Canon MG2500 Prints but Does Not Scan: How to Restore Scanner Operation

Last Updated on 22.07.2026 by DriverNew

A Canon PIXMA MG2500 series multifunction printer may print documents normally but fail to scan. IJ Scan Utility does not detect the device, the Windows Scan app reports that no scanner is available, or a communication error appears.

This usually means that Windows installed only the printer driver, while the scanner driver was not installed, became corrupted after a system update, or cannot communicate with the multifunction printer via USB.

This guide applies to the following models:

Canon PIXMA MG2510, MG2520, MG2522, MG2525, MG2540, MG2540S, MG2541S, MG2550, MG2550S, MG2555, MG2560, MG2570, MG2570S, MG2577S, MG2580, MG2580S, and MG2590.

All the devices listed above belong to the Canon PIXMA MG2500 series family and use the same driver package for Windows.

How the problem appears

This guide will help if you experience one or more of the following situations:

• the printer prints, but the scanner is not detected;
• IJ Scan Utility is missing from the Start menu;
• IJ Scan Utility opens but does not detect Canon MG2500 series;
• the Windows Scan app does not detect the multifunction printer;
• the “Scanner not found” message appears;
• the “Cannot communicate with scanner” message appears;
• error code 5,156,69 appears;
• scanning stopped working after a Windows update;
• only the printer is displayed in Device Manager;
• scanning starts but immediately ends with an error.

Method 1. Restart the multifunction printer and check the USB connection

First, rule out a temporary connection failure. Scanning requires continuous two-way communication between the computer and the multifunction printer. Printing may sometimes continue to work even when the USB connection is unstable.

Step 1. Close scanning programs

1. Close IJ Scan Utility.
2. Close the Windows Scan app.
3. Close image editors and any other programs that may be using the scanner.
4. Wait a few seconds.

The scanner cannot be used by two programs at the same time. If it is already being used by one app, another program may report a communication error.

Step 2. Restart the multifunction printer

1. Turn off the multifunction printer using the power button.
2. Disconnect the USB cable from the computer.
3. Wait approximately 20 seconds.
4. Connect the USB cable directly to the computer.
5. Turn on the multifunction printer.
6. Wait until the power indicator stops flashing.

Step 3. Check the cable and USB port

1. Do not connect the multifunction printer through a USB hub, monitor, keyboard, or docking station.
2. If you are using a desktop computer, try a USB port on the back of the computer case.
3. If the scanner is not detected, connect the cable to another USB port.
4. If you have another working printer USB cable, try replacing the cable.

After reconnecting the device, test scanning. If the problem remains, proceed to the next method.

Method 2. Find and configure IJ Scan Utility correctly

IJ Scan Utility is a Canon program for scanning documents and photos. It is installed with the MP Drivers package.

Step 1. Find the program using Windows Search

1. Click the Start button.
2. Start typing:

IJ Scan Utility

3. Click the IJ Scan Utility program in the search results.

If the program does not appear in the search results:

1. Open the Start menu.
2. In Windows 11, click All apps.
3. Find the Canon Utilities folder.
4. Open it.
5. Start IJ Scan Utility.

Step 2. Select the correct device

1. Turn on the multifunction printer and make sure that the USB cable is connected.
2. Open IJ Scan Utility.
3. At the top of the window, find the device selection field or the Product Name field.
4. Select Canon MG2500 series.

If several devices are displayed in the list, select the MG2500 series device connected via USB.

Step 3. Perform a test scan

1. Lift the scanner cover.
2. Place the document on the platen glass with the text or image facing down.
3. Align the corner of the document with the mark in the corner of the platen glass.
4. Close the cover.
5. In IJ Scan Utility, click Auto or Document.
6. Wait for scanning to finish.

If scanning starts, the driver is working correctly.

If Canon MG2500 series is missing from the list

If the required device is not available in IJ Scan Utility, this usually means that the scanner driver is not installed or Windows has not recognized the scanning component of the multifunction printer. Proceed to checking Device Manager.

