how do i scan from the automatic document feeder on my tr4720? it just feeds the paper through and nothing happens.

Diagnosis

The issue where the Canon PIXMA TR4720 feeds paper through the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) without capturing an image is typically caused by a "Source Mismatch" in the driver settings. By default, the printer software is often set to the "Platen" (the flat glass bed). When you trigger a scan, the printer may physically pull the paper through to clear the tray or initialize the mechanism, but because the software is telling the sensor to look at the glass, no digital image is created. Furthermore, this can happen if the "Paper Feed" sensor is triggered but the scan command hasn't been fully handshake-verified between the Canon IJ Scan Utility and the printer hardware. If the documents are sliding through too quickly without the scanner lamp moving, it confirms that the hardware is functioning (the rollers are turning) but the logic board has not been instructed to engage the CIS (Contact Image Sensor) for the ADF path. You can confirm this by looking at the scanner bar; if the light remains stationary at the far end of the glass while the paper moves, the source is incorrectly set to the flatbed.

How to Fix It

To force the TR4720 to recognize the ADF as the primary scanning source, follow these precise steps using the Canon IJ Scan Utility on your Windows or macOS machine:

1. Load your documents into the ADF tray. Ensure the paper is pushed in until the printer beeps or the screen displays that documents have been loaded. The documents must be face-up.
2. Open the Canon IJ Scan Utility from your applications folder or start menu.
3. Click on the Settings... button located in the bottom right corner of the main utility window.
4. In the left-hand sidebar, select Document Scan.
5. Look for the Paper Source dropdown menu. Change this selection from "Platen" to ADF.
6. Under the "Scan Options," ensure the Paper Size is set to "Auto Detect" or specifically "Letter 8.5" x 11"" to avoid premature stops.
7. Click OK to save these settings.
8. Return to the main utility screen and click the Document button to initiate the scan. The scanner lamp should now move in synchronization with the paper feed.

If That Didn't Work

• Perform a Hard Power Cycle: Unplug the power cord from the back of the TR4720 while the printer is still on. Wait exactly 60 seconds. Plug it back in. This clears the temporary cache in the printer's memory that may be locking the scan source to the platen.
• Update the ScanGear Driver: If the "ADF" option is missing from the dropdown menu, your driver is likely the generic Windows Class driver. Download and install the specific "MP Drivers" package for the TR4720. This replaces the basic driver with the full ScanGear utility, which unlocks ADF functionality.
• Check for ADF Jam/Sensor Blockage: Open the ADF cover and check for any small scraps of paper or dust buildup on the small plastic trigger lever (the sensor that detects paper entry). If this lever is stuck in the "up" position, the printer may feed the paper but fail to trigger the scan start command.
• Try the "Copy" Test: Place a page in the ADF and press the "Black" or "Color" copy button on the printer's physical panel. If it copies correctly, the hardware is 100% functional, and the issue is strictly a software configuration in the IJ Scan Utility on your PC.

Heads Up

• Paper Weight Warning: The TR4720 ADF is designed for standard 20lb bond paper. Avoid using cardstock, photo paper, or labels in the ADF, as these will either jam or slip, resulting in "blank" scans or skewed images.
• Cleaning the ADF Roller: Every 500 pages, wipe the rubber feed rollers with a lint-free cloth dampened with distilled water to prevent the "paper slide" effect where documents feed through without being gripped properly.
• Multi-Page PDFs: When scanning multiple pages via ADF, always select "Save as PDF" in the IJ Scan Utility settings to ensure all pages are compiled into a single file rather than saved as individual JPEGs.