Canon MG3600 Does Not Save Scans: “The Specified Folder Cannot Be Found” and IJ Scan Utility Errors

Last Updated on 22.07.2026 by DriverNew

When scanning with Canon PIXMA MG3600 series, the image may be read successfully from the platen glass, but the file does not appear in the selected folder. IJ Scan Utility may report that it cannot find the specified folder, write the file, or access the save location.

Most often, the problem is not related to the scanner or the multifunction printer connection. The program is trying to save the result to a folder that was deleted, moved, became unavailable, or does not allow files to be written.

This guide applies to the following models:

Canon PIXMA MG3610, MG3620, MG3640, MG3640S, MG3650, MG3650S, MG3660, MG3670, and MG3680.

All the devices listed above belong to Canon PIXMA MG3600 series. Model names vary depending on the country where the device is sold.

How the problem may appear

• scanning finishes, but the file does not appear in the folder;
• IJ Scan Utility reports that the specified folder cannot be found;
• the “Cannot save the file” message appears;
• the “Cannot write the file” message appears;
• the program reports that access permission is unavailable;
• scans are saved in an unknown location;
• the Document button works, but the Photo button produces an error;
• JPEG is saved, but a PDF is not created;
• the first page is saved, but a multi-page PDF ends with an error.

Why IJ Scan Utility does not save the file

Cause	What happens
The folder was deleted or renamed	IJ Scan Utility continues using the old path.
A disconnected drive is selected	The program tries to save the file to an external drive that is no longer connected.
The network folder is unavailable	The computer has lost communication with the server, another computer, or network storage device.
There is no write permission	The folder exists, but the current account cannot create files in it.
There is not enough free space	The image is read but cannot be written to the drive.
The temporary folder is unavailable	IJ Scan Utility cannot create an intermediate file before the final save.
The file is too large	High resolution, color mode, or a multi-page PDF requires a large amount of memory and storage space.
MP Drivers components are damaged	The program starts, but required files or settings are missing.

Where IJ Scan Utility usually saves scans

By default, IJ Scan Utility saves scanned images to the current user’s Documents folder.

The exact location depends on the program settings. A separate folder can be selected for each mode:

• Auto;
• Document;
• Photo;
• Custom;
• ScanGear.

Method 1. Create a new folder for scans

For testing, use a standard local folder inside the user’s Documents folder.

1. Press Windows + E.
2. Open the Documents folder.
3. Right-click an empty area.
4. Select New → Folder.
5. Name the folder:

Scans

6. Open the folder you created.
7. Make sure that it opens without an error message.

Do not use the following during the initial test:

• an external drive;
• a USB drive;
• a network folder;
• a folder on another computer;
• a folder with restricted access;
• a Windows system files directory.

Method 2. Change the folder for the “Document” button

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Find IJ Scan Utility.
3. Start the program.
4. Click Settings….
5. On the left side of the window, select Document Scan.
6. Find the save settings section.
7. Open the Save in list.
8. Select Add….
9. Select the Scans folder you created.
10. Confirm the folder selection.
11. In the post-scan actions section, select saving without starting an additional program.
12. Click OK.
13. Return to the main IJ Scan Utility window.
14. Click Document.

When scanning is complete, open the Scans folder and check whether a new file appears.

If the file was saved

The problem was related to the previous folder. You can leave the new folder selected in the program settings.

If the message remains

Also change the IJ Scan Utility temporary folder and check the available disk space.

Method 3. Change the folders for the other modes

If the error appears when using another button, configure the corresponding section separately.

1. Start IJ Scan Utility.
2. Click Settings….
3. Open the required sections one at a time:

• Auto Scan;
• Document Scan;
• Photo Scan;
• Custom Scan;
• ScanGear.

4. In each section you use, find the Save in field.
5. Select the Scans folder.
6. Click OK.
7. Test the corresponding button in the main window.

You do not need to change every section. Configure only the modes that you use for scanning.

Method 4. Check the IJ Scan Utility temporary folder

Before the final save, the program may create temporary files. If the temporary folder is unavailable, the scan will not be saved even if the correct main folder is selected.