Method 3. Check the scanner in Device Manager

Canon MG2500 series is one physical device, but Windows registers its printing and scanning functions separately. Therefore, the printer may work even if the scanner component is installed incorrectly.

Step 1. Open Device Manager

1. Turn on the multifunction printer.
2. Connect it directly to a USB port on the computer.
3. Right-click the Start button.
4. Select Device Manager.

Step 2. Find the scanner

Check the following sections:

• Imaging devices;
• Cameras;
• Other devices;
• Universal Serial Bus controllers.

The scanner may be displayed under one of the following names:

• Canon MG2500 series;
• Canon MG2500 series Scanner;
• Canon Scanner;
• Unknown Device;
• Unknown Device.

If the device is displayed without warnings

If Canon MG2500 series is present and there is no yellow exclamation mark next to it, close Device Manager and check the WIA service as described in the next method.

If there is a yellow exclamation mark next to the device

1. Right-click the device.
2. Select Uninstall device.
3. If a checkbox for removing the driver software appears, select it.
4. Click Uninstall.
5. Disconnect the USB cable from the computer.
6. Restart the computer.
7. After restarting, reinstall MP Drivers.

If the scanner is completely missing

Possible causes include:

• only the standard Windows print driver is installed;
• the MP Drivers installation was interrupted;
• the USB cable or port does not provide a stable connection;
• the scanner driver was removed after a Windows update.

In this case, perform the complete MP Drivers reinstallation described below.

Method 4. Start the Windows Image Acquisition service

Windows uses the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) system service for scanners. If it is stopped, programs may not detect the scanner.

Step 1. Open the list of services

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Enter the following command:

services.msc

3. Click OK.
4. If a User Account Control prompt appears, click Yes.

Step 2. Check the WIA service

1. Find Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) in the list.
2. Double-click the service name.
3. In the Startup type field, select Automatic.
4. If the service status is shown as Stopped, click Start.
5. Click Apply.
6. Click OK.

Step 3. Restart the service

If the service is already running:

1. Right-click it.
2. Select Restart.
3. Close the Services window.
4. Open IJ Scan Utility again.
5. Try scanning again.

If the service starts but stops again after the computer is restarted, check Windows for corrupted system files or contact a computer service specialist.

Method 5. Test scanning with the Windows Scan app

This test helps determine whether the problem is limited to IJ Scan Utility or affects the entire scanner driver.

Step 1. Open the app

1. Click the Start button.
2. Enter Windows Scan in the search box.
3. Open the app found in the search results.

If the app is not installed, you can find it in Microsoft Store under the name Windows Scan.

Step 2. Select Canon MG2500 series

1. In the Scanner field, select Canon MG2500 series.
2. In the Source field, select Flatbed.
3. Select the required file type, such as JPEG or PNG.
4. Click Preview.
5. If the preview image appears, click Scan.

How to interpret the test result

Result	What it means
Windows Scan works, but IJ Scan Utility does not	The scanner driver is working. The problem is probably related to IJ Scan Utility or its settings.
No program detects the scanner	Check WIA and the USB connection, and reinstall MP Drivers.
The scanner appears and then disappears	There may be a problem with the USB cable, port, or adapter.
Scanning starts but ends with an error	Close other scanning programs, restart WIA, and reinstall the driver.

Method 6. Completely reinstall Canon MG2500 series MP Drivers

If the previous methods did not help, remove the old package and perform a clean installation. This method is also recommended after a major Windows update.

Step 1. Disconnect the multifunction printer

1. Close IJ Scan Utility and other scanning programs.
2. Turn off the multifunction printer.
3. Disconnect the USB cable from the computer.

Step 2. Remove MP Drivers in Windows 11

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Apps.
3. Open Installed apps.
4. Enter Canon in the search box.
5. Find Canon MG2500 series MP Drivers.
6. Click the three-dot button.
7. Select Uninstall.
8. Follow the uninstaller instructions.

Step 3. Remove MP Drivers in Windows 10

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Apps.
3. Open Apps & features.
4. Enter Canon in the search box.
5. Select Canon MG2500 series MP Drivers.
6. Click Uninstall.
7. Confirm the removal.

