topic Re: Windows 11 won't recognize imageCLASS MF4450 in Office Printers

Windows 11 won't recognize imageCLASS MF4450

cappy1920 — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 13:00:31 GMT

Hi. I was given this printer a couple of days ago; however, I cannot get my Windows 11 pc to recognize it. I downloaded the driver and the tool box, but I cannot get it to work. Any suggestions? Should I give up? I saw that some people were able to get this working with Windows 10, but cannot find any help for Windows 11. Thank you.

Re: Windows 11 won't recognize imageCLASS MF4450

Danny — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 13:01:17 GMT

Thanks for letting us know what Canon product you've got. The imageCLASS MF4450 is an older model which we have retired. While that means that Canon USA no longer offers direct support for it, your friends here in the Canon Community are welcome to offer suggestions!

You can also speak with a Canon Upgrade Program specialist to help you score a modern replacement that would meet your current needs at a discount. You can reach them weekdays and Saturdays at 1-866-443-8002.

Hope this helps!

Re: Windows 11 won't recognize imageCLASS MF4450

shadowsports — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 13:33:27 GMT

Greetings,

@capy1920, although this printer is not certified to work with Windows 11, there is a possibility it might still work. You'll have to try.

It only connects via USB. The drivers should be installed before you connect the device to the computer. This is a very important step. Also, the printer needs to be connected directly to the computer, not using a hub or adapters.

Device Support for the MF4450:

Canon Support for imageCLASS MF4450 | Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Drivers you'll need:

Install first:

https://pdisp01.c-wss.com/gdl/WWUFORedirectTarget.do?id=MDEwMDAwMzIyODA0&cmp=ABR&lang=EN

Install Second:

https://pdisp01.c-wss.com/gdl/WWUFORedirectTarget.do?id=MDIwMDAwMTU1OTA4&cmp=ABR&lang=EN

This patch will also likely be required:

Please note the instructions. > This patch resolves an issue that prevents scanning over a network or with a USB connection after upgrading Windows to a newer version. If you cannot scan over a network or with a USB connection, install this patch. If installing (or reinstalling) the MF driver, be sure to first restart (not shut down) your PC after driver installation is complete, and then install this patch.

Patch:

https://pdisp01.c-wss.com/gdl/WWUFORedirectTarget.do?id=MDEwMDAwODA5ODAx&cmp=ABR&lang=EN

If you have any failed instances of the printer.. where you attempted to install, but did not succeed, these should be removed manually, and the system restarted before attempting again. Example image from windows 10, but 11 is similar.

Now unplug the printer from USB and restart. Run the installer. Do not connect the printer until you are prompted. Next run the toolbox, and finally the patch, restarting in between as suggested.

Let us know if it works

Re: Windows 11 won't recognize imageCLASS MF4450

cappy1920 — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 14:16:58 GMT

Thank you for the quick reply. I am not home, but will do this and let you all know how it goes.

Re: Windows 11 won't recognize imageCLASS MF4450

cappy1920 — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 16:14:25 GMT

When you say "run the installer", do you mean "Add device" from the printers and scanners menu? I've already installed the two drivers and the patch.

Re: Windows 11 won't recognize imageCLASS MF4450

shadowsports — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 16:31:34 GMT

Greetings,

No. I mean run the executable and do not connect the printer until prompted to do so. With USB devices, you typically install the drivers before connecting the device. This is because Windows will attempt to install generic drivers once it's detects a peripheral has been connected. These may or may not work. They also don't typically support all the features of the device.

Once installed and connected, open notepad and type a few characters. Press CTRL+P. Select the printer as the destination and press print. This should Tell you if the device is installed and compatible.

Re: Windows 11 won't recognize imageCLASS MF4450

cappy1920 — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 18:35:28 GMT

I followed the instructions, hopefully to a tee. I had already installed the drivers, but missed the step about connecting the usb, so I uninstalled everything, rebooted, and did it again. I do not see the canon printer in the dialog when I do CTRL+P. However, it's in "Printers and Scanners".

