A Canon printer not printing (Call USA/CA: +1-888-272-8868) can be frustrating, especially when you need urgent documents. Whether your Canon printer is connected but not responding, printing blank pages, or not printing black ink, this guide will help you troubleshoot and fix the issue.
We’ll cover possible reasons and step-by-step solutions for Windows, Mac, and wireless printers to ensure your Canon printer is back to printing smoothly.
Common Reasons Why Your Canon Printer Not Printing
Several factors may cause a Canon printer not to print (Call USA/CA: +1-888-272-8868), including:
✔️ Loose or disconnected cables – USB or power cables may not be properly plugged in.
✔️ Printer is offline or paused – Printer status settings might need adjusting.
✔️ Empty or low ink cartridges – Ink levels could be too low for printing.
✔️ Clogged printhead – Ink nozzles may be blocked, preventing ink flow.
✔️ Paper jams or incorrect paper loading – A jammed sheet or improperly placed paper can stop printing.
✔️ Outdated or corrupted printer drivers – Your computer may need updated drivers.
✔️ Pending print queue errors – Stuck print jobs can prevent new ones from processing.
✔️ Incorrect default printer settings – Your computer might be sending print jobs to the wrong printer.
✔️ WiFi connectivity issues – A weak or lost connection can disrupt printing.
How to Fix Canon Printer Not Printing Issue: Step-by-Step Solutions
Follow these troubleshooting methods to get your Canon printer working again.
Method 1: Check Basic Printer Connections
Before diving into advanced fixes, ensure the basic connections are working:
1️⃣ Check power and USB cables – Ensure they are securely connected.
2️⃣ For wireless printers, verify that the printer is connected to the correct WiFi network.
3️⃣ Restart your printer, computer, and router to refresh connections.
4️⃣ Ensure the printer has enough ink and paper loaded correctly.
Method 2: Set Canon Printer as the Default Printer (Windows & Mac)
If the wrong printer is set as the default printer, your Canon printer may not receive the print command.
For Windows:
1️⃣ Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
2️⃣ Right-click your Canon printer and select Set as Default Printer.
3️⃣ Try printing a test page.
For Mac:
1️⃣ Click on the Apple Menu > System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
2️⃣ Select your Canon printer, then click Set as Default.
3️⃣ Restart your Mac and print again.
Method 3: Check Printer Status and Resume Printing
Your Canon printer might be in offline or paused mode.
To fix this on Windows:
1️⃣ Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
2️⃣ Right-click your Canon printer and select See What’s Printing.
3️⃣ Click Printer at the top and ensure Pause Printing and Use Printer Offline are unchecked.
4️⃣ Try printing again.
On Mac:
1️⃣ Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
2️⃣ Click on your Canon printer, then select Resume Printer.
Method 4: Clear Stuck Print Jobs
A stuck print queue can prevent your Canon printer from printing.
To clear print jobs on Windows:
1️⃣ Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
2️⃣ Right-click your Canon printer and select See What’s Printing.
3️⃣ Click on Printer > Cancel All Documents.
4️⃣ Restart the printer and try printing again.
On Mac:
1️⃣ Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
2️⃣ Select your Canon printer, then click Open Print Queue.
3️⃣ Delete any stuck print jobs and try printing again.
Method 5: Update or Reinstall Canon Printer Drivers
Outdated or corrupted Canon printer drivers can cause printing issues.
To update Canon printer drivers on Windows:
1️⃣ Open Device Manager (search for it in the Start menu).
2️⃣ Expand Printers, right-click your Canon printer, and select Update Driver.
3️⃣ Follow the on-screen instructions.
To reinstall Canon printer drivers:
1️⃣ Go to the Canon Support website and download the latest drivers.
2️⃣ Uninstall the existing printer drivers from Control Panel > Programs.
3️⃣ Install the new drivers and restart your computer.
For Mac users:
1️⃣ Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
2️⃣ Select your Canon printer, then click Remove Printer.
3️⃣ Re-add the printer and install the latest drivers from the Canon website.
Method 6: Check and Reconnect Canon Printer to WiFi
If your Canon printer is wireless and not printing, check its network connection.
For touchscreen models:
1️⃣ Go to Settings > Wireless LAN Setup on the printer.
2️⃣ Select your WiFi network and enter the password.
For non-touchscreen models (WPS method):
1️⃣ Press and hold the WiFi button on your printer until it flashes.
2️⃣ Press the WPS button on your router within 2 minutes.
3️⃣ The printer will automatically connect.
Try printing again after reconnecting to WiFi.
Method 7: Check Ink Levels and Clean Printheads
If your Canon printer is not printing black or color, the ink cartridges might be empty or clogged.
To check ink levels:
1️⃣ Open Canon Printer Utility (Windows) or System Preferences > Printers & Scanners (Mac).
2️⃣ Select your Canon printer and check ink levels.
3️⃣ If ink is low, replace the cartridges and print a test page.
To clean the printhead:
1️⃣ Open Canon Printer Utility on your computer.
2️⃣ Select Maintenance > Clean Printhead.
3️⃣ Run a printhead cleaning cycle and try printing again.
Method 8: Restart the Print Spooler Service (Windows Only)
The Print Spooler manages print jobs. If it's not working properly, your printer won’t print.
To restart Print Spooler:
1️⃣ Press Windows + R, type services.msc
, and hit Enter.
2️⃣ Scroll down to Print Spooler, right-click it, and select Restart.
3️⃣ Try printing again.
Method 9: Reset Canon Printer to Factory Settings
If your Canon printer still isn’t printing, reset it to factory settings.
To reset Canon printer:
1️⃣ Navigate to Setup > Device Settings on your printer.
2️⃣ Select Reset Settings > Reset All.
3️⃣ Set up the printer again and reconnect to WiFi.
How to Prevent Canon Printer Not Printing Issues in the Future
To avoid future printing problems, follow these tips:
✔️ Keep printer drivers updated – Regularly check for updates on the Canon website.
✔️ Perform routine maintenance – Clean printheads and check ink levels frequently.
✔️ Use high-quality ink and paper – Low-quality supplies may cause printing errors.
✔️ Restart your printer regularly – This helps prevent software glitches.
✔️ Ensure proper WiFi connectivity – Keep your printer close to the router for a strong signal.
Final Thoughts
A Canon printer not printing can be frustrating, but most issues can be fixed by checking connections, updating drivers, clearing print queues, and cleaning the printhead. If none of these solutions work, contact Canon customer support (Call USA/CA: +1-888-272-8868) for further assistance.