If your Canon printer won’t print, check for connection issues, low ink, paper jams, or outdated drivers. Restart your printer and computer, and reinstall drivers.

Canon printers are known for their reliability and performance. However, like any technology, they can sometimes run into issues. One of the most common problems faced by users is when a Canon printer won’t print on a Windows computer. This guide will walk you through step-by-step solutions to resolve the issue and get your printer working again.

 

 
 

🔍 1. Check Basic Connections

Before diving into advanced troubleshooting, start with the basics:

  • Power Supply: Make sure the printer is turned on and connected to a working power source.

  • Cables: If you’re using a USB printer, check that the cable is securely connected at both ends.

  • Wi-Fi Connection: For wireless printers, ensure that your printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.

  • Restart Devices: Restart both your printer and computer.

Tip: If your printer has a display screen, check for any error messages or low ink notifications.

 

🖨️ 2. Set Canon Printer as Default

Sometimes Windows sends print jobs to a different or offline printer. Here's how to ensure your Canon printer is set as default:

Steps:

  1. Go to Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.

  2. Select your Canon printer from the list.

  3. Click on Manage > Set as default.

Note: Uncheck "Let Windows manage my default printer" if it keeps changing automatically.

 

🧹 3. Clear the Print Queue

A stuck print job can prevent your printer from functioning correctly.

To clear the print queue:

  1. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

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

  3. In the queue window, click Printer > Cancel All Documents.

  4. Restart the printer after clearing.

 

🔄 4. Restart the Canon Print Spooler Service

The Canon Print Spooler is a Windows service that manages all print jobs. Restarting it can resolve many print issues.

How to restart Print Spooler:

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

  2. Scroll down and find Print Spooler.

  3. Right-click and choose Restart.

  4. Try printing again.

If the service isn’t running, click Start instead.

 

💾 5. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers are one of the most common causes of canon printer issues in Windows.

How to update Canon printer drivers:

  1. Visit the Canon Support Website.

  2. Enter your printer model and go to the Drivers & Downloads section.

  3. Download the latest driver compatible with your version of Windows.

  4. Install the driver and restart your PC.

Alternatively, use Device Manager:

  1. Press Windows + X and choose Device Manager.

  2. Expand the Printers section.

  3. Right-click your Canon printer and click Update driver.

 

📶 6. Check Network Printer Connection (For Wi-Fi Printers)

If your Canon printer is connected wirelessly, you’ll want to make sure it's properly connected to the same network as your computer.

Steps:

  • On the printer, go to Network Settings > Wireless LAN setup.

  • Ensure it’s connected to the correct Wi-Fi SSID.

  • Print a network configuration page to verify IP and signal strength.

Tip: You can also try reconnecting the printer to your Wi-Fi if the connection has dropped.

 

🧰 7. Run the Windows Canon Printer Troubleshooter

Windows comes with a built-in troubleshooter to diagnose and fix common canon printer problems automatically.

How to use it:

  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

  2. Click Additional troubleshooters.

  3. Select Printer > Run the troubleshooter.

  4. Follow the on-screen prompts.

Windows will attempt to detect issues and suggest repairs.

 

 

🔁 8. Reinstall Your Canon Printer

If nothing else works, try uninstalling and reinstalling your printer.

Steps to uninstall:

  1. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.

  2. Select your Canon printer and click Remove device.

Reinstall:

  • Reconnect your printer via USB or Wi-Fi.

  • Windows should detect it and install the correct drivers.

  • If not, manually install them from the Canon support site.

 

❌ 9. Disable “Use Canon Printer Offline” Mode

Sometimes your Canon printer appears offline even when it’s on and connected.

Fix:

  1. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

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

  3. Click Printer in the menu and uncheck “Use Printer Offline”.

This setting can block communication between your PC and printer.

 

⚙️ 10. Check for Windows Updates

Windows updates sometimes include driver patches and compatibility fixes.

To check for updates:

  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

  2. Click Check for updates and install any available updates.

  3. Restart your computer after installation.

 

🧯 Bonus: Disable Security Software Temporarily

Firewalls or antivirus programs can sometimes block printer communication.

Try this:

  • Temporarily disable any third-party antivirus software.

  • Try printing again.

  • If it works, add your printer software to the firewall exceptions list.

Caution: Re-enable your antivirus right after testing.

 

🆘 Canon Still Not Working? Contact Canon Support

If none of these solutions work, the issue may be more advanced (e.g., hardware failure or firmware bug). At that point, it’s best to contact Canon Customer Support:

  • Use live chat, email, or phone support options.

Have your printer model, serial number, and error message (if any) ready.

 

✅ Conclusion

If your Canon printer won’t print in Windows, the issue could be something as simple as a stuck queue or something more complex like outdated drivers or network errors. This guide covered 10+ proven steps to get your printer back in action. Start from the basics—check connections, restart devices, and update drivers. If needed, don’t hesitate to reinstall your printer or use Canon’s official support.