How to Reconnect Canon PIXMA Printer to Computer? (Full Guide)

A Canon PIXMA Printer may go offline when its connection is weak, drivers are outdated, or printer settings have issues. An offline printer is not connected to power, the internet, or your device, and as a result, it won’t respond to print commands. In this situation, you need to troubleshoot and reconnect the Canon printer to your computer.

I have faced this problem several times and resolved it using troubleshooting methods, which I’ll outline in this blog. As a retired teacher, I enjoy using my time to write helpful guides about printers and other devices, and I hope this write-up helps you understand the troubleshooting steps clearly.

Solution 1: Check Printer Connections

To start troubleshooting, focus on basic troubleshooting steps, such as verifying the Canon printer’s connection to power, the internet, and other devices. For instance, check if the printer is properly connected to the power source and that its power cord is not loose.

For a wireless setup, ensure your printer is close enough to the router. Also, ensure your computer or device is properly connected to the printer.

Solution 2: Restart Printer and Computer

If your printer isn’t responding to print commands and shows an offline status, you should restart both the printer and the Windows PC to resolve the issue. Use these steps to restart your devices.

Step 1: Restart Your Printer

• Hold down the printer’s power button and unplug its power cord from the outlet.

• Then, wait for at least one minute and reconnect the power cord to the main switch.

• Now, press and hold the power button to turn on the printer.

Step 2: Restart Your Computer

• Select the Windows icon on the screen, then click the power icon.

• After that, select the Restart option, and allow the computer to restart completely.

After that, check if the Canon printer still displays an offline status or if it is not printing.

Solution 3: Restart Printer Spooler Service

The Print Spooler is a built-in Windows service that handles every print job. If this service has an issue, it may fail to send commands to the printer, causing an offline problem. Hence, it is recommended to restart this feature to resolve the issue.

1. Press the Windows key on your Windows computer and type “Services.” Select this option.

2. On the Services window, scroll down to find the Print Spooler option.

3. Right-click on that option and select Restart.

4. Right-click on the Print Spooler option again and select Properties.

5. Confirm that the Startup Type is set to Automatic, and then click OK to save the change.

6. Finally, print a file to verify that your Canon printer is working properly.

Restarting the devices often resolves the issue, but if it doesn’t, try the next solution.

Solution 4: Reinstall Canon Printer Drivers

Printer drivers are necessary software that allow a printer to communicate with a device, such as a computer. If these drivers aren’t up to date, they may stop the printer from working. Therefore, you need to reinstall them using these steps.

1. First, press the Windows and R keys together to launch the Run box, enter devmgmt.msc, and press Enter.

2. Locate your printer under “Printers” or “Print queues” in Device Manager, then select the printer driver.

3. Right-click the printer and select the option Uninstall device.

4. Navigate to support.usa.canon.com on an internet browser and type your product’s name in the search box.

5. After that, select your product name from the list given on the screen.

6. Select the Software & Drivers option, and select your operating system from the drop-down menu.

7. Also, select the version of your OS from another drop-down menu.

8. You’ll see a list of printer drivers for Canon, and click the Download button next to a suitable driver package.

9. Let the drivers download and save under the Downloads folder.

10. Now, open the folder and double-click on the file to run the installation.

Finally, the printer drivers are reinstalled. Now, the 'Canon PIXMA printer won’t show an offline status'.

Final Words

A Canon PIXMA printer is a reliable device that can complete printing tasks quickly and efficiently. However, it can go offline and may not respond as expected. This often happens when the connection is weak, drivers aren’t up to date, or printer settings are incorrect. In this situation, you need to troubleshoot it using some quick methods, such as verifying its connections, Reinstalling Canon Printer Drivers, and restarting the print spooler service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question

Why Do I Need to Reconnect My Canon Printer to Computer?

You need to reconnect your printer to the computer when it’s not working properly and is not responding to your print commands. The printer may also display an offline status, which means it’s not well-connected either to power or the device. 

Question

What if Nothing Brings My Canon PIXMA Printer Online?

If nothing works for your printer, try uninstalling and reinstalling it from the device using these steps:

1. Click the Start icon on the computer’s bottom taskbar, and search for Settings.

2. Then, select Bluetooth & Devices, and then select Printers & Scanners.

3. Now, locate your printer, and then click the Remove Device option. 

Question

What Is Print Spooler Service in a Windows Computer?

The Print Spooler service on Windows manages print jobs by storing them in a queue before sending them to the printer. In short, it works as an intermediate between a printer and a Windows computer. When this service encounters an issue, it fails to send the correct commands to the printer. 

Source: How to Reconnect Canon Printer to Computer