new iMac and older Canon Pixma MG5220 - connection problems

[sznnsings]

My new iMac can only see the MG5220 when my old MacBook Air is sharing the printer on the network. If I disconnect the air from the network the iMac does not see it. How do I get the new iMac to see the printer and print directly to it without using the Air as the go between? OS Monterey on the new iMac. OS High Sierra on the MacBook Air. Thanks for your help!

[Patrick · Accepted solution]

Hi sznnsings,

The last version of OSX that the PIXMA MG5220 was supported with was macOS v10.13 (High Sierra).

The PIXMA MG5220 is not compatible with newer versions, like macOS v12 (Monterey).

You are able to print because your PIXMA MG5220 is compatible with your High Sierra computer and is installed on that computer.  It is shared from that computer with your Monterey computer.  So you Monterey computer is not printing directly to your MG5220.  The print job goes from the Monterey computer into the print queue on your High Sierra computer which then sends it to your MG5220.

You will have to have you High Sierra computer turned on in order to print.  There is no work around or setting that can be changed to allow your PIXMA MG5220 to work with macOS v12.

You are eligible for Canon's Upgrade Program. This is for out of warranty units which have been diagnosed to require service, or for some reason are incompatible with a new or upgraded system. This option allows you a one-time opportunity to purchase a replacement product, discounted from the list price.

If you would like to take part in this option, please call our Sales Department at (866) 443-8002 Monday through Saturday, 9am to 9pm. Let them know you have been working with technical support and the Canon Upgrade Program was offered.

[sznnsings]

thank you for your help!

[zharknado]

For posterity, this is an unofficial solution. Use at your own risk, but it worked for me in late 2024 on two separate M2 MacBook Airs running macOS Sonoma 14.6.1:

1. Download the MG5200 series printer driver that was designed for High Sierra (10.13) from Canon
2. Install it. macOS will warn that the package is old and can't be scanned for malware. Click on it again and choose to open it anyways. (Note: opening un-scannable packages is a security risk, so make sure you only do this with the package downloaded from the official Canon website).
3. If you don't already have Rosetta installed, macOS will tell you that you need it to run this package. Install it. (Rosetta enables Apple Silicon machines to run older Intel-based code). This was a quick step for me.
4. Continue through the print driver package installer, agree to the terms, etc. At the end, it will attempt to install and then tell you that it failed. But it didn't.
5. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners and add your printer. It should automatically find the driver, but if that doesn't work, select Canon MG5200 series in the Use: menu and finish adding your printer.
6. Now you can print from your newer Mac!