Reset Canon Printer | Steps on the Reset You Need

Published by Kevin Miller on Last updated on August 14, 2026

To reset a Canon printer, start with a simple power reset: turn the printer off, unplug it, wait around 60 seconds, then plug it back in and turn it on. If that does not fix the issue, reset the Wi-Fi settings, restore factory settings, or use a model-specific button reset.

The important thing is knowing which reset you actually need. A Canon printer’s that is frozen does not always need a factory reset. A printer that will not connect to Wi-Fi may only need a network reset. If your Canon printer has no display screen, the reset process depends on the exact PIXMA, MAXIFY, or image CLASS model you own.

As professional Canon printer support experts, we’ve written this guide to help you understand the main Canon printer reset methods and when to use each one. We will also explain what you should do after the reset.

Table of Contents

What Is The Safest Way to Reset a Canon Printer

The safest way to reset a Canon printer is to begin with a power reset. This clears temporary errors without deleting saved settings.

Follow these steps:

Turn off the Canon printer.
Unplug the power cable from the wall outlet.
Disconnect the USB or Ethernet cable if one is attached.
Wait for at least 60 seconds.
Plug the printer back in.
Turn the printer on.
Print a test page or reconnect it to your device.

This method is best for frozen printers, minor offline issues, slow response, temporary print errors, or stuck jobs. It is also the least risky reset because it does not remove Wi-Fi details, custom settings, or stored preferences.

If the problem continues, move on to a deeper reset based on the issue you are trying to fix.

Before You Reset: Know Which Canon Printer Reset You Need

Not every Canon printer issue requires the same type of reset. Choosing the wrong reset can create extra work, especially if you erase Wi-Fi settings when you only needed to clear a frozen print job.

Here is a quick guide:

Problem	Best Reset Type
Printer frozen or not responding	Power reset
Printer showing offline	Power reset, then network reset if needed
New router or changed Wi-Fi password	Wi-Fi/network reset
Printer connected to old Wi-Fi	LAN settings reset
Selling or giving away printer	Factory reset/reset all
Wrong custom settings	Settings-only reset
Fax information needs clearing	Fax settings reset
Stuck print jobs	Hard reset or memory reset
Refilled ink still shows warning	Ink counter reset, if supported

This is where many users get stuck. “Reset Canon printer” can mean several different things. A factory reset is the most complete option, but it is not always the smartest first step.

How to Power Reset a Canon Printer

A power reset is the easiest Canon printer reset method. It restarts the printer completely and can clear small software glitches.

Steps for a Basic Power Reset

Press the Power button to turn the printer off.
Wait until all lights go out.
Unplug the power cable from the printer or wall outlet.
Remove the USB cable or Ethernet cable if connected.
Wait around 60 seconds.
Reconnect the power cable.
Turn the printer back on.
Wait for the printer to finish its startup process.
Try printing again.

Avoid turning the printer on and off too quickly. Giving it a full minute without power helps clear temporary memory and allows the device to restart properly.

When a Power Reset Is Enough

A power reset may fix:

A Canon printer that is frozen
A printer stuck on “processing”
Temporary offline status
Slow response from the printer
A stuck print queue
Minor connection issues
Small error messages that appear suddenly

If your printer works again after this, you do not need a factory reset.

How to Factory Reset a Canon Printer With a Screen

A factory reset restores many Canon printer settings to their default state. This is useful when the printer has persistent errors, confusing custom settings, or needs to be prepared for a new user.

Most Canon printers with a display screen follow a similar menu path.

General Canon Factory Reset Steps

Turn on the printer.
Press the Setup or Menu button.
Go to Device settings.
Select Reset settings.
Choose Reset all.
Confirm with Yes or OK.
Wait for the printer to complete the reset.
Restart the printer if prompted.

The wording may vary slightly depending on your Canon model. Some printers say “Reset setting,” while others say “Reset settings.” Some use arrow buttons, while touchscreen models let you tap the options directly.

What Reset All Does to the Printer

A Reset all option on the Canon printer restores most settings to factory defaults in many models. Here are the settings it changes:

Print settings
Copy settings
Network settings
Web service settings
Device preferences
Some administrator settings
Certain app or remote access settings

After this reset, you may need to set up the printer again as if it were new. That can include reconnecting it to Wi-Fi, adding it again on your computer, and checking print alignment.

What a Factory Reset May Not Change

A factory reset does not always erase every single item. Depending on the model, some details may remain unchanged, such as:

Display language
Country or region settings
Print head position
Usage counts
Certain security or certificate settings
Some maintenance information

This is why it is a good idea to check your exact Canon printer manual if you are resetting the printer before selling it, returning it, or passing it to someone else.

