Common Reasons Why Your Canon Printer Is Not Printing 

A Canon printer may stop printing for a variety of reasons. These issues can range from minor connectivity glitches to more complicated hardware problems. To properly address the issue, it’s important to first understand what might be causing your Canon printer to fail when you attempt to print a document. Below is a detailed breakdown of the most common reasons behind this frustrating problem. 

1️⃣ Power and Connection Issues

One of the most basic — and often overlooked — reasons your Canon printer isn’t printing is because it’s not properly powered on or connected to your device. If the printer isn’t receiving power or the cables are loose, it will be unable to process any print commands.

Possible causes:

• Printer power cord not securely plugged in.

• Loose USB connection between printer and computer.

• Wireless Canon printer not connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.

• Fluctuating or unstable power supply.

• Printer powered off while attempting to print.

Quick fix:
Ensure all cables are properly connected and that the printer is powered on. For wireless printers, confirm it’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer or mobile device.

2️⃣ Printer Set to Offline or Paused Mode

Your printer can sometimes inadvertently be set to “Use Printer Offline” or “Pause Printing” mode, which prevents it from receiving new print jobs.

Possible causes:

• Manual selection of offline mode while troubleshooting.

• Network interruptions causing printer to switch offline.

• Print spooler errors setting the device status to offline.

Quick fix:
Check your printer’s status under Devices and Printers in the Control Panel. Right-click on your printer icon and ensure that neither Use Printer Offline nor Pause Printing is selected.

3️⃣ Print Queue Errors and Stuck Print Jobs

If a previous print job failed or got stuck in the queue, it can block subsequent jobs from being processed.

Possible causes:

• Multiple pending or failed print jobs.

• Print queue filled with incomplete tasks.

• Corrupted print data causing the printer to become unresponsive.

Quick fix:
Open the print queue and cancel all pending documents. Restart both the printer and computer to clear any residual commands.

4️⃣ Outdated or Corrupt Printer Drivers

Your Canon printer relies on drivers to communicate with your computer’s operating system. If these drivers become outdated, missing, or corrupted, your printer may stop working properly.

Possible causes:

• Missing or improperly installed drivers.

• Corrupt driver files after a system update.

• Incompatibility issues between the printer and new OS versions.

Quick fix:
Visit the official Canon website, download the latest driver for your printer model and OS, and reinstall it.

5️⃣ Low or Empty Ink or Toner Cartridges

If your Canon printer’s ink or toner levels are low or the cartridges are empty, it may refuse to print. Some printers are designed not to print if any cartridge is empty, even if you’re not using that color.

Possible causes:

• Ink or toner cartridges depleted.

• Incorrectly installed cartridges.

• Use of non-genuine or incompatible cartridges.

• Clogged ink nozzles.

Quick fix:
Check ink or toner levels via the printer display panel or Canon software on your computer. Replace low or empty cartridges and perform a print head cleaning if necessary.

6️⃣ Clogged or Dirty Print Heads

Over time, dried ink can clog the print head nozzles, preventing ink from flowing onto the paper properly. This can result in blank pages or streaky, incomplete prints.

Possible causes:

• Infrequent printer usage leading to dried ink.

• Poor-quality ink causing nozzle blockages.

• Dust and debris buildup.

Quick fix:
Use the built-in print head cleaning function via your printer’s maintenance settings. If necessary, perform a deep cleaning cycle.

7️⃣ Paper Jams and Obstructions

A jammed piece of paper or foreign object inside the printer can halt all operations and stop your Canon printer from printing.

Possible causes:

• Paper stuck in the paper feed.

• Multiple sheets pulled in simultaneously.

• Small debris blocking the rollers.

• Mismatched or poorly loaded paper sizes.

Quick fix:
Turn off the printer, carefully remove jammed paper and debris, and reload the paper tray correctly.

8️⃣ Incorrect Printer Settings

Incorrect configuration in the printer settings can also prevent printing.

Possible causes:

• Printer not set as the default device.

• Wrong paper size or type selected.

• Incorrect print quality or duplex printing settings.

• Color printing disabled when needed.

Quick fix:
Access the printer settings and make sure all configurations are appropriate for your print job. Set your Canon printer as the default device and verify paper size and print options.

9️⃣ Network or Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues (for Wireless Printers)

For wireless Canon printers, network problems can block communication between the printer and your device.

Possible causes:

• Weak or unstable Wi-Fi signal.

• Printer connected to a different network.

• Incorrect Wi-Fi password entered.

• Router firewall blocking print traffic.

Quick fix:
Re-establish the printer’s connection to the Wi-Fi network, ensuring it’s the same as your device’s. Restart both the printer and router.

🔟 Spooler Service Errors

The Print Spooler service manages print jobs in the Windows operating system. If this service crashes or encounters errors, your Canon printer won’t print.

Possible causes:

• Spooler service stopped or disabled.

• Print job errors clogging the spooler queue.

• Corrupt spooler data files.

Quick fix:
Restart the Print Spooler service via the Services management console in Windows.

1️⃣1️⃣ Compatibility Issues with New Operating System Updates

After upgrading your operating system, your Canon printer drivers might no longer be fully compatible, leading to printing errors.

Possible causes:

• OS updates invalidating old drivers.

• Incompatibility between new system files and existing printer software.

• New security settings blocking print processes.

Quick fix:
Install the latest printer drivers compatible with the new OS version. In some cases, temporarily rolling back a recent update may resolve printing problems.

1️⃣2️⃣ Firmware Issues

Firmware controls your printer’s hardware functions. If your printer’s firmware is outdated or corrupt, it can lead to operational issues, including failure to print.

Possible causes:

• Outdated firmware.

