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Can't get printer to connect to my iMac

I recently was given a iMac from my brother. It works very well. But, when I try and connect my Canon MP510 printer to the iMac, it won't print. It appears the iMac has identified the printer and I have followed the "add printer" instructions very carefully. A window appears from System Preferences showing "Printers and Scanners" and it shows my Canon MP510 and it seems the necessary info in that box or window. But I have noticed that window doesn't show Print/Scan in a box at the top of that window? Looking at a video of installing a printer to my iMAC, that video shows a Print/ San box at the top of the window, which I don't see in my window. Tried numerous times to install the printer to no avail. The printer works just fine with my older HP computer, so I know the printer works. Can someone please help me get my Canon printer to start printing with my newly acquired iMac. Thank you.

Windows, Windows 6

Posted on Oct 24, 2024 10:49 AM

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19 replies

Nov 4, 2024 10:53 PM in response to sciencemagic

sciencemagic wrote:

/.../ I tried downloading the driver "Mountain Lion v10.8" I was able to finally choose that printer driver that was available from the list. But, when I tried to install the driver to my Mac I got the message " The package is incapable with this version of mac OS" So, the different driver option that was maybe a possibility wouldn't work. /.../

Hello again,


This means that you have about four options:

  • Try a Gutenprint MP510 driver. Purely experimental, not supported, and may not work at all in this case.
  • Print to/save as PDF on the iMac, and then transfer the PDF files (on a USB flash drive or via network) to a Windows PC for printing. This would be the easy way.
  • Buy a new, inexpensive AirPrint-compatible printer from Canon or elsewhere.
  • Try to use a Raspberry Pi as a print server, with the intention of making the MP510 work in an AirPrint-like way with a modern Mac (see, for instance, the posts by Techguyuk in the discussion Can’t print with iPadOS17 - Apple Community). Again experimental, and probably not the most suitable solution for an MP510.

Oct 28, 2024 12:15 PM in response to sciencemagic

Thank you for the information.


It is one thing that the Mac has identified the MP510 printer as such, but an appropriate printer driver must be found as well. This appears to be a problem here. The Canon drivers are for OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion or earlier, and it is not sure that Gutenprint drivers will work with macOS 10.15 Catalina or later.


The main objective would be to find a working printer driver. Even a driver for another/similar Canon model could perhaps be worth testing. However, be careful when looking for drivers on the Internet. There are several dubious third-party "support" sites, often with misleading names. Only download from a trustworthy source, such as Canon or Apple.


Everything you do here will be experimental. The Add a printer to your printer list so you can use it on Mac – Apple Support (UK) article has further information. See also Reset the printing system on your Mac to solve a problem – Apple Support (UK).


Since MP510 drivers from Canon are available for up to at least Windows 8.1 (may work with a few later Windows versions as well), a workaround could of course be to print to/save as PDF on the Mac, and then transfer the files to the PC for printing. Not ideal, but possible.

Oct 24, 2024 1:04 PM in response to sciencemagic

Any information about the iMac model/year and its exact operating system version?

https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/index-imac.html


Printer drivers from Canon for the PIXMA MP510 do not appear to exist for anything newer than Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion (one should perhaps not rule out that a few later operating system versions possibly could be OK as well).

https://www.usa.canon.com/support/p/pixma-mp510


There were experimental third-party Gutenprint drivers for up to approx. macOS 10.14 Mojave (but Mac is no longer supported).

https://gimp-print.sourceforge.io/p_Supported_Printers.php

Oct 30, 2024 1:17 PM in response to sciencemagic

Hi Rick,


Yes, Canon says (on the support page) that the MP510 has been retired. It is per se possible to find/download an old printer driver via the following sequence, but I have to assume that the driver in question is not going to work either (you may have tested this exact route already):

https://www.usa.canon.com/support/p/pixma-mp510 -> DOWNLOADS -> Software & Drivers -> 1. Operating System Mac -> 2. Version OS X Mountain Lion v10.8 -> 3. MP510 CUPS Printer Driver Ver. 10.67.2.0 (OS X 10.5/10.6/10.7/10.8)

Nov 5, 2024 2:08 AM in response to sciencemagic

sciencemagic wrote:

I tried downloading the driver "Mountain Lion v10.8" I was able to finally choose that printer driver that was available from the list. But, when I tried to install the driver to my Mac I got the message " The package is incapable with this version of mac OS" So, the different driver option that was maybe a possibility wouldn't work.


