Why Is Canon PIXMA Printer Connected but Not Printing? (Steps Guide)

Fix PrinterOffline
Aug 28
4 min read

Canon PIXMA printers are known for their reliable performance and high-quality printing. However, like other devices, they may sometimes face issues such as being connected but not printing.

These printers can also show common problems like other printing devices. At times, the printer does not print documents even though it is connected to a device or network, which can be frustrating if you don’t know how to fix it.

From my own experience with this machine, I have found some of the best solutions that helped me quickly fix the issue. Read the full guide to learn these solutions and get your Canon PIXMA printer printing again.

Solution 1: Restart Your Devices

The very first step is to restart your devices, as this often resolves temporary glitches. Here are the quick steps you need to follow for that.

For the first step, you need to power off the printer and remove the power plug.
If any other cables/wires are connected to your printer, then remove them.
Next, leave everything unplugged for about 2–4 minutes.
After that, connect everything and turn on the printer.
Complete the setup and see if the issue is gone.

Solution 2: Clean Print Head

Your Canon PIXMA Printer may experience issues printing documents, even if it is connected, when there is a problem with the print head. Here is how you should clear the print head to resolve the issue.

Go to the Control Panel window on your Windows computer.
On the following screen, you should select Devices and Printers.
Next, right-click on your printer’s name, choose Properties, and go to Device Settings.
Here, you have to choose Print Head.
The next step is to click on Services.
Then, choose the Clean Print Head option.
Repeat the cleaning process a few times until the print head is properly cleaned.
After that, pick the Deep Cleaning option under the Maintenance tab.
Finally, go to the Nozzle Check option in the Maintenance tab.
Once the cleaning process is complete, ensure your printer has started working properly.

Solution 3: Reinstall Printer Driver

Sometimes, outdated or corrupt printer drivers can cause your printer to stop working properly. If you want to fix the issue, then you need to remove the driver and then reinstall it.

On your Windows keyboard, you should simultaneously press the Windows and R keys to open the Run command box.
When the Run dialog box comes on the screen, enter “devmgmt.msc” followed by choosing OK or clicking on the Enter button.
Then move to the Print Queues section, locate the device-specific printer driver.
After that, select the “Uninstall Device” option.
Also, go to the Canon web page and download the most recent driver for your printer.
After downloading the printer driver, you must install the new driver file and check if it helps in fixing the issue.
If the problem still persists, then move to the next solution.

Solution 4: Set Canon Printer as Default

If the Canon printer is not chosen as the default device on your computer, then it can show some printing problems. You need to follow the steps below to set the printer as the default device.

On your keyboard, press the Windows + R keys together to launch the Run dialog box.
In the open pop-up, enter control in the field and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
In the drop-down options, select Small icons next to View by. Then, click Devices and Printers.
Next, right-click on your printer and choose ‘Set as default printer’ from the options.
When your printer is set to default, then take a print test to see if it is working.

Solution 5: Check for Paper Jam

Here are the steps to see if your printer is facing a paper jam problem.

First, disconnect your printer from the power source.
Next, lift the paper output cover.
Make sure there are no stuck or jammed papers inside.
Make sure the FINE Cartridge Holder is free from jammed paper.
If the sheets look crumpled, gently pull them out with both hands.
Once done, close the output cover.
Insert new sheets of paper into your printer.
Try printing a test page. If it prints successfully, the paper jam issue should be fixed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Update My Canon Printer Driver?

You can update your Canon printer driver in a few different ways. The best option is to download the latest driver for your printer model from Canon’s official website and run the installer. Another way is to use Windows’ Add Printer Wizard, which helps update or reinstall your printer driver during the setup process. If you prefer, you can also go through Device Manager, find your printer model number, and update the driver directly from there.