How to Reset Canon Printer Wi-Fi or Network Settings

If your Canon printer will not connect to Wi-Fi, keeps showing offline, or is still linked to an old router, you probably need a network reset rather than a full factory reset.

A network reset removes saved LAN or Wi-Fi settings. After that, the printer must be connected to the wireless network again.

When to Reset Canon Printer Wi-Fi

Reset Wi-Fi or LAN settings if:

You changed your router
You changed your Wi-Fi password
The printer is connected to the wrong network
The printer shows offline on your computer
The Canon PRINT app cannot find the printer
You moved the printer to a new home or office
You want to remove old network details

General Wi-Fi Reset Steps for Canon Printers With a Screen

Turn on the printer.
Open Setup or Menu.
Go to Device settings.
Select Reset settings.
Choose LAN settings only or Network settings.
Confirm the reset.
Restart the printer.
Reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi network.

After resetting LAN settings, wireless printing will not work until you reconnect the printer. Make sure you know your Wi-Fi name and password before starting.

How to Reconnect After a Network Reset

Once network settings are cleared, reconnect the printer using one of these methods:

Use the printer’s Wireless Setup Wizard, if available.
Use the Canon PRINT app.
Use WPS if your router supports it.
Reinstall the printer through Canon setup software.
Add the printer again on Windows or macOS.

For most home users, the Canon PRINT app is the easiest method. It can usually detect the printer during setup and guide you through Wi-Fi connection.

How to Reset a Canon Printer Without a Screen

Some Canon PIXMA printers do not have a display screen. These models usually rely on button combinations and flashing lights.

This is where you need to be careful. Canon printers do not all use the same reset sequence. The Stop, Resume, Cancel, Power, and Wi-Fi buttons may behave differently depending on the model.

General Button Reset Method

A typical button reset may look like this:

Turn the printer on.
Press and hold the Stop or Resume/Cancel button.
Watch the Alarm lamp or indicator light.
Release the button after the required number of flashes.
Wait for the reset to finish.
Restart the printer if needed.

However, the number of flashes can vary by printer series and reset type. One model may use 21 flashes for a factory reset, while another may use 23 flashes for network initialization. Using the wrong sequence may do nothing or reset the wrong setting.

Why Model Matters

Before using a button reset, check the exact Canon model number. You can usually find it:

On the front of the printer
On a sticker at the back
Inside the printer cover
In the Canon PRINT app
In your computer’s printer settings

Search for the exact model plus the reset type, such as:

“Canon MG3022 factory reset”
“Canon G3000 network reset”
“Canon TS3322 reset Wi-Fi”
“Canon TR4520 reset all settings”

This is safer than following a generic button sequence from a random video or forum.

Canon Printer Reset Steps by Popular Model Series

Here is a general reference table for common Canon printer families. Always confirm with your exact model manual before performing a full reset.

Canon Series	Common Reset Type	General Method
PIXMA TS series	Reset all, LAN reset, settings reset	Use Setup/Menu > Device settings > Reset settings
PIXMA TR series	Reset all, LAN reset, fax reset	Use Setup > Device settings > Reset setting
PIXMA MG series	Button reset or software reset	Often uses Stop/Resume button combinations
PIXMA G series	Network reset or full settings reset	May use Stop button and Alarm lamp flashes
MAXIFY series	Factory reset or LAN reset	Usually available through printer menu
imageCLASS series	Menu reset or service settings reset	Uses control panel settings menu

This section is important because Canon printer reset instructions are not universal. A PIXMA TS model with a touchscreen is much easier to reset through the menu. A compact PIXMA MG model without a screen may need a button-based process.

How to Hard Reset a Canon Printer to Clear Memory

A hard reset is different from a factory reset. A factory reset restores settings. A hard reset usually clears active jobs, print data, or temporary memory.

Use a hard reset when your Canon printer is stuck processing a job, keeps printing old documents, or will not clear a print queue.

Basic Hard Reset Steps

Turn the printer off.
Unplug the power cable.
Cancel all print jobs on your computer.
Wait 60 seconds.
Plug the printer back in.
Turn it on.
Try printing a new test page.

On Windows, you can also clear the print queue manually:

Open Settings.
Go to Bluetooth & devices.
Select Printers & scanners.
Choose your Canon printer.
Open the print queue.
Cancel stuck jobs.

On Mac:

Open System Settings.
Go to Printers & Scanners.
Select your Canon printer.
Open the print queue.
Cancel pending jobs.

This can solve problems where the printer itself is fine, but the computer keeps sending an old or corrupted print job.

What to Do After Resetting Your Canon Printer

Resetting the printer is only part of the process. After a network reset or factory reset, you may need to complete setup again.

