01-05-2014 03:56 AM - last edited on 06-13-2023 09:18 AM by Danny
Up to now we've printed ok but yesterday our Windows 8 laptops report that "Another computer is using the prnter". We have a Canon MG6450 printer; ona wireless network. We have rebooted our laptops; the router; and switched off printer but to no avail. Any other suggestions ?
Another computer is using the printer.
The following status is the usage status of that computer.
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Creating print data
A follow up query is why is there a need to register is the need to send email docs to [Email address removed in accordance with forum guidelines] to get printed ? It is both time consuming, over elaborate and completely unnecessary to use a "Print from E-mail" service and " to complete the printer owner registration".
Solved! Go to Solution.
12-07-2014 01:25 PM
I solved my problem on the MG5520 using Windows 8.1 stuck with the "used by another computer" error!
I noticed in my settings (computer settings - devices - printers) that there are two Canon printers listed - make sure you DO NOT select the printer that ends in "WS" when trying to print a document. EX: "Canon MG5500 series printer" vs "Canon MG5500 series printer WS".
If you have any print jobs pending in that queue for that printer ending with "WS", then you will need to cancel all pending print jobs under the "WS" labeled printer before it will allow any other print job to be performed.
Next, when you go to print a document, make sure you select the correct printer (without "WS" at the end).
This cleared up the "being used by another computer" error, and I didn't have to uninstall or reinstall any drivers or disable any wireless settings or use a USB cable!
I was so happy that I even took the stupid half hour to register an account with Canon so I could share my solution to this annoying problem. And now I know that I should inform my wife to not print anything on the wrong printer queue anymore!
I hope this saves someone from the frustration I felt.
Here is a more discriptive walkthrough for technologically challenged individuals:
*This first part s not actually necessary - it is just to show you that there are two DIFFERENT print queues
Step 1:
Get into your PC settings menu. If you don't know how to get there, then go to your Apps screen and use the Search feature by typing in "settings". The first thing to pop up should be PC Settings (click on that).
Next, you have to select "PC and Devices" to the left of the screen
Then you want to select "Devices" to the let of the screen
There you will see a list of devices installed on your computer, and you should see two Canon printers (one ending in WS). EX: "Canon MG5500 series printer" vs "Canon MG5500 series printer WS"
Step 2:
Log into each user profile on your computer and check the print queues to see who is trying to print on the "WS" printer queue.
You can see the print queue by clicking on the little triangle in the bottom right of your screen, then clicking on the little printer icon.
If there are pending print jobs, cancel ALL of them for each user account on your computer.
Step 3:
Once all print queues are clear, try printing a document and be sure to select the printer WITHOUT "WS" at the end of the name and it should work!
Good luck!
01-26-2019 01:45 PM
If this answer is not already listed...
On Windows 8+, click Start with the right button and choose "Command Prompt (Admin)"
Type these 3 lines in, one at a time in the little black cmd window, and press Enter after each one (you can also right click in the little cmd window and paste all 3 with one click):
net stop spooler
del %systemroot%\System32\spool\printers\* /Q /F /S
net start spooler
This solution is from: https://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/how-to-forcefully-clear-all-jobs-from-a-print-queue/
I get this once in a while on mine - the print job is in the queue but doesn't show up in the Windows dialog.
These command line instructions stop the print spooler, delete any hidden pending jobs, and restart the spooler..
Works every time for me anyway
You can put them in a batch file to save a few steps, too
--Lonny
01-30-2019 10:54 PM - edited 01-30-2019 10:55 PM
Stop and start your printer spool.
Windows 10
Click windows start
type services
Click services
Scrool down to printer spool
Click printer spool once
top left click stop
top left click start
Worked for me.
07-13-2019 09:00 PM
07-13-2019 09:21 PM
I don't know much about iStuff and I'm not too interested. But I believe when I re-installed the printer on my laptop WiFi it said something about it was installing drivers, which is odd, because it should have had those already. This is the first printer I've had on WiFi, my previous Canon was on the network. Believe me, before this I tried everything possible. Obviously, rebooting the attached desktop computer.. Powering the printer off and on, disconnecting the USB cable, even removing and reinstalling the ink cartridges, because I use cheap aftermarket ones from Amazon instead of genuine Canon, which cost as much as the printer itself. I'm glad I discovered this thread and got the problem fixed.
10-26-2020 12:42 PM
thanks for ur advise. i deleted my printer, then re-added it. works beautifully.
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