How to Install Canon MP237 Scanner: A Comprehensive Guide for English Speakers

Installing a Canon MP237 printer on Linux, particularly Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu, is generally straightforward. You can often utilize the printer drivers intended for the Canon Pixma MP258, as the MP237 is considered a successor model, despite the seemingly numerical downgrade. However, when it comes to the scanner component of the Canon MP237, the process differs slightly and requires specific attention to drivers and software.

The key distinction lies in the scanner driver. Unlike the printer, the scanner driver must be specifically designed for the MP237 series. Furthermore, standard scanning applications like SimpleScan might not recognize the Canon scanner. Instead, you need to use Canon’s proprietary software, ScanGearMP, to operate the scanner effectively. This suggests that the scanner’s hardware interface is optimized for or possibly locked to Canon’s own application.

Another important point to note is that scanner sharing functionality might not be available for this model. This limitation could be significant for users intending to share the scanner across a network.

Let’s break down the installation process for both the printer and scanner components of the Canon MP237 on a Debian-based Linux system.

Installing the Canon MP237 Printer

1. Download the Printer Driver: Navigate to the official Canon website for your region (e.g., Canon USA, Canon Europe, Canon Asia). Search for “Canon PIXMA MP237 driver download.” Locate the drivers for Linux and specifically choose the Debian-based (.deb) package. You should find two compressed files: one for cnijfilter (printer driver) and another for scangearmp (scanner driver).

2. Prepare for Installation: Ensure your printer is turned off during the initial driver installation.

3. Extract and Install Printer Drivers: Extract the contents of the downloaded cnijfilter file. Go into the extracted folder, typically named “packages”. Inside, you will find several .deb files.

4. Install Common and MP230 Drivers: You need to install two .deb packages in sequence. First, double-click on cnijfilter-common-*, ensuring you select the version compatible with your system’s architecture (32-bit or 64-bit). Follow the on-screen prompts to install. After the common package is installed, double-click on cnijfilter-mp230-* (again, select the correct architecture) and proceed with the installation. Note that even though the file name refers to MP230, it is compatible with MP237 printer functionality.

5. Connect and Power On Your Printer: Once the drivers are installed, turn on your Canon MP237 printer. Linux should automatically detect the printer.

6. Verify Printer Installation: To confirm successful printer installation, go to your system settings, usually found under System > Administration > Printing or by searching for “Printers” in your system menu. Your Canon MP237 printer should be listed and ready for use.

Installing the Canon MP237 Scanner

1. Download the Scanner Driver: If you haven’t already, download the scangearmp driver package from the Canon support website, ensuring it is the Debian-based version (.deb) for Linux and specifically for the MP237 or a compatible series if MP237 is not directly listed.

2. Extract and Install Scanner Drivers: Extract the downloaded scangearmp file. Navigate to the “packages” folder within the extracted directory. Similar to the printer driver, you will find .deb packages.

3. Install Common and MP230 Scanner Drivers: Install the scanner drivers in the correct order. First, double-click on scangearmp-common-* (select the architecture appropriate for your system) and install it. Subsequently, double-click on scangearmp-mp230-* (again, choose the correct architecture) and install this package. As with the printer driver, the MP230 designation in the filename is acceptable for MP237 scanner compatibility.

4. Run ScanGearMP: After installing the scanner drivers, you need to launch the ScanGearMP application to use your scanner. You can do this in a couple of ways:

   • Using the Application Launcher: Press Alt + F2 to open a command prompt and type scangearmp and press Enter.
   • Using the Terminal: Open a terminal window and type scangearmp & and press Enter. The & symbol allows the application to run in the background, freeing up your terminal.

ScanGearMP should now launch, and you should be able to use it to scan documents and images with your Canon MP237 scanner.

Troubleshooting and Further Resources

If you encounter any issues during the installation process, or if the scanner is not functioning as expected, consider consulting these resources for additional guidance:

• [0] Installation guide for Canon Pixma MP-237 in Ubuntu – A web page detailing the installation of Canon Pixma MP237 printer on Ubuntu.
• [1] Canon Pixma MP237 and Ubuntu Linux – Blog post about using Canon Pixma MP237 with Ubuntu Linux.
• [2] Installation of Canon Pixma MP258 Printer and Scanner in BlankOn/Ubuntu – Instructions for installing Canon Pixma MP258 which can be relevant due to driver compatibility.
• [3] Blog post about printer and scanner installation – A blog resource that might offer further insights into similar installations.
• [4] Scanner SANE backend discussion – A discussion that touches upon scanner drivers and SANE compatibility which could be helpful for advanced troubleshooting.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully install and use both the printer and scanner functions of your Canon MP237 on your Debian-based Linux system. Remember to always download drivers from the official Canon website to ensure you are using the most reliable and secure software for your device.