Canon Printer Not Responding? Fixes That Work

If your Canon printer shows “Not Responding” in Windows or macOS, the problem is almost always a communication issue between the computer and the printer, not a hardware failure. This guide walks you through the most common causes and the step-by-step fixes that resolve the error in the majority of cases.

Why the “Not Responding” Error Happens

The “Not Responding” status appears when your computer sends a print job but the printer does not acknowledge it within a certain time. This can happen for several reasons, but the most frequent are:

• Connection problems: A loose USB cable, a Wi-Fi signal that dropped, or a printer that switched to a different network.
• Stale print queue: A previous print job that got stuck can block all subsequent jobs.
• Driver issues: An outdated, corrupted, or incompatible printer driver.
• Printer sleep mode: The printer may have gone into a deep sleep and needs a physical wake-up.
• Background services stopped: Windows services like “Print Spooler” may have stopped running.

Understanding these root causes helps you target the fix instead of randomly restarting everything.

Quick Checks Before You Troubleshoot

Before diving into software fixes, do these simple checks—they take less than a minute and solve a surprising number of cases:

1. Is the printer powered on? Check that the power light is lit and not blinking. If it’s off, press the power button.
2. Is there paper in the tray? A paper jam or empty tray will cause the printer to stop responding to new jobs.
3. Are there error lights on the printer? An orange or red blinking light usually indicates a jam or ink issue. Open the cover and clear any jammed paper.
4. Is the USB cable securely connected? Try a different USB port on your computer, preferably directly on the motherboard (not a hub).
5. Is the printer on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer? If you have a dual-band router, the printer might be on the 2.4 GHz band while your computer is on 5 GHz—they won’t see each other.

If all these check out, move on to the software fixes below.

Fix 1: Clear the Print Queue

The most common cause of a “Not Responding” printer is a stuck print job. Here’s how to clear it on Windows:

1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Select your Canon printer and click Open print queue.
3. In the queue window, click Printer in the menu bar and select Cancel All Documents. If that doesn’t work, you may need to restart the Print Spooler service (see next step).

If the queue is stuck and won’t clear, restart the Print Spooler:

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Scroll to Print Spooler, right-click it, and select Restart.
3. Try printing again. This clears all pending jobs.

On macOS, open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and click Print Queue. Then click the X to delete stuck jobs.

Fix 2: Restart the Printer and Computer

A full power cycle resets the printer’s internal state and clears temporary glitches. Do it properly:

1. Turn off the printer using its power button.
2. Unplug the power cord from the back of the printer.
3. Wait at least 60 seconds (this drains residual power).
4. Plug the power cord back in and turn the printer on.
5. Restart your computer.

This is different from just pressing the power button—unplugging ensures the printer’s memory fully resets. After both devices reboot, try printing again.

Fix 3: Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver

An outdated or corrupted driver is a common culprit. Here’s how to fix it:

1. Go to the Canon support website and search for your exact printer model.
2. Download the latest full driver package for your operating system (Windows 10/11 or macOS).
3. Run the installer and choose the Repair or Update option if available.
4. If the problem persists, uninstall the driver completely: Settings > Apps > find the Canon software > Uninstall. Then reinstall the fresh driver.

On Windows, you can also use Device Manager to update the driver: right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, expand Print queues, right-click your Canon printer, and choose Update driver > Search automatically. However, downloading from Canon’s site is usually more reliable.

Fix 4: Check Wi-Fi Connection and Printer IP

If you’re using a wireless connection, the printer may have dropped off the network. Here’s how to check:

1. On the printer’s control panel, navigate to Network Settings or Wi-Fi Status to see the current connection status.
2. Print a network configuration page (usually under Settings > Network > Print Details). This shows the printer’s IP address.
3. On your computer, open a command prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS) and type ping [printer IP]. If you get replies, the network connection is fine. If not, the printer is unreachable.
4. If the ping fails, reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi. Use the printer’s Wireless Setup Wizard to re-enter your network password.

Also, ensure your computer’s firewall isn’t blocking the printer. Windows Defender Firewall sometimes blocks printer communication after an update. Temporarily disable it (just for testing) and see if printing works. If it does, add an exception for Canon software.

Fix 5: Use Canon’s Diagnostic Tool

Canon provides a free utility called IJ Printer Assistant Tool (Windows) or Canon IJ Printer Utility (macOS) that can diagnose and fix common issues. It’s usually installed with the driver. Look for it in your Start Menu or Applications folder. The tool can:

• Check ink levels and nozzle condition.
• Run a print head alignment.
• Clean the print head.
• Reset the printer’s communication settings.

Running the diagnostic tool often resolves issues that appear as “Not Responding” because it forces the printer to re-establish communication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Canon printer show “Not Responding” even though it’s on?

The printer can be powered on but still fail to respond due to a stuck print queue, a driver conflict, or a network issue. The printer’s display may show “Ready,” but the computer’s print spooler might have a stale job blocking new ones. Clearing the queue and restarting the spooler usually fixes it.

How do I make my Canon printer the default printer?

On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select your Canon printer, and click Set as default. On macOS, go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, right-click your printer, and choose Set as default. Having another printer set as default can cause the wrong one to be used, but it shouldn’t cause a “Not Responding” error for the Canon itself.

Can a low ink level cause the printer to stop responding?

Yes, in some cases. If the ink cartridge is empty or has a chip error, the printer may refuse to accept new print jobs. Check the ink levels on the printer’s display or in the Canon software. Replace any empty cartridges and try again.

Why does my Canon printer go offline after being idle for a while?

This is often due to power saving features. Both the printer and the computer may sleep, breaking the connection. On the printer, disable the auto-sleep feature in the settings. On Windows, ensure the USB port isn’t set to “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”—you can change this in Device Manager > Universal Serial Bus controllers > right-click the USB Root Hub > Power Management tab.

Do I need to use Canon’s software to print?

No, but it helps. The basic driver is enough for standard printing. However, Canon’s software includes utilities for scanning, ink monitoring, and troubleshooting. If you’re having issues, installing the full package can help because it provides the diagnostic tools mentioned above.

What if none of these fixes work?

If you’ve tried all the steps and the printer still says “Not Responding,” the issue may be hardware-related—for example, a faulty USB port, a broken network card, or a failing main board. In that case, contact Canon support or a professional technician. You can also try connecting the printer to a different computer to see if it works there; if it does, the problem is with your original computer’s configuration.

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