Here is what to do next:

Reconnect the printer to Wi-Fi.
Add the printer again on your computer or phone.
Reinstall Canon drivers if the printer is not detected.
Open the Canon PRINT app and check connection status.
Run print head alignment if print quality looks poor.
Check paper size and tray settings.
Re-enter fax details if your printer has fax features.
Print a test page.

If you reset all settings, do not assume the printer will immediately work like before. It may no longer remember your Wi-Fi network, preferred paper size, remote printing setup, or app connection.

Canon Printer Still Not Working After Reset?

If your Canon printer still does not work after a reset, the issue may not be a settings problem.

Check the Error Code

Look for an error code on the printer screen, computer, or app. Common Canon printer problems include:

Paper jam errors
Ink cartridge errors
Print head errors
B200 error
Offline status
Wi-Fi connection failure
Low ink or empty cartridge warning

A reset may clear temporary issues, but it will not fix damaged hardware, blocked print heads, empty ink cartridges, or real paper jams.

Reinstall the Printer Driver

If your printer reset successfully but your computer cannot find it, reinstall the Canon driver. Remove the printer from your computer first, then download the correct driver for your model from Canon’s official support site.

This is especially useful after a network reset, router change, or factory reset.

Check Your Wi-Fi Network

Make sure your printer and device are on the same network. Many routers have separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Some Canon printers connect only to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, so your phone or computer may not detect the printer if it is on a different network.

Common Mistakes When Resetting a Canon Printer

Avoid these common reset mistakes:

Performing a factory reset when only a power reset is needed
Resetting Wi-Fi without knowing the Wi-Fi password
Using reset instructions for the wrong Canon model
Assuming all PIXMA printers use the same button sequence
Forgetting to reconnect the printer after resetting LAN settings
Not clearing the computer’s print queue
Expecting a reset to fix an empty ink cartridge
Ignoring error codes
Resetting during an active print job
Skipping driver reinstallation after a full reset

A reset is useful, but it is not magic. It works best when matched to the right problem.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

1. How do I reset my Canon printer to factory settings?

On most Canon printers with a screen, go to Setup or Menu, then Device settings, Reset settings, and choose Reset all. Confirm the reset and wait for the printer to restart or complete the process.

2. How do I reset Canon printer Wi-Fi?

Go to Setup, open Device settings, choose Reset settings, then select LAN settings only or Network settings. After the reset, reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi network using the Canon PRINT app, WPS, or printer setup software.

3. How do I reset a Canon PIXMA printer without a screen?

Many Canon PIXMA models without screens use the Stop, Resume, or Cancel button with flashing indicator lights. The exact sequence depends on the model, so check the model-specific manual before trying a button reset.

4. Will resetting my Canon printer delete Wi-Fi settings?

Yes, if you reset LAN settings, network settings, or choose Reset all. A basic power reset will not delete Wi-Fi settings..

5. Why is my Canon printer still offline after reset?

The printer may not be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your device. You may also need to reinstall the driver, clear the print queue, or add the printer again in your computer settings.

6. How do I manually reset my Canon printer?

To manually reset a Canon printer, select Soft Reset on the control panel of the Canon printer and hold it down until you see Hard Reset. Release the Soft Reset button and hold down the Hard Reset button until it disappears.

7. How do I clear the fault on my Canon printer?

To clear a fault on the Canon printer, do a hard reset. Restart the printer and check if the cartridge is correctly inserted. Eject the paper carefully if it’s a paper jam. If it’s an ink error, take out the cartridge from the printer and take up the slack in the ink sheet. Then, reload the cartridge.

8. What is the difference between hard reset and soft reset on a Canon printer?

A hard reset deletes the custom configurations, print, and copy settings on a Canon printer but a soft reset does not. The hard reset is for fixing major system errors and it clears all registered files and forms data saved in the device’s RAM. In contrast, a soft reset is done to fix minor glitches.

9. Where is the reset button on a Canon?

There is no specific reset button in a Canon printer. You can do a power, ink, hard, or factory rest using a specific button combination on the printer or through the control panel.

Final Thoughts :

The best way to reset a Canon printer depends on the problem. Start with a power reset because it is quick, safe, and does not erase your settings. If the issue is related to Wi-Fi, reset only the network settings. If you are selling the printer or dealing with persistent setup problems, use the factory reset option.

For Canon printers without a screen, always check the exact model before using a button reset. Canon reset sequences can vary, and following the wrong instructions may waste time or reset the wrong setting.

In short, do not just reset your Canon printer. Choose the right reset for your issue, follow the correct steps for your model, and complete the setup afterward so the printer is ready to use again. If you still have any issue you can easily connect with our Canon printer support team; we are 24/7 available for your assistance