Canon Printer Not Printing? 9 Fixes That Solve It
A Canon printer that will not print is usually stopping for a reason it is trying to tell you — a support code on the screen, an ink warning, or a paper setting mismatch. Canon’s software (the MP Drivers package) also causes its share of silent failures after system updates. Work through these fixes in order.
1. Note the support code or light pattern
If the Canon shows a support code on its screen (or a pattern of flashing lights on models without a screen), write it down. That code names the exact fault — ink, paper, a jam, or the printhead — and Canon’s support site explains each code for your model. Checking the code first can save you trying fixes for the wrong problem.
2. Check ink and paper the Canon way
Open the cover and check every ink tank or cartridge is seated with a firm click; Canon printers stop when a cartridge is not recognised. Confirm ink remains in all colours — many Canon models will not print black-only documents when a colour is empty. Load paper matching the size and type set on the printer’s own paper settings screen, because Canon compares the job’s paper settings with the tray settings and may hold the job if they differ.
3. Clear the queue and check for a paused printer
On Windows: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → your Canon → Open print queue. Cancel all jobs, then in the Printer menu make sure “Pause Printing” and “Use Printer Offline” are unticked. If jobs refuse to delete, restart the Print Spooler (services.msc → Print Spooler → Restart). Our general guide covers the same ground step by step: Printer Not Printing? How to Fix It.
4. Set the Canon as default — and pick the right entry
Canon installs can leave two entries: the printer itself and a “WS” (web services) version, plus scanner-only entries. Printing to the wrong one produces nothing. In Printers & scanners, identify the standard Canon entry, set it as default, and send a test page to confirm you picked correctly.
5. Restart the printer fully, then the computer
Turn the Canon off with its power button, unplug it for 60 seconds, plug it back in, and turn it on. Wait for it to finish its start-up routine (it may run a brief cleaning cycle) before printing. Restart the computer as well, especially if the failure began right after a Windows or macOS update.
6. Reconnect Wi-Fi models to the network
On the printer: Settings → Device settings → LAN settings → Wireless LAN setup, and rejoin your network. If the printer keeps dropping off, work through our Printer Offline guide — the fixes for routers, duplicate entries, and spooler problems apply to Canon models too.
7. Reinstall the Canon MP Drivers
Download the MP Drivers (or the full driver/software package) for your exact model from Canon’s official support site. Remove the old Canon software first, restart, then install the fresh package and connect the printer when prompted. Canon’s drivers are model-specific — a driver for a similar-looking model is a common reason for a printer that installs but never prints.
8. Run a nozzle check if pages come out blank or streaky
If the printer “prints” but pages are blank or broken up, the printhead needs attention: from the printer’s Maintenance menu (or the Canon IJ Printer Utility on your computer), print a Nozzle Check Pattern, then run a Cleaning if lines are missing. One or two cycles are enough for most clogs — repeated deep cleaning wastes a lot of ink.
9. Test from the printer itself
Print a settings or nozzle page directly from the printer’s menu. If the printer cannot produce its own page, the problem is inside the machine (ink system, printhead, or hardware) rather than your computer. If it prints fine, repeat steps 3, 4, and 7 on the computer side.
The short version
Note the support code → check ink seating and paper settings → clear the queue and untick Pause/Offline → choose the correct Canon entry as default → full restart → rejoin Wi-Fi → reinstall the official MP Drivers → nozzle check for blank pages → test from the machine. Following that order resolves most Canon printing stoppages.
