Why Is My Canon Printer Not Printing? 10 Easy Fixes

Canon printer not printing? Check power, paper, and ink levels. Clear print queue, update drivers, and ensure it's connected to Wi-Fi or USB. Restart devices and try again.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE CHAT WITH US Or Contact +1-888-272-8868

Canon printers are known for their reliability and high-quality printing, but like all technology, they’re not immune to issues. One of the most frustrating problems users face is when the printer simply won’t print—no error, no clue, just silence. Before you panic or rush out to buy a new one, try these 10 easy fixes to get your Canon printer up and running again.

1. Check the Basics First

It might sound obvious, but sometimes the simplest issues are the easiest to overlook. Before diving into technical fixes:

Ensure the printer is turned on. Look for lights or display activity.
Check all cables and power connections. USB or power cables may have come loose.
Make sure there’s paper in the tray. Also check for paper jams or misfeeds.
Look at the ink or toner levels. If cartridges are empty, the printer might refuse to print.

✅ Quick Tip: Gently open your Canon printer and look for any blinking lights or error codes on the display panel. They can point you in the right direction.

2. Restart the Printer and Computer

Sometimes all your devices need is a fresh start. Turn off your printer, shut down your computer, wait 30 seconds, and power everything back on.

This can help reset any communication issues or stalled print jobs that are stuck in the queue.

3. Check the Print Queue

A common reason your Canon printer won’t print is a stuck print job in the queue. If the first job failed to print and got stuck, it might block everything that comes after.

How to Clear the Print Queue:

On Windows:

Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers
Right-click on your Canon printer and select See what’s printing
Click Printer in the top menu and choose Cancel All Documents

On Mac:

Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners
Select your printer, then open the queue and cancel or clear the jobs.

4. Make Sure the Printer Is Set as Default

If your Canon printer isn’t set as the default printer, your documents might be going to another device—even a virtual PDF printer.

How to Set It:

On Windows:

Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers
Right-click on your Canon printer and select Set as Default Printer

On Mac:

Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners
Select your Canon printer from the list and click Set as default printer

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE CHAT WITH US Or Contact +1-888-272-8868

5. Check for Paper Jams or Obstructions

Even a small scrap of paper stuck in the wrong place can bring everything to a halt.

Open the rear tray, output tray, and cartridge area.
Carefully remove any jammed paper or foreign objects.
Check for warning icons or blinking lights that signal a jam.

Make sure to turn the printer off before digging around inside!

6. Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver

An outdated or corrupted driver can cause all kinds of issues, including printing failures.

How to Update or Reinstall:

Go to the Canon Support website and search for your model.
Download the latest driver for your operating system.
Uninstall the current driver from your computer (optional but recommended).
Install the new driver and restart your computer.

✅ Pro Tip: Be sure to download drivers directly from Canon’s website to avoid malware or compatibility issues.

7. Check Wi-Fi or USB Connection

If you're using a wireless Canon printer, it might have lost connection to your Wi-Fi network. If it's wired, the USB connection may be faulty.

Wireless Printers:

Print a network configuration page to check connection status.
Reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi via its control panel.
Make sure your printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network.

USB Printers:

Try using a different USB port or cable.
Plug directly into the computer instead of a USB hub.

8. Run the Canon Print Troubleshooter

Canon offers a free utility called Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY or IJ Network Tool depending on your printer model.

These tools can help:

Diagnose connection problems
Reset print settings
Perform maintenance tasks (cleaning, alignment, etc.)

You can find the tools on Canon’s official website or via the installation CD that came with the printer.

9. Clean the Print Heads

If your printer is technically printing but the output is blank or streaky, the print head may be clogged—especially if it hasn't been used for a while.

How to Clean:

Use your printer’s maintenance menu to run a nozzle check and print head cleaning.
You may need to run this process 2–3 times to fully clear clogs.

For manual cleaning:

Remove the ink cartridges and gently clean the print head area with a soft cloth and a little distilled water.
Be careful not to touch the copper contacts.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE CHAT WITH US Or Contact +1-888-272-8868

10. Reset the Printer to Factory Settings

If all else fails, doing a full factory reset can wipe out any configuration errors and restore your printer to its original state.

How to Reset:

This varies by model, but generally:

Press the Setup or Menu button.
Navigate to Device Settings > Reset Settings > Reset All or similar.
Confirm the reset.

After resetting, you'll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi and reinstall drivers if needed.

Bonus Tip: Check for Error Codes or Lights

Canon printers often communicate problems through blinking lights or on-screen error messages. Look up the error code in your printer manual or on Canon’s website. Some common codes include:

E02 – Paper feed error
E05 – Cartridge not installed correctly
E13 – Low ink warning
B200 – Print head error (may require professional repair)

Final Thoughts

When your Canon printer isn’t printing, it’s usually something you can fix at home with a bit of troubleshooting. Start with the basics—check connections, ink, and paper—and work your way down the list. Most problems can be resolved without needing to call tech support or buy a new printer.

Still stuck? Canon support is generally very helpful, and many models are covered by warranty or offer affordable repair options.