Canon PIXMA MP800R: MP Navigator EX Setup, Tips & Troubleshooting

Canon PIXMA MP800R: MP Navigator EX Setup, Tips & TroubleshootingThe Canon PIXMA MP800R remains a capable multifunction inkjet for printing, scanning, and copying. While it’s an older model, using Canon’s MP Navigator EX software unlocks the scanner and photo-management features designed to simplify daily tasks. This article walks through installing and configuring MP Navigator EX, practical tips for better scans and prints, and troubleshooting common issues.

What is MP Navigator EX?

MP Navigator EX is Canon’s software suite that provides scanning, image organizing, and simple editing tools tailored for Canon multifunction printers. It offers multiple scan modes (Auto, Document, Photo, Business Card), one-click tasks, OCR (text recognition), and direct saving or emailing of scanned files.

System requirements and compatibility

• The MP800R was released for Windows and macOS — check that the MP Navigator EX version you download matches your operating system and its version.
• For modern macOS or Windows releases, Canon’s original drivers/software for the MP800R may not be officially supported. If you’re on a newer OS, consider compatibility mode, generic drivers, or alternative scanning apps (see troubleshooting).
• Ensure your computer has enough free disk space, USB ports, or network configuration to connect the printer.

Before you begin: hardware checks

• Make sure the PIXMA MP800R is plugged in and powered on.
• Confirm cables: for USB, use a good-quality A-to-B USB cable; for network models, verify Ethernet/Wi‑Fi connection (though MP800R typically uses USB).
• Load paper and ink — scans may fail if the printer reports low ink or paper jams.
• Clean the scanner glass and platen cover with a lint‑free cloth and glass cleaner (spray cleaner onto the cloth, not directly on the glass).

Installing MP Navigator EX (step-by-step)

1. Download the correct MP Navigator EX package:

   • Use Canon’s official support site and search for “PIXMA MP800R” and your OS.
   • If Canon’s site no longer hosts the package for modern OS versions, look for archived driver repositories or use bundled drivers on third‑party sites cautiously.

2. Install drivers first:

   • Run the printer/MP driver installer included in the download package. Follow prompts and restart the computer if required.

3. Install MP Navigator EX:

   • Run the MP Navigator EX installer after drivers are installed. Accept license terms and choose the installation location if prompted.

4. Connect the printer:

   • For USB: connect the cable only when prompted by the installer or after installation.
   • For network setups: configure IP address and ensure your computer and printer are on the same network.

5. Launch MP Navigator EX:

   • The main interface shows scanning shortcuts, saved scan presets, and one-click functions (Scan, Save, Attach to Email, OCR).

Configuring MP Navigator EX for everyday use

• Create presets for your common tasks (e.g., “Color Photo 300 dpi”, “Black & White Document 200 dpi”).
• Set default save folders and file naming rules to keep scans organized.
• Turn on OCR for business documents where you need editable text; choose language and output format (TXT or searchable PDF).
• Adjust automatic color correction and dust removal for photo scans — test settings on sample images.

Scanning tips for best results

• Resolution: use 300 dpi for standard documents and 300–600 dpi for photos. For archival or high-detail scans, 600–1200 dpi may be required, but file sizes grow quickly.
• Color mode: choose Grayscale/B&W for text-only documents and Color for anything with images.
• Preview first: use the preview scan to crop and frame the area to scan precisely.
• Descreening: enable when scanning halftone printed photos (magazines) to reduce moiré patterns.
• Save formats: PDF for multi-page documents, JPEG for individual photos, and TIFF for lossless archival quality.
• Use the glass close to the document to avoid skew; use the document guides for alignment.

Photo-specific advice

• For photos, clean the glass to avoid specks showing in scans.
• Use 24-bit or 48-bit color depth if available for better color accuracy.
• Consider scanning at a higher dpi and downsampling in an image editor to get better detail with less noise.
• If you scan negatives or slides, MP Navigator EX may not support dedicated film scanning for the MP800R — use a flatbed transparency adapter or third-party tools if required.

Common problems and fixes

• MP Navigator EX won’t install or is incompatible:

  • Run the installer in compatibility mode (Windows) or use older macOS virtual machine if necessary.
  • Try the latest Canon drivers for a similar PIXMA model that’s supported on your OS.
  • Use alternative scanning software (Windows Fax and Scan, NAPS2, VueScan, or macOS Image Capture).

• Scanner not detected:

  • Reconnect USB cable and try a different USB port.
  • Restart the printer, then the computer.
  • Reinstall USB and printer drivers.
  • Check Device Manager (Windows) or System Information (macOS) for connectivity and driver issues.

• Scans are dark, light, or color-shifted:

  • Clean the scanner glass and lid.
  • Use calibration or color correction options in MP Navigator EX.
  • Check the document type and color mode (don’t scan a color photo in grayscale).
  • Update or reinstall drivers.

• OCR produces poor results:

  • Increase scan resolution to 300–600 dpi.
  • Use high-contrast, clean originals (black text on white background).
  • Manually correct recognition errors or try a more advanced OCR app (ABBYY FineReader, Google Drive OCR).

• File save or permissions errors:

  • Verify the save folder exists and you have write permissions.
  • Run MP Navigator EX as an administrator (Windows) or grant appropriate permissions on macOS.

Alternatives if MP Navigator EX won’t meet your needs

• Windows: Windows Fax and Scan; NAPS2 (free); VueScan (paid, supports many older scanners).
• macOS: Image Capture; VueScan.
• Cross-platform: VueScan; SANE (via third-party frontends on Linux).

Comparison table of common alternatives:

Maintenance and long-term tips

• Keep drivers and MP Navigator EX updated when possible. Check Canon’s support site periodically.
• Replace ink cartridges and perform printer head cleaning if prints have streaks.
• Keep the scanner glass and lid foam clean and intact to maintain scan quality.
• Back up frequently used scan presets and document organization settings.

When to consider replacing hardware

• If the scanner repeatedly fails on modern OSes and no driver/workaround helps, or parts like the scanner lamp or carriage fail, it may be more cost-effective to buy a modern multifunction printer with full OS support and improved scanning speed/quality.

If you want, I can:

• provide step-by-step installers or links (state your OS),
• write troubleshooting steps tailored to a specific error message, or
• draft optimized MP Navigator EX scan presets for documents and photos.