Why a Canon PIXMA or MAXIFY Inkjet Printer Doesn’t Work on an ARM Windows 11 Laptop and How to Fix It

Last Updated on 10.06.2026 by DriverNew

A new generation of thin and energy-efficient laptops runs on processors with ARM architecture (for example, the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, Snapdragon X Plus, and similar chip families). These devices come with a special version of the operating system — Windows 11 ARM.

Owners of these modern laptops often face the following issue: when trying to connect a Canon PIXMA or Canon MAXIFY inkjet printer or MFP, the official setup program throws an error, interrupts the process, or simply fails to see the device connected via USB.

In this article, we will explain in simple terms the cause of this problem, show you how to check the processor type on your laptop, and provide step-by-step instructions on how to make your Canon hardware print and scan.

How to Check the Processor Type on Your Laptop

If you are not sure exactly which processor is installed in your computer, you can easily check it using standard Windows 11 tools in just a few seconds.

1. Right-click the Start button (the Windows logo) in the bottom corner of the screen.
2. In the system menu that appears, select System.
3. A window with your computer’s parameters will open. Locate the section named Device specifications.
4. Look at the System type line. If it says “64-bit operating system, ARM-based processor”, it means your laptop belongs to the new architecture, and standard driver installation restrictions apply to it.

The Main Cause of the Problem: Architecture Conflict

An ARM processor is installed inside ARM laptops, which is fundamentally different from classic Intel or AMD chips (x86/x64 architecture). The Windows 11 ARM operating system can run regular applications and games using the built-in Prism emulator, but this emulator does not apply to hardware drivers.

A driver is a low-level system program. Windows prohibits emulating drivers for the sake of the system’s stability and security. A driver must be written by the developer strictly for the ARM64 architecture.

The core of the Canon issue: Canon supplies classic x86/x64 installers for the PIXMA and MAXIFY lineups. The brand does not have native drivers for Windows 11 ARM for most inkjet models. Because of this, the classic installation method via a USB cable using the official .exe file does not work.

Method 1. Connecting Print via Wi-Fi (For Wireless Models)

Most modern Canon PIXMA and MAXIFY MFPs are equipped with a Wi-Fi module. If your device can work over a network, you can completely do without official Canon software. Windows 11 ARM features a built-in universal class driver called Mopria Print Device / Microsoft IPP, which can communicate with wireless printers directly.

Step 1. Connect the printer to your home Wi-Fi network

The printer and your laptop must be on the same wireless network.

• If your Canon has a screen, go to the network settings (LAN settings) → Wireless LAN setup and connect to your router by entering the password.
• If there is no screen, use the connection method by pressing the WPS button on your router and printer (instructions for your specific model can be found on the official Canon website).

Step 2. Add the device in Windows 11

1. Open laptop Settings (press the Win + I key combination).
2. Go to the Bluetooth & devices section, then select Printers & scanners.
3. Click the Add device button.
4. Wait for about 15 seconds. If the system does not automatically display your printer, a link saying “The printer that I want isn’t listed” will appear under the button. Click the Add manually button next to it.
5. Select the bottom option: “Add a printer using an IP address or hostname” and click Next.
6. Enter your printer’s IP address (it can be found in the printer’s menu under the network status section or in your router’s control panel). Click Next.
7. The system will automatically detect the device via the network protocol and install the universal Mopria Print Device driver.

Method 2. Attempting Manual Print Installation via USB

If you have a basic PIXMA model without Wi-Fi that connects exclusively via a USB cable, the automatic installer will throw an error. You can try to install only the basic part of the print driver via Device Manager.

Step 1. Extract files from the installer

1. Download the official driver (usually the Full Driver and Software Package or the basic MP Drivers) from the Canon website for your model.
2. Do not run the downloaded .exe file with a regular double-click. Instead, right-click it and extract it like a regular archive using the free 7-Zip or WinRAR program (select “Extract to…”).
3. You will get a folder containing the system files of the driver (including files with the .inf extension).

Step 2. Update via Device Manager

1. Connect the Canon to the laptop via a USB cable and turn on the printer’s power.
2. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
3. Find the unidentified device with a yellow icon in the list (it can be located in the Other devices or Printers section).
4. Right-click it and select Update driver.
5. Choose the option “Browse my computer for drivers”.
6. Click the Browse button, specify the path to the folder you extracted in Step 1, and click Next.

Important Note: This method works less often for inkjet printers than for laser ones, as their architecture depends more heavily on x86 software code. Furthermore, this method only enables printing. Proprietary Canon utilities for checking ink levels, cleaning the print head, and nozzle alignment will not function in an ARM environment.

How to Scan on a Canon PIXMA / MAXIFY MFP Without Drivers?

Since standard Canon TWAIN and WIA scanning drivers are not supported by the Windows 11 ARM operating system, regular programs (including Windows Fax and Scan) will not be able to access the MFP’s scanner via a USB cable.

However, if your Canon MFP is connected to the router via Wi-Fi, you can use built-in network alternatives for free:

• Using the official mobile app: Install the free Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app on your smartphone (available in Google Play and the App Store). Place the document on the MFP glass and start scanning via your phone. Save the finished file (PDF or JPEG) to any cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive) or send it to yourself via a messenger. In a second, the document will be accessible on your ARM laptop.
• Direct cloud scanning (PIXMA Cloud Link): If your model supports Canon’s proprietary cloud functions, you can set up scanning from the MFP panel directly to your cloud service accounts, bypassing the computer entirely.

A Guide for Future Purchases

If you are choosing an inkjet printer or MFP to work with an ARM laptop on Windows 11, be sure to consider two factors:

• Wi-Fi / Ethernet availability: Network devices are much easier to pair with ARM architecture thanks to Microsoft’s built-in network technologies.
• Mopria Certification: Always look for the Mopria logo or mention of compatibility in the technical specifications. This guarantees that the printer will fully print on any system (Windows ARM, macOS, Android, Linux) without installing any software from the manufacturer at all.