Canon Printer in Error State? Try These Fixes

Each time we try to print, a small notice shows up (often in the lower-right corner) saying the printer is in an “Error State,” even though test prints may still work. This error means the printer is connected but Windows has stopped the print job, showing that it cannot print.

The most common cause is a driver mismatch—like installing the wrong maker’s driver—or having the wrong default printer set, though connection problems and printer status conflicts can also cause this.

1. Perform a Cold Restart of the Printer, Router, and System

A temporary communication glitch between the printer and your system may cause the error state. Performing a cold restart of the printer, router, and system can often clear the glitch and solve the problem.

Before you do that, check if any lights are blinking on the printer. If so, check Canon’s website to understand the light pattern and troubleshoot accordingly. For example, if the B and C lights are solid (not blinking), you may need to replace the ink cartridges.

1. Power off your system, router, and printer.
2. Unplug the power cable of all devices and disconnect them from each other.
3. Remove the network cables from the back of the router and PC.
4. Wait for 5 minutes. In the meantime, check that the printer is clear of any debris or jammed paper, and make sure all parts (including cartridges or toners) are seated properly.
5. Reconnect all power and network cables.
6. Power on the router and let it fully stabilize.
7. Now power on the printer and wait for it to finish starting up.
8. Then power on the problematic system and, once it’s up, check if the printer is out of the error state.
9. If not, with the printer powered on, try unplugging and plugging back the LAN cable and test again.
10. If that did not work, right-click Windows and open Settings.

    

11. Select Devices and open the Printers and Scanners tab.

    

12. Check if a copy of the Canon printer appears (for example, Canon MG2500 (Copy 1)).

    

13. If so, try printing through that printer copy and see if it works.

2. Disable the Firewall/Antivirus of the System

You may see the error state if your firewall/antivirus blocks a module required for the printer driver or app to run. In this case, temporarily disabling the firewall/antivirus can help confirm the cause.

1. Right-click the security software icon (e.g., ESET) in the system tray (you may need to expand hidden icons) and select Pause Protection.

   

2. Confirm to disable protection and again right-click the security product.
3. Select Pause Firewall and then confirm to disable the firewall.

   

4. Also make sure to disable the Windows Defender firewall.
5. Now check if the Canon printer works.
6. If not, make sure the Spooler SubSystem App is not listed as a blocked program in your security app (Norton is known to block it). If it is, add an exception for this path:

   C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe

When finished testing, turn your antivirus and firewall back on.

3. Reset the Router to the Factory Defaults

Your PC might fail to find the printer if the router’s firmware is corrupted, which can lead to this error. Also, if you recently replaced the router, the printer may not be communicating properly. Resetting the router to factory defaults can help.

1. Back up the information needed to set up the router again, and make sure the router is powered on.
2. Locate the reset button on the router (usually on the back or bottom). On some models, holding the power button also performs a reset.
3. Press and hold the reset button with a paperclip or similar tool and hold it for about 30 seconds.

   

4. Release the button and let the router power back on.
5. Set up the router again following the OEM instructions.
6. Then reconnect the printer and your system to the network and check if the error state is gone.

4. Reinstall the Canon Printer Software/Driver

If the Canon printer driver/software is corrupted, you may see the error state. Reinstalling the printer app/driver often fixes it. Before you begin, make sure there isn’t a print schedule on the system or printer that limits printing (for example, office hours only).

1. Disconnect the printer from the system (if it’s connected via USB).
2. Right-click Windows and select Apps & Features.
3. Uninstall all Canon applications (driver, Canon IJ Network Tool, etc.). Also remove MP drivers, XPS drivers, and Extended Survey Program (if installed).

   

4. Right-click Windows again and select Settings.
5. Open Devices and, on the left, open Printers and Scanners.
6. Select each Canon printer and click Remove Device.

   

7. Confirm removal and repeat for all Canon printers listed.
8. Right-click Windows again and open Device Manager.
9. On the menu bar, open View and select Show Hidden Devices.

   

10. Expand Printers, right-click your Canon printer, and select Uninstall Device.
11. Check Delete the Driver Software for This Device and click Uninstall.

    

12. Repeat for any other Canon printers listed. If the printer includes a scanner, remove it under Imaging Devices as well.
13. Restart your system. After restart, download the latest driver for your model from your regional Canon website.
14. Run the downloaded Canon driver as an administrator and follow the prompts to install.
15. Once installed, restart your system and check if the error state issue is resolved.

5. Re-Add the Wi‑Fi Network to the Printer

The error can also appear due to a problem with the network type in use. For example, if you’re on Wi‑Fi and the printer’s Wi‑Fi card (or your network) has an issue, the error may show up. Switching to another connection type can help.

If you are using Wi‑Fi, check if using a LAN (Ethernet) connection to the printer solves the problem. If that’s not an option, try adding the Wi‑Fi network to the printer again as shown below (steps may vary by model, but the idea is the same). Before you begin, make sure the printer can print a test page.

1. On the printer’s Home screen (e.g., PIXMA MG6320), swipe left and tap the Setup icon (wrench and screwdriver).
2. Select Device Settings and tap LAN Settings.

   

3. Open Wireless LAN Setup. If you see the To Startup Setup… screen, select To Other Connection Methods (near the bottom).
4. Tap Standard Setup and select your Wi‑Fi network from the list.
5. Enter the Wi‑Fi password and apply the changes.
6. On your PC, reinstall the driver/printer application (as discussed earlier). The printer should now be out of the error state.

If the issue persists, you may need to contact Canon regional support for further help.