Quick Answer: Your Mac is silently replacing your Canon printer driver with Apple’s built-in AirPrint driver — especially after macOS updates. The fix involves removing the AirPrint version, reinstalling the correct Canon driver from Canon’s official website, and then carefully selecting the right driver (not AirPrint) when adding the printer in System Settings. Full step-by-step guide below.
Read: Canon Printer Setup
1. What Is Actually Happening — And Why It Is Not Your Fault
Picture this: You have just set up your brand-new Canon PIXMA printer. You downloaded the driver from Canon’s website, went through the whole installation process, and everything seemed fine. But when you go to print your first photo, something feels off. The color options are gone. The paper type selection shows only generic options instead of Canon’s signature choices. And when you check your printer settings, you see the words “AirPrint” right next to your printer’s name.
If you have been through this, you are not imagining things — and you are definitely not alone. This issue has flooded Canon’s community forums in 2025 and is becoming one of the most talked-about Canon printer complaints on Mac in 2026.
Apple has built a technology called AirPrint directly into macOS. It is designed to let you print to any compatible printer without needing to install any driver at all. Sounds convenient, right? The problem is that macOS sometimes automatically uses AirPrint even when you have already installed the proper Canon driver — and it does this silently, without asking you.
The printing community has nicknamed this the “AirPrint Hijack” — because Apple essentially takes over your printer’s driver without your knowledge or permission, and replaces it with their generic AirPrint version. The result is that you lose all the precision controls that make your Canon printer great.
This happens most often in three situations: right after a macOS update (Sequoia, Sonoma, Tahoe), when you first add the printer to your Mac before the Canon-specific driver has finished loading in the background, or when Canon’s driver package fails to install correctly on newer Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) Macs.
2. How to Tell If AirPrint Has Taken Over Your Printer
Before jumping into fixes, here are the clearest signs that macOS is using AirPrint instead of your genuine Canon driver:
| Printer listed as “Canon [Model] – AirPrint” in System Settings | Yes – Confirmed | High |
| Media Type only shows generic names like “Glossy Paper” | Yes – Likely | Medium |
| No Utility tab in printer options (no head cleaning, test page) | Yes – Likely | High |
| Driver version shows a single digit like “4.0” instead of “16.50” | Yes – Confirmed | High |
| Color profile or ICC profile options are missing | Yes – Likely | High |
| Borderless printing option has disappeared | Possibly | Medium |
| Custom paper sizes no longer work | Possibly | Medium |
| Canon IJ Scan Utility does not detect scanner reliably | Possibly | Medium |
Tip: Check the Driver Version
Go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners, click on your Canon printer, then click the info icon. A single-digit driver version (like “4.0”) means you are running AirPrint. A proper Canon driver will show a double-digit version like “16.50.00”.
3. Why AirPrint Is Not Good Enough — What You Are Losing
Some people wonder: “If AirPrint works, why does it matter?” That is a fair question — especially if you are mostly printing documents and emails. But if you bought a Canon printer for photo printing, graphic work, or anything requiring precision, AirPrint leaves a lot on the table.
Here is what you lose when macOS forces AirPrint on your Canon printer:
- Color accuracy controls — You cannot select Canon’s specific ICC color profiles, which are essential for professional photo printing.
- Media type precision — Instead of Canon’s detailed paper options, you get generic labels.
- Print head tools — No access to head cleaning, alignment, or nozzle check from your Mac.
- Borderless printing — This option may disappear entirely.
- Custom paper sizes — Often unsupported or broken under AirPrint.
- Canon IJ Utility — The entire utility app becomes inaccessible or unreliable.
For someone who bought a Canon PIXMA Pro-200 or PRO-1000 specifically for fine art or photography printing, this is not a minor inconvenience — it completely defeats the purpose of the printer.
4. The Complete Fix — Step by Step
The process has a few key steps and each one matters. Do not skip any of them — the most common reason this fix fails is because someone shortcuts a step, usually Step 4.
- Remove All Existing Canon Printer Entries. Go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners. Click on every Canon printer listed there — including any duplicates — and hit the minus button to delete them all. Then restart your Mac.
- Uninstall All Existing Canon Software. Open Finder → Applications and look for any Canon IJ folders or Canon utilities. Move them to Trash. Then go to /Library/Printers/Canon/ in Finder and delete the Canon folder. Empty your Trash, then restart again.
- Download a Fresh Driver from Canon’s Official Website. Go directly to usa.canon.com/support, search your exact printer model, and download the latest driver for your version of macOS — Sequoia, Sonoma, Ventura, or Tahoe.
- Install the Driver Package FIRST — Before Adding the Printer. Run the downloaded .pkg installer and complete the full installation. Do NOT add the printer yet. Installing the driver and adding the printer are two separate actions in macOS.
- Add the Printer and WAIT Before Selecting It. Go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners and click the (+) button. Your Canon printer will appear — but wait a few minutes before clicking on it. The Canon-specific driver can take 2 to 5 minutes to appear. The first entry to show up is almost always AirPrint.
- Use the “Use” Dropdown to Select the Correct Driver. After clicking your printer’s name, you will see a “Use:” dropdown at the bottom of the dialog box. Click it and choose “Select Software…” — a list will appear. Find your Canon model’s actual driver (it will NOT say AirPrint). Select it and click Add.
- Confirm the Right Driver Is Installed. After adding the printer, check the driver version. A double-digit version number (like 16.50) confirms you have the genuine Canon driver. You should also see a Utility tab with head cleaning and alignment tools.