Create a folder for temporary files

1. Open the Documents folder.
2. Open the Scans folder you created earlier.
3. Create a new folder inside it.
4. Name it:

Temporary Files

Specify the folder in the program

1. Start IJ Scan Utility.
2. Click Settings….
3. Open the General Settings section.
4. Find the Folder to Save Temporary Files field.
5. Click Browse….
6. Select the Temporary Files folder.
7. Confirm the selection.
8. Click OK.
9. Close IJ Scan Utility.
10. Start the program again.
11. Try scanning again.

Method 5. Check whether files can be written to the selected folder

A folder may open but not allow new files to be created.

1. Open the folder selected in IJ Scan Utility.
2. Right-click an empty area.
3. Select New → Text Document.
4. Enter any name.
5. Press Enter.

If the text file is created

The account has permission to write to this folder. Delete the test file and continue checking the other possible causes.

If an access denied message appears

Select another folder inside your personal Documents folder. Do not save scans in a protected system directory.

Method 6. Check whether the previous folder still exists

The message stating that the specified folder cannot be found often appears after one of the following actions:

• the folder was renamed;
• the folder was deleted;
• the folder was moved to another drive;
• the external drive name changed;
• the network resource was disconnected;
• the location of the Documents folder changed;
• the program was moved to another Windows account.

Do not try to restore the old path manually if it is no longer needed. Select a new existing folder in the IJ Scan Utility settings.

Method 7. Do not use a disconnected external drive

If an external drive was selected in the Save in field, the error will appear after the drive is disconnected or its drive letter changes.

Example of an unavailable path:

E:\Scans

To check:

1. Open This PC.
2. Check whether the specified drive exists.
3. If the drive is disconnected, reconnect it.
4. If the drive letter has changed, select the folder again in IJ Scan Utility.
5. For permanent use, it is better to select the local Documents\Scans folder.

Method 8. Check the network folder

Saving to a network folder may stop working if another computer, server, or network storage device is unavailable.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Try to open the network folder manually.
3. Try to create a test text file in it.
4. If the folder does not open, check the network and access to the storage device.
5. If the file cannot be created, check the permissions.
6. For testing, select the local Scans folder in IJ Scan Utility.

If local saving works, a malfunction of the multifunction printer or driver is unlikely. The problem is related to the network folder or access permissions.

Method 9. Check the available disk space

High resolution, color scanning, and multi-page PDF files may require a significant amount of storage space.

Windows 11 and Windows 10

1. Press Windows + E.
2. Open This PC.
3. Find the drive containing the save folder.
4. Check the amount of free space.

If the drive is almost full:

• delete unnecessary files;
• empty the Recycle Bin;
• move large files to another drive;
• select a folder on a drive with sufficient free space;
• reduce the scanning resolution.

Method 10. Reduce the resolution and file size

If small documents are saved but large images end with an error, reduce the amount of data.

1. Start IJ Scan Utility.
2. Click Settings….
3. Open Document Scan or another mode you use.
4. Find the resolution setting.
5. For standard documents, select 300 dpi.
6. For draft scanning, you can select a lower value.
7. Do not use a very high resolution unless necessary.
8. Click OK.
9. Try scanning again.

A resolution of 300 dpi is sufficient for most text documents. Values of 600 dpi or higher create significantly larger files.

Method 11. Select an appropriate file format

Different formats are available in IJ Scan Utility:

• JPEG/Exif — usually used for photographs;
• TIFF — preserves the image at high quality, but the file may be large;
• PNG — suitable for images and interface screenshots;
• PDF — suitable for a single document;
• PDF (Multiple Pages) — combines several scans into one file.

For a standard text document:

1. Open Settings….
2. Select Document Scan.
3. In the data format field, select PDF.
4. For normal use, select standard PDF compression.
5. Save the settings.

With a network connection, TIFF and PNG formats may take longer to process. For testing, use PDF or JPEG at a moderate resolution.

Method 12. Enable result checking before saving

IJ Scan Utility can display the save settings window after each scan. This allows you to check the folder, filename, and file format manually.

1. Start IJ Scan Utility.
2. Click Settings….
3. Select the required scanning mode.
4. Select the Check scan results and specify save settings checkbox.
5. Click OK.
6. Perform the scan.
7. When the save window appears, check the image thumbnail.
8. Specify the filename.
9. Select an existing folder.
10. Select the required format.
11. Click OK.

