Easy Fixes When Your Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw II Stops Responding

When your Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw II suddenly stops printing or seems to ignore your commands, it can be incredibly frustrating—especially when you need to print something important right away. Many people assume the printer itself is broken, but often the real cause is much simpler. Your computer may not be talking properly to the printer because its internal communication software (called a “driver”) is missing, outdated, or damaged.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to quickly get your Canon LBP246dw II working again. We’ll walk you through three easy ways to fix it:

1. Using DriverAssist, the quickest and most automatic method.
2. Downloading the latest printer files from Canon’s official website.
3. Updating the printer connection manually through your Windows settings.

This article is written in plain, simple terms so you can follow along even if you’re not familiar with technical details.

Why Your Canon LBP246dw II May Stop Printing

Your printer and computer need to “speak the same language” to work together. This communication happens through a small piece of software on your computer that tells it how to send print jobs correctly to your Canon LBP246dw II.

Over time, these software files can become outdated, corrupted, or accidentally deleted. This can happen after a Windows update, a system cleanup, or even when installing another printer. When that happens, your Canon LBP246dw II may:

• Refuse to print anything
• Show “Printer Not Responding” or “Offline” messages
• Print with poor or missing colors
• Suddenly disappear from your computer’s list of printers

The good news? You don’t need to buy a new printer. You just need to refresh or reinstall these printer communication files. Below are three ways to do that.

Option 1: The Fastest and Easiest Way – Use DriverAssist

If you don’t want to deal with manual steps or search for the correct files yourself, DriverAssist is the simplest and safest way to get your Canon LBP246dw II working again.

What DriverAssist does:
It automatically detects your printer, finds the correct communication files for your exact model, and installs them for you. You don’t need to know any technical details or navigate complicated menus. Everything happens with just a few clicks.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to the official DriverAssist download page.
2. Download and install the program.
3. Open DriverAssist and let it scan your computer.
4. Once it detects your Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw II, click the option to update or reinstall.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions and restart your computer if prompted.

After restarting, try printing a test page. In most cases, your Canon LBP246dw II will start responding right away.

This option is recommended for everyday users who want a fast, no-hassle fix without worrying about downloading the wrong file or dealing with confusing setup steps.

Option 2: Manually Update Using Canon’s Support Website

If you prefer to handle things manually or want to see exactly what you’re installing, you can download the printer files directly from Canon’s official support site. This method is completely safe, but it takes a bit more time.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Visit Canon’s official support website.
   • Open your browser and go to Canon’s Support page.
   • Search for “Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw II.”
2. Choose your operating system.
   • You’ll usually see options like Windows 11, Windows 10, or Windows 8.
   • Select the one that matches your computer.
3. Find the printer files section.
   • Look for something labeled “Software & Drivers” or “Downloads.”
   • Locate the printer software specific to your Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw II.
4. Download the correct file.
   • Click the “Download” button next to the latest version available.
   • Wait for the file to finish downloading.
5. Install the file.
   • Double-click the downloaded file to start installation.
   • Follow the on-screen steps. It will update or reinstall the printer communication files automatically.
6. Restart your computer.
   • This ensures the new files take effect properly.
7. Test your printer.
   • Try printing a document. If it prints normally, the issue is fixed.

If your printer still doesn’t respond, move on to Option 3 below.

Option 3: Update Through Windows Device Manager

Windows has a built-in tool called Device Manager that lets you refresh printer connections manually. This method doesn’t require you to download anything separately.

Follow these steps carefully:

1. Open Device Manager.
   • Press the Windows key + X and choose “Device Manager.”
2. Find your printer.
   • In the list, expand the “Printers” or “Print queues” section.
   • Look for “Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw II.”
3. Right-click your printer name and choose “Update driver.”
4. Select “Search automatically for drivers.”
   • Windows will search your computer and the internet for the latest files.
5. Wait for the process to complete.
   • If new files are found, Windows will install them automatically.
6. Restart your computer.
7. Try printing again.
   • Open a document and click “Print” to check if your printer is now working.

This method works best if your printer was previously installed and suddenly stopped responding after a system update or change.

Still Not Working? Try Reconnecting Your Printer

If your Canon LBP246dw II still won’t respond after updating the printer files, try removing and reconnecting it:

1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Select your Canon printer and click Remove device.
3. Unplug the printer’s USB cable (or disconnect it from Wi-Fi).
4. Reconnect it and allow Windows to reinstall it automatically.

Sometimes, this fresh connection resets the communication between your computer and the printer.

Tips to Keep Your Canon LBP246dw II Running Smoothly

• Always keep your printer software up to date (using DriverAssist can handle this automatically).
• Avoid unplugging the printer while it’s printing.
• Restart both your printer and computer after major Windows updates.
• If you use Wi-Fi printing, make sure both devices are connected to the same network.

Final Thoughts

Printer issues like “not responding” or “offline” messages are very common and often easy to fix. The key is making sure your computer and printer can communicate correctly. Outdated or missing printer communication files are usually the reason your Canon imageCLASS LBP246dw II stops working.

Using DriverAssist is the easiest way to handle this automatically, but if you prefer manual steps, both Canon’s website and Windows Device Manager give you safe alternatives. With just a few minutes of effort, your printer should be ready to handle your next document, photo, or report without any more frustration.