P.S. I think I know what the "MF" stands for!

Re: Windows 11 won't recognize imageCLASS MF4450

diesal2422 — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 21:16:47 GMT

so basiclly our printers have a expiration date on them now that they are older !! i wish they would put that on the box when you buy one ... this one expires in 5 years .. don't buy the extended warranty now cause they wont offer new driver downloads to even use it in a couple years .. might as well had bought a cheap knock off

Re: Windows 11 won't recognize imageCLASS MF4450

diesal2422 — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 21:18:01 GMT

thank you sir

Re: Windows 11 won't recognize imageCLASS MF4450

ReadyAimFire — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 18:41:09 GMT

I installed, restarted, plugged, deleted, unplugged, and reinstalled everything about three times in various sequences and eventually got it working. Thank you!

Re: Windows 11 won't recognize imageCLASS MF4450

shadowsports — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 19:53:02 GMT

Thanks for the feedback...Glad it worked for you.

For others. Canon does not design products with an "expiration date". The service life for a product can vary. Sometimes it has to do with the hardware or architecture. Others due to parts availability. In order for a product to be supported, parts must remain available so it can be repaired if needed. Canon does not manufacture every part that is used to manufacture the products it sells, so if a vendor decides to stop making parts, this could in turn affect the service life.

Here's an example. The MF4450 was released 14 yrs ago. If you didn't buy it at release, the length of time it can be supported might be less. It's also possible that parts for it are no longer being made. Canon has to account for this as it must be able to repair what it sells.

Most people do not keep computers, phones or printers for 10+ years. If you get more than 5 yrs of service, you have done well and the return on your investment is high. Technology changes, operating systems change and the hardware they run on is also constantly evolving. So these factors should be considered cumulatively. Several factors beyond Canon's control are in play here.

Re: Windows 11 won't recognize imageCLASS MF4450

Yoshi_o — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 21:46:18 GMT

Hi Danny, I want to thank Canon for being so respectful of the owners of this device. I bought my LaserJet MF4450 in 2009 when it was EOL product on sale. When I finally migrated in 2018 to Win10 from Windows 8, the "USB Patch" had been officially posted. For about 2 years, there was a question of whether MicroSoft would fix what they broke with Windows 10. And after that long wait, Canon created their own Patch, doing what MicroSoft was too lazy to do. Thank you so much. I am currently reinvesting in the Canon camera ecosystem, which is far more money than a printer costs. Also, while the listing of this MF4450 has been deleted in your legacy products, the server URL for the actual driver files finds them. Please keep these files for those who eschew e-waste, so we don't have to download possibly infected versions from sites of ill repute. I wrote a "thank you email" in 2018. Arigatou, arigatou gozaimasu.

Re: Windows 11 won't recognize imageCLASS MF4450

Yoshi_o — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 21:55:13 GMT

Just a note on these for anyone who gets a MF4450 or similar model. Sales ended around 2010, but toner is still out there. Its a great printer. The OE installer worked for Win7/8.1 Microsoft broke function for Windows 10. After 2 years Canon created the USB patch, which brute force overwrites 3 files (i think) that regains function for the printer. It is suggested this only affected scanning, but it seemed more involved. It did not affect anything else on the PC. Fast forward to Win11 being shoved on people. It seems the patch still works, but I haven't updated yet. The scanner will work, but you may find it easier to operate it from the printer, rather than through MS dialog software. I made this note years ago: "The PATCH broke the CANON "Toolbox" software that does OCR and scans.
The "Presto PageManager" software that connects to that, seems to work,
but it currently doesn't print/scan correctly as it uses the Toolbox.
I did download a newer version of Toolbox with the patch, but didn't want
to install it until I fully tested. Obviously, the old Toolbox worked with
older drivers so its broken now, while everything else (normal print and scan)
now is working, so I am up to fix it next."

tl;dr

Minor bugs probably were already there since 2016. But it scans and prints just fine.