This feature is convenient if scans need to be saved in different folders or under different names.

Method 13. Disable creation of a folder with the current date

IJ Scan Utility can automatically create additional folders with the date inside the selected folder.

Example name:

2026_07_22

Because of this, the user may not find the completed file in the main folder.

1. Open IJ Scan Utility.
2. Click Settings….
3. Select the mode you use.
4. Find the checkbox for saving to a subfolder with the current date.
5. Clear the checkbox.
6. Click OK.
7. Try scanning again.

After this option is disabled, files will be saved directly to the folder specified in the Save in field.

Method 14. Check the filename

The program automatically adds the date and a sequential number to the specified name. Therefore, the final name may differ from the name you entered.

Example:

Document_20260722_0001.pdf

For testing, use a simple name:

Document

Do not use characters in the name that Windows does not allow in filenames:

\ / : * ? " < > |

Method 15. Configure a multi-page PDF correctly

Canon MG3600 series does not have an ADF. Each page must be placed on the platen glass one at a time.

Configure the format

1. Start IJ Scan Utility.
2. Click Settings….
3. Open Document Scan.
4. In the data format field, select PDF (Multiple Pages).
5. Set the resolution to 300 dpi.
6. Select the local Scans folder.
7. Select standard PDF compression.
8. Click OK.

Scan the pages

1. Place the first page on the platen glass with the side to be scanned facing down.
2. Close the cover.
3. Click Document.
4. Wait until the first page is complete.
5. When the program prompts you to continue, replace the page on the platen glass.
6. Start scanning the next page.
7. Repeat the steps for the remaining pages.
8. After the final page, select the option to finish scanning.
9. Wait for the PDF file to be created.

If the error appears after several pages

• check the available disk space;
• use a resolution of 300 dpi;
• do not enable high quality unless necessary;
• select standard or high PDF compression;
• close other programs;
• save the file to a local drive;
• divide a large document into several PDF files;
• after saving, combine the files in a PDF application.

Method 16. Close programs using the file or folder

Saving may be blocked by another program.

1. Close PDF viewers.
2. Close image editors.
3. Close My Image Garden.
4. Close ScanGear.
5. Close applications that automatically open scans.
6. Restart IJ Scan Utility.
7. Try saving the file under a new name.

Do not use the name of a PDF file that is already open. Save the new scan under a different name.

Method 17. Check whether the drive is write-protected

A saving error may occur when attempting to write to a protected drive.

To check:

1. Open the selected drive in File Explorer.
2. Try to create a test text file.
3. If Windows reports that the drive is write-protected, select another drive.
4. Change the save folder in IJ Scan Utility.

For standard scanning, use the computer’s internal drive.

Method 18. Restore the default IJ Scan Utility settings

If you do not know which settings were changed, restore the settings for the selected section.

1. Start IJ Scan Utility.
2. Click Settings….
3. Open the section in which the error occurs.
4. Click the button to restore the default settings.
5. Select the Scans folder again.
6. Set the resolution to 300 dpi.
7. Select PDF for documents or JPEG for photographs.
8. Click OK.
9. Try scanning again.

Method 19. Restart the multifunction printer and computer

A temporary file or program process may remain locked after an unsuccessful scan.

1. Close IJ Scan Utility.
2. Close the other Canon programs.
3. Turn off the multifunction printer.
4. Restart the computer.
5. Turn on the multifunction printer.
6. Wait until the device is ready.
7. Start IJ Scan Utility.
8. Check the save folder.
9. Try scanning again.

Method 20. Reinstall MP Drivers

Reinstallation is required if:

• IJ Scan Utility does not start;
• some settings are missing;
• code 201 appears;
• a message appears stating that a file is damaged or missing;
• code 230 appears and the program reports that a compatible scanner driver is not installed;
• restoring the folders and permissions did not help.

Download the correct package

1. Open the official Canon page:
   Download Canon MG3600 series MP Drivers
2. Save the file to the Downloads folder.
3. Wait until the download is complete.

The filename should begin with:

m68n-win-mg3600-

Remove the old installation

1. Close IJ Scan Utility and the other Canon programs.
2. Disconnect the USB cable if it is connected.
3. Open the list of installed apps.
4. Remove Canon MG3600 series MP Drivers.
5. Restart the computer.

