Canon imageRUNNER 2930i MFP: The Ultimate A3 Productivity Hub

Introduction: What is the Canon imageRUNNER 2930i?

The Canon imageRUNNER 2930i is a high-performance A3 Monochrome Multifunction Printer engineered for busy small to medium-sized offices demanding speed, versatility, and advanced connectivity. It builds upon the success of its predecessors by offering faster print speeds, a more modern user interface, and robust mobile printing capabilities.

This device is a true all-in-one solution, combining rapid printing, copying, scanning, and faxing into a single, efficient unit, making it ideal for environments that regularly handle a mix of standard A4 documents and large-format A3 materials like legal documents, financial reports, and technical drawings.

Key Features & Specifications at a Glance

In-Depth Feature Breakdown

1. High-Speed A3 Performance

The 2930i is built for productivity. With a print speed of 30 pages per minute for A4 and 15 ppm for A3, it significantly reduces waiting time for large jobs. This makes it perfect for:

• Legal and Financial Firms: Quickly producing lengthy contracts and large spreadsheets.

• Architectural and Engineering Offices: Outputting technical drawings and plans without bottlenecks.

• Educational Institutions: Handling high-volume printing for departments and administration.

• In-house Publishing: Creating booklets, manuals, and marketing materials efficiently.

2. Advanced Connectivity Suite

This is where the 2930i truly shines, offering unparalleled flexibility for modern workplaces.

• Wired Network: A Gigabit Ethernet port ensures fast and stable network integration.

• Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi): Allows easy placement anywhere within your office Wi-Fi range.

• Wi-Fi Direct: This is a key feature. It allows devices (laptops, smartphones, tablets) to connect directly to the printer without needing a router or internet connection. It’s perfect for secure, one-to-one printing on the go.

3. Modern User Experience & Productivity

• 7-inch Colour Touchscreen: The intuitive, smartphone-like interface simplifies complex tasks, custom shortcuts, and settings management.

• Automatic Duplex Scanning: Scan double-sided documents in a single pass, drastically speeding up the digitization of multi-page reports.

• Advanced Finishing Options: With optional staplers and hole-punch units, the 2930i can create professional, ready-to-distribute document sets directly from the printer.

4. Toner, Consumables, and Cost Efficiency

• Toner Cartridge: Canon Cartridge 146

• Approximate Yield: Standard-yield cartridge yields approx. 11,000 pages. The high-yield Cartridge 147 yields approx. 22,000 pages.

• Drum Unit: The separate drum unit (Canon DR-755) has a long life of approximately 55,000 pages.

• Cost-Per-Page: The combination of high-yield toners and a long-life drum results in an exceptionally low cost-per-page, providing significant long-term savings.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

1. Wi-Fi Direct Connection Problems

• Cause & Solution: Users sometimes confuse it with standard Wi-Fi.

  • Activate on Printer: First, enable Wi-Fi Direct from the printer’s touchscreen (Device Settings > Network Settings > Wi-Fi Direct Settings). Note the network name (SSID) and password.

  • Connect on Device: On your smartphone/laptop, go to Wi-Fi settings, find the printer’s direct network, and connect using the password displayed on the printer’s screen.

2. Print Quality Issues (Streaks, Smudges, Ghosting)

• Cause & Solution: Typically related to consumables or maintenance.

  • Toner Low/Empty: Replace the Canon 146/147 toner cartridge.

  • Drum Unit Worn: Ghosting (repeating images) or black streaks often indicate a worn DR-755 drum unit that needs replacement.

  • Fuser Unit: If smudging occurs and toner rubs off easily, the fuser unit may be nearing end-of-life.

3. Paper Jams in A3 Path

• Cause & Solution: A3 paper is more susceptible to jamming if not handled properly.

  • Screen Guidance: The touchscreen provides clear, visual instructions for clearing jams from specific locations (bypass tray, cassette, etc.).

  • Paper Quality: Always use high-quality, recommended paper and ensure it is stored in a dry environment to prevent curling.

  • Tray Guides: Check that the paper guides in the cassettes are set correctly and are not too tight or too loose against the paper stack.

4. Scan to Cloud Service Fails

• Cause & Solution: Usually an authentication or network error.

  • Re-authenticate: For services like Google Drive or OneDrive, you may need to re-enter your login credentials through the printer’s portal as tokens can expire.

  • Check Internet Connection: Ensure the printer has a stable connection to the internet through your network.

  • Verify Settings: Double-check the destination folder names and settings within the printer’s address book.

What is the difference between Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct on the Canon 2930i?

Standard Wi-Fi connects the printer to your office network/router, allowing multiple users to share it. Wi-Fi Direct creates a private, direct connection between the printer and a single device (like a phone or laptop) without needing a router, ideal for quick, secure printing on the spot.

Is the Canon imageRUNNER 2930i suitable for a legal office?

Absolutely. Its fast A3 speed is perfect for printing large-format legal exhibits and contracts. The automatic duplex scanning quickly digitizes case files, and advanced security features help protect sensitive client information.

What toner does the Canon 2930i use, and what is the page yield?

It uses Canon Cartridge 146 (standard yield, ~11,000 pages) and Canon Cartridge 147 (high yield, ~22,000 pages). The high-yield 147 cartridge offers the lowest cost-per-page for high-volume environments.

How do I print from my iPhone to the Canon 2930i?

You have two easy options:

1. AirPrint: Ensure your iPhone and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network. Select the print option from any app, and choose the 2930i from the list.

2. Wi-Fi Direct: Connect your iPhone directly to the printer’s Wi-Fi Direct network (see settings on the printer), then use AirPrint as usual.

Can the Canon 2930i scan double-sided documents?

Yes. It features an automatic duplex scanner, allowing you to scan both sides of a document in a single pass, which is a huge time-saver for multi-page, double-sided originals.

Final Verdict

The Canon imageRUNNER 2930i is a superior A3 office solution that expertly blends speed, advanced features, and modern connectivity. Its 30 ppm performance, comprehensive wireless options including Wi-Fi Direct, and intuitive touchscreen interface make it a powerful productivity hub for any growing business. If you need a reliable workhorse that can handle everything from quick memos to large-format professional documents with ease, the imageRUNNER 2930i is an outstanding investment.