# 1-866-203-7571 How to Fix Canon Printer Not Printing Color?

**Call Canon Printer Support: 1-866-203-7571**

Is your Canon printer not printing color pages correctly? Maybe the colors are faint, missing, inaccurate, or the printer is only printing in black and white. This is one of the most common Canon printer issues and usually happens due to clogged printheads, low ink, incorrect settings, outdated drivers, or cartridge recognition errors.

The good news? You can fix this problem quickly by following the right troubleshooting steps.

This detailed, **3000-word guide** covers everything you need to know about:
✔ Why your Canon printer is not printing color
✔ Step-by-step fixes for all Canon PIXMA, MAXIFY, and imageCLASS models
✔ Printhead cleaning, deep cleaning, and reset methods
✔ Computer and printer settings to check
✔ Advanced solutions
✔ When to call Canon printer support at **1-866-203-7571**

**Call Canon Printer Support: 1-866-203-7571**

# **1. Common Reasons Why a Canon Printer Doesn’t Print Color**

Before you start fixing the issue, it helps to understand why it happens. Canon printers rely on a combination of hardware, software, ink flow, and printhead nozzles. Any disruption in these components can stop color printing.

Here are the most common causes:

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## **1.1 Low, Empty, or Dried Ink Cartridges**

Canon color printers generally require **CMY (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow)** ink to print full-color documents. Even if only one color is low or empty, the printer may refuse to print color.

Signs include:
• Faded colors
• Missing color areas
• Patchy or dull color output

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## **1.2 Clogged Printhead Nozzles**

This is the **#1 cause** of Canon printers not printing color.

Printheads often clog due to:
• Long periods without printing
• Use of cheap or expired ink
• Dust buildup
• Ink drying inside nozzles

A clogged printhead prevents ink from flowing properly, so color output disappears or becomes distorted.

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## **1.3 Incorrect Printer Settings**

Sometimes the printer is set to:
• **Grayscale / Black & White mode**
• **Economy Mode**
• **Monochrome Mode**

These settings override color printing even if your ink cartridges are full.

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## **1.4 Outdated or Corrupted Printer Drivers**

Printer drivers control communication between your computer and printer. If drivers are old, corrupted, or incompatible, color printing may stop working entirely.

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## **1.5 Faulty or Non-Genuine Ink Cartridges**

Canon printers often display color printing issues if the ink cartridges are:
• Counterfeit
• Refurbished
• Not installed correctly
• Not recognized by the printer

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## **1.6 Dirty or Misaligned Printheads**

Dust or misalignment can lead to inaccurate color prints or missing colors.

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## **1.7 Software Conflicts**

Print settings from:
• Microsoft Word
• Adobe Acrobat
• Google Chrome
…may override the printer driver settings.

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## **1.8 Hardware Damage or Internal Issues**

A damaged printhead or ink delivery system may also cause color printing to fail.

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# **2. How to Fix Canon Printer Not Printing Color (Step-by-Step Solutions)**

Now that you understand the causes, let’s fix the printer step-by-step.

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# **Step 1: Check Ink Levels in Your Canon Printer**

Different models show ink levels on the screen or in the printer software.

### **On the Printer Display**

1. Press **Setup/Settings**
2. Go to **Maintenance**
3. Choose **Ink Levels** or **Ink Status**

### **On a Computer**

**Windows:**

1. Open **Control Panel**
2. Go to **Devices and Printers**
3. Right-click your Canon printer → **Printing Preferences**
4. Click **Maintenance** → **View Printer Status**

**Mac:**

1. Go to **System Settings**
2. Click **Printers & Scanners**
3. Select your Canon printer
4. Click **Supply Levels**

❗ If any ink tank (C/M/Y) is low or empty, replace it first.

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# **Step 2: Make Sure the Printer Is Not Set to Black & White**

This is a very common mistake.

### **On Windows:**

1. Go to **Control Panel → Printers & Scanners**
2. Select your Canon printer → **Printing Preferences**
3. Under the **Main** tab
4. Ensure:
✔ Color Mode = **Color**
✘ Do NOT select **Grayscale / Black Ink Only**

### **On Mac:**

1. Open **Print Dialog (Command + P)**
2. Click **Show Details**
3. Under **Color Options**, select **Color**
4. Make sure "Black & White" is unchecked

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# **Step 3: Run Printhead Cleaning (Essential Fix)**

Canon printers have built-in tools to unclog nozzles.

### **How to Run Printhead Cleaning:**

1. Open **Printer Preferences / Utility Tab**
2. Select **Maintenance**
3. Click **Cleaning**
4. Choose the color group to clean:

* **Color** (C/M/Y)
* **Black**
* **All Colors**

After cleaning, print a **Nozzle Check Pattern**.

### **Evaluate the Nozzle Check Pattern**

If you see:
✔ Clear lines → Printhead is clean
✘ Missing lines or broken color grids → Printhead still clogged

**Call Canon Printer Support: 1-866-203-7571**

# **Step 4: Perform Deep Cleaning (Advanced Fix)**

If basic cleaning doesn’t fix the issue, do **Deep Cleaning**.