If IJ Scan Utility is listed separately and the program does not work, you can also remove it before reinstalling.

Step 4. Remove the device from Device Manager

1. Right-click the Start button.
2. Open Device Manager.
3. Open the View menu.
4. Select Show hidden devices.
5. Check the Imaging devices, Cameras, and Other devices sections.
6. If a Canon MG2500 series entry remains, right-click it.
7. Select Uninstall device.
8. Confirm the removal.

Step 5. Restart the computer

1. Close all open windows.
2. Open the Start menu.
3. Click the power button.
4. Select Restart.

After Windows starts, do not connect the USB cable.

Step 6. Download the official MP Drivers package

1. Open the official Canon page:
   Download Canon MG2500 series MP Drivers
2. Click the red Download button.
3. Save the file to the Downloads folder.
4. Make sure that the filename begins with:

mp68-win-mg2500-

Step 7. Reinstall the driver

1. Open the Downloads folder.
2. Right-click the installation file.
3. Select Run as administrator.
4. If a User Account Control prompt appears, click Yes.
5. In the “Welcome” window, click Next >.
6. In the “License Agreement” window, click Yes.
7. Wait for the “Connect Cable” window to appear.
8. Connect the USB cable to the computer only after this window appears.
9. Turn on the multifunction printer.
10. Wait for the installer to detect the device.
11. Wait until the installation is complete.
12. If the program prompts you to restart the computer, agree to restart it.

Step 8. Test scanning

1. After restarting, turn on the multifunction printer.
2. Click the Start button.
3. Enter IJ Scan Utility.
4. Open the program.
5. Select Canon MG2500 series.
6. Place a document on the platen glass.
7. Click Document.

What to do when error 5,156,69 appears

Error 5,156,69 usually appears when the Canon program cannot communicate with the scanner.

Complete the following steps in order:

1. Close IJ Scan Utility.
2. Close all other scanning programs.
3. Turn off the multifunction printer.
4. Disconnect the USB cable.
5. Wait 20 seconds.
6. Connect the cable to another USB port.
7. Turn on the multifunction printer.
8. Restart the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service.
9. Open IJ Scan Utility again.
10. Test scanning.

If the error appears again, completely reinstall MP Drivers.

If scanning stopped working after a Windows update

After a Windows update, the printer driver may continue to work while the scanner driver is no longer registered correctly in the system.

In this case:

1. Disconnect the USB cable.
2. Remove Canon MG2500 series MP Drivers.
3. Restart the computer.
4. Install the MP Drivers package again.
5. Connect the multifunction printer only after the “Connect Cable” window appears.

Simply reconnecting the cable after a Windows update usually does not restore a missing scanner driver.

If scanning works but the file is not saved

If scanning starts and finishes but the file cannot be found or saved, the problem may be related to the save folder rather than the driver.

1. Open IJ Scan Utility.
2. Click Settings.
3. On the left, select the mode used for scanning, such as Document Scan.
4. Find the field for selecting the save folder.
5. Select an accessible folder, such as Documents or Pictures.
6. Click OK.
7. Scan again.

Also check whether antivirus software or folder protection is preventing files from being saved to the selected location.

If the multifunction printer is connected through a USB-C adapter

On modern laptops, Canon MG2500 series is often connected through a USB-C–to–USB-A adapter.

If printing works but scanning does not start:

1. Disconnect the multifunction printer from the adapter.
2. Connect the adapter to another USB-C port.
3. Do not use a complex docking station with many connected devices.
4. If possible, use a simple USB-C–to–USB-A adapter.
5. Try another adapter.
6. Test scanning on a computer with a standard USB port.

Some adapters handle two-way data transfer unreliably. Therefore, printing may work while receiving an image from the scanner ends with an error.

Important information for computers with ARM processors

To check the computer type:

1. Right-click the Start button.
2. Select System.
3. Find the System type line.

If ARM or ARM64 is shown, the scanner may be missing because of driver incompatibility.