Why is my Canon Printer Connected but Not Printing?
Printers are essential tools in both home and office environments. Whether you’re printing work or school documents or personal photos, your printer needs to operate smoothly and efficiently. However, many users face the issue of a Canon printer being connected to their computer or network but not printing. While this can be frustrating, knowing the potential causes and solutions can save you time and effort. This blog post will explore common reasons why your Canon printer may be connected but not printing, and provide detailed troubleshooting tips to help resolve the issue.
Canon printer connected but not printing causes and solutions
1. Offline Mode for Printers
One of the most common reasons for a Canon printer being connected but not printing is being in ‘Offline’ mode. Even though the printer may be connected to a computer or network, its offline status can prevent it from communicating properly.
How to Correct:
- Windows: Go to ‘Devices and Printers,’ then right-click on your Canon printer to check if the ‘Use Printer Online’ option is available. If it’s in offline mode, you can switch it back to online mode.
- On a Mac, go to ‘System Preferences’ > ‘Printers & Scanners’ to check your printer’s status. If it shows ‘Offline,’ click on the printer, and it should automatically return to online mode.
2. Low Ink Levels or Paper Jams
Another common cause is a paper jam or low ink/toner levels. Even if the printer is connected, it may refuse to print if it detects an issue with the paper or ink.
How to Correct:
- Paper Jam: Check for paper jams by opening your Canon printer. Carefully remove any stuck paper, ensuring that no small pieces are left behind.
- Low Toner or Ink: Check the ink levels using the printer’s display panel or the software on your computer. Replace the ink cartridges if the levels are low.
3. Outdated software or driver problems
Printing issues can occur if your printer’s drivers are outdated or missing. Drivers are essential as they enable communication between your computer and the printer. Even if the Canon printer is connected, it may not function properly if the drivers are outdated or malfunctioning.
How to Fix It:
- Download the latest printer drivers from the Canon support page.
- Ensure that the driver is compatible with your operating system before installing it on your PC.
- Restart your computer after installation, then try printing again.
4. Issues with Spoolers
The print spooler is software that manages print tasks in a queue. If the print spooler is stuck or has stopped working, your print tasks may fail even if the printer is connected.
How to Correct:
- Windows: Type ‘Services.msc’ into the search box to open the ‘Services’ window. Find ‘Print Spooler’ in the list of services, right-click on it, and select ‘Restart’ to restart the service.
- Mac: If you’re using a Mac, try restarting both your computer and printer. If the issue persists, remove the pending print jobs from the printer queue.
5. Problems with Network Connections
Printing from a Canon printer connected to a Wi-Fi network can be affected by network issues. Weak Wi-Fi signals, interference, or an unplugged router could be the cause. Even if the printer appears to be ‘connected,’ it may struggle to communicate with the computer or mobile device.
How to Fix It:
- Ensure that both the printer and computer are connected to the same network.
- Restarting both the printer and the router may help. Disconnect the router for about ten seconds before reconnecting it.
- Try using a wired Ethernet connection or move the printer closer to the router if the Wi-Fi signal is weak.
6. Inaccurate Printer Preferences
Sometimes, the issue of a Canon printer being connected but not printing can be caused by selecting the wrong printer in the print dialog box. If you have multiple printers installed or are using a network printer, the wrong printer may have been set as the default.
How to Correct:
- Windows: Right-click on your Canon printer under ‘Devices and Printers’ and select ‘Set as Default Printer.’
- Mac: To set your Canon printer as the default, go to ‘System Preferences’ > ‘Printers & Scanners’ on your Mac.
7. In the queue, corrupt print jobs
A corrupt print job can cause the entire queue to freeze if there are multiple jobs waiting. If previous print tasks are stuck in the queue, the printer will not process new ones, even if it is connected.
How to Correct:
- Windows: Open the printer queue from the ‘Devices and Printers’ menu, cancel any pending tasks, and then try printing again.
- Mac: Open ‘Printers & Scanners,’ select your printer, and then clear the queue.
8. Firmware Problems
Similar to drivers and software, your Canon printer’s firmware may need to be updated. Outdated or corrupted firmware can cause issues, such as the printer not printing even when connected.
How to Fix It:
- Check for any available firmware updates for your printer model on the ij.start.canon website.
- To update and fix issues, follow the instructions on the website.
9. Problems with Wireless Printer Setup
If you recently connected your Canon printer to a network, there may be issues with the wireless setup itself. These could include problems with an incorrect IP address or the printer’s network settings.
How to Fix It:
- Open the Canon software on your PC or use the wireless setup tool from the printer’s menu.
- Ensure that the printer is using the correct IP address and network configuration.
10. Try resetting your printer.
Finally, you can reset your printer to its factory settings. This can resolve recurring issues caused by software bugs or incorrect setup.
How to Fix:
- Refer to your Canon printer’s user manual to find the reset process.
- You may need to reconnect the printer to the Wi-Fi network and adjust the settings afterward to get started again.
Conclusion
There are several reasons why a Canon printer may be connected but not printing, including software issues, physical obstructions, or incorrect settings. By methodically addressing the common causes outlined above, you should be able to resolve most printing problems.
As you work through the more complex troubleshooting steps, start with the simplest fixes, such as ensuring the printer is online or checking for paper jams.
Printing should be hassle-free, and with the right approach, you can restore your Canon printer’s functionality.