• Failed firmware update attempts.

• Corrupt firmware files.

Quick fix:
Visit Canon’s official support page to check for the latest firmware updates for your printer model.

1️⃣3️⃣ Third-Party Cartridge Problems

Using non-genuine ink or toner cartridges can sometimes cause printing problems, especially if the printer rejects them or if they have compatibility issues.

Possible causes:

• Incompatible or low-quality third-party cartridges.

• Cartridges not recognized by the printer.

• Ink leaks damaging internal components.

Quick fix:
Use only Canon-certified or recommended cartridges to avoid such issues.

Conclusion

Canon printers are generally reliable, but like any electronic device, they can encounter operational issues for several reasons. From simple power or connection mishaps to driver problems and hardware malfunctions, understanding these common causes equips you to troubleshoot more effectively.

By systematically checking each possible reason — starting with the basics like power and network connections and moving toward more technical areas like drivers, firmware, and internal printer maintenance — you can quickly identify the problem and get your Canon printer back in working order.

How to Fix Canon Printer Not Printing (Step-by-Step Guide) and FAQs

Canon printers are known for their reliable performance and print quality, but like any electronic device, they can occasionally run into problems. One of the most frustrating issues for users is when the Canon printer stops printing altogether — whether it’s printing blank pages, refusing to respond to print commands, or producing incomplete printouts.

Common Reasons Why Your Canon Printer Is Not Printing

Before diving into troubleshooting, it’s important to understand what might be causing your printer problem. Here are some of the most common culprits:

• Power or connectivity issues

• Printer set to offline or paused

• Stuck print jobs in the queue

• Outdated or corrupt printer drivers

• Low or empty ink/toner cartridges

• Clogged or dirty print heads

• Paper jams

• Incorrect printer settings

• Network/Wi-Fi connection problems

• Spooler service errors

• Operating system compatibility issues

• Firmware problems

• Non-genuine cartridge errors

Identifying the exact reason makes it easier to apply the right solution.

📌 How to Fix Canon Printer Not Printing — Step-by-Step

Let’s now troubleshoot each of these issues one by one:

✅ 1. Check Power and Connections

Steps:

1. Ensure your printer’s power cable is firmly plugged into the outlet and the device is switched on.

2. If using a USB connection, verify that the USB cable is properly connected to both your printer and computer.

3. For wireless printers, check that your printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer or mobile device.

4. Restart your router, printer, and computer if needed.

✅ 2. Verify Printer Status (Online Mode)

Steps:

1. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers (on Windows).

2. Locate your Canon printer icon.

3. Right-click it and make sure Use Printer Offline is unchecked.

4. Also, deselect Pause Printing if it’s enabled.

✅ 3. Clear the Print Queue

A stuck print job can block the entire printing process.

Steps:

1. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

2. Right-click your Canon printer icon and select See what’s printing.

3. Cancel all documents in the print queue.

4. Restart your printer and try printing again.

✅ 4. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers can prevent your printer from functioning.

Steps:

1. Visit the official Canon website.

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

3. Install the driver by following the on-screen prompts.

4. Restart your computer after installation.

✅ 5. Check Ink or Toner Levels

Low ink or empty cartridges are a common reason for print failure.

Steps:

1. Check your printer’s ink levels via its display panel or software utility on your PC.

2. Replace any low or empty cartridges with genuine Canon cartridges.

3. Avoid using third-party or refilled cartridges unless compatible.

✅ 6. Clean the Print Heads

Clogged print heads can lead to blank or faded printouts.

Steps:

1. Go to your printer settings or maintenance menu.

2. Select Maintenance > Print Head Cleaning.

3. Perform a deep cleaning if the issue persists after a normal cleaning.

4. Print a test page to confirm improvement.

✅ 7. Remove Paper Jams

Steps:

1. Turn off the printer and unplug it.

2. Carefully open all access panels.

3. Remove any jammed paper or debris.

4. Reload paper correctly into the tray and restart the printer.

✅ 8. Check Printer Settings

Steps:

1. Ensure your Canon printer is set as the default printer.

2. Verify that the correct paper size and type are selected in print settings.

3. Make sure the color settings and print quality options are appropriately configured.

✅ 9. Reconnect to Wi-Fi Network (Wireless Printers)

Steps:

1. Check the printer’s network settings and ensure it’s connected to your Wi-Fi network.

2. If not, reconnect it via the Setup > Wireless LAN Settings menu.

3. Confirm the connection by printing a network configuration page.

✅ 10. Restart the Print Spooler Service

The print spooler manages print jobs sent to your printer.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

2. Locate Print Spooler.

3. Right-click and select Restart.

✅ 11. Check for Compatibility Issues

If the issue started after a system update:

Steps:

1. Visit the Canon website to check if new drivers are available for your OS version.

2. Download and install the appropriate driver updates.

3. If necessary, roll back the recent update temporarily to see if printing resumes.

✅ 12. Update Printer Firmware

Firmware controls your printer hardware.

Steps:

1. Visit the Canon support website.

2. Download the latest firmware version for your printer model.

3. Follow the instructions to update it.

4. Avoid interrupting the update process.

✅ 13. Replace Non-Canon Cartridges

If using third-party cartridges:

Steps:

1. Replace them with genuine Canon cartridges.

2. Reset the printer if necessary after replacing cartridges.

3. Run a test print.

📌 Additional Troubleshooting Tips

• Restart your devices: Turn off your printer, computer, and router. Wait 60 seconds, then power them back on.

• Use Canon Print Utility App: For mobile devices, install the Canon Print Inkjet/SELPHY app for easier printer management.

• Use another USB cable or port: Sometimes a faulty cable or port may prevent communication.