How to Perform a Self-Test on a Canon Inkjet Printer

Some Canon inkjet printers are able to print a self-test page without a computer. This is useful in troubleshooting and can help you determine whether your printer or drivers are malfunctioning. Follow these steps to learn how to perform a self-test on a Canon inkjet printer.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Canon printer
• Printer paper

1. Check the manual to determine if your model has a self-test. You will find the procedure listed in the troubleshooting section.

2. Check Canon’s tech support website, which is user friendly and easy to access. On the site, click “Support.”

3. Click “Consumer Products” and then “Select Product.” Select your model from the dropdown menu. This should take you to the tech support page for your specific model.

4. Download the manual on this page in PDF format.

5. Read the FAQs under Technical Support. You can browse the questions search for a self-test.

6. Perform step-by-step troubleshooting by trying some of the following methods:
   
   Power up your computer and then hold cancel while pressing copy
   Power up your computer and then hold cancel while pressing resume
   Hold resume while powering on
   Hold cancel while powering on

7. Some printers have built-in interfaces. Try searching through the control panel options for a troubleshooting menu or a diagnostics mode.

Tips & Warnings

• Not all printers have self-tests. However, many have tests that are run by the drivers. Open up the software that came with your printer to find them.
• Try to print a test page before calling tech support, as they will often ask the results of this test.
• Email Canon tech support with specific questions. They usually respond quickly.
• A self-test will tell you a lot about how your printer is functioning. Some also print off serial numbers and service IDs.
• Printing test pages uses a lot of ink.