One of the most frustrating issues is when your Canon printer refuses to print. Whether the printer shows as “ready” but nothing comes out, or it gives you error messages, the problem can usually be solved without professional help. In this guide, we’ll walk you through five easy ways to fix Canon printer not printing issues so you can get back to work quickly.

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1. Check the Basics First

Before moving into advanced fixes, it’s important to rule out simple causes.

1. Power and connectivity: Ensure your printer is turned on and properly connected to your computer or WiFi network. If it’s wired, check that the USB cable is secure. If it’s wireless, confirm that your printer is on the same WiFi network as your device.

2. Paper and ink: Make sure there is paper loaded in the tray and enough ink or toner in the cartridges. Low ink levels can sometimes stop printing altogether.

3. Default printer setting: On your computer, confirm that your Canon printer is set as the default printer. Otherwise, your documents might be sent to another device.

Often, fixing one of these small issues will resolve the printing problem instantly.

2. Restart Devices and Clear Print Queue

Sometimes, a simple restart can solve the problem.

1. Restart the printer: Turn it off, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on.

2. Restart the computer: This refreshes connections between devices.

3. Clear the print queue: A stuck job in the print queue can block all others. On Windows, open Devices and Printers, right-click your Canon printer, and select See what’s printing. Cancel any pending jobs. On Mac, open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and clear the queue.

This step alone resolves many cases where the Canon printer isn’t printing.

3. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers are a common cause of printing issues.

1. Visit the Canon Support website.

2. Enter your printer model and download the latest drivers for your operating system.

3. Uninstall the current printer driver from your computer.

4. Install the updated driver and restart your computer.

Updated drivers ensure smooth communication between your computer and the printer. If your Canon printer stopped printing after a recent system update, installing the latest driver is often the fix you need.

4. Check Printer Status and Troubleshoot Errors

Canon printers sometimes stop printing because of internal errors.

1. Error messages: Look at your printer’s display panel or software notifications on your computer. Common errors include “Paper Jam,” “Low Ink,” or “Printer Offline.” Resolve these before attempting to print again.

2. Run troubleshooting tools: On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, select your Canon printer, and choose Troubleshoot. The built-in tool can automatically detect and fix common problems.

3. Reset printer: If nothing works, performing a reset may help. On most models, you can go to Setup > Device Settings > Reset Settings to restore factory defaults.

By checking the printer’s own diagnostics, you can often identify and resolve the exact issue.

5. Maintain Your Printer: Clean and Align Printheads

If your Canon printer turns on and responds but prints blank or streaky pages, the issue may be with the printheads.

1. Run a cleaning cycle: On your printer, navigate to Maintenance > Cleaning. This removes clogs in the printhead nozzles.

2. Deep cleaning: If a regular cleaning doesn’t fix the issue, try the Deep Cleaning option for a more thorough process.

3. Align the printhead: Misaligned printheads can cause poor or missing print output. Use the alignment feature in your printer’s settings.

4. Replace cartridges if needed: Sometimes, cleaning won’t help if the cartridge itself is empty or faulty.

Routine maintenance not only fixes current problems but also prevents future printing issues.

Bonus Tip: Use the Canon PRINT App

For wireless printers, the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app makes troubleshooting easier. It allows you to manage print jobs, check ink levels, and reconnect to WiFi directly from your smartphone. This can often bypass computer-related issues and help you print directly from your mobile device.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with a Canon printer that won’t print can be frustrating, but the solution is usually simple. By checking the basics, restarting devices, updating drivers, troubleshooting errors, and maintaining your printer with regular cleaning, you can resolve most issues quickly.

If you’ve tried all five methods and your printer still refuses to print, the problem may be hardware-related. In that case, contacting Canon Customer Support or visiting an authorized service center is your best option.