Canon all in one - funny question

[George Collier]

A friend of mine (not a photographer) has 2 Canon all in one printer/scanner/faxers that he uses just for scanning documents and such. Lately both have stopped scanning. The software message is to the effect that the function isn't available. He has tried reinstalling the Canon driver to no avail.
These are not cheap $150 machines.
Is there a free (or nearly free) scanning software that will work on this kind of consumer scanner? Any other ideas?

 

[MattKing]

It may depend on a Twain driver.
If there is a user group, they often can help.
The problem probably relates to an OS upgrade.

 

[wiltw]

Try Vuescan

Supported Scanners | VueScan Scanner Software

VueScan is compatible with 7410 scanners from 42 manufacturers on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux

www.hamrick.com

web site has a list of scanners supported by their software

 

[Bushcat]

The exact model number(s) and error message(s) would have helped: a couple of models are prone to having their drivers overwritten by a Windows update (but you say that's been checked). Note, on some models the drivers reinstall more reliably if done within the grotty Canon app rather than outside it. The app also gives better error codes than the printer. Or maybe they've not been used for a while and they're detecting out-of-ink. On some models you can disable that check by holding the stop button down for 5 seconds. But as I said: better info, better suggestions.

 

[4season]

I don't know about Canon scanners, but upgrading from Windows 10 to 11 broke my Epson Scan software. Epson's recommended fix is to replace Epson Scan with free Microsoft Windows Scan, via the Windows Store.

 

[George Collier]

Good questions about the os and scanner I should have asked about this first.
It's an older Mac,
High Sierra
The scanner is a Cannon, 3 in 1, MP530, used the Cannon driver till it wouldn't work, message says something like, "option or function not available.)