Canon Printer Not Responding problem can be confusing because everything appears normal. Your printer may show as available in Windows or Mac settings while still failing to receive or process print commands.
If your Canon Printer Connected but Not Printing, the issue could involve a stuck print queue, incorrect printer port, outdated driver, network communication problem, or software configuration.
This guide explains why a Canon printer can show “Ready” but refuse to print and how to identify the actual cause.
Why Does My Canon Printer Show Ready but Not Respond?
The “Ready” status generally indicates that the operating system considers the printer available. However, it does not guarantee that every print job can reach the device successfully.
Several problems can cause this situation:
Print jobs are stuck in the queue.
The wrong printer is selected.
The printer uses an outdated IP address.
The printer driver is damaged or incompatible.
A USB cable or wireless connection is unstable.
The Windows Print Spooler is malfunctioning.
A document contains an unsupported or problematic print setting.
The printer has an error that is not reflected in the computer's status.
Understanding these causes helps you avoid unnecessary printer resets or software reinstallation.
1. Confirm That the Correct Canon Printer Is Selected
One common reason for Canon Printer Not Responding to Print Command is selecting the wrong printer.
Computers sometimes retain multiple entries for the same Canon device, especially after a driver update or network change.
On Windows 11:
Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
Select your Canon printer.
Review the available printer entries.
Open the print dialog in your document.
Choose the correct physical printer instead of a virtual PDF printer.
On Mac, open System Settings > Printers & Scanners and confirm that the intended printer is installed.
Try printing a simple text document to test the connection.
2. Clear Stuck Print Jobs
A blocked print queue can prevent new documents from reaching your printer.
This is particularly common when a previous print job was interrupted.
If your Canon Printer Not Printing despite showing “Ready,” open the print queue and check for pending or failed documents.
Cancel the stuck jobs and wait for the queue to clear.
Then restart the printer and submit a new print job.
If the same document repeatedly causes the issue, try printing a different file.
A successful test suggests the original document or its print settings may be responsible.
3. Restart the Windows Print Spooler
The Windows Print Spooler manages print jobs before sending them to the printer.
If the service becomes unresponsive, your printer may appear ready but fail to print.
To restart it:
Press Windows + R.
Type services.msc and press Enter.
Locate Print Spooler.
Right-click the service.
Select Restart.
After restarting the service, open the print queue and try again.
This is a useful troubleshooting step for Canon Printer Not Responding Windows 11 problems involving stalled jobs.
4. Check Canon Printer Not Responding Over WiFi
If your Canon Printer Not Responding Over WiFi, the computer may have difficulty communicating with the printer even though both devices appear connected.
Confirm that the printer is connected to your intended wireless network.
Check whether the computer and printer can communicate on the same local network.
Guest WiFi networks and device isolation settings can sometimes block printing.
Restart the printer and wireless router if necessary.
If your printer has a network information page, check its assigned IP address.
A changed IP address may cause an existing printer connection to stop working, particularly when the computer uses a manually configured printer port.
5. Verify the Printer Port and IP Address
A Canon printer may display “Ready” while Windows sends print jobs to an incorrect or outdated destination.
This can happen after replacing a router or changing network settings.
On Windows:
Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Right-click your Canon printer.
Select Printer properties.
Open the Ports tab.
Review the selected connection.
For printers configured with a standard TCP/IP port, verify that the address matches the printer's current network information.
Do not change port settings randomly. Incorrect changes may interrupt a working connection.
6. Update or Reinstall the Canon Printer Driver
A damaged or incompatible driver can cause a Canon PIXMA Not Responding error even when the printer is detected.
This may occur after an operating system update or an incomplete installation.
Check your exact Canon printer model and operating system version.
Install a compatible driver from a trusted source.
Restart your computer after installation if required.
If the problem began immediately after a driver update, review whether a compatible earlier version or an updated package is available.
Avoid downloading generic drivers from unfamiliar websites.
7. Fix Canon Printer Not Responding on Mac
A Canon Printer Not Responding Mac issue may involve a stalled queue, outdated printer configuration, or network discovery failure.
Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners and select your Canon printer.
Check whether documents are waiting in the print queue.
Cancel any failed jobs and retry printing.
If the printer remains unavailable, confirm that your Mac and printer are connected to compatible networks.
You can also remove and re-add the printer when other troubleshooting steps fail.
Choose the appropriate printer driver or supported AirPrint configuration for your model.
8. Check USB Connection and Printer Errors
If your Canon printer uses USB, inspect the cable and connection.
Disconnect and reconnect the cable securely.
Try another compatible USB port or cable if available.
Avoid unreliable USB hubs during testing.
Also check the printer's display or indicator lights for paper jams, empty cartridges, open covers, or other errors.
A printer may show “Ready” on the computer even when its local display requires attention.
Resolve any displayed printer error before sending another job.
How to Identify the Actual Cause
Printer symptomPossible causeShows Ready but jobs remain queuedPrint queue or spooler problemShows Ready but prints to the wrong deviceIncorrect printer selectionConnected to WiFi but does not respondNetwork communication problemStopped printing after router replacementOutdated printer IP addressStopped after Windows updateDriver compatibility issuePrints some files but not othersDocument or application settingsReady on computer but error light is onPrinter requires local attention
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Canon printer say Ready but not print?
The computer may recognize the printer while a queue, driver, connection, or printer-side error prevents the print job from completing.
Why is my Canon printer not responding to print commands?
Common causes include an incorrect printer selection, stuck print jobs, outdated IP address, or incompatible printer driver.
How do I fix a Canon printer that is connected but not printing?
Start by checking the print queue, selecting the correct printer, restarting the device, and confirming USB or WiFi communication.
Can a Canon printer show Ready while disconnected from WiFi?
Yes. Depending on the operating system and connection configuration, the displayed status may not immediately reflect a lost or changed network connection.
Should I reset my Canon printer if it is not responding?
A factory reset is usually unnecessary. Check the print queue, connection, driver, and printer display before considering a reset.
Final Thoughts
A Canon Printer Not Responding problem does not always indicate hardware failure. When the printer shows “Ready,” the issue often involves communication between the computer and printer.
Start with the simplest checks: confirm the correct printer, clear stuck jobs, and test another document. If the problem continues, investigate the print spooler, WiFi connection, printer port, and driver compatibility.