canon-telemetry.exe

Canon Printer Telemetry Service

Application ProcessSafePrinter Software

CPU Usage

0-2%

Memory

10-50 MB

Location

Program Files\Canon

Publisher

Canon Inc.

Quick Answer

canon-telemetry.exe is safe. It's Canon's telemetry service that collects anonymized usage data to improve printers and software reliability; it's not a virus.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\Program Files\Canon\Canon Utilities\CanonTelemetry.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Canon\Canon Utilities\CanonTelemetry.exe

Warning

Background task

Telemetry runs in the background and may spawn related helper processes for data collection

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Disable from Canon Utilities or Windows startup (see Safety and Can Disable sections)

What is canon-telemetry.exe?

canon-telemetry.exe is Canon's telemetry service bundled with printer software. It runs as a background process to collect usage data, error reports, and configuration preferences to help Canon improve printers and software reliability. It may appear in Task Manager as canon-telemetry.exe.

Canon telemetry uses a lightweight, background data collector to send aggregated usage data to Canon servers. It runs alongside printer drivers and utilities, without interfering with print jobs, and respects standard Windows process isolation.

Quick Fact: Canon Telemetry helps improve driver support and device reliability by collecting anonymized usage statistics.

Types of Canon Telemetry Processes

Telemetry Collector: Gathers anonymized usage data and error reports
Data Transmitter: Sends data to Canon servers with user consent
Update Listener: Receives configuration updates from Canon
Background Sync Agent: Synchronizes settings like printer status
Health Monitor: Checks Canon software health and compatibility

Is canon-telemetry Safe?

Yes, canon-telemetry.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Canon installed via official Canon software, located in the Canon install directory.

Is canon-telemetry.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real file is NOT a virus. Malware may masquerade as canon-telemetry.exe; verify location and signature.

How to Tell if canon-telemetry.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location:: Must be in C:\Program Files\Canon\Canon Utilities\CanonTelemetry.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Canon\Canon Utilities\CanonTelemetry.exe. Any canon-telemetry.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature:: Right-click the process in Task Manager → Open file location → Right-click canon-telemetry.exe → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Canon Inc.".
Resource Usage:: Normal usage is 0-2% CPU, 10-50 MB memory. Extremely high usage when idle is suspicious.
Behavior:: Canon telemetry should run with Canon software installed. Multiple instances when Canon isn't installed indicates malware.

Red Flags: If canon-telemetry.exe is located outside the Canon install path, lacks a valid signature, or runs when Canon software isn't installed, scan with antivirus. Be wary of similarly named files like "canonTelemetry.exe".

Why Is canon-telemetry Running on My PC?

canon-telemetry runs to support Canon printer software by collecting usage data, error reports, and configuration preferences to help improve printers and software reliability.

Reasons it's running:

Active Canon Software: You're using a Canon printer or utility; telemetry runs to collect usage and errors to improve support.
Background Telemetry Collection: Telemetry operates in the background to gather anonymized data for product improvements.
Printer Status Monitoring: Continuous checks for printer status provide real-time alerts and better diagnostics.
Software Updates/Notifications: Telemetry coordinates with update services to deliver firmware or software notifications.
Startup and Background Tasks: Canon utilities may start on Windows startup or run background tasks to maintain readiness.

Can I Disable or Remove canon-telemetry?

Yes, you can disable canon-telemetry. It's safe to disable telemetry if you prefer not to share usage data, and you can uninstall entirely if you don't use Canon software.

How to Stop canon-telemetry

Disable Telemetry in Canon Utilities: Open Canon Utilities, navigate to Preferences or Settings, turn off Telemetry or Data Sharing.
Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Canon Telemetry
End Telemetry Tasks: Open Task Manager, find canon-telemetry.exe, right-click → End Task
Stop Background Apps: In Canon Utilities, disable "Continue running in background" if present
Uninstall Canon Software: Settings → Apps → Uninstall Canon Utilities if you no longer need Canon printers

How to Uninstall Canon Telemetry

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Canon Utilities → Uninstall
✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Canon Utilities → Uninstall
✔ Consider reinstalling Canon drivers without Telemetry if possible; check Canon support pages for options

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If canon-telemetry.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Telemetry Data Volume: Limit data sharing in Canon Utilities; disable optional data collection
Background Sync: Disable auto-sync or configure update settings
Outdated Software: Update Canon Utilities to latest version
Multiple Printers: Limit telemetry to the primary device; remove extra printers if not used
Malware Impersonation: Verify file location and signature; scan with antivirus
Conflicting Software: Reinstall Canon software to resolve conflicts

Quick Fixes:
1. Quick Fixes:
2. 1. Open Canon Utilities → Preferences → Telemetry and disable data sharing
3. Check Task Manager for canon-telemetry.exe and end tasks if needed
4. Disable startup via Task Manager → Startup
5. Update Canon Software to latest version
6. If issue persists, uninstall Canon Utilities

Frequently Asked Questions

Is canon-telemetry.exe legitimate?

Yes, when it is located in a Canon install directory (C:\Program Files\Canon\Canon Utilities\) and signed by Canon Inc.; malware may masquerade as canon-telemetry.exe.

Why is canon-telemetry running when I’m not printing?

Telemetry can run to monitor software health and usage even when not actively printing; you can disable in Canon Utilities or Windows startup.

How do I disable canon-telemetry permanently?

Disable from Canon Utilities settings, then turn off startup entry in Task Manager, and stop background processes if needed.

Can I uninstall canon-telemetry without affecting printing?

Uninstall Canon Utilities; printer drivers may still work with basic functionality, but some features requiring telemetry may be disabled.

Does Canon Telemetry collect personal data?

Telemetry generally uses anonymized usage data. Review Canon's privacy policy for details on data collection and sharing.

Where is canon-telemetry.exe located?

Typically in C:\Program Files\Canon\Canon Utilities\CanonTelemetry.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Canon\Canon Utilities\CanonTelemetry.exe.

Related Processes

canon-updater.exe

Canon Software Update Service

canon-utility.exe

Canon Utilities Suite

canon-printer-driver.exe

Canon Printer Driver