Install the package again

1. Right-click the downloaded file.
2. Select Run as administrator.
3. Confirm that you want to run it.
4. Select the connection method you use.
5. For network scanning, select the wireless LAN connection.
6. For permanent operation through a cable, select the USB connection.
7. Complete the installation.
8. Restart the computer.
9. Start IJ Scan Utility.
10. Select the Documents\Scans folder.
11. Perform a test scan.

IJ Scan Utility saving error codes

Code	Meaning	What to do
152	There is not enough memory.	Close other applications and try scanning again.
153	The image is too large for the selected application.	Reduce the resolution or image size.
201	A required file is missing or damaged, or the settings are incorrect.	Reinstall MP Drivers.
202	An internal error occurred.	Restart the multifunction printer and computer, and reinstall the driver if necessary.
230	A compatible scanner driver is not installed.	Install the complete MP Drivers package.
231	There is not enough disk space.	Free up space or select another drive.
232	The drive is write-protected.	Remove the protection or select another drive.
242	The file cannot be written.	Check the permissions for the main and temporary folders.
243	The file cannot be read.	Check access to the temporary files folder and save location.
244	There are insufficient permissions to access the folder.	Select an accessible folder or grant write permission.

If scanning does not start at all

The methods described above apply when the image is read but not saved.

If the scanner carriage does not move and a communication error message appears:

• check whether the multifunction printer is turned on;
• check the USB cable or Wi-Fi connection;
• select the correct device in IJ Scan Utility;
• for a network connection, select the entry containing the word Network;
• start IJ Network Scanner Selector EX;
• check the firewall;
• reinstall MP Drivers.

A scanner communication error and a file saving error have different causes. First, determine at which stage the process stops.

Important information for Windows 11 ARM

Frequently asked questions

Where does IJ Scan Utility save scans by default?

The current user’s Documents folder is usually used. The exact location can be viewed in the Save in field in the settings for the selected mode.

Why can the program not find a folder that existed previously?

The folder may have been deleted, renamed, moved, or located on a disconnected drive. Select a new existing folder.

Why does “Document” mode save files while “Photo” mode does not?

Different buttons may use different save settings. Check the Save in field in the Photo Scan section.

Why is the file not in the selected folder?

Saving to a subfolder with the current date may be enabled. Open the folder containing the date or disable the creation of these subfolders.

Why is the filename different from the name entered?

IJ Scan Utility automatically adds the date and a sequential number to avoid replacing previously saved files.

Can scans be saved to a USB drive?

Yes, if the drive is connected and allows writing. For permanent use, it is more reliable to use a local folder and then copy the completed files.

Can scans be saved to a network folder?

Yes, but the folder must be available during scanning, and the current account must have permission to create files.

Why is a multi-page PDF not saved?

The cause may be insufficient space, an excessively high resolution, closing the program before completion, an unavailable folder, or an excessively large final file.

What resolution should be selected for documents?

A resolution of 300 dpi is suitable for most text documents. A higher value increases the scanning time and file size.

Which format should be used for several pages?

Select PDF (Multiple Pages) in the Document Scan settings.

Why is PDF unavailable in the photo settings?

Photo mode is intended primarily for image formats. To save documents as PDF, use the Document button or Custom mode.

Do I need to reinstall the driver when a folder error occurs?

Usually not. First, select a new local folder, change the temporary folder, and check the available disk space. Reinstallation is required if the program is damaged or driver components are missing.

What should I do if code 242 appears?

Check the access permissions for the folder specified in the Save in field and the temporary files folder.

What should I do if code 244 appears?

Select a folder to which the current account can write files. For testing, use a folder inside your personal Documents directory.

Conclusion

If Canon PIXMA MG3600 series scans but IJ Scan Utility does not save the file, first create a new local folder inside the Documents folder.

In the settings for the mode you use, change the Save in field. Then open General Settings and specify an accessible folder for temporary files.

Check the available disk space, write permission, external drive connection, and network folder availability. For large documents, reduce the resolution to 300 dpi and use standard PDF compression.

Reinstall MP Drivers only if the program is damaged, the scanner driver is missing, or changing the folders did not help.