Error with Canon MF Port Monitor preventing printing and scanning

[PixelxWomans]

I recently helped a client install the drivers for the Canon imageCLASS MF445dw.

Using the original drivers caused issues with both printing and scanning; problems arose related to the Canon MF Port Monitor.

I searched online, and the results suggested potential causes such as antivirus software, firewalls, driver installation issues, and so on.

I went as far as uninstalling the driver, disabling Windows Defender, and removing the antivirus software just to be safe, while verifying that the drivers were otherwise in order.

Ultimately, however, it didn't work with the appropriate drivers.

What do you think would be worth trying? Have you experienced this issue with that particular model?

[shadowsports]

Greetings ,

You haven't provided enough information.  What operating system (version and build) are you using the printer with?  

How is the printer connected and to what?

What software specifically did you install?

Window Defender / Security does not currently cause any issues with Canon software in Windows 10 or Windows 11.  It does not need to be disabled. Third-party antivirus is a different story. These programs can conflict with installation.  I own two Canon lasers and have helped hundreds of people with installs. If there was a software issue with Canon's drivers I would have seen it by now.  

[shadowsports]

If you're using the printer on a network, try assigning it a static IP.  Do this on the router not on the printer.

[PixelxWomans]

Hello, the operating system used at the time was Windows 11.
The printer is connected via an Ethernet network cable, and I installed the driver recommended on the webpage at this link: https://www.usa.canon.com/support/p/imageclass-mf445dw?srsltid=AfmBOopL5SgxoFqD4_hTEgQjjxBi1KI55Fb2T...

[PixelxWomans]

I understand that certain IP addresses should be reserved on the router, as you mentioned, but that depends on the client.

The issue is that the printer does appear on the network and the remote UI is accessible without problems; however, when using the recommended driver to perform the network installation and configuration, a "Canon MF Port Monitor" error occurs.

[shadowsports]

Greetings, 

According to the user guide my first suggestion of using a static IP address is optional but recommended.

Not sure why you stated that configuring a static IP address on the router versus a device depends on the client?  A router is the single source of truth on a network.  If you set a static IP address on a device and have the router set to DHCP, there is a chance that the router could assign that IP address to another device.  By reserving the IP address on the router using the adapters MAC address there is no possibility of this occurring.  You cannot expect persistent or reliable communication unless you do it on the router.  This is based on best practice.

Further Research indicates that you can bypass the MF Port error by installing first the printer driver, and then the scanner driver separately.  This means you may have to run the MF driver installer twice excluding then adding installation components one by one.  Also suggested was installing the printer using its INF file instead of running the EXE standalone.  The printer uses port 9100 by default, but 515 can also be used.

https://oip.manual.canon/USRMA-4519-zz-SSM-440-enUV/contents/devu-setup-nw-pc_comm-port.html

Any errors are most likely related to the the users software environment or network configuration.  This is not a typical error in the majority of instances.  

Unfortunately, telling me that you used the drivers on the product's support portal does not specifically tell me what drivers you installed.  There are multiple choices.

These two should be all you need for Windows 11.

It may not just be a matter of running them if something in the user environment is keeping port monitoring from working as intended.  In this case I would try the alternate methods mentioned above.  If you continue to experience difficulties I suggest you engage Canon Support. 1-800-652-2666. 😉

[PixelxWomans]

Regards,

I tried installing the printer driver first and then the scanner driver, but it didn't work; I encountered the same problem with both.

We would need to verify whether the issue lies with the operating system being used, as the printer has no network issues—it can print using a generic driver, but the problem arises when using the recommended drivers.