If your Canon printer not printing, it could be due to low ink, paper jams, connection issues, or outdated drivers. Check the print queue, ensure the printer is online, and verify it's connected to the correct network. Restart your printer and device for a quick fix. Most issues can be resolved with simple troubleshooting steps.
When your Canon printer is not printing, it can quickly become a frustrating disruption to your day. Whether you're trying to print important documents, photos, or school assignments, a non-responsive printer wastes time and causes stress. But don't worry — most Canon printer printing issues can be resolved with some basic troubleshooting.
In this guide, we'll explore the most common reasons your Canon printer isn’t printing and provide step-by-step solutions to get it working again.
There are several possible causes behind a Canon printer not printing. Here are the most frequent ones:
Printer is offline or paused
Paper jams or empty paper tray
Low or empty ink cartridges
Print queue errors or stuck jobs
Outdated or corrupt drivers
Incorrect printer settings
Wi-Fi or connectivity problems
Hardware issues or firmware glitches
Your printer may be stuck in offline or paused mode.
How to check:
On Windows: Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click on your Canon printer, and select "See what’s printing".
If it’s paused or offline, uncheck "Pause Printing" or "Use Printer Offline".
A jammed print queue can prevent new print jobs from processing.
Steps:
Open the print queue as described above.
Cancel all pending jobs.
Restart the printer and computer.
Try printing again.
Sometimes the issue is as simple as:
No paper in the tray.
Paper jam inside the printer.
Misaligned paper.
Fix:
Load paper properly.
Open the printer and remove any jammed sheets carefully.
Ensure the paper guides are aligned correctly.
If your Canon printer is not printing or printing blank pages, your ink might be low or dried up.
What to do:
Check ink levels via the printer display panel or Canon PRINT app.
Replace any empty or low ink cartridges.
Try cleaning the printhead (available from the printer’s maintenance menu).
Outdated or corrupted drivers can prevent your Canon printer from functioning properly.
How to update:
Visit Canon's official support site and download the latest drivers for your specific model.
Alternatively, uninstall the printer from your system and reinstall it with the updated drivers.
Sometimes, documents are sent to the wrong printer (e.g., Microsoft Print to PDF).
Fix:
In your document or system settings, check that the default printer is your Canon device.
If you’re using a wireless printer, the connection may have dropped.
For wireless printers:
Make sure the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.
Restart both the router and the printer.
For USB printers:
Try a different USB port.
Swap out the cable if it’s old or damaged.
Most Canon printers can perform a self-test or nozzle check to confirm if the issue is with the printer or your computer.
Steps:
Use the printer’s control panel to print a test page.
If it prints correctly, the issue may lie in your computer or software setup.
If nothing works, a reset might help fix firmware glitches or settings errors.
How to reset:
Navigate to Settings > Reset > Reset All Settings on your printer.
Reconnect the printer and run the initial setup again.
Try printing from another device (e.g., smartphone or tablet).
Use the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app for direct control.
If you recently changed routers or networks, reconnect the printer to Wi-Fi.
If the problem persists after all of the above, contact Canon Customer Support or take the printer to an authorized repair center.
This usually happens when ink is low, cartridges are clogged, or the printhead is dirty. Run a printhead cleaning cycle from the maintenance menu.
You can check ink levels on the printer’s LCD screen, through your computer’s printer utility, or using the Canon PRINT app.
Clear the print queue, restart the printer, and make sure it’s set as the default printer. You may also need to reinstall the drivers.
Go to Settings > Device Settings > Reset > Reset All Settings. This will return the printer to factory defaults.
Yes. You can connect your printer using a USB cable or use Canon’s Direct Connect (if available) for printing without Wi-Fi.
Try reconnecting the USB or Wi-Fi connection. Update drivers, and ensure the printer is powered on and not in sleep mode.
No. It only needs to be on the same local network as your device or connected via USB. Internet is only needed for cloud-based features.
When your Canon printer not printing, it’s easy to assume the worst—but most issues are minor and can be fixed at home. From checking your ink levels to updating drivers or reconnecting to Wi-Fi, these solutions cover all common problems.
Stay calm, follow the steps above, and your printer should be back up and running in no time. If you're still having trouble, Canon’s official support team is just a click away.