FYI, Mountain Lion is seven major versions of the operating system behind Catalina – nine major versions behind Monterey. Lots of stuff could have changed in the operating system in that time that would have broken old print drivers.


One big one is that Catalina dropped support for 32-bit code. In Mountain Lion's day, developers had the option of writing 64-bit code, but a lot of them were still writing 32-bit code.


Another is that to improve system security, Apple started deprecating kernel extensions (which run with OS-level privileges) in favor of more narrowly focused system extensions. That change requires a complete code rewrite. In the case of Apple Silicon Macs, those can't run Intel system code. Kernel extensions built for Mountain Lion – which predated Apple Silicon by many years – would not be able to run on an Apple Silicon Mac even if Apple had not decided to get rid of kernel extensions.


When I replaced a Mac running High Sierra with one running Ventura, I found that Canon did not provide Ventura drivers for my all-in-one printer/scanner. Fortunately, the printer was AirPrint-compatible – so it was possible to save it using a combination of AirPrint (for printing) and VueScan (for scanning). If you ever get any new printer for your Mac, be sure that it is AirPrint-compatible.

Oct 30, 2024 3:17 AM in response to sciencemagic

Hello,


If nothing else helps, maybe you could check whether the following dmg download from Apple possibly would work (despite the text Not compatible with macOS v12 and newer). If so, look for a Canon MP510 driver.

Canon Printer Drivers v3.4 for macOS - Apple Support


Since all this is experimental, make sure that you have made backup copies of any important files that you may have installed on the Mac. Software conflicts cannot be ruled out.

Oct 31, 2024 2:32 AM in response to sciencemagic

If you use the exact route mentioned in my previous message, you will find the available drivers and other applications for OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion. The one of interest for printing is a CUPS printer driver (date 09.01.17, that is, from 2017). You could try it, but I would not expect too much from this. See also the information under details.


If you would select a newer operating system version (under 2.), you will not find a later printer driver, so this is what can be done via the Canon support site. Under DOWNLOADS -> Manuals you will find an MP510 user manual (Mac), a quick start guide, and setup instructions, if necessary.


Gutenprint drivers would be totally experimental. It is unclear whether they would work with anything newer than macOS 10.14 Mojave, and since Mac is no longer supported by the Gutenprint project (see https://gimp-print.sourceforge.io/index.php), I cannot recommend this.


The User Guide for macOS Monterey could perhaps be of some help.

macOS User Guide - Apple Support

See, for example:

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

Print documents from your Mac – Apple Support (UK)

Solve printing problems on Mac – Apple Support (UK)

Nov 4, 2024 2:03 PM in response to sciencemagic

sciencemagic wrote:

/.../ In the past when I clicked on that printer icon in the dock, a printer "window" or box would appear showing the Canon printer and the various options that are in that window associated with that printer. Such as print queue, options & supplies, location, kind, and status. /.../

Do you mean something like the box shown, for example, in the Update your printer software if your printer has a printing problem on Mac – Apple Support (UK) article (disregard AirPrint)?

Oct 28, 2024 10:38 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

Hi Jan, Thank you for your reply. I didn't get a message I got a reply to my inquiry, so this is sort of late, sorry. The Apple computer is a iMac Retina 5K 27" late 2015. OS Monterey version 12.7.6

I have followed all the printer instructions as to marry the printer to the Mac but no success, even though it appears the iMac has identified the correct printer. Thats why it is very confusing? Sure would appreciate any further help you can be of. Thank you, Jan.

