if there's any Canon driver(s) still with entries in the registry.
9. Shift-click on any Canon entries (i.e. multi-select) then, from the File menu entry, choose Uninstall Selected Devices then confirm the action. This will delete the relevant registry entries and their current USB hub/port associations.
10. When you are happy there are no Canon-related entries left, close USBDeview and reboot.
11. Install just the Canon v7.12 printer driver (using Run as administrator) and do an Easy install, inerting the USB cable when prompted.
12. Check results of the printer driver installation and post back.

Hope this helps...

picktoo said:

hrolden, thanks for all that very useful info. Unfortunately, until I get this printer driver figured out, I can't move on to reconfiguring things with a print server or router.

I haven't had the time to read the details of the previous posts, as I'm currently busy, but I understand by the pics and some words you are having specific drivers issues.

You might want to explore another option: PrintFab - PrintFab | Printer Driver & RIP for Mac, let me explain why I suggest this.

PrintFab is an interesting piece of software used to extend printer functionality, and to gain control over color, separation, dot gain, saturation, etc. However, there is more, they also have developed alternate drivers for diff printers, you might want to check if yours is supported. I have used this software in the past with great results for my printing needs and to fine tune specific aspects of color printing and color matching, but also, to use their drivers instead of the brand drivers on specific printer models. Some people use it specifically for this, when the original drivers stop working under new Windows versions.

Alternatively, you can also try diff versions of your driver from the official brand and website, or the drivers that come with Windows (if any).

picktoo said:

One question, though. My current rounter is an ATT fiber combo modem / router. I'm sure it's not the greatest, but it does have a couple of open ethernet ports (no USB port). Would it be possible to attach a USB to Ethernet adapter to the printer's USB port, connect it to the router with an ethernet cable, then configure everything based on that setup?

It could be possible, I don't know, during my journey I have avoided USB to ethernet, instead I only use direct USB connection on routers, why? I haven't tested all the hardware, but some specifics come down to the models.