You’re not alone if you’re experiencing a Canon printer peripheral issue on Windows 10. Many users have reported problems such as the printer showing as offline, not responding, or displaying a “Driver is unavailable” message. Fortunately, you can follow several effective solutions to get your Canon printer back on track.
Here are some of the common causes of a Canon printer not responding, as well as how to fix them in Windows 10. Whether you’re a DIY or a first-time user, we want to make a photographic computer accessible and convenient for you. Read more
What Causes Canon Printer Peripheral Issues on Windows 10?
Before we get into the solutions, let’s look at why the problem happens in the first place. Among the most frequent are:
- Outdated or missing printer drivers
- Faulty USB or wireless connections
- Incorrect printer settings
- Conflicts after a Windows update
- Print spooler service errors
Once you identify the root cause, fixing the problem becomes much easier. Now let’s move on to the solutions.
Solution 1: Restart Your Printer and PC
Restart both your printer and computer. It might sound rudimentary, but this can eliminate temporary glitches that may be contributing to the problem.
- Turn off your Canon printer and unplug it.
- Restart your Windows 10 PC.
- Plug in the printer and turn it back on.
After restarting, check whether the issue persists.
Solution 2: Reinstall Canon Printer Drivers
Outdated or corrupt drivers are one of the most common causes of Canon printer peripheral connection issues on Windows 10.
Here’s how to reinstall the drivers:
- Press
Windows + X
and choose Device Manager. - Expand Printers, then right-click on your Canon printer.
- Select Uninstall device and confirm.
- Restart your computer.
- Visit the official Canon support website and download the latest drivers for your printer model.
- Install the drivers and restart your PC once more.
Using the latest drivers ensures compatibility with the latest Windows 10 updates.
Solution 3: Use Windows Troubleshooter
If the issue remains unresolved, try using Windows Troubleshooter.
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
- Click on Additional troubleshooters.
- Select Printer, then click Run the troubleshooter.
This tool will detect and fix many printer-related issues automatically.
Solution 4: Set Canon Printer as Default
Sometimes, Windows 10 doesn’t automatically set the correct printer as default. To resolve this:
- Open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
- Select your Canon printer.
- Click on Manage, then Set as default.
Having the wrong default printer selected can often lead to communication errors.
Solution 5: Restart Print Spooler Service
The Print Spooler manages the flow of print jobs. If it crashes or freezes, your printer may stop working.
Follow these steps to restart it:
- Press
Windows +
R
, typeservices.msc
, and press Enter. - Scroll down to Print Spooler.
- Right-click and select Restart.
- Also, set the startup type to Automatic if it’s not already.
Restarting this service can immediately restore communication between your PC and printer.
Final Thoughts
It can be annoying when you encounter a printer peripheral issue with Canon on Windows 10 while printing out crucial pages. But with the steps we took above, you can diagnose and repair the issue yourself.
In short, ensure you’re connecting to the correct printer, re-downloading the right drivers, and, as we mentioned earlier, disconnect from the Wi-Fi as this will cut power to the printer. And, also keep in mind that you may need to restart important services such as the Print Spooler and reconfigure the proper default printer.
If none of the above methods solve the problem, then perhaps you better turn to Canon customer support or an independent local technician. But usually, these tips can fix the problem without professional intervention.