Oct 28, 2024 4:22 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

Hi Jan,


Thank you for your reply. While I'm far from a computer wizard sort of thought the printer drivers may be a cause of concern? None of the drivers that Apple was presenting in the choose driver seemed appropriate? So, I did experiment using some different drivers that Apple showed to no avail. Don't know anything about OS Mountain Lion or Gutenprint drivers, Jan. I've only had the iMac 27 for about 2 weeks and whole different ball game from the Windows 7 I was using for 13 yrs. So, it's a big learning process, one step at a time. I will contact Canon and see if they have recommendation about printer drivers I maybe can you with the iMac and OS Monterey? I will stay away from third party support as you recommend, Jan. Don't need to make this problem any bigger than it is already.

I will take your suggestions "Add a printer to your printer list so you can use it on a Mac" and "Reset the printer system on your Mac to solve a problem" and see what may develop there. Let me "experiment" with those suggestions and see what may happen. I will get back to you, Jan. Certainly appreciate your help! Thank you, Jan.

Oct 30, 2024 11:14 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

Hi Jan,


Appreciate your help. Tried your suggestion. Unfortunately it didn't work. When I tried the download I got the message " This update requires mac OS version 12.0 or earlier" and the only option in the box was "close". It does appear I'm getting close running out of possible solutions? Going directly to Canon was no help. They simply won't support that printer model any longer. Can't even go to their community/ knowledge base for help!

I'll fiddle around some more and see if I can finally find a driver that is compatible with my mac version and my Canon old printer. If an idea pops into your mind, please let me know. Certainly appreciate your help and concern. Thank you, Jan for your help!


Rick

Oct 30, 2024 4:23 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

Hi Jan,


Thanks once again for help and suggestions. Always appreciated. I did look over the various drivers for the MP510, and found some, 8 to be exact that would allow a download? Yes, they all are for a different OS than mine, but not sure how if they may work??? Being there are 8 possible drivers that can be downloaded, would you have any preference? You mentioned Mountain Lion? Would it be best of to select a driver download that is the oldest? Like Lion v 10.7 or Snow leopard v10.6 that have a 7/22/11 date? Or the latest download in your opinion?

Once I select a new driver that may work with a MP510, how would I proceed from there? Would I somehow try and install that from the system preferences menu, printer menu and try and type in that new driver download where it may be possible to do so? Certainly appreciate you're not giving up attitude, Jan. Thank you.


Rick

Nov 1, 2024 10:00 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

Hi Jan,


I downloaded the driver version, Mountain Lion v10.8 9/1/17 as you suggested. But, how do I incorporate that printer driver download I got from Canon to my Apple iMac computer, using the system preferences "adding a printer"? When I click on the printer icon in the dock I don't see the printer box I used to see initially that showed my Canon printer and the various options, one of which I thought had driver options? Can't seem to find that printer window/box that would appear when I clicked the printer dock icon? Any suggestions on how I can now incorporate that printer driver download to my Canon MP 510 that my iMac shows I have?

Nov 4, 2024 10:58 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

Hi Jan,


I tried downloading the driver "Mountain Lion v10.8" I was able to finally choose that printer driver that was available from the list. But, when I tried to install the driver to my Mac I got the message " The package is incapable with this version of mac OS" So, the different driver option that was maybe a possibility wouldn't work.

I have notice lately though, when I try and access my Canon printer from the printer icon with in the dock at the bottom of the screen., it doesn't appear like it used to when I did that? In the past when I clicked on that printer icon in the dock, a printer "window" or box would appear showing the Canon printer and the various options that are in that window associated with that printer. Such as print queue, options & supplies, location, kind, and status. That box no longer appears when I try and access it from the printer icon in the dock. Any reason that no longer is happening, Jan? It did make it sort of easier to try different things when that print window appeared, instead of back tracking to find the printer I downloaded to my iMac. Thanks again, Jan for your help and suggestions.

Can't get printer to connect to my iMac

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