Canon MP 550 solutions ?

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Level 1

12 points

Canon MP 550 solutions ?

Anyone found a solution to enable printing using a Canon MP 550? I have been able to scan onto my USB memory stick but cannot see how to print a PDF document from the same USB Memory stick. It seems the printer only allows printing photos from a USB. Of course I am looking at the small control panel of the printer because the driver is out of date. In my research I did not find any solution to how to print a PDF in the manuel for this specific model that is not connectable via wi-fi. I tried printing via a USB cable but the job merely stalls according to the computer screen on Sonoma OS. Thanks for your suggested solutions.

MacBook Pro (M3, 2023)

Posted on Mar 14, 2024 11:39 PM

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Answer 1

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

23,407 points

Mar 15, 2024 4:57 AM in response to Ch0000

Hi,

No solution, just a few comments (I do not have this printer model).

If necessary, what happens if you save/convert a document in/to an image format such as JPEG before attempting to print directly from a USB flash drive (or memory card)? Apparently, there are some limitations for PDF files here.

For printing from a computer via USB cable: As you have found out, there are no MP550 Mac drivers from Canon for versions later than OS X 10.11 El Capitan. In case you could borrow an old Mac (OS X 10.11 El Capitan or earlier) computer, that would of course solve the problem. An old Mac running OS X 10.9 Mavericks to OS X 10.11 El Capitan (with the printer connected by USB) could also be used as a networked print server via a third-party app called Printopia, thus allowing printing from iPhones/iPads.

https://www.canon-europe.com/support/consumer/products/printers/pixma/mp-series/pixma-mp550.html?type=drivers&language=EN&os=OS%20X%2010.11%20(El%20Capitan)

There are Canon drivers for up to Windows 10, so if you have access to a PC, that could possibly be another temporary workaround for printing via USB cable.

Regarding Mac (USB) printing with versions macOS 10.12 Sierra and newer, everything would be experimental. The Gutenprint supported printers list shows a Canon MP550 series bjc-MP550-series driver, but it is unclear whether it will work with systems later than macOS 10.14 Mojave.

As always, make sure that you have backup copies of all important files before testing anything.

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Answer 2

Ch0000 Author

Level 1

12 points

Mar 15, 2024 9:57 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

Hi Jan

I am new to Sonoma. Thanks for the guided tour. I expected to have this problem since the computer I was using along with the Canon MP 550 were both purchased in 2010. It is still working so I can use it to print via a USB cable as you suggest. How long it will contiinue to work is another question since a problem with the fan causes it to restart once or twice per day. I don't see how I can use Printopia to print from my iPad. The Canon requires a USB cable or USB mememory stick or other memory cards. I will try converting a PDF into JPEG format and see. It might be the solution. I hope that the Canon MP550 does indeed have the capacity to print PDF documents since a web search shows that the capability is mentioned in the manuels of other other models (also older).

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Answer 3

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

23,407 points

Mar 15, 2024 2:08 PM in response to Ch0000

Thank you for the information.

the computer I was using along with the Canon MP 550 were both purchased in 2010. It is still working so I can use it to print via a USB cable as you suggest.

Was this a Mac? If so, which model and operating system? A 2010 Mac may be running something between Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and macOS 10.13 High Sierra.

I don't see how I can use Printopia to print from my iPad. The Canon requires a USB cable

Printopia (https://www.decisivetactics.com/products/printopia/) is for Macs only. For example, if a Mac is running OS X 10.9 Mavericks or higher, Printopia can be installed. The second requirement is that the Mac in question has drivers for the MP550 printer, which would limit the operating system range in this very case (OS X 10.9 Mavericks to OS X 10.11 El Capitan, since no later printer drivers appear to be available). The MP550 printer would be connected to the old Mac by USB cable. Printopia would allow this Mac to share the printer on a network, making wireless printing from an iPad (or iPhone) possible.

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Answer 4

Ch0000 Author

Level 1

12 points

Mar 16, 2024 6:13 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

Thanks. My 2010 vintage MacBook Pro is running OS 10.14. I have the Canon driver intalled for printing. I think I've have an unsolved problem scanning recenlty so I use the USB mmory stick when I have to. I think I see what you are driving at with the idea of using a network for printing but it will take me some time to figure out exactly how to set it up. I am currently trying to synch Pages on both Ipad and Mac Book M3. I've tried toggling the on swithches in iCloud and Network setting. iCloud will perhaps update in an hour.

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Canon MP 550 solutions ?

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