PIXMA MG6450 Another computer is using the printer

[Yatesy1990]

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.
---
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".

[Hairetikos]

Thanks raffia, for your advice on this issue.  However, your advice contradicts most of the previous messages which recommend eliminating the WS devices because they seem to get jammed up with print jobs that don't go through.  

[raffia]

Hairetikos, I've given some additional information here about WSD services, and how this technology can be used with WSD printers.

I've posted it as many people seem to ignore this feature, and I find it to be pretty useful to use as it greatly simplifies the installation of a new printer: no installation required.

Additionally, reading your previous post, I understand that the original issue in this post is not solved by attempts to hack the WSD driver in Windows, it seems to affect both WSD and "legacy to be installed" drivers, as the root cause is certainl a bug in the printer firmware, not fixed by Canon. Hopefully, we can be turnaround it by a simple manipulation on the printer.

[Hairetikos]

MX922 having the same problem for months now.  Why doesn't Canon offer a solution?

We have eliminated all the WS duplicate printer devices from our computers.  Problem is highly inconsistent.  On some laptops, it will sometimes go right through.  Sometimes we need to turn off and restart printer.  Sometimes nothing works, but then we might find a printout a day or 2 later.

[PGlad]

I've looked through a numer of 'solutions' to this problem, on this website and also on Microsoft and other places, non have yet provided a definitive solution. Canon should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this issue to go unresolved for so long. I for one, will never be buying Canon again.

[Hovis]

why is this still an issue... every other week I get this error.

takes an age to fix... never the same fix...

[1Reticent]

Open elevated cmd prompt (as administrator)

copy & paste as below

1 enter:      <net stop spooler>

2 enter:        <del %systemroot%\System32\spool\printers\* /Q>

3 enter         <net start spooler>

should work on all printers.

🙂

[pattyk]

I tried this fix multiple times and it still gave me the "Another computer is using this printer." message.
I was really hoping that was the magic bullet.

[remusG]

I've tried several things but think I've come up with a consistant way to correct the problem. I say this because my solutions seems to always work.  What I do is Reboot the wifi and or routers appear to always work.  Now as far as a permanent solution I dont claim this to be. After rebooting, the printer will work without the "Another computer is using the printer" error for several hours or days but as of yet has not been the fix all.  Not sure what the issue is as it could be spotty wifi or internet but I'm guessing the internals of the print software sometimes doesn't always send and end of job message to the print service.   If this doesn't work for any of you, let us all know but I do know its solve the problem for me immediatly over several months and seems to last for awhile. 

[GBUK]

Thanks  @1Reticent, that fixed it for me 🙂

(Couldn't see how to quote your reply)

[CR68]

I just had this occur recently, and it's 2018!!!  So,  first i tried changing the spooler setting which didnt work.  then reset the router which didnt work.  then reinstalled the dang printer which is a pixma and just a year old.  that didnt work.  then,  went ahead and put in new ink cartridges, and lo n behold the dang printer started printing stuff i'd wanted all darn morning!!

i have window 8.1,  but it also affected my other computer which has win 10.  this is no doubt a darn software problem with canon and they are not either fixing or letting people know how.  But,  the darn thing works now,  so try what i did.