How to Fix: Canon Printer Not Responding Issues

Canon printers are known for their reliability, quality, and affordability. They also offer a wide range of options, allowing users to find the right printer for their needs. Canon also offers excellent customer service and technical support. Canon printers are designed to last for years of use and are backed by a reliable warranty. They also come with a variety of features, such as automatic double-sided printing, which makes them a superb choice for both home and office use. You can use it for your home and business. It comes in various models and works properly. Users also often experience Canon printer not responding.

This will cause the printing process to stop and the Canon printer cannot print. A hardware or software problem can cause this problem if you’re confused by it. Hardware problems can include a lack of power, a paper jam, or a faulty print head. Software problems can include a corrupt driver, incorrect printer settings, or an outdated operating system. Here we can discuss the reasons and solutions why is Canon printer not responding. After this, you can quickly fix the error.

Why Is Canon Printer Not Responding

Here in this section, we have explained all the reasons that are responsible for Canon printer not responding. For your convenience and to help you understand these issues, we have explained these issues below –

1. Connection Problems

One of the common reasons for your non-responsive Canon printer is an issue with the connection between your printer and the computer/ network.

Suppose you are using a USB cable, so it may happen that the cable is damaged or loose. As an outcome, it may disrupt communication. On the other hand, for Wi-Fi-enabled printers, the device may not be connected to the appropriate network. This is why, your device loses the connection, due to such kind of interference.

Another factor responsible for the issue, you are encountering is – blocked devices due to network routers. It happens when there are some changes in the settings or the firmware of your printer is not up-to-date.

2. Printer Driver Issues

Generally speaking, printer drivers act as a communication bridge between your printer and computer device. A few of the issues that are concerned are that your printer’s driver is outdated, there are corrupt drivers, and the wrong driver is installed. As a result, you have to encounter a plethora of communication problems.

3. Software Configuration Errors

If your printer settings on the computer are improper, it can lead to a lack of response. In some cases, the printer is set to “offline” mode. Or it may also happen that your printing device is not set as the default printer. Apart from that, a jammed print queue with pending or stuck jobs can also prevent the printer from functioning.

4. Outdated Firmware

Firmware is the built-in software that enables you to control the hardware of the printer. Due to the outdated firmware, you have to encounter a lot of compatibility as well as operational issues.

5. Hardware Issues

It is a harsh truth that your printing device itself may have a lot of internal issues. A jammed sheet inside your printing device can cause your printer to respond. Due to low ink levels or improperly installed cartridges, your printer can stop operating in a well-manner. In addition to this, if you are using your printer or it is operating in a hot environment, it can surely cause you overheating. After some time, it will surely lead you to a range of temporary shutdowns.

6. Network Issues for Wireless Printers

To be honest, wireless Canon printers rely on a stable network to function. If two devices are sharing the same IP address, it can lead to a lot of communication errors. In a few cases, firewalls or antivirus programs can block printer connections.

7. Power Supply Problems

There could be a few basic power issues. These issues can also lead to non-responsiveness. It occurs if the printer’s power cord is not securely connected and the device is turned off. Due to the power surge, your printer can be temporarily disabled.

8. Spooler Service Issues

The print spooler is an integral component of your printer. It manages all print jobs that you send to your printing device. Issues with this service let you encounter a Canon printer not responding issue.

9. Compatibility Issues

Your Canon printer may not respond, if there is a compatibility issue. It may be possible that your printer is not supportive of the operating system of your computer. It can be either Windows, macOS, or Linux. Along with this, you may need to upgrade your operating system. As an outcome, you have to confront compatibility issues with older printer drivers.

10. Environmental Factors

There are so many external factors that can also interrupt the functionality of your printer. So many devices such as – microwaves, cordless phones, or other Wi-Fi-enabled gadgets can interfere with a wireless connection. One more reason for the unresponsiveness of your Canon printer is the excessive distance from the router.

11. User Error

A few simple user errors can also prevent your Canon printer from responding. In some situations, users skip essential setup steps during installation. Due to giving the wrong print command, you may have to suffer from the Canon printer not responding issue.
Note: So, it is sure that by addressing the above-given potential issues, you will be able to identify Why your Canon printer is not responding. Later on, it will be helpful to you in resolving the issue more effectively.

Methods to Fix Canon Printer Not Responding

It is also important for users to adopt the best methods to solve the problem of the Canon printer not responding. To resolve this issue, you need to check the printer connection first. Unplug your printer and plug it in again if it is connected by a USB cable. You might also be able to solve the problem by replacing the cable. Most Canon wireless printers have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, so check them first.

It is possible to disable and enable them. The Wi-Fi router can also be powered off and on again. First, you also need to read all the instructions so you can follow them. Here you can check out the various methods for how to fix Canon printer not responding.

Reboot the Computer

Try rebooting your PC if your printer doesn’t respond. You can use it to fix minor system glitches and make the printer work again. Rebooting the PC allows the system to reset itself and clear out any temporary files or data that cause a conflict. It can also help to re-initialize the printer and restore it to its original settings, which resolves compatibility issues.

Select the Power icon from the Start screen.
Here, you open the power menu.
After this, you can choose the restart button.

Ensure that the Canon printer not responding issue has been resolved by checking the printer again.

Remove and Re-Add the Printer

You can also remove the printer and re-add it to your PC or laptop. This step helps you fix the Canon printer not responding. This can be more helpful when your computer is not recognizing the printer, or when the printer has not been used for a while and has gone to sleep. Removing and re-adding the printer can reset the connection between your computer and the printer and cause the printer to respond again.

