Checking your Canon printer's driver version is important for troubleshooting and ensuring compatibility. While the core printer driver is typically managed through your computer's operating system, Canon often provides utility software alongside the driver installation. The method for checking versions can depend on whether you are looking for the version of the driver installed on your OS or the version of an associated Canon software utility.
Below are common ways to check version information related to your Canon printer setup, including the method described in the provided reference for checking Canon software versions.
Checking the Canon Printer Driver Version (Operating System Method)
The most common way to find the version of the actual printer driver installed on your computer involves using your operating system's built-in tools.
For Windows:
- Open Device Manager:
- Press
Windows Key + R, typedevmgmt.msc, and press Enter. - Alternatively, search for "Device Manager" in the Windows search bar.
- Press
- Expand "Print queues" or "Printers": Look for a section that lists installed printers.
- Find your Canon Printer: Locate your specific Canon printer model in the list.
- Open Printer Properties: Right-click on your Canon printer and select
Properties. - Go to the "Driver" Tab: Click on the
Drivertab. - View Driver Details: Here you will see information like the
Driver Provider,Driver Date, andDriver Version.
For macOS:
- Open System Settings (macOS Ventura or later) or System Preferences (earlier versions): Click the Apple menu () and select the appropriate option.
- Go to "Printers & Scanners": Find and click on the
Printers & Scannerssection. - Select your Canon Printer: Click on your Canon printer in the list on the left.
- Open "Options & Supplies...": Click the
Options & Supplies...button. - Check the "General" or "Driver" tab: The driver version information might be listed under the
Generaltab next to "Version" or on a dedicatedDrivertab if available.
Checking Canon Software Version Using the Viewer (Reference Method)
The provided reference describes how to check the version of a specific Canon software utility, likely a Viewer application that came with your printer or scanner installation. This method checks the version of that particular software, not the low-level printer driver itself.
To check the version of this Canon software using the Viewer:
- Start the Viewer.
- Locate and open the Canon Viewer application on your computer. This might be found in your applications folder or start menu under "Canon Utilities" or similar.
- Click [Help] > [About].
- Once the Viewer application is open, look for the main menu bar. Click on the
Helpmenu option. - From the dropdown menu, select
About(e.g., "About [Software Name]").
- Once the Viewer application is open, look for the main menu bar. Click on the
- Check the version of the software on the displayed dialog box.
- A dialog box will appear, displaying information about the software, including its name and version number.
This method is useful for verifying that any accompanying Canon utilities are up-to-date, which can also sometimes impact printer functionality or offer new features.
Why Check Printer Driver and Software Versions?
- Troubleshooting: Knowing the version helps identify if an outdated driver or software is causing issues.
- Updates: You can compare your current version to the latest available on the official Canon support website to ensure you have the most recent updates for performance and bug fixes.
- Compatibility: Ensures the driver and software are compatible with your operating system version and other applications.
By using the appropriate method (OS method for the core driver, or the Viewer method for specific Canon software utilities), you can effectively check the version information relevant to your Canon printer setup.
