Canon® printers are known for their outstanding print quality and innovative features. However, that doesn’t mean that they always run perfectly. All printers malfunction from time to time, no matter how state-of-the-art they may be. If you’re having a problem with your Canon printer, try troubleshooting with the help of the following frequently asked questions.

Common Questions When Troubleshooting Canon Printers

Why isn’t our Canon printer responding to print requests?

This is likely due to a connectivity issue, which means that the computer and Canon printer are not communicating with each other. First, turn off the printer and check that it’s plugged into a working power outlet. Then, make sure the power cable is properly connected to the back of the printer. Finally, check that the wire connecting the two devices is plugged into the correct ports on both the printer and computer. Turn the power back on and try again.

I’ve done all of the above and the Canon printer still won’t print. What’s going on?

If you’ve determined that the computer and printer are properly plugged in and connected, it could be that your computer is not set to the correct Canon printer. To fix this, open the control panel on your computer and go to Devices and Printers. You should see a list of printer names, including the one where you’d like your documents to print. Right-click on that and set it as the default.

The office printer is printing very lightly. What does this mean?

The printer is most likely low on ink, which is common and easy to fix—all you need to do is replace the ink cartridge. You can prevent this altogether by regularly checking your printer’s ink levels via the control panel on your computer.

Our printer is always jamming. What’s the problem?

One of the most common (and frustrating) printer problems, frequent paper jams can often be prevented. Start by turning the machine off and clearing out all of the stuck, shredded, and torn pieces of paper, both in the gears and the paper tray of the machine. Remove everything—sometimes small pieces can be left inside, and if these are not taken out, the printer will jam again.  Once it is cleared, reload the paper carefully, making sure that it’s lying flat. Also, check that the paper is the correct size for the tray you are inserting it into.

When you experience problems with your Canon printers, the experts at Bluegrass Office Systems in Lexington, KY, are standing by. For more than 35 years, they’ve been providing offices with technical troubleshooting services and office equipment repair, as well as a wide range of new products such as laser printers, scanners, and copiers. Visit their website to learn more about the services they offer and call (859) 293-0435 to speak with a helpful staff member today.