The Canon MAXIFY GX5020 is a single-function printer built for high-volume output. It doesn't have a built-in flatbed scanner like the GX6021. So when you need to "scan to computer," you're either using the Canon PRINT app as a mobile scanner (snapping photos of documents) or running a separate external scanner alongside it. When that connection breaks, it's usually a Wi-Fi, firewall, or app permission issue.
If you just hit scan in the app and nothing happened, start here.
Open the Canon PRINT App First
The GX5020 doesn't have a scan button on the printer itself. Every scan starts from the Canon PRINT app on your phone or tablet. If the app isn't running and logged into your Canon account, the scan function just spins. Open the app, tap the camera icon to start a scan, and confirm your printer is listed at the top of the screen.
If the app says "Printer not found," move to the next fix.
Is the Printer Fully Awake?
The GX5020 takes a long time to wake from sleep mode. Walk over to the printer and check the touchscreen. If it's dark or showing a warm-up message, wait a full minute for it to become ready. The Canon PRINT app won't discover a sleeping printer. Once the screen is lit and idle, try the scan again from your phone.
Fix the Wi-Fi Pairing
The GX5020 supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, but it has known trouble with WPA3-only security and PMF settings on Eero or Orbi mesh networks. If your router enforces strict WPA3, the printer and your phone might be on different bands or blocked entirely. Open your router settings and change the network to WPA2/WPA3 transitional mode. On the printer, go to Setup > Wireless LAN Setup and reconnect to the network. Then reconnect your phone to the same SSID.
This is the most common reason the Canon PRINT app can't find the GX5020 on modern mesh networks.
Whitelist Canon Utilities in Your Firewall
If the app sees the printer but the scan preview sticks at loading, your computer's firewall might be blocking the file transfer. On Windows, open Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall. Check that Canon PRINT and Canon IJ Scan Utility (if you run an external scanner) have both Private and Public boxes checked. If they aren't listed, click Allow another app and browse to C:\Program Files\Canon\ to add them.
On a Mac, go to System Settings > Network > Firewall and add Canon PRINT to the allowed list. Restart the computer and retry the scan from your phone.
Reset the Network Connection on the Printer
When the app keeps timing out or won't discover the printer at all, a soft network reset clears the issue. On the GX5020 touchscreen, go to Setup > Reset settings. Choose Reset network settings and confirm. The printer reboots and forgets all saved Wi-Fi profiles. Run the wireless setup again through the Canon PRINT app. This clears any corrupted DHCP leases or IP conflicts that were silently blocking communication.
Wake Your Computer Before You Scan
The GX5020 sends scanned files (from the app or an external scanner) to a destination computer that has to be awake and responsive. If your laptop is in sleep mode, the file transfer hangs indefinitely. Wake the computer, log in, open the folder where scans usually land, and then press the scan button on your phone. The file pushes through immediately.
Switch to Ethernet for Large Scans
The GX5020 has a standard Ethernet port on the back. If you're scanning multi-page documents through the app or a dedicated scanner, Wi-Fi can introduce lag or drop the transfer. Run a Cat 5e or higher cable from the printer to your router. The printer auto-detects the wired connection and pulls a new IP address. Re-add the printer in the Canon PRINT app using its wired IP, and large scans complete without timeout errors.
This is also the most reliable setup for a mixed-use office with a separate scanner on the network.
Update the Printer Firmware
Canon pushes firmware updates through the Canon PRINT app. An outdated firmware can break the scan-to-phone or scan-to-computer pipeline, especially after a phone OS update. Open the Canon PRINT app, tap the printer icon, and check for a Firmware update option. Install any available updates. The printer restarts and fresh communication protocols take effect.
This is a simple check that solves the "scan sent but file never received" problem.
Check App Permissions on Your Phone
If the Canon PRINT app opens but the camera viewfinder is black or saving is grayed out, your phone is blocking the required permissions. On your iPhone or Android, go to Settings > Apps > Canon PRINT > Permissions. Make sure Camera and Storage are both enabled. Without storage access, the app can't save the scanned document to your device or upload it to your computer.
Use PIXMA Cloud Link to Skip the Computer
If your computer keeps rejecting the scan file, bypass it entirely. The GX5020 supports PIXMA Cloud Link, which lets you send scans directly to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive from the Canon PRINT app. Set up the cloud destination in the app settings. Scan the document from your phone, and it lands in your cloud storage. Open it from your computer there, with no direct network handshake required.
This is the most reliable workaround for persistent connectivity issues between the GX5020 and a computer.
