imageCLASS MF656Cdw will not scan via a wireless connection

[tommyboy39]

To save some time here and not have some of you ask me which printer, OS, etc, here they are:

• Windows 11 Pro 24H2 with all current updates
• Model of printer: Canon MF656Cdw
• Any firewall blocks have been removed, granting the printer / scanner full privileges over the network
• Printer firmware is up to date
• Have tried to uninstall an reinstall software and drivers several times

First off, I bought this printer back in January or February of 2024. I installed it along with the programs just fine on a Windows 10 Pro PC. Printer and scanner worked via a wireless connection without issue. No firewall exceptions were necessary and I did not have to troubleshoot anything.

Fast forward 8 or 9 months. I built a new PC running Windows 11 Pro. Installed printer and scanner software. Scanner cannot communicate with the pc while trying to scan. The printer portion works just fine as I was able to print a test page. When trying to scan via the Canon MF Scan Utility (or any other software for that matter), I get the following message:

• "Cannot communicate with the scanner. The cable may be disconnected, or the scanner may be turned off. Check the scanner status and try again. Scanner Driver will be terminated."

There is no cable as I use it via a wireless connection. Unless the printer came with a usb cable (I would have to check the box), I don't even have a cable to be able to print and scan via a usb cable. The printer and scanner are turned on. The scanner works as I printed a document directly from the scanner platen glass.

I'd like to know where to go from here. Why doesn't it work from my Windows 11 PC?

[audrius]

We are waiting too...

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

I've escalated this with Canon.  Although the problem appears to be with Microsoft and feature release 24H2, there might be something they can do.  

[tommyboy39]

While it is probably true that something in the 24H2 update caused Canon's scanning software to stop working, I, as stated previously, have already reached out to Microsoft and let them have access to my pc to see if they could figure it out. They were unable to. Other software manufacturers will keep up with Microsoft updates. The same should go with a large, global, corporation such as Canon. We are all not going to revert back to 23H2 just so we can use Canon's scanning software again. Don't know if that is really an option at this juncture. Even if it was, I would not want to do it and lose all the important updates (security and other) just so the scanning software from Canon will work. I believe it is up to Canon to keep up with Microsoft (and other OS's) updates.

This is where the problem lies.... corporations want to point fingers at the others and vice versa. They never want to take the blame nor do anything about it unless absolutely necessary. All that leaves us with is a bunch of people who can't take advantage of their scanner with the manufacturers software. This is no longer an isolated incident as several of us are having the exact same problem (plus many others I am sure). Whomever has gone through this particular forum post and read everything knows the steps I (and others) have taken to try and get it to work. All to no avail. PC's can communicate with the scanner through other programs, why not Canon's software?

[jjs710]

Here is an article that explains it somewhat.  Even though it primarily focusing on USB it also applies to network scanners/printers.

Windows 11 24H2 causes USB scanners and printers stop working

[KaptainObveous]

Thanks for sharing this update.

[tommyboy39]

Yes, thanks for sharing that update. Thing is, the Canon scanner works perfectly fine with other scanning software, just not Canon's software. Not sure about via USB as I don't use it that way nor have the capabilities to do so unless I purchase a usb cable for it to test it. I will not go that route. For now, Windows scan is working via a wireless connection (as basic as it may be). That will have to do until they have a fix for their software. Hope it comes soon. Either that or Microsoft gets us a patch that will make it work again.

[stan2841]

I have the MF753cdw, it works on windows 10 no problems, windows 11, 23H2, not a chance.  I'm glad I found this forum and hope Canon fixes this issue soon.  This is a commercial grade product used in a business setting, so to leave customers hanging like this is not a good look for them.  As I'm still within the return window for this machine, I'm seriously considering a return and going with HP or Xerox.  I'm not seeing these issues with other vendors.

[KaptainObveous]

Re-check @jjs710's post with link above before jumping to HP, as their product line might also be affected by the 24H2 update.

[stan2841]

Thanks, I'll look into that, however, my HP MFP M277DW was working just fine on Windows 11 24H2.  It gave up the ghost after 9 years and I decided to try Canon.  It's a great device, it's just mind boggling that a vendor as large as Canon hasn't fixed this yet, especially on a commercial grade product.

[BarbCCFL]

We are having this same issue with our MF656cdw, but only with our new micro computer running Win11 24H2. We have a Dell Laptop with 24H2 that is working fine scanning over wifi using the MF Scan Utility. We have 2 other computers also working just fine with the scanner, a Win10 and a 23H2. All are on the same network and we have compared settings, uninstalled and re-installed multiple times on the new micro, but nada. WIA native mode works from various apps on the new micro, but the setting options using that method are just not as robust. We are really looking for a better solution. So, why does MF Scan Utility work on the older Dell laptop with the same version of Win11? It was originally a Win10 machine that underwent the upgrade process and the new micro came pre-loaded with 24H2. Maybe there is some driver .dll artifact from Win10 on the older laptop that is necessary for the scan utility?