Printer Driver Support in Catalina

[bob_stan]

Just checking on driver support for the 3 printers i use extensively - Epson P800 Catalina Driver Available. Xerox Phaser 6280 no support planned. HP 1600 no driver. It sort of ticks me off. Yes it is a manufacturer's decision, but did anyone, including Apple, really expect any manufacturer to provide 64 bit drivers for printers several years old. Even though they still function perfectly, 2 of my 3 printers will be useless unless I rely on Windows. Not pleased, but resigned.

 

[AlteMac]

This is a recurring problem with OS updates. One possible solution is to see if there are CUPS drivers for your Xerox and HP. Scanner drivers are also "obsoleted" but there are third party propgrams like Vuescan for scanners.

 

[dsemf]

Sometimes luck is involved. We have a HP Deskjet D1455 from 2008. When I connected it, Catalina said I need to install the drivers. I replied yes and the drivers where installed from Apple and a few minutes later I could print.

DS

 

[Czo]

According to the specs (https://www.office.xerox.com/latest/628BR-01U.PDF) i think, this printer will work for all future versions (of any operating systems, maybe) because of the PCL/PostScript compatibility. I am still using my 2003's HP ColorLaserjet 2500 via TCP/IP with PostScript with Catalina.

For the HP, maybe try the Mojave driver with Catalina if that driver is specially made for Mojave.

But, the most future proof thing, if noone buy anything that are not PCL or PostScript capable by hardware.

 

[IowaLynn]

I had to reset printers to get my Canon and Lexmark to work. With Android 10 Mopria Print does a better job but doesn’t have an iOS version. And I feel lucky I don’t have to buy a new color printer/scanner and laser printer - too much pressing stuff to get done. Or use my Surface laptop in a pinch.
In the past there were times Lexmark laser stopped being supported by Mac OS.

 

[bob_stan]

In spite of my concerns, I installed Catalina 10.15.1 on my machine. To my surprise, the printers I was concerned about work fine. I didn't have to do anything extra.

 

[GooberMan]

Had trouble with my Canon MP620, as I upgraded to an SSD with a clean Catalina OS install, and when I went to install the printer driver it wouldn't install. Said it was too old (or something, I forget the exact message).

Solution:

Go to a Time Machine backup to find the driver files, and install them manually by copy and paste.

Printer driver location is:

HD>Library>Printers

I just copied the whole "Printers" folder and pasted it into Catalina at the same location. The MP620 driver then showed up when adding a new printer (System Preferences>Printers and Scanners), and I can print fine. Scanner doesn't work, and reading another thread on this site I guess there's no luck there, unless maybe Canon updates to 64 bit driver.

At any rate, got some more life out of the MP620 as a printer. Lesson is: Use Time Machine to back up data!

 

[GooberMan]

Scanner doesn't work...

Got the scanner to work too. Just went to the Time Machine again, and copied the "Image Capture" folder from the same location noted in the previous post (HD>Library>) and then pasted it into Catalina. The MP620 then showed up in the Image Capture app and I could scan.

So the drivers work for the Canon MP620 in Catalina, it's just the installer that doesn't work.

 

[flowrider]

Scanner doesn't work, and reading another thread on this site I guess there's no luck there, unless maybe Canon updates to 64 bit driver.

Try the excellent VueScan scanner driver software. I, and many other forum members, have used it for years. The author updates regularly 👍

VueScan Scanner Software for macOS, Windows, and Linux

VueScan is the easiest way to get your scanner working on macOS, Windows and more. VueScan includes a driver for your scanner even though it isn't support anymore.

www.hamrick.com

Lou

 

[Taz Mangus]

In spite of my concerns, I installed Catalina 10.15.1 on my machine. To my surprise, the printers I was concerned about work fine. I didn't have to do anything extra.

Are you still able to use your Xerox 6280 printer with the latest 10.15.5 version of Catalina. I have this printer as well but in storage. I plan on using it again in the near future.

 

[bob_stan]

Yes no problems.

 

[Taz Mangus]

Yes no problems.

Great. Thanks.

 

[Kat.Murg]

Had trouble with my Canon MP620, as I upgraded to an SSD with a clean Catalina OS install, and when I went to install the printer driver it wouldn't install. Said it was too old (or something, I forget the exact message).

Solution:

Go to a Time Machine backup to find the driver files, and install them manually by copy and paste.

Printer driver location is:

HD>Library>Printers

I just copied the whole "Printers" folder and pasted it into Catalina at the same location. The MP620 driver then showed up when adding a new printer (System Preferences>Printers and Scanners), and I can print fine. Scanner doesn't work, and reading another thread on this site I guess there's no luck there, unless maybe Canon updates to 64 bit driver.

At any rate, got some more life out of the MP620 as a printer. Lesson is: Use Time Machine to back up data!

I completed these steps and was unable to connect to my Canon MP620

Is yours setup for wireless printing or is the printer connected by USB?

 

[GooberMan]

I completed these steps and was unable to connect to my Canon MP620

Is yours setup for wireless printing or is the printer connected by USB?

Late reply!
It’s connected by USB. Couldn’t get wireless to work, though I’ve always used USB and stopped trying wireless after a short while, just because that’s the way I had it originally.

 

[Taz Mangus]

I completed these steps and was unable to connect to my Canon MP620

Is yours setup for wireless printing or is the printer connected by USB?

Late reply!
It’s connected by USB. Couldn’t get wireless to work, though I’ve always used USB and stopped trying wireless after a short while, just because that’s the way I had it originally.

The last supported macOS for the Canon MP620 was OS X 10.9. Many times a printer manufacturer uses the same printer engine across multiple printers. This means that the printer driver for other printers might work for the MP620. Maybe try out the MP230 or MP280 printer drivers which both are supported for Catalina.

Canon Support for PIXMA MP230 | Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Find support for your Canon PIXMA MP230. Browse the recommended drivers, downloads, and manuals to make sure your product contains the most up-to-date software.

www.usa.canon.com

Canon Support for PIXMA MP280 | Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Find support for your Canon PIXMA MP280. Browse the recommended drivers, downloads, and manuals to make sure your product contains the most up-to-date software.

www.usa.canon.com

The other option would be to use VueScan which supports the scanning for the MP620 for Catalina. Also, maybe try out Gutenprint that has a driver for the Canon MP-620 for macOS Catalina.

Canon Scanner Software | VueScan Scanner Software

Want to keep using your Canon Scanner on macOS Sonoma, Windows 10, and more? VueScan has built in Canon Scanner Drivers - so it works even without a driver.

www.hamrick.com

Gutenprint Printer Drivers

gimp-print.sourceforge.net