Canon printers are known for their quality and performance, but like all electronic devices, they can occasionally run into problems. One of the most common issues users encounter is when the printer refuses to print. This problem can be frustrating, especially when you have important documents to print. Fortunately, in many cases, the issue can be resolved quickly with a few simple troubleshooting steps. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of diagnosing and fixing the Canon printer not printing issue.
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1. Check the Basics First
Before diving into more complex troubleshooting steps, it’s always a good idea to check the basics. Many times, the solution is something simple that has been overlooked.
a. Is the Printer Turned On?
It may seem obvious, but sometimes, a printer may be powered off or in sleep mode, and you might not notice it. Ensure that the printer is turned on, and check the display screen for any error messages or warning lights. If the printer is in sleep mode, you may need to wake it up by pressing the power button.
b. Check Paper and Ink Levels
Make sure the printer has paper loaded in the tray and that the paper is properly aligned. Sometimes, if the paper is out of alignment or jammed, the printer will stop working. Also, check the ink or toner levels to ensure there’s enough ink for printing. If the ink is low or empty, replace the cartridges.
c. Verify the Printer’s Connection
For wireless printers, ensure that the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer or mobile device. For wired printers, ensure that the USB cable is securely connected to both the printer and the computer. Sometimes, the connection can become loose or disconnected, which will prevent printing.
2. Check the Printer Queue
A common issue with Canon printers (and printers in general) is a stuck print job in the print queue. If a print job gets stuck, it can block other jobs from printing. Here’s how to fix it:
a. Cancel the Print Job
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Open the Printer Queue: On Windows, go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers, then double-click on your Canon printer icon. On macOS, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, then select your printer and open the print queue.
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Cancel Stuck Jobs: If there are any stuck print jobs in the queue, select them and click Cancel. This should clear the queue and allow new jobs to be printed.
b. Restart the Print Spooler Service (Windows)
If clearing the queue didn’t help, try restarting the print spooler service:
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Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
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Type services.msc and press Enter.
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Scroll down and locate the Print Spooler service.
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Right-click on it and select Restart.
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After restarting, check if the printer resumes printing.
3. Check for Printer Offline Issues
Another common issue that may prevent your Canon printer from printing is when it goes offline. An offline printer cannot receive print jobs, leading to frustration when trying to print.
a. Set the Printer to “Online”
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Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers on your Windows PC.
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Right-click on your Canon printer and select See what’s printing.
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If the printer is showing as offline, click on the Printer menu in the top-left corner and ensure that Use Printer Offline is unchecked.
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If the option was checked, uncheck it, and your printer should come back online.
b. Reconnect Your Printer
If your Canon printer is connected wirelessly, it might be out of sync with your network, causing it to go offline. To fix this, disconnect the printer from the network and reconnect it:
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On the printer’s display panel, navigate to the Wi-Fi settings and disconnect the printer from the current network.
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Reconnect it to the network by selecting your Wi-Fi and entering the password again.
4. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can often cause issues with printing. Canon regularly releases updated drivers to fix bugs and improve performance, so it’s worth checking whether your drivers are up to date.
a. Update Printer Drivers
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On Windows: Go to Device Manager > Printers, find your Canon printer, right-click on it, and select Update Driver.
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On macOS: Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your Canon printer, and click the Options & Supplies button. Check for any available updates.
b. Reinstall Printer Drivers
If updating the drivers doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to reinstall them:
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Uninstall the printer driver from your computer (via Control Panel > Programs and Features on Windows or System Preferences > Printers & Scanners on macOS).
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Visit the official Canon website and download the latest driver for your printer model.
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Install the new driver and reconnect your printer.
5. Check for Software Conflicts
Sometimes, software conflicts or issues with the operating system can prevent printing. Ensure that there are no active software conflicts on your computer:
a. Disable Firewall or Antivirus Temporarily
Some firewalls or antivirus software may block communication between your computer and the printer. Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus and check if the printer works.
b. Test with Another Device
To isolate the issue, try printing from a different device (such as a smartphone or another computer). If the printer works with another device, the problem is likely with the original device’s settings or software.
6. Perform a Printer Reset
If none of the above steps have worked, performing a reset on your Canon printer might help. This will return the printer to its factory settings, clearing any potential errors or settings conflicts that could be causing the issue.
a. Reset the Printer
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On the printer’s control panel, navigate to Settings.
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Look for an option called Reset or Restore Defaults.
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Select the reset option and confirm.
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After the reset is complete, try printing again.
Note: A reset may delete any custom settings or network configurations, so you may need to reconnect the printer to your network afterward.
7. Contact Canon Support
If you’ve followed all these troubleshooting steps and your Canon printer still isn’t printing, it may be time to contact Canon customer support. They can help guide you through more advanced troubleshooting steps, or advise you on potential repairs if your printer has a hardware issue.
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How to Contact Canon Support:
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Website: Visit Canon’s support page to find FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and contact information.
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Phone: Call Canon’s customer service line to speak with a representative for more personalized assistance.
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Live Chat: Some regions offer live chat support on Canon’s website, providing another easy way to get help.
Conclusion
When your Canon printer stops printing, it can be a frustrating experience, but there’s usually a quick and simple solution. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you can often resolve the issue on your own. Start with the basics, such as ensuring the printer is powered on and connected, and work your way through more advanced steps like resetting the printer or updating drivers. If all else fails, don’t hesitate to reach out to Canon’s support team for assistance.
