If nothing prints, Canon's checks go from the printer outward. Make sure the printer is on, the cable is connected and there is no error on the display or blinking lights, and read any support code, since Canon lists what each code needs. Check that paper is loaded and the size matches. Print a nozzle check pattern from the printer or driver: if it prints correctly, Canon says the inks and print head are working,
The checks in more detail
so try printing from a different application, which points at the file or the software. Cancel stuck jobs in the print queue and restart the computer and printer. Check that the correct printer is selected and that Use Printer Offline is not ticked on Windows. For a network printer confirm both share the same network, and see the offline article. Check for a paper jam and packing material in the ink area.
Check ink or toner status: an empty tank or cartridge stops printing, and on MegaTank and MAXIFY models a full maintenance cartridge stops it too. If a cartridge is not recognized, follow the support code steps. Update the driver, or reinstall the driver package from Canon's site, which also reinstalls the IJ Scan Utility. If a USB connection works and wireless does not, the fault is the network side. If the nozzle check fails, follow the print head cleaning steps.
Keep a routine: a nozzle check from the printer first, then from the computer. Whichever fails tells you where to look, and it saves reinstalling software when the print head needs cleaning, or the reverse. If a print job leaves the computer but nothing happens, look at the printer's own display for a queued job or an error, since some Canon models hold a job while they wait for you to confirm a paper size or type.
Differential
Likely causes of “Canon printers receives jobs but does not print”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A stuck job
What separates it Everything waits because a stuck job is blocking the queue
How to confirm Clear the queue on the computer, and then print again
- 2
An error or support code
What separates it A message shows because the printer has an error or a support code
How to confirm Follow the support code, and look up its fix in Canon's knowledge base
- 3
An offline connection
What separates it The status shows offline because the connection is lost
How to confirm Follow the offline steps to reconnect the printer, and print again
- 4
An empty or full part
What separates it The printer will not print because an ink or maintenance part is empty or full
How to confirm Refill the ink, or replace the full maintenance part, and try again
- 5
A driver fault
What separates it The nozzle check prints but documents do not because of a driver fault
How to confirm Reinstall the driver from Canon's support site, and print a document
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The support code or message that the printer shows
- Whether the nozzle check pattern prints
- The type of connection that you use, wifi or USB
- The last thing that changed before printing stopped
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedRead the display
ReversibleRead the display, and note any support code that the printer shows, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Print a nozzle check
ReversiblePrint a nozzle check, which proves whether the printer hardware works, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Clear the queue
ReversibleClear the queue by cancelling all of the jobs on the computer, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the printer selected
ReversibleCheck which printer is selected, and make sure that it is online and not offline.
Check ink and maintenance
ReversibleCheck the ink and the maintenance parts, including the tanks and the maintenance cartridge, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Clear jams
ReversibleClear jams and packing material, from the paper path and from the carriage area, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Reinstall the driver
ReversibleReinstall the driver if needed, and then print a test page again, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- MegaTank and MAXIFY
- Ink tank models stop when the maintenance cartridge or absorber is full.
- Laser
- imageCLASS models stop on toner or drum errors.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models TS9521C, PIXMA TS6420a, G7020, G6020, GX7021, GX4020, Color imageCLASS LBP632Cdw, imageCLASS MF455dw, Color imageCLASS MF656Cdw.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the nozzle check fails after cleaning and deep cleaning, the print head may need replacing
- !If a support code says the printer requires servicing, contact Canon
- !If only wireless printing fails, re-run the wireless setup on the printer
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Nozzle check, cleaning and deep cleaning.
Same network, signal strength and Use Printer Offline.
Remove, reinstall or replace.
Maintenance cartridge.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I prove the printer works?+
Print a nozzle check pattern, which the printer makes without a computer.
What if the pattern is fine?+
Try another application or reinstall the driver.
What if it is blank?+
If it is blank, clean the print head, and then print the pattern again.
Can a full maintenance cartridge stop printing?+
Yes, a full maintenance cartridge can stop printing on GX models.
Can Use Printer Offline stop it?+
Yes, Use Printer Offline can stop it on Windows, so clear the tick.
Do support codes matter?+
Support codes matter, since each one names the fault and points to its fix.
Can packing material matter?+
Yes, packing material left inside can stop the carriage from moving.
What is Easy Wireless Connect?+
It is Canon's cableless wifi setup, which you start with the Wireless connect button on the printer.
Which app does Canon use for phones?+
Canon uses the Canon PRINT app, which prints and scans from a phone over the network.
What signal strength does Canon suggest?+
Canon suggests a signal above 80 percent on the network settings printout, for a reliable connection.
What is IJ Scan Utility?+
IJ Scan Utility is Canon's scanning software, which is installed together with the driver package.
What is IJ Printer Assistant Tool?+
It is a Windows tool for cleaning, aligning and maintaining the printer, from the computer.