A canon printer that suddenly won’t print (Call USA/CA: +1-8O1-878-6858) can disrupt productivity at home or in the office, especially when you need important documents right away. The good news is that most printing problems are easy to diagnose and fix with a systematic approach. This comprehensive, troubleshooting guide walks you through each step to help canon printer won't print you identify the cause and get your Canon printer working again.
Start with the simplest checks canon printer won't print—many printing problems stem from loose connections or power issues. Make sure the printer is fully powered on and that no lights on the display panel indicate an error. Confirm the power cable is firmly connected to both the printer and the power outlet. If you’re using a USB connection, ensure the cable is not damaged and is securely plugged into the computer. Try switching USB ports or using a different cable to rule out connection faults.
For wireless Canon models, check that Wi-Fi is enabled and connected to the correct network. A weak or unstable signal may cause the canon printer to appear offline, which prevents printing.
A quick restart can often resolve canon printer won't print temporary glitches. Turn off the printer, disconnect it from the power source, and wait about 30 seconds. Restart your computer as well. After reconnecting and powering the canon printer back on, try printing again. This simple reset often clears memory issues, stuck processes, and communication errors that cause print jobs to fail.
Canon printers display specific error codes or blinking light patterns when something is wrong. Check the printer’s screen for warnings such as:
Paper jam
Out of paper
Low or empty ink
Cartridge not recognized
Support codes like E02, B203, U052, and others
These codes provide direct clues. Refer to your printer manual or Canon’s official online documentation to interpret the error and follow the recommended solution. Clearing a jam, replacing a faulty cartridge, or simply reloading paper may resolve the canon printer won't print issue instantly.
If your computer is sending print jobs to the wrong printer—or to a device that’s offline—your Canon won’t print. On Windows, open Devices and Printers, right-click your Canon printer, and choose Set as Default Printer. On Mac, check System Settings → Printers & Scanners, then select your Canon model as the default.
Also verify that your computer hasn’t inadvertently switched to a virtual printer like “Microsoft Print to PDF,” which can happen after updates.
A stuck print job is a common cause of printing failure. Even one corrupted document can prevent new jobs from running.
Go to Devices and Printers
Right-click your Canon printer
Select See What’s Printing
Click Cancel All Documents
Open Printers & Scanners
Select your Canon printer
Open Print Queue
Cancel pending jobs
Once cleared, restart the printer and send a fresh test page.
Drivers act as a bridge between your computer and printer. If they become outdated or corrupted—often after a major OS update—your Canon may stop printing.
Open Device Manager
Expand Printers
Right-click your Canon model
Select Update Driver
Remove the printer from Devices and Printers
Visit Canon’s official website.
Download the latest driver for your printer model
Install the driver and reconnect the printer
Mac users should check for macOS updates, which automatically include many canon printer driver patches.
A lack of ink or improperly seated cartridges can canon printer stop printing.
Lift the printer lid and allow the cartridge carriage to move into view.
Remove each cartridge gently and check for protective tape that may still be attached.
Reinsert cartridges until they click into place.
Check ink levels via the printer dashboard or Canon software.
Replace any empty or unrecognized cartridges. For laser printers, lightly shaking a toner cartridge can redistribute the powder and give you a few more pages if levels are low.
If your canon printer is printing blank pages, faded text, or streaky images, the print heads may be clogged—especially if the printer hasn’t been used recently.
Use Canon’s built-in maintenance tools:
Open the Canon Printer Utility
Select Maintenance
Choose Cleaning or Deep Cleaning
Run a nozzle check afterward to verify improvements.
If automated cleaning doesn’t help canon printer won't print:
Remove the print head (if your model allows it)
Gently clean it with warm water and a lint-free cloth
Let it dry completely
Reinstall and test again
Wireless printing problems are often related to network issues.
Print a Network Configuration Page to check the printer’s IP address.
Compare it with the IP stored in your computer’s printer settings.
If they differ, remove the printer from your device and add it again.
Restart your router and reconnect the printer to Wi-Fi.
Avoid using multiple networks—your printer and computer must be on the same one.
Many users accidentally activate “Use Printer Offline.”
Open the print queue
Ensure Use Printer Offline is unchecked
On a Mac, remove and re-add the printer to refresh its online status.
If all else fails, reset your Canon printer to factory settings. This clears network data, fixes configuration issues, and restores original settings.
Typically:
Open Setup
Select Device Settings
Choose Reset or Reset All
Reconnect the printer and reinstall drivers afterward.
While a Canon printer that won’t print can be frustrating, most issues can be resolved with careful troubleshooting. By checking connections, clearing the print queue, cleaning print heads, updating drivers, and resetting settings, you can restore your printer to full functionality without needing professional service. If problems persist even after these steps, it may be time to contact Canon printer support for further assistance or schedule a repair.