If your Canon printer is not printing in color, or prints only in black and white or grayscale, it is usually due to incorrect print settings, low or clogged color ink cartridges, or driver/software issues. This issue can affect Canon PIXMA, MAXIFY, imageCLASS, and other inkjet or laser models.
This guide provides step-by-step solutions to identify and fix the problem.
1. Confirm Printer Model Supports Color Printing
- Make sure your Canon printer model actually supports color printing.
- Some imageCLASS laser models are black-and-white only.
- Refer to the printer manual or specifications to confirm.
2. Check Ink or Toner Levels
For Inkjet Printers (e.g., PIXMA, MAXIFY):
- Open the printer’s control panel or use the Canon IJ Printer Assistant Tool.
- Look for low or empty color ink cartridges (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow).
- Replace any cartridge that is empty or not recognized.
For Laser Printers:
- Go to Menu > Status Monitor > Supplies Info to check toner levels.
- Replace depleted color toner cartridges.
3. Run a Nozzle Check (Inkjet Only)
A clogged printhead can prevent color ink from being used.
How to Run a Nozzle Check:
- Open the printer menu or Canon maintenance utility.
- Select Maintenance > Nozzle Check.
- Print the pattern.
- Look for missing colors (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow).
- If colors are missing or faint, perform a Cleaning or Deep Cleaning.
4. Clean the Printhead
If color ink is not appearing, cleaning may restore functionality.
Automatic Cleaning:
- Go to Maintenance > Cleaning > Color.
- Wait for the process to complete, then print another Nozzle Check.
Deep Cleaning (if regular cleaning fails):
- Run Deep Cleaning from the maintenance menu.
- Do not run more than 2 deep cleanings in a row, as this uses a lot of ink.
5. Check Print Settings on Your Computer
Incorrect print settings can force grayscale or black-and-white printing.
On Windows:
- Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers
- Right-click your Canon printer > Printing Preferences
- Under the Main or Quality tab:
- Ensure “Grayscale” or “Black & White” is not selected
- Set Color Mode to Color
- Choose Plain Paper + Color under media type (if available)
On macOS:
- In the print dialog, click “Show Details”
- Go to Print Settings or Media & Quality
- Make sure Color Matching is enabled and Color is selected
- Uncheck Black and White printing
6. Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver
Outdated or corrupted drivers can affect color printing.
Steps:
- Go to Canon Support
- Enter your printer model
- Download the latest driver for your operating system
- Uninstall the existing Canon driver
- Reinstall the new driver and restart your computer
7. Use Canon PRINT Utility or App
For printers set up on Wi-Fi, use the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app or Canon PRINT Business app (for imageCLASS):
- Check ink status
- Run cleaning cycles
- Send color print jobs directly from mobile
8. Reset Printer Settings
To clear incorrect preferences:
- Go to Settings > Device Settings > Reset Settings
- Choose Reset All Settings
- Reconnect the printer and try printing in color again
9. Replace Problematic Color Cartridges
If only one or two colors are missing:
- Try replacing just the affected cartridge(s)
- Even if they show as having ink, the cartridge chip or nozzles could be faulty
- Use genuine Canon cartridges for best results and compatibility
10. Try Printing from a Different Program or Device
- Try printing the same file from another program (e.g., Word, Chrome, Adobe Reader)
- Try a different computer or mobile device
- If color printing works elsewhere, the issue is software-related, not printer-related
11. When to Contact Canon Support
Contact Canon support if:
- You’ve run multiple cleanings and color still doesn’t print
- Nozzle checks show no color output despite full cartridges
- Color printing worked previously and suddenly stopped
- You suspect a damaged printhead, chip failure, or hardware malfunction
Canon may offer printhead replacements, diagnostics, or service options under warranty.