I'm having trouble re-configuring my G7020 printer from WiFi connected to USB instead on MacOS.

[GasquetH]

Hi folks, I could use some help.

I moved recently.  I used to have my G7020 printer set up as a network printer on WiFi.  I want to stop doing that, and convert it to just a USB connected printer for one person to use.  I am having trouble with this conversion and the printer is offline, and cannot be added in MacOS Printer & Scanner settings, because it does not show up there.  

I have re-installed drivers configuring for USB connection.  I doubled checked cabling, power is connected.  Still no luck.  I have disabled WiFi, and LAN and have Bonjour enabled.  But, when I look to add a printer, I do not see any entries at all for printers connected to my laptop.  I do not understand why.

It could be because in Privacy and Security, I have my computer in Lockdown Mode on MacOS.  I will disable and see if that allows me to add a printer.  Has anyone else seen this behavior, where the printer is never discoverable?

Other suggestions welcome.

[GasquetH]

It was not Lockdown Mode.  I did turn that off and try to find my printer and add it and that failed to work.  I am suspecting something is wrong with the USB connection.  I have the USB cable that typically comes with a printer, but do not know if it is the same one.  I assume they are standard and interchangeable.  It goes to the old, wide USB connector, which does not fit my MacBook Pro 2019, so I am using one of those adaptor dongles to convert the signal to the mini-USB connector that fits my laptop.

Now I really need help from the community.  I am stumped by this one.  I have cycled the power on the printer.  Assuming the cables and dongle are good, what could cause this behavior?  The dongle for example works with an external hard drive I use to back up my laptop, so that is unlikely to be the issue.  I'll try swapping cables tomorrow.

[shadowsports · Accepted solution]

Greetings,

The first thing you want to do is remove the printer instance from printers and scanners use the minus (-) button.

Now, uninstall all Canon drivers and software by dragging them from the applications folder to the trash can. 

Important, restart your system. 

The "lockdown" feature has nothing to do with USB device connections.  This protection is actually a sub-feature of Gatekeeper.

What OS version and build is your Mac running? 

When you try to connect the printer via USB are you seeing The USB connection security dialog asking if you want to allow a new USB device to connect? 

If not, I suspect the cable or adapter you are using is not compatible with your printer or your Mac.  In actuality they're not universally compatible or interchangeable.  

It might be worth your while to get cable that does not utilize an adapter.  Something like this would work. 

If the issue turns out to be related to device connectivity this should get you on your way.  If you continue to have issues, please let us know.

[GasquetH]

Thanks ShadowSports, I was hoping that printer cables adhered to a standard.  I was worried about the printer not being supported well through the USB dongle.  I'll try a more direct connection.

Nothing is asking me to accept a USB connection anywhere.  There just seems to be no communication over USB, but I was not sure if that was being blocked by software or hardware.  You're suggesting most likely hardware, so let me see if this works.  I have ordered a cable, which should be here tomorrow.

[DerrickL]

I also think  the problem is caused by the USB cable you tried to use. USB-B (Printer end) to USB-C is the only way to go. 

[GasquetH]

I have the cable and have installed it.  I can at least see the printer when I attempt to add a printer.  However, it appears offline and does not print a test page when printed from the Canon setup assistant software.  

I did get a dialog box to allow applications to access external storage, which I said no to the first time.  I re-ran the software but did not get a dialog box the second time.  At first I thought, no I don't want to allow that, but now I am wondering, if the printer queue is effectively external storage.  Anyone knows how the print queue interacts with the printer at the hardware level?  This looks like a blank check that includes external USB flash drives, external hard drives, etc.  I don't want to give that level of access broadly.  

The next problem I found is that when I added the printer, it asked me what driver software to use and G7020 (or anything starting with 7000 series, was NOT in the driver list.  I therefore have no idea what to choose.  The Canon documentation does not have instructions to select the driver.  The auto select button is gray out.  

I don't know why the installer for my device, does not install drivers for my specific printer.  There were drivers for 6000, 6100, 6200, 8500 and older printer models.  Why is my model skipped in the list?

[GasquetH]

OK, got it to work.... finally.

Purged all old Canon install of software.  Turned off Bit Defender and Little Snitch.  Re-installed the drivers.  That finally worked!  It was definitely not easy, but much easier than with a cable that wasn't compatible.  I was able to plug the USB-C into the back of my Studio Display Monitor, in which I connect my laptop, and that worked.  So it is not directly connected to my laptop, but going through my Monitor.  Thanks for everyone's advice.  It was impactful.