Quick Answer
canon-solution-menu.exe is safe. Canon’s official Solution Menu utility helps manage scanning, printing, and device status for Canon printers from your PC.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be located in C:\Program Files\Canon\Solution Menu\CanonSolutionMenu.exe
Warning
Multiple related processes
Canon Solution Menu uses several child processes for device communication, scanning, and management tasks
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Disable startup in Task Manager or through Canon Solution Menu settings; you can stop background tasks if not needed
What is CanonSolutionMenu.exe?
canon-solution-menu.exe is the executable for Canon Solution Menu, a lightweight utility that bridges your computer and Canon printers/MFPs. It offers quick access to scanning, printing, and device management from Windows, without launching the full printer software each time.
The Solution Menu runs as a small set of components that coordinate with Canon drivers to enable scan-to-PC, print jobs, and device status reading. It remains modular to keep UI responsive and minimize driver conflicts during operations.
Quick Fact: Canon Solution Menu consolidates common printer tasks into a single tray-accessible interface, reducing the need to open multiple Canon applications for everyday actions.
Types of Canon Solution Menu Processes
- UI Process: User interface for quick access and status display (single instance)
- Scanner Service: Handles scan requests and transfers to PC (multiple instances as needed)
- Print Service: Manages print jobs and printer status communication
- Driver Communication: Low-level driver interaction with Canon devices
- Update & Settings: Checks for updates and applies configuration changes
- Background Tasks: Background checks, device discovery, and tray interactions
Is canon-solution-menu.exe Safe?
Yes, canon-solution-menu.exe is safe when the file is from Canon’s official site or bundled with Canon drivers for your device.
Is canon-solution-menu.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real file is NOT a virus. However, malware can imitate names; always verify the file source and signature.
How to Tell if canon-solution-menu.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Canon\Solution Menu\CanonSolutionMenu.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Canon\Solution Menu\CanonSolutionMenu.exe. Any canon-solution-menu.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the executable → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Canon Inc." as signer.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-4% CPU and 40-120 MB memory. Constant high usage when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: Canon Solution Menu should run when you use Canon printing/scanning features. Unprompted background activity after closing the software is a red flag.
Red Flags: If canon-solution-menu.exe sits in unusual folders (AppData, Temp, or System32), runs without user action, lacks a valid digital signature, or shows persistent background activity after shutdown, scan with reputable antivirus and compare hash values from Canon.
Why Is canon-solution-menu.exe Running on My PC?
Canon Solution Menu runs to provide streamlined access to scanning, printing, and device management for Canon printers. It may start on boot or run background tasks to keep features ready when you need them.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Print/Scan Tasks: When you print or scan, the solution menu coordinates with the device and prepares the appropriate UI and drivers.
- Device Discovery & Monitoring: Continuously detects connected Canon devices to offer quick actions and status updates.
- Startup and Background Services: Configured to launch at Windows startup or run background services for immediate access.
- Driver and Firmware Checks: Periodically checks for driver updates or firmware notices to keep devices compatible.
- Tray and Quick Access Components: UI and tray utilities run to provide fast access to common tasks without opening full printer software.
Can I Disable or Remove canon-solution-menu.exe?
Yes, you can disable canon-solution-menu.exe. It’s safe to stop or uninstall if you don’t use Canon printers regularly, but you may lose quick access features.
How to Stop canon-solution-menu.exe
- End Tasks in Tray/UI: Right-click the Canon Solution Menu tray icon and select Exit or Quit
- Close All Windows: Close all Canon Solution Menu windows to stop background processes
- Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Canon Solution Menu
- Stop Background Tasks: In Canon Solution Menu settings, turn off options like 'Start on startup' and 'Continue running in background'
- Restart Computer: A restart ensures services are not lingering in memory
How to Uninstall Canon Solution Menu
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Canon Solution Menu → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Canon Solution Menu → Uninstall
- ✔ If prompted, also remove Canon printer drivers and related utilities if you don’t need them
Common Problems: Printing/Scanning with Canon Solution Menu
If canon-solution-menu.exe has issues, apply these targeted fixes before reinstalling drivers or the software.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Solution Menu does not launch after startup: Update Canon drivers and reinstall the Solution Menu; ensure the service is enabled in Services.msc
- Cannot scan to PC: Check that the Canon Scan Service is running, verify USB/Wi-Fi connection, and reconfigure scan settings in the app
- Printer not detected: Update or reinstall printer drivers; reconnect the printer via USB or network and re-run the printer diagnostics
- High CPU or memory usage: Close unused tasks, disable unnecessary background features, and update to the latest Canon Solution Menu version
- System tray icon missing: Restart the Canon Solution Menu, ensure system tray settings allow icons, or reinstall the software
- Update check failures: Check internet connection, temporarily disable firewall/antivirus blocking Canon servers, and run manual update via the app
Quick Fixes:
1. Right-click the system tray icon and choose Restart or Exit, then reopen Canon Solution Menu
2. Run Windows Update and Canon driver update from within the Canon software
3. Reinstall Canon Solution Menu from Canon's official site or printer CD
4. Check device connection (USB/Wi-Fi) and re-run the printer setup wizard
5. Disable unnecessary background options in Canon Solution Menu settings
Frequently Asked Questions
Is canon-solution-menu.exe safe?
Yes. The legitimate file is produced by Canon Inc. and should reside in C:\Program Files\Canon\Solution Menu\CanonSolutionMenu.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Canon\Solution Menu\CanonSolutionMenu.exe. Verify a valid signature from Canon.
Where is Canon Solution Menu installed?
Typically installed at C:\Program Files\Canon\Solution Menu or C:\Program Files (x86)\Canon\Solution Menu. The executable is CanonSolutionMenu.exe, part of the Canon Solution Menu package.
How do I disable startup for Canon Solution Menu?
Open Task Manager → Startup tab → find Canon Solution Menu and click Disable. You can also disable related background tasks in the Canon Solution Menu settings.
How do I uninstall Canon Solution Menu?
Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Canon Solution Menu → Uninstall. Optionally remove related Canon printer drivers if you won’t use the printer again.
What should I do if scanning isn’t working?
Ensure the Canon Scan Service is running, confirm the printer is connected, and try again. Reinstall the Canon scanning components if needed, and verify firewall settings allow scanning traffic.
Does Canon Solution Menu slow down my PC?
It can use modest resources when active. Close unused scans or printers, disable background features you don’t need, and keep the software up to date to minimize impact.