On the printer software:

1. Go to **Maintenance**
2. Select **Deep Cleaning**
3. Choose **All Colors**
4. Wait 2–4 minutes
5. Print a nozzle test

You may need to repeat this **2–3 times**.

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# **Step 5: Clean Printheads Manually (For Severe Clogs)**

⚠️ Only do this if the automatic cleaning fails.

### **Steps for Manual Cleaning:**

1. Turn off the printer
2. Remove the ink cartridges
3. Carefully remove the printhead (if detachable)
4. Soak the printhead in warm distilled water for 10–15 minutes
5. Gently wipe with a lint-free cloth
6. Allow it to air dry completely
7. Reinsert into the printer

This flushes out dried ink and restores ink flow.

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# **Step 6: Check for Blocked Vent Holes on the Cartridges**

Ink cartridges have small air vents on top.
If vents are clogged, ink won’t flow.

### **Fix:**

1. Remove the cartridge
2. Look for the vent (small hole on top)
3. Clean it gently with a pin or safety needle
4. Reinstall the cartridge

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# **Step 7: Ensure Cartridges Are Genuine and Installed Properly**

Canon printers detect unofficial cartridges and sometimes block color printing.

Check that:
✔ The cartridges lock in place
✔ The protective tape is removed
✔ Colors are placed in the correct slot

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# **Step 8: Update Canon Printer Drivers (Important)**

Outdated drivers are a major cause of color printing failure.

### **On Windows:**

1. Search **Device Manager**
2. Expand **Printers**
3. Right-click your Canon printer → **Update Driver**

### **On Mac:**

Drivers update automatically via macOS updates.

You can also manually download drivers from Canon's official site.

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# **Step 9: Run the Printer Troubleshooter**

**Windows:**

1. Go to **Settings → Update & Security**
2. Click **Troubleshoot**
3. Select **Printer**
4. Run the troubleshooter

This fixes color printing issues automatically.

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# **Step 10: Reset Your Canon Printer**

Resetting clears internal errors that affect color printing.

### **Soft Reset**

1. Turn off printer
2. Unplug for 1 minute
3. Plug in and restart

### **Factory Reset**

On printer control panel:

1. Go to **Settings**
2. Choose **Device Settings**
3. Select **Reset**
4. Tap **Reset All**

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# **Step 11: Clean the Encoder Strip (If Colors Look Smudged or Wrong)**

The encoder strip helps control cartridge movement.

A dirty encoder strip leads to color misalignment.

### **Fix:**

1. Open the printer
2. Locate the transparent strip behind the carriage
3. Wipe gently with a dry cotton swab
4. Do **NOT** use water or alcohol

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# **Step 12: Check Paper Settings**

Incorrect paper type causes color issues.

Ensure:
✔ Media Type = Correct (Photo Paper, Plain Paper, etc.)
✔ Quality = High
✔ Paper size matches your sheet

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# **Step 13: Disable “Economy Mode” or “Draft Mode”**

These settings reduce color density to save ink.

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# **Step 14: Perform Printhead Alignment**

1. Open **Maintenance**
2. Choose **Print Head Alignment**
3. Follow on-screen instructions

Correct alignment improves color accuracy.

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# **Step 15: Try Printing from Different Applications**

Sometimes the issue is not the printer but the application.

Try printing from:
• Word
• Chrome
• Adobe Reader
• Photos app

If color works in one app but not another, the problem is app-specific.

**Call Canon Printer Support: 1-866-203-7571**

# **Step 16: Try a Different Device**

Print from a:
✔ Different computer
✔ Mobile device
✔ Tablet

If color works on another device, the issue is software-related.

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# **Step 17: Check Printer Firmware**

Firmware bugs may stop color printing.

Update firmware via:
• Canon Website
• Printer Remote App
• Printer Control Panel

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# **Step 18: Replace the Printhead (Only if Necessary)**

If you’ve tried everything and still no color prints, the printhead may be:
• Burnt
• Damaged
• Permanently clogged

You may need a replacement.

**Call Canon Printer Support: 1-866-203-7571**

# **19. Professional Assistance**

If none of the above solutions fix your Canon printer, it’s time to get expert help.

Call **Canon Printer Support**:
📞 **1-866-203-7571**

Technicians can help with:
✔ Advanced printhead repair
✔ Internal hardware fixes
✔ Firmware issues
✔ Network and driver problems
✔ Cartridge recognition errors

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# **20. Preventive Tips to Avoid Color Printing Issues**

Here’s how to avoid this problem in the future:

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### **✔ Print at least once a week**

Prevents ink from drying inside the printhead.

### **✔ Use genuine Canon ink cartridges**

Third-party inks often clog printheads.

### **✔ Keep your printer clean**

Dust buildup affects color accuracy.

### **✔ Run a nozzle check monthly**

Catches issues early.

### **✔ Store cartridges properly**

Keep them upright and sealed.

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# **Conclusion**

Canon printers are known for excellent color printing, but issues can arise due to clogged printheads, incorrect settings, faulty drivers, or empty ink cartridges. By following the above troubleshooting steps—cleaning nozzles, checking ink levels, adjusting settings, reinstalling drivers—you can restore full color printing quickly.

If you still face issues, don’t worry. Expert help is always available.

📞 **Call Canon Printer Support: 1-866-203-7571**