By pressing the Windows logo together, you will be taken to the Settings menu.
Devices can be selected.
From the sidebar, select Printers & Scanners.
Hit the Remove Device button next to the printer name.
The printer can be added again after rebooting the computer.
You can do this by selecting Add a printer or scanner from the Printers & Scanners menu.

Now you can check whether the Canon printer not responding issue is solved or not.

Try Power Cycling the Printer

Power cycling happens when you turn off the Canon printer completely by disconnecting it from the power supply and restarting it. This can reset the printer’s internal components, such as the memory and processor. It can help resolve any glitches or errors that cause printer malfunctions. You can use it when your device isn’t responding.

Power the printer off and disconnect it from the computer.
The printer is powered on a few seconds after you plug the printer’s power supply into the PC.
You connect it to the printer’s USB cable.

After this, you can check whether the Canon printer not responding issue is solved or not.

Open the Print Queue and Remove the List

There is also a problem with the long list of documents queued for printing. The printer can become overloaded when you print a lot of files or documents. This also results in it no longer responding. When the printer is overloaded, it can no longer process the documents efficiently, resulting in a backlog. This backlog can eventually lead to the printer becoming unresponsive as it can no longer handle the amount of data in its queue. You can remove the queue of files lined up for printing by following these steps:

Choose Devices from your PC’s settings menu.
In the left panel, click Printers & Scanners.
Choose the Open queue option for the Canon printer name.
You can select all the items by hitting CTRL and A at the same time.
Select the items you wish to delete by right-clicking them.

Restart Print Spooler Service

Spooler software is a built-in feature of the Windows operating system that handles printing. After locating the printer drivers, it maintains a print queue until the print job is completed. The Canon printer not responding can also be caused by a print spooler issue. To eliminate the possibility of an issue caused by this feature, you can try refreshing the print spooler service.

The print spooler service manages the print queue. If it’s not working properly, the printer can become unresponsive. Refreshing the print spooler service can help resolve this issue by restarting the service and ensuring it’s running correctly.

Launch Windows Search by pressing the Windows logo and S button on your keyboard.
Select the app by typing Run.
By entering services. msc and click OK, you will be able to manage your services.
You can locate it by scrolling down.
By right-clicking on it, you can restart it.

Use the Troubleshooting Option

Hardware and software problems can be solved using Windows’ troubleshooting features. You can also use this utility tool to solve Canon printer problems or Canon printer not connecting to WiFi. The Windows troubleshooting feature can detect problems with hardware and software. It can help you diagnose and fix any Canon printer problems. It can also suggest fixes for known issues, like why is Canon printer not responding.

Windows Settings can be accessed by clicking the Start button.
You can now select Update & Security.
You can troubleshoot your problem from the sidebar by clicking the Troubleshoot option.
The next step is to select Additional Troubleshooters. You can also find other troubleshooters instead.
Select Printer from the Additional Troubleshooters section.
On the screen, follow the instructions to run the troubleshooter.

Here, it is crucial to check whether the Canon printer not responding or not.

Uninstall Third-party Antivirus Service

It is also possible for an overprotective firewall to cause printer issues. Your computer becomes infected when you install a third-party antivirus program. It is possible to resolve the issue by uninstalling the firewall. Here, you can follow the below steps to uninstall third-party antivirus software on your computer.

To open settings, press Windows + I at the same time.
Click on Apps > Features & Apps.
You can locate the antivirus application by clicking on it.
You can now uninstall the program.
Select the option to uninstall again.
To proceed, click Yes in the updated prompt window.

Switch the Printer’s Port

There is a possibility that the printer is plugged into the wrong USB port or that the USB port is malfunctioning. The printer port can be switched through printer properties if that is the case. Following these steps will complete the process:

Choose Control Panel from the Windows settings menu by typing “Control Panel” in the search bar. To access Hardware and Sound, click here.
Select Devices and Printers from the menu.
Choosing and right-clicking the Canon printer name in the Printers section will follow.
It is necessary to choose Printer properties.
Go to the Ports tab.
In the Port category, select Printer/USB.
Hit OK after choosing Apply.

Now you can check whether the problem with the Canon printer not responding is solved or not.

Update the Printer Drivers

When you don’t update your printer for a long period of time, it can cause technical problems and make it unresponsive. To solve this problem, the printer driver needs to be updated to the latest version. You can also update it from Device Manager and the official Canon website.

From the Device Manager

You can find Device Manager by typing it into Windows Search.
Select Device Manager from Windows Search by typing it in the search box.
Select the Print Queues option by clicking twice.
Find your printer name and right-click it on the expanded menu.
By selecting this option, you will be able to update your driver.
Within the newly opened window, click the option to search automatically for updated driver software.
Updates will be downloaded to the system when the PC searches for them.

From Canon’s Official Site:

The first thing you need to do is visit Canon’s official website.
Press Enter after typing your printer’s product name in the search bar.
You can select your operating system by scrolling down.
A menu will appear, and you’ll need to select Download.
Here, you can view the downloaded file.
Now open it and follow all the instructions that appear on the screen.

After updating the software of the Canon printer you can check whether the Canon printer not responding is fixed or not.

Final Words

You can use the above-mentioned methods to solve the problem of the Canon printer not responding or Canon Printer Default Password. It is also imperative to follow all the instructions so you can quickly complete the fixing process.

How To Fix Canon Printer Not Responding: Complete Solution