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Canon Printer Won't Print – 9 Solutions That Work

Category: Troubleshooting · Brand: Canon

When a Canon printer won't print, the cause could be software, connectivity, hardware, or ink. This guide systematically works through each possible cause.

Basic Checks

  • Is the printer powered on?
  • Is there paper loaded in the tray?
  • Are ink levels low or cartridges empty?
  • Is the printer showing any error codes?

Fix 1: Clear the Print Queue

Stuck jobs in the print queue prevent new jobs from printing.

  1. Open Settings > Printers & scanners and select your Canon
  2. Click Open print queue
  3. Press Ctrl+A to select all, then press Delete
  4. Try printing again

Fix 2: Restart Print Spooler

net stop spooler
del /Q /F /S "%systemroot%\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*.*"
net start spooler

Fix 3: Check Ink Cartridges

Low or empty cartridges cause silent print failures. Open the Canon printer utility on your computer to check ink levels, or check the printer's display.

Fix 4: Run Canon's Print Head Cleaning

  1. Open Canon IJ Printer Utility (Mac) or the Maintenance tab in printer properties (Windows)
  2. Select Cleaning or Deep Cleaning
  3. Print a nozzle check pattern to verify results

Fix 5: Update or Reinstall Drivers

Old drivers cause compatibility issues after Windows updates. Visit Canon's support site, search your model, and install the latest driver.

Fix 6: Check for Paper Jams

Open all covers and trays and look for paper scraps, even small pieces, blocking the feed mechanism.

Fix 7: Try USB Instead of WiFi

If your printer is connected via WiFi and won't print, connect a USB cable temporarily to determine if the issue is network-related.

Fix 8: Disable Bi-Directional Support

  1. Open Printer Properties
  2. Go to the Ports tab
  3. Uncheck Enable bidirectional support
  4. Click OK

Fix 9: Run Windows Printer Troubleshooter

Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Printer