Canon Printer Error Code 4100 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Canon error 4100 indicates a problem sending print data to the printer. The printer and your computer lost their data connection during printing, or the data sent was corrupt or incomplete. This typically happens with wireless printing when the Wi-Fi connection drops, or with USB connections from a faulty cable. The fix usually involves restarting both the printer and your computer, and making sure the connection is stable.

Affected Models

Canon PIXMA MG3620
PIXMA TS3320
PIXMA TR4520
PIXMA MX922
PIXMA MG7720
Most Canon PIXMA wireless inkjet printers

Common Causes

The Wi-Fi connection between the printer and router dropped during printing
A USB cable has a loose connection or is damaged, interrupting the data transfer
The print job data was corrupted before reaching the printer
The printer's network settings changed (IP address reassigned) causing a broken connection
A firewall or security software on the computer blocked the data transmission

How to Fix It

Cancel the current print job on your computer. On Windows, go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click your Canon printer, and choose 'See what's printing'. Cancel all jobs in the queue.

The stuck print job with corrupt data must be removed before the printer can accept a new job. Simply restarting the printer without canceling the queue often causes 4100 to repeat immediately.
Turn off the printer, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Restart your computer or the device you are printing from.

A full restart of both the printer and the computer clears the failed connection state and allows a fresh connection to be established.
If using Wi-Fi, check the printer's wireless connection. Print a Network Configuration Report from the printer's settings menu. Confirm the printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.

Some Canon printers can be reconnected to Wi-Fi using the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app on your phone — this is often the fastest way to reconnect.
If using USB, try a different USB cable or a different USB port on your computer. USB cables can develop internal breaks that cause intermittent connection failures.

USB cables for printers are inexpensive — $5–$10. If the cable is more than 3 years old or has been kinked or stepped on, replacement is worth trying first.
Check your computer's firewall and antivirus software. Occasionally security software blocks printer communication and causes error 4100. Temporarily disable the firewall, test printing, and re-enable it. If the error was caused by the firewall, add the Canon printer software to the exceptions list.

This is especially common after a Windows Update that resets firewall settings, or after installing new security software.

When to Call a Professional

Error 4100 is almost always a connection problem — not a hardware fault. No repair costs are typically involved. If the Wi-Fi module inside the printer has failed, repair may exceed the printer's value. In that case, a USB cable connection is a reliable free alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Canon printer keep showing 4100 when using Wi-Fi?

The most likely cause is an unstable Wi-Fi connection. Check how far your printer is from the router — thick walls and distance weaken the signal. Also check if other devices on the same Wi-Fi have connection problems. If the printer is at the edge of the Wi-Fi range, a Wi-Fi range extender or a USB cable connection may provide a more reliable solution.

Can I print via USB instead of Wi-Fi to avoid error 4100?

Yes — USB is often more reliable than Wi-Fi for printing. Connect a standard USB-A to USB-B printer cable from your computer to the printer. You may need to install the Canon printer driver for USB if it was previously set up as a wireless printer. Download the driver from usa.canon.com/support.

Does error 4100 mean my printer is broken?

Usually not. Error 4100 is almost always a connection problem between your computer and the printer — not a printer hardware fault. If the printer works correctly when connected via USB, the wireless module or network configuration is the issue. Only if the error persists on both USB and Wi-Fi should you consider a hardware fault.