topic Re: PIXMA G3260 Printer drivers in Printer Software & Networking

PIXMA G3260 Printer driver invalidated after Windows 11 update

ronnieb — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:40:04 GMT

I have an older PIXMA 3260 printer. A Win 11 update has invalidated the Canon driver and the printer maintenance software does not recognize that the printer is installed. The printer still prints but without the all of the functionality. MS issued an update to Windows which eliminates older driver per this article.

https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/4-ways-the-dell-xps-14-is-breaking-new-ground-in-the-world-of-laptops

Will Canon issue a new driver to support the new standard?

PS: I love this printer and have no intention of buying a new one as I am a retiree.

Re: PIXMA G3260 Printer drivers

DerrickL — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:32:26 GMT

This is the latest drivers and software for your printer:

https://www.usa.canon.com/support/p/megatank-pixma-g3260

print driver and scanner utility are at the bottom of the downloads /software and drivers section.

Re: PIXMA G3260 Printer drivers

ronnieb — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:41:17 GMT

Do they work with the MS requirment?

Re: PIXMA G3260 Printer drivers

DerrickL — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 19:36:05 GMT

It should, the drivers are the latest for Windows 11.

Re: PIXMA G3260 Printer drivers

ronnieb — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 20:24:49 GMT

I've just tried updating the driver and Windows says the best driver is installed.

Re: PIXMA G3260 Printer driver invalidated after Windows 11 update

DerrickL — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 21:02:37 GMT

Did Windows stop the driver install? If it did install it anyway, my experience is that windows "best" is not always the case.

Re: PIXMA G3260 Printer driver invalidated after Windows 11 update

ronnieb — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 04:07:37 GMT

It stopped the install.

Re: PIXMA G3260 Printer driver invalidated after Windows 11 update

DerrickL — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:28:23 GMT

Start over with the install, the printer is still in production and many are using it with Windows 11.

To resolve the issue of your PIXMA G3260 printer driver being invalidated after a Windows 11 update, try uninstalling the current printer software and drivers, then reinstall the latest version from the Canon website. Make sure to disconnect the USB cable during the uninstallation process and only reconnect it when prompted during the driver installation

Re: PIXMA G3260 Printer driver invalidated after Windows 11 update

ronnieb — Tue, 12 May 2026 14:29:58 GMT

I've been using the printer with the generic MS driver but I need to change some settings and need to install the Canon driver. When I install the printer Windows automatically installs the MS driver. I've tried manually updating the driver in the device manager but it says the best driver is installed and there is no method of forcing the change.

Re: PIXMA G3260 Printer driver invalidated after Windows 11 update

shadowsports — Tue, 12 May 2026 15:06:06 GMT

Your issue is that you're using the generic print driver supplied by Microsoft and not the one by Canon.

Remove the printer from your computer. This is done under printer and scanners under the settings cog. Now visit programs and features under control panel and uninstall all software associated with the printer.

Next, importsnt. Unplug the USB connection from your PC. Now restart your computer gracefully.

Run the printer installation utility from Canon. Do not connect the printer to the computer until prompted to do so by the installation software.

Re: PIXMA G3260 Printer driver invalidated after Windows 11 update

ronnieb — Tue, 12 May 2026 16:03:40 GMT

I have 2 questions. 1) I have wireless and USB connections set up. Wireless for my laptop. Should I remove the printer from the network? 2) Remove just the Canon apps?

Re: PIXMA G3260 Printer driver invalidated after Windows 11 update

shadowsports — Tue, 12 May 2026 16:53:38 GMT

Greetings,

Thanks for providing more information about your configuration. The G3260 does support simultaneous connections on multiple interfaces simultaneously.

The wireless connection is what is causing Windows 11 to install the generic driver upon printer detection.

However, there's no reason to use two connection types. If the printer is connected to a network wirelessly, any device regardless of connection method (wired or wireless) will be able to utilize the printer. So a USB connection is superfluous (not needed) unless you have a device with zero network capability that you will connect directly to the printer. This is independent from the existing configuration.

Based on your description, it sounds like you're using everything except for the Canon driver to support your printer. Generic MS Printer driver and Canon apps. The apps are fine, but the generic printer driver will not give you full customization and control over your device.

You need to get the Canon print driver installed. However, after removal and restart, windows will continue to install the generic print driver upon printer detection. Additional step. Remove the wireless profile for your network from your printer. This way when you restart your computer, the printer will not be connected or detected.

Now run the Canon print driver installation which will prompt you to set up the wireless connection and in turn use the Canon print driver instead of the generic MS driver. The most important steps are: removing the printer, uninstalling any printer drivers not provided by Canon (if present), removing the wireless profile from the printer, disconnecting USB and restarting. This will allow you to run the Canon installation utility and complete setup of your device. Do not reconnect the USB connection. It's not needed.