How to Solve Canon Printer Not Printing Errors: A Step-by-Step Guide

If your Canon printer is not printing (Call USA/CA: +1-888-272-8868), check the power, connections, ink levels, and paper supply. Ensure it's set as the default printer and clear any stuck print jobs. Restart the printer and computer, and update or reinstall the printer drivers.

When your Canon printer refuses to print, it can be both frustrating and disruptive, especially if you rely on it for work or school. Fortunately, most printing issues are caused by common and easily solvable problems. Whether you're using a wired or wireless Canon printer, this step-by-step guide will walk you through practical solutions to get your printer working again.

Step 1: Check the Basics First

Before diving into advanced troubleshooting, start with a few basic checks:

• Power: Make sure your printer is turned on. Look for lights or a display screen that confirms the device is active.
• Connections: If it's a wired printer, ensure the USB cable is firmly connected to both the printer and computer. For wireless printers, confirm that the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your device.
• Paper and Ink: Verify there’s enough paper loaded in the tray and that there’s sufficient ink or toner in the cartridges.

Sometimes, the issue is as simple as a paper jam or an empty ink cartridge. Check for error messages or blinking lights that may indicate such problems.

Step 2: Set the Correct Printer as Default

If your Canon printer is not set as the default printer, your computer may be sending print jobs elsewhere.

On Windows:

1. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Find your Canon printer in the list, click on it, and select Set as default.

On Mac:

1. Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
2. Choose your Canon printer and set it as default using the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Clear the Print Queue

A stuck print job can halt all subsequent printing. Clearing the print queue often resolves the issue.

On Windows:

1. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click your Canon printer and choose See what's printing.
3. Click Printer > Cancel All Documents.

On Mac:

1. Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
2. Select your printer and click Open Print Queue.
3. Cancel all active print jobs.

After clearing the queue, try printing a document again.

Step 4: Restart Printer and Computer

Restarting both the printer and your computer can resolve temporary glitches in the printing process. Turn off your Canon printer, wait about 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same for your computer. Then, send a print job to test.

Step 5: Reconnect to Wi-Fi or Network

If you're using a wireless Canon printer, connection problems may be the root cause.

• Check Wi-Fi Connection: On the printer's display, navigate to network settings and confirm the printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.
• Re-enter Wi-Fi Details: If necessary, reconnect the printer to Wi-Fi using the Wireless LAN Setup option on the printer menu.

For printers without a screen, you can use Canon’s Wi-Fi Connection Assistant or the Canon PRINT app to help reconnect.

Step 6: Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can prevent printing. Updating or reinstalling drivers can fix this.

To update drivers (Windows):

1. Go to Device Manager > Printers.
2. Right-click your Canon printer and select Update driver.

To reinstall drivers (Windows/Mac):

1. Visit the Canon support website.
2. Download the latest drivers for your printer model.
3. Uninstall the existing driver from your system, then install the new one.

Step 7: Run the Printer Troubleshooter

If you’re using Windows, the built-in printer troubleshooter can detect and fix common problems automatically.

To run the troubleshooter:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
2. Select Printer, then click Run the troubleshooter.
3. Follow on-screen prompts to complete the process.

Step 8: Check for Firmware Updates

Canon occasionally releases firmware updates to improve functionality and fix known bugs.

1. Go to Canon’s support site and locate your printer model.
2. Download any available firmware updates.
3. Follow the instructions carefully to install the update, either via USB or wirelessly.

Step 9: Perform a Hard Reset

If none of the above steps work, a full reset of the printer to factory settings might help. This will clear any stored settings and restore the printer to its original state.

• Navigate to Setup > Device settings > Reset setting on the printer menu.
• Select Reset all, then confirm.

Note: This will erase Wi-Fi settings and you will need to reconnect the printer to your network.

Step 10: Contact Canon Support

If your canon printer still isn’t printing (Call USA/CA: +1-888-272-8868) after following all these steps, there may be a hardware issue. Contact Canon’s customer support for further assistance, especially if the printer is under warranty.

Conclusion

Canon printers are generally reliable, but like any technology, they can occasionally run into issues. By following this step-by-step guide—from checking basic settings to updating drivers—you can often solve the “not printing” problem without needing professional help. With a little patience and systematic troubleshooting, your Canon printer should be back to printing smoothly in no time.