Alternative Fix for Network Printers
If the above steps still result in AirPrint being installed, try adding the printer via its IP address instead. In the Add Printer dialog, click the Globe (IP) icon, enter your printer’s IP address, and in the “Use” dropdown, manually select the Canon driver. This bypasses AirPrint entirely.
5. Which Canon Models Are Most Affected in 2025-2026?
Based on Canon’s community forums and user reports through early 2026, here are the most commonly affected models:
| PIXMA G620 / G7020 | Sequoia, Tahoe | Actively Reported |
| PIXMA Pro-100 | Sequoia, Tahoe | Driver Install Fails |
| PIXMA Pro-200 / PRO-200s | Ventura, Sequoia | Workaround Available |
| imagePROGRAF PRO-300 / PRO-1000 | Sequoia, M1/M2 Macs | Workaround Available |
| imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 | Sequoia | Actively Reported |
| PIXMA TS9521C | macOS Tahoe | No Page Setup Available |
| imageCLASS MF664Cdw / MF634Cdw | Sequoia | Driver Not Supported Error |
| PIXMA MG7520 | Sequoia | No Compatible Driver |
Note for Apple Silicon Users
If you have an M1, M2, M3, or M4 Mac, some older Canon driver packages will not install — the installer fails with a “contact the software developer” error. These drivers were built for Intel Macs. In these cases, you need to wait for Canon to release an updated driver or use the IP-based workaround described above.
6. How to Stop This from Happening Again
Check Your Driver After Every macOS Update
Whenever macOS updates, open System Settings → Printers & Scanners and check your Canon printer. If the driver version reverts to a single-digit number or says “AirPrint” next to the model name, repeat Steps 5 and 6 from the fix guide above.
Bookmark Canon’s Official Support Page
Always download from usa.canon.com/support or your country’s Canon support site. Canon regularly updates drivers to maintain compatibility with new macOS versions.
Use the IP Printing Method Permanently
Several experienced Canon users have switched to adding their printer via its static IP address to avoid the AirPrint hijack problem. Assigning your printer a static IP on your router and using the IP-based printing method tends to be more stable across macOS updates.
Name Your Printer Clearly
If you ever end up with two versions of the printer, rename them clearly — for example “Canon Pro-200 OFFICIAL” and “Canon Pro-200 AirPrint DELETE”. That way you always know which one to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does my Mac keep reverting to AirPrint every time I update macOS?
A: macOS updates sometimes reset printer associations, and since Apple’s AirPrint is built-in and loads faster, it often gets assigned to your Canon printer before the Canon-specific driver has a chance to register. The fix is to manually re-assign the driver after each major macOS update.
Q: Can I just use AirPrint for regular printing and only switch for photos?
A: Technically yes — some users keep both versions of the printer installed and switch between them. However, it is easier and more reliable to set up the official Canon driver properly and stick with it. If you only print basic documents and never need color accuracy or advanced paper controls, AirPrint might be sufficient.
Q: The “Select Software” option does not show my Canon driver. What now?
A: This means the Canon driver package did not install successfully. Try re-downloading the driver, then right-click the .pkg file and choose “Open” instead of double-clicking. If you get a security warning, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and click “Open Anyway.” If the driver still will not install, your model may not yet have a compatible driver for your macOS version.
Q: My Canon printer stopped working after a macOS update. Is this the same issue?
A: Very likely yes. macOS updates are the single biggest trigger for the AirPrint hijack problem. Follow the full fix guide above — you may need to remove and re-add the printer and manually select the Canon driver again.
Q: Does this problem affect Canon imageClass laser printers too?
A: Both laser and inkjet models are affected. Canon imageCLASS models like the MF664Cdw and MF634Cdw have been reported to show a “driver not supported” error on Apple Silicon Macs running Sequoia. The AirPrint default behavior is a macOS-wide issue.
Q: Will Canon fix this problem with a driver update?
A: Canon does release driver updates when new macOS versions come out, but there is often a gap of weeks or months between a major macOS update and compatible Canon drivers. Follow Canon’s support page for announcements.
When Should You Call Canon Customer Care?
Most AirPrint-related driver issues can be resolved with the steps in this guide. But there are situations where Canon’s support team is the right next step:
- The driver installer keeps failing with “Contact software developer” — especially on M1/M2/M3 Macs.
- Your Canon printer model no longer has a compatible driver available for your Mac at all.
- You have completed all steps in this guide multiple times and macOS still only offers AirPrint.
- The Canon IJ Scan Utility intermittently fails to detect your scanner even after installing the correct driver.
Before you call, have ready: your exact printer model number, your Mac’s model and macOS version, and the version number of the Canon driver you downloaded. This will save you significant time on the call.
The Canon community forum at community.usa.canon.com is also an excellent resource — many Canon users and engineers are active there with model-specific workarounds.
The Bottom Line
The Canon driver and AirPrint conflict on Mac is genuinely frustrating — not because it is impossible to fix, but because it keeps coming back. Apple’s promotion of AirPrint and Canon’s sometimes slow driver updates for new macOS versions create a perfect storm for this headache.
Once you understand exactly why it happens and know the correct step-by-step process — especially the moment where you need to use “Select Software” in the Add Printer dialog — you can resolve it in under 20 minutes and fix it again confidently if it ever returns.
Your Canon printer deserves the full-featured driver it was built to run on — not a stripped-down generic replacement. Follow the steps in this guide and you will get back to printing with the precision and color accuracy you paid for.
For informational purposes only. Always download Canon drivers from the official Canon support website: usa.canon.com/support | Updated