How to Fix Canon Print Jobs Stuck in Queue | Easy Troubleshooting Guide

When you send a document to your Canon printer and nothing comes out, the culprit is often a stuck print job in the queue. This frustrating issue can bring your workday to a halt, especially if you need urgent prints for business, school, or personal use. The good news? You can fix it quickly with the proper steps—no advanced technical skills required.

Whether it's caused by outdated drivers, a network glitch, or a print spooler error, this guide will walk you through practical solutions to clear the backlog and get your Canon printer running again. If you're dealing with frequent printing errors, consider exploring additional Canon Printer Troubleshooting tips to avoid future disruptions.

Why Canon Print Jobs Get Stuck in the Queue

Before diving into the fixes, it's helpful to understand the most common reasons print jobs get stuck in the queue:

Print Spooler Service Issues
The print spooler is a Windows service that manages all print jobs. If it freezes or crashes, jobs will remain pending.

Corrupt Print Job Files
Sometimes, a corrupted file or an incompatible document format can jam the queue.

Outdated or Corrupted Canon Printer Driver
Without the correct driver, your printer and computer can't communicate effectively.

Connectivity Problems
Unstable Wi-Fi, faulty USB cables, or network drops can interrupt print job processing.

Low System Resources
If your computer is overloaded with tasks, it may delay printing processes.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Canon Print Jobs Stuck in the Queue

Here's how to quickly clear your queue and resume printing.

Step 1: Cancel All Pending Print Jobs

First, try clearing the queue directly from your system.

For Windows:

1. Press Windows + R, type control printers, and hit Enter.
2. Right-click your Canon printer and select See what's printing.
3. Click Printer in the top menu and select Cancel All Documents.
4. Confirm the action and restart your Printer.

For Mac:

1. Go to System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.
2. Select your Canon printer and click Open Print Queue.
3. Highlight each job and click the X button to remove it.

Step 2: Restart the Print Spooler Service

If clearing jobs doesn't work, the print spooler service may need a reset.

Windows Users:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Scroll down to Print Spooler.
3. Right-click and choose Stop.
4. Go to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files inside the folder.
5. Return to the Services window, right-click Print Spooler, and select Start.

Mac Users:

Restart your system; macOS automatically resets the printing service.

Step 3: Update or Reinstall the Canon Printer Driver

An outdated or corrupted driver can cause print jobs to hang.

1. Go to the official Canon USA support page.
2. Enter your printer model.
3. Download and install the latest driver for your operating system.
4. Alternatively, follow this detailed Canon Printer Driver guide to fix unavailable or malfunctioning drivers.

Step 4: Check Your Printer's Connection

A loose cable or a weak Wi-Fi signal can prevent print jobs from being processed.

• For USB printers: Ensure the cable is securely plugged into both the Printer and computer. Try a different USB port.
• For wireless printers: Check your Wi-Fi connection on both the Printer and computer. If needed, reconnect your Printer to the network via the printer'sPrinter’s control panel.
• For Ethernet printers: Ensure the cable is securely connected to the router and Printer.

Step 5: Remove and Reinstall Your Canon Printer

If the problem persists, removing and re-adding your Printer can refresh the connection.

Windows:

1. Go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click your Canon printer and select Remove device.
3. Click Add a printer and follow the prompts.

Mac:

1. Go to System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.
2. Select your Canon printer and click the minus (-) button.
3. Click the plus (+) button to re-add it.

Step 6: Reset the Printer

A factory reset can clear internal memory glitches.

How to Reset Most Canon Printers:

1. Turn off the Printer.
2. Hold down the Stop button.
3. Press and hold the Power button while still holding Stop.
4. Release Stop, then press it twice while holding Power.
5. Release the Power button, and the Printer will reset.

(Refer to your model's manual for specific reset instructions.)

Extra Tips to Prevent Print Queue Problems

Prevention is always better than a cure. Here's how to avoid future print queue issues:

1. Print Smaller Batches – Large files can clog the queue; split them into smaller jobs.
2. Regularly Update Drivers – Keep your Canon printer driver updated.
3. Use Correct File Formats – Stick to printer-friendly formats like PDF or DOCX.
4. Check for Firmware Updates – Canon periodically releases firmware updates to fix bugs.
5. Clean the Print Head – Clogged print heads can cause printing errors. If you encounter such issues, see this Canon Print Head Error Guide.

When to Contact Canon Support

If none of the above methods work, there might be a deeper hardware or software problem.

Contact Canon USA Customer Support for:

• Persistent print spooler crashes
• Repeated driver failures
• Hardware malfunctions

• Warranty-related repairs

   

Conclusion

Having Canon print jobs stuck in the queue can be frustrating, but in most cases, it's a simple fix. By clearing the queue, restarting the spooler, updating drivers, and ensuring stable connections, you can restore smooth printing in minutes.
Regular maintenance, driver updates, and good printing habits will help you avoid these interruptions in the future. Keep this guide handy, and your Canon printer will stay reliable and ready whenever you need it.
If the problem returns frequently, it may be worth checking for firmware updates or contacting Canon support for deeper troubleshooting. Additionally, consider setting up automatic driver updates and periodically cleaning your printer to ensure optimal performance. With these preventive measures, you can minimize downtime and enjoy a more consistent printing experience without the hassle of repeated queue issues.