Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →“ The program can’t start because cnb_0279.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.”
You may also see “The code execution cannot proceed because cnb_0279.dll was not found,” “Error loading cnb_0279.dll. The specified module could not be found,” or “cnb_0279.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error.”
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The 60-second answer
cnb_0279.dll is a Canon Inkjet Printer Driver component from CANON INC. It is associated with older Canon printer packages, not with Visual C++, DirectX, .NET, or a general Windows runtime.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11The safest fix is to identify the Canon printer that installed it, remove that printer and its damaged driver package, then install the complete driver package for the exact model and Windows architecture. Do not download the DLL by itself or copy it into System32.
#1 Best Overall
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
If printing works but the message appears during Windows startup, an obsolete Canon utility may be trying to load an old driver component. In that case, identify the executable named in the error and remove the obsolete Canon software rather than replacing the DLL globally.
What cnb_0279.dll does
The file belongs to a Canon inkjet printer-driver package. Public inventories associate it with older packages using prnca00f.inf, alongside other Canon CNB_####.DLL and .GPD files. Models listed in older inventories include the PIXMA MP950 and iX4000, but Canon has not published a definitive list mapping this specific DLL to every compatible printer.
It may be stored in the Windows DriverStore when the driver was supplied through Windows or Windows Update. That does not make it a core Windows system runtime. Its ownership and purpose remain Canon printer-driver related.
The exact file version, size, architecture, and installation path can vary by printer model, driver package, Windows release, and system architecture. Conflicting public catalog records should not be used to select a replacement binary.
First, identify what is failing
Before changing files, determine whether the message comes from a printer driver or an unrelated program.
- Write down the complete error message.
- Note the executable name and full path if the dialog provides them.
- Record when the message appears:
- immediately after signing in;
- while printing;
- while adding or removing a printer;
- after a Windows update;
- after installing or updating a Canon package;
- after an antivirus detection.
- Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners in Windows 11. In Windows 10, open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
- Look for Canon printers, duplicate Canon entries, or a printer marked offline or unavailable.
- Check Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Protection history for a quarantine or removal involving the DLL or a Canon installer.
If the dialog names a Canon executable and a Canon printer is not working, treat this as a damaged or incomplete printer installation. If it names an unrelated application, do not assume that application legitimately needs the file. The filename alone cannot prove that a copy is genuine.
Fix 1: reinstall the complete Canon driver
This is the most likely solution for a missing or damaged cnb_0279.dll.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Remove the affected printer
- Open Settings.
- Select Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners on Windows 11, or Devices > Printers & scanners on Windows 10.
- Select the affected Canon printer.
- Choose Remove or Remove device.
- Confirm the removal.
- Restart Windows.
If several entries exist for the same printer, remove only entries that clearly belong to the affected Canon device. Do not remove unrelated printers.
Download the correct package
Open Canon’s official support site manually and search for the exact printer model. Select your installed Windows release and download the listed Printer Driver, MP Drivers, or complete driver-and-software package.
Match all of these details:
- the exact Canon model;
- your Windows release;
- the available system architecture;
- the connection method, such as USB or network.
Do not mix a package for a similar Canon model. Older packages may not support every modern Windows release, and a 32-bit driver component is not a reliable substitute for a 64-bit component or the reverse.
Rank #2
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations
Install and test
- Close any open printing applications.
- Run the Canon installer.
- Follow its connection instructions. Connect the USB cable only when requested.
- Allow the installer to complete all driver and utility components.
- Restart if prompted.
- Return to Printers & scanners.
- Select the Canon printer and choose Print a test page, if available.
The repair worked if the printer appears normally, the test page prints, and the original error does not return. If the installer reports that a newer driver is already present, remove the old printer and continue with the clean-removal procedure below.
If manually identifying stale drivers across several Canon packages is taking too long, Outbyte Driver Updater can scan for outdated driver components and show what needs attention; its free scan identifies the issue, while the full version performs the driver installation. It is optional, and the exact Canon model-specific package remains the authoritative repair.
Fix 2: remove a leftover driver package
A Windows upgrade, printer replacement, or failed setup can leave an old Canon package behind.
Start with the normal printer removal steps above. If the error remains:
- Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
- Expand Printers, Print queues, and Software devices.
- Right-click entries clearly belonging to the affected Canon printer.
- Select Uninstall device.
- If Windows offers Attempt to remove the driver for this device, select it only for the confirmed Canon device.
- Restart Windows.
- Reinstall the current Canon package.
For deeper cleanup, Microsoft’s PnPUtil can list installed third-party driver packages.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →- Open Start.
- Type
Command Prompt. - Right-click it and choose Run as administrator.
- Run:
pnputil /enum-drivers
Review the output and locate the Canon package by its provider, class, or associated printer model. Note its published name, such as oem##.inf. Then remove it with:
pnputil /delete-driver oem##.inf /uninstall /reboot
Replace oem##.inf with the confirmed Canon package name. Do not guess the name or delete a package merely because it is old. Removing the wrong INF can disable another printer or device.
After the restart, install the correct Canon package again.
Fix 3: use Windows Update to reinstall the printer
If Canon does not provide a compatible package for your model, Windows Update may supply a usable driver.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute- Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
- Remove the affected printer.
- Restart Windows.
- Return to Printers & scanners.
- Select Add device.
- Wait for Windows to search for available printers.
- Select the Canon printer and follow the setup prompts.
- Print a test page.
Microsoft recommends Windows Update or the printer manufacturer’s official site for printer-driver installation. If Windows finds only a basic driver, printing may work while advanced Canon features remain unavailable.
