Introduction: Why Can’t You Fully Remove the Canon LBP2900b Driver?
If you’ve tried uninstalling the Canon LBP2900b driver, you may have noticed that:
- The printer still appears in Devices and Printers
- Printer ports remain active in the system
- Related registry entries or service files are not removed
- Reinstallation issues occur due to leftover configurations
The Canon LBP2900b is a widely used laser printer, especially for home and small business environments. Its driver package often integrates deeply with Windows services, USB port management, and spooler systems, making complete removal more complex than standard software.
In this guide, we’ll:
- Explain why Canon LBP2900b drivers leave behind traces
- Provide 6 professional methods to fully remove it
- Include a success rate for each method
- Help you prepare your system for reinstallation or switching to another printer
Let’s dive into how to cleanly remove the Canon LBP2900b driver from your system!
What Makes Canon LBP2900b Driver Difficult to Remove?
Understanding why the Canon LBP2900b driver doesn’t uninstall cleanly helps you choose the best removal strategy:
Cause | Description |
---|---|
🧩 Deep System Integration | Registers with Windows Print Spooler and USB services |
🔐 Persistent Registry Entries | Stores printer settings and device IDs in HKLM |
💾 Printer Port Locks | Keeps virtual ports like USB001 active |
📁 Hidden Configuration Files | Leaves behind INF, CAT, and driver cache files |
🧰 Incomplete Standard Uninstaller | GUI-based uninstall may miss core components |
Now let’s explore how to tackle these issues effectively.
Method 1: Use Windows Settings to Uninstall – Success Rate: ~40%
This is the most basic method users try first.
✅ Steps:
- Press
Win + I
to open Settings - Go to Bluetooth & devices > Devices
- Find Canon LBP2900b, click the three dots > Remove device
- Also go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers and remove it again if present
🛠️ Why It Works:
Removes the printer from the list but often fails to delete registry keys or locked ports.
Method 2: Uninstall via Device and Printers / Print Management – Success Rate: ~70%
A more thorough approach using built-in Windows tools.
✅ Steps:
- Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers
- Right-click the Canon LBP2900b printer > Remove device
- Press
Win + R
, typecontrol printers
, and hit Enter - In Printers & Faxes, right-click the printer > Delete
- Click File > Server Properties > Ports, and remove any
USB00x
ports related to Canon
🛠️ Why It Works:
Removes both the printer interface and associated communication ports for deeper cleanup.
Method 3: Manually Delete Remaining Files & Folders – Success Rate: ~75%
Some files are not deleted due to permission or lock issues.
✅ Steps:
- Navigate to:
C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers
C:\Program Files\Canon
C:\Program Files (x86)\Canon
- Delete any folders related to LBP2900b
- If access is denied:
- Take ownership via Properties > Security
- Or boot into Safe Mode before deleting
🛠️ Why It Works:
Ensures no hidden or protected files remain after uninstallation.
Method 4: Clean the Windows Registry – Success Rate: ~65%
Leftover registry entries can cause errors or interfere with future installations.
✅ Steps:
- Use a trusted registry cleaner like CCleaner or Wise Registry Cleaner
- Run a scan and select all Canon LBP2900b-related entries
- Backup the registry first (highly recommended)
- Delete selected entries
⚠️ Caution:
Always back up the registry before editing manually.
Method 5: Use Canon’s Official Uninstaller Tool – Success Rate: ~90%
Canon offers a dedicated tool to remove its drivers completely.
✅ Steps:
- Download Canon Driver/Software Uninstaller Tool from Canon’s official support page
- Run the tool as administrator
- Select Canon LBP2900b and click Uninstall
- Restart your PC
🛠️ Why It Works:
Designed specifically for Canon products, ensuring full removal of drivers, ports, and configuration files.
Method 6: Boot in Safe Mode and Uninstall – Success Rate: ~85%
Safe Mode disables background processes that may lock Canon driver files or services.
✅ Steps:
- Restart your PC and press
F8
or holdShift
while clicking Restart - Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart
- Press
F4
or5
to enter Safe Mode - Try uninstalling Canon LBP2900b using any previous method
🛠️ Why It Works:
Prevents the driver from locking its own files and services during uninstallation.
✅ Summary Table: Canon LBP2900b Driver Uninstall Methods & Success Rates
Method | Success Rate | Best For |
---|---|---|
🖥️ Use Windows Settings | ~40% | Quick partial removal |
🖨️ Use Print Management Tools | ~70% | Removing printer and port associations |
📁 Manual File Deletion | ~75% | Cleaning up leftover folders |
🧹 Registry Cleanup | ~65% | Fixing system errors from leftover keys |
🧰 Use Canon Official Tool | ~90% | Removing all traces automatically |
🛡️ Safe Mode Uninstall | ~85% | Unlocking protected files |
Conclusion: Achieve a Clean Canon LBP2900b Driver Removal
Fully uninstalling the Canon LBP2900b driver requires more than just removing the printer from the device list. By combining multiple methods — especially the Canon Official Tool and manual file cleanup — you can ensure your system is truly free of its components.
For best results:
- Start with the Canon Official Uninstaller
- Then manually check for remaining files or registry entries
- Optionally, use Safe Mode if files are locked
- Always remove printer ports under Print Management
With these steps, you’ll be ready to switch to a new printer or reinstall the Canon LBP2900b without conflicts or performance issues.
📌 Pro Tip: Save this article for future reference or share it with friends who are struggling with Canon LBP2900b driver removal. Want a downloadable checklist or need help automating some of these steps via PowerShell scripts? Feel free to ask!