Your printer is not responding? It usually occurs when it does not accept requests sent by your computer.
This happens due to
- incorrect configurations ,
- hardware faults or
- some non-responsive services.
This error is common and occurs all the time among users. Sometimes you just need to restart it to fix the problem. Sometimes you have to completely reinstall the drivers.
The error can have different solutions depending on the hardware configuration of each computer. We have listed a number of available workarounds. Start with the first and continue to decrease.
While some users report that they get this error with any document. Others report that the problem usually occurs with the second document they are trying to print.
After some careful research, here is a list of possible causes that may have triggered this message :
Printer is not responding then try to Solve “Printer Paused”
- The driver is configured with the wrong port.
- An incorrect access point was selected during the initial setup.
- A firewall or third-party antivirus software is interfering with the software.
- USB problem that refuses to make contact on Windows (if a wired connection is used)
When Printer isn’t Responding: 7 Solutions
- Solution 1: check the hardware
- Solution 2: Restart the spooler service
- Solution 3: Disable the firewall or third-party security software
- Solution 4: Uninstall Canon drivers via DELDRV64.EXE (wireless connection only)
- Solution five: Perform printer troubleshooting
- Solution 6: Select the correct port to connect
- Solution 7: update the drivers
Solution 1: Check the Hardware
Before proceeding to troubleshooting, it is advisable to perform all hardware checks . Make sure it is properly connected to your computer via a wired connection or wireless network.
- Try changing the cables or resetting the wireless network to see if they make a difference.
- Check the connection between it and the computer
- Restart it , your router and your computer and let them shut down completely .
- Remove the cables and keep them there for a few minutes before reconnecting everything .
- Try printing something using another computer and see if the printing is successful there.
If so, it means that there is a problem with the connection between your computer and the printer . You can move on to the other solutions which are listed in the top.
Solution 2: Restart the spooler service
The spooler service is a kind of software that is responsible for managing all print jobs sent to the computer machine. The print spooler service is generally visible to users, and they can also cancel a print job that is being processed. It also allows them to manage jobs that are currently on the waiting list.
We can try to restart this service and check if that fixes the problem.
- Press Windows + R to launch the Run application . Type “services. MSc” in the dialog box and press Enter .
- Locate the »Print spooler« service in the list of services .
- Double-click on it to open its properties . Click on the ” Shut Down ” button present under System Status and press ” Ok ” to save the changes.
Stop the Print Spooler service
- Since we have disabled the service , we can now focus on deleting the print files .
- Press Windows + E to launch quick access to the file explorer and click on “This PC” present in the left navigation panel.
- Navigate to the following path:
C: \ Windows \ System32 \ Spool \ PRINTERS
A license may be required to access the following folder .
- If prompted, tap Continue .
- Once in the folder, delete all files from the PRINTER folder and close the window.
- Now go back to the Services tab and start the ” Print spooler ” service .
- Also, don’t forget to keep the startup type as “ Automatic ”.
- Restart your computer and check if it connects correctly.
Solution 3: Disable the firewall or third-party security software
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, this problem is often caused by an overprotective firewall . I am not talking about the integrated solution (Windows Firewall) which is not very restrictive.
This particular problem is common with third-party antivirus software such as : (Mc Affee, Avast , AVG, etc.). But it would also occur with dedicated firewalls (ZoneAlarm Free, Comodo Free Firewall, GlassWire, etc.).
But if you want a quick and easy fix then you can uninstall the app from Programs and Features . To do this, open a run window ( Windows key + R ), type ” appwiz.cpl ” and press Enter to open Programs and Features .
In the window Programs and Features , find your third-party application , click with the right mouse button and choose Uninstall to remove it from your system .
Uninstall Avast
If you want to leave your system vulnerable, then don’t.
In uninstalling antivirus dedicated , the Windows Firewall will start automatically to monitor your incoming and outgoing connections . If this method did not resolve the issue or if it is not applicable, proceed to the method below.
Solution 4: Uninstall Canon drivers via DELDRV64.EXE (wireless connection only)
If you’ve gotten this far with no results then you should see for your better luck following the troubleshooting steps typically used by Canon technicians to resolve this type of issue .
Some users have publicly posted the steps that they have been asked to take after calling technical support.
This procedure consists of using the dedicated uninstaller to remove the driver, inserting the WEP key into your printer , and then reinstalling the appropriate Canon driver from the official download page.
Here is a quick guide to the procedure:
- Press Windows key + R to open an execution box .
- Then type “DELDRV64.EXE” and press Enter key to open Canon Uninstaller .
- Then follow the onscreen instructions to remove the driver from your system .
- Restart your computer to complete the process .
The Canon Uninstaller
- On your printer , enter the WEP key (password) for your wireless network and make sure it is properly connected to your home / work network.
- Visit this link here and download the appropriate driver based on your operating system version.
- Open the driver installer and follow the instructions to complete the installation.
- Perform a final restart of the computer and see if the problem has been resolved.
Solution 5: run printer troubleshooting
It is worth trying the troubleshooting . Windows has a built-in collection of troubleshooters designed to resolve problems in various categories. We can try to run the printer troubleshooter and check if it finds any issues and fixes them.
- Press Windows + R , type ” control panel ” in the dialog box and press Enter to open the control panel .
- Type ” troubleshooting ” in the search bar of the control panel at the top right of the window.
- Select the title ” Troubleshoot ” from the list of returned results.
- Once in the troubleshooting menu , click on ” Show all ” present in the navigation panel on the left of the window.
- Now Windows will fill all the troubleshooters available on your computer.
- Navigate through the options until you find ” Printer “. Click on it.
- Check the options “Run as administrator ” and ” Apply repairs automatically “. These options will allow you to find as many problems as possible and apply the repairs quickly.
Windows troubleshooter
- Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the troubleshooting to complete.
Solution 6: Select the correct port to connect
It may not be connected to the correct port on your computer and therefore not respond over and over again.
We can try to configure the ports using the control panel and see if that makes a difference. You can always revert the changes if this solution does not suit you.
- Press Windows + S , type ” devices and printers ” and open the control panel application.
- Make a right click and select ” Printer Properties “.
- Navigate to ” Ports ” Navigate through the list of all available ports and check the box where your printer is listed .
- Make sure it is checked .
After making the necessary changes , restart your computer and check if the problem has been resolved.
Select the correct port to connect Printer is not responding
Solution 7: update the drivers
If all of the above solutions don’t work, we can try updating the drivers . You need to go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers available .
Be sure to download the exact drivers for your machine . So that you can find the model number on the front panel of your printer or in its box.
There are few cases where newer driver does not work. In this case, download an older version of the driver and install it using the same method described below.
- Press Windows + R to launch the ” devmgmt.msc ” execution box in the dialog box and press Enter .
- This will launch your computer’s device manager .
- Navigate through all the hardware , open the “ Print Queues ” submenu , right-click on your printer device and select “ Update Driver ”.
- Windows will then open a dialog box asking you how you want to update your driver .
- Select the second option (Browse my computer for driver software) and continue.
- Select the driver file you downloaded using the ” Browse ” button when it appears and update it accordingly.
- Restart your computer and check if the problem is resolved.