Fix 4: check antivirus quarantine
Security software may have removed or quarantined a legitimate driver file, or it may have detected a malicious file using the same name.
Rank #3
- Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
- Crisp, Vibrant Prints - Experience impressive print quality for both documents and photos, thanks to its 2-cartridge hybrid ink system that delivers sharp text and vivid colors
- Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
- Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
- Seamless Multi-Page Handling - Tackle multi-page documents with ease using the Auto Document Feeder (ADF) for quick scanning and copying
- Open Windows Security.
- Select Virus & threat protection.
- Choose Protection history.
- Expand any event involving
cnb_0279.dll, a Canon installer, or the printer driver. - Check the file path and detection details.
- Restore or allow the file only if it came from a genuine, digitally signed Canon driver installer that you recognize.
- Reinstall the complete Canon package afterward.
Microsoft warns that restoring a quarantined file can put a real threat back on the device. If the path is a temporary folder, a user-download folder, or an unfamiliar application directory, do not restore it. Run a full scan and obtain a clean driver package from Canon instead.
Fix 5: repair Windows components with DISM and SFC
Windows repair commands are secondary here. They can repair damaged Windows components and protected system files, but they do not normally restore a missing third-party Canon binary.
- Right-click Start.
- Select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
- Run this command and wait for it to finish:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Then run:
sfc /scannow
- Restart Windows.
- Reinstall the Canon driver package if the DLL error continues.
A successful scan may report that corruption was repaired or that no integrity violations were found. Neither result replaces the Canon reinstall when the missing file belongs to the printer package.
If you want help identifying which Windows components are damaged instead of repeatedly guessing with SFC and DISM, Outbyte PC Repair can scan and report issues; its free scan shows what it found, while the full version performs repairs. It is not required, and it cannot replace the model-specific Canon installer.
Fix 6: use System Restore after a recent update
If the error began immediately after a driver or Windows update, System Restore may undo the change.
- Open Start and search for
Create a restore point. - Open the result.
- Select System Restore.
- Choose a restore point created before the error appeared.
- Review the affected programs and drivers.
- Select Finish and allow Windows to restart.
System Restore normally rolls back system files, settings, and installed programs without changing personal files. Afterward, test the printer and install a compatible Canon package if necessary.
Why copying the DLL or using regsvr32 fails
Do not download cnb_0279.dll from a random DLL website. A loose file may contain malware, belong to the wrong Canon package, use the wrong architecture, or be incompatible with the remaining driver files. Manual copying can also create version conflicts and bypass installer signature checks.
Do not copy it into C:WindowsSystem32, C:WindowsSysWOW64, or an application folder unless the Canon installer explicitly places it there.
regsvr32 is also normally irrelevant. It is intended for DLLs that provide registration functions such as DllRegisterServer. A printer-driver module is not automatically a self-registering COM component. Running:
regsvr32 cnb_0279.dll
can produce another module or entry-point error and does not rebuild the Canon driver package.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Do not install Visual C++ or DirectX merely because the message contains the word “DLL.” There is no verified evidence that either package supplies cnb_0279.dll.
Rank #4
- Wireless Print/Copy/Scan
- Up to 2 years of ink included (2)
- Print up to 6,000 black & white / 7,700 color pages using a single set of inks! (1)
- Save up to $1,000 on ink (1)
- 1.35” Square LCD display
When the printer is obsolete
Some older Canon printers no longer have current driver support for every Windows release. If Canon provides no compatible package and Windows Update cannot install a working driver, the hardware may be obsolete for that system.
Before replacing the printer:
- Try Windows’ Add device process.
- Check whether the printer works through a generic driver.
- Test the printer from another supported Windows computer, if available.
- Confirm that the problem is not a USB cable, network connection, or failing printer.
- Avoid forcing an unrelated Canon package onto the system.
A clean printer installation is preferable to keeping an obsolete startup utility that repeatedly searches for cnb_0279.dll.
If the error still appears
Collect these details before seeking further help:
- the exact error text;
- the executable named in the dialog;
- the full path shown for the DLL;
- Windows 10 or Windows 11 and its build;
- the Canon printer model;
- whether the error occurs at startup or during printing;
- any Protection History event;
- the result of the Canon reinstall and Windows Update attempt.
This information distinguishes a missing Canon driver from a damaged dependency, a wrong-architecture package, an orphaned utility, malware, or disk corruption. If printing works and only a startup message remains, remove the obsolete Canon utility named by the dialog instead of placing a replacement DLL in a system folder.
FAQ
Is cnb_0279.dll a Windows system file?
No. It is associated with a Canon inkjet printer-driver package. It may appear in the Windows DriverStore when Windows or Windows Update supplied an older printer driver, but it is not a general Windows runtime.
Does it belong to Visual C++ or DirectX?
There is no verified evidence that it belongs to either. Installing those packages is not the correct first response.
Which Canon printers use it?
Older public inventories associate it with packages using prnca00f.inf and list models including PIXMA MP950 and iX4000. Canon has not published a complete authoritative model-to-file map.
Should I register it with regsvr32?
Normally, no. Reinstall the complete printer-driver package instead.
Recommended Free Tools
Can I download only cnb_0279.dll?
That is unsafe and often ineffective. Use the exact Canon printer package or Windows Update so the DLL and its related files are installed together.
What if the file is quarantined?
Check its original path and digital signature before restoring anything. If you cannot verify that it came from a genuine Canon installer, leave it quarantined, scan the computer, and reinstall the driver from an official source.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
