Fix Canon Print Job Error 853 on Windows 7/8/10

Some Windows users using Canon printers are reporting that they end up seeing the error code #853 inside the Print Queue whenever they attempt to print something conventionally. Most affected users are reporting that printing out a test page doesn’t return the same error code.

After investigating this particular error code thoroughly, it turns out that several different underlying causes might be causing this error. Here’s a list of potential culprits that might be causing this problem:

Now that you are aware of every potential fix that might be responsible for this particular issue, here’s a list of verified methods that other affected users have successfully used to resolve the #853 error code:

Method 1: Installing the UFR2 driver (if applicable)

Since the 853 error code is an internal processing error at heart, you need to start this investigation by ensuring that the problem is not occurring due to a Postscript issue.

Most commonly, you can expect to see this error code when your Canon printer is attempting to execute a printing job because it attempts to use a Postscript driver even though the printer model does NOT support the Postscript printer language.

Note: This is a fairly common occurrence with printers that are using the Canon PS v4.x driver.

If this scenario applies to your particular situation, you should be able to fix the problem by installing and using the UFR2 driver instead.

If you’re looking for specific instructions on how to download & install the UFR2 driver on the computer that acts as the host for your printer, follow the instructions below:

1.  Open your default browser and navigate to the download page of the generic version of the UFR2 printer driver.
2. Once you’re inside the correct page, click on the Download button to initiate the download.

   

   Note: This driver version is compatible with every recent Windows version including Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10.

3. Once the download is complete, double-click on the executable that you’ve just downloaded and click Yes at the UAC (User Account Control) to grant admin access.
4. Next, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of the UFR2 driver before restarting your computer.
5. After your computer boots back up, the new printer driver will automatically replace the old one you previously used.
6. Repeat the action that was previously causing the #853 error code and see if the problem is now fixed.

In case the same problem is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 2: Forcing the correct driver (UFR II)

Even if you have previously installed the UFR II driver, that doesn’t guarantee that your computer is configured to use it in your particular situation.

In fact, Windows 10 is configured to use the Microsoft IPP Class driver by default, so chances are the UFRII driver is still not in use even if you followed the instructions above to install the correct driver.

Several affected users who found themselves in a similar situation have reported that they could fix the issue by modifying the driver priority via Device Manager, forcing the printer to use the Canon Generic Plus UFR II instead of the Microsoft IPP Class driver.

Follow the instructions below to ensure that your Canon printer is using the correct driver before printing a file again to check if the 853 error has been fixed:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type ‘devmgmt.msc’ inside the text box and press Enter to open up Device Manager. When you see the UAC (User Account Control), click Yes to grant admin access.

   

2. Inside Device Manager, scroll down through the different device types and expand the drop-down menu associated with Print Queues.
3. Next, right-click on your printer from the list of available options inside and choose Properties from the context menu that just appeared.

   

4. Once you’re inside the Properties screen of your printer, click on the Driver tab at the top, then use the drop-down menu inside to select Canon Generic Plus UFR II instead of Microsoft IPP Class Driver (or whatever the default choice currently is).
5. After the modification is complete, click on Apply to save the changes, then restart your computer and see if the problem is finally fixed.

In case the same 853 error is still occurring even after you’ve ensured that you are indeed using the Canon Generic Plus UFR II driver, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 3: Running the Windows Printer Troubleshooter

If the first two methods were not effective in your case, you should also consider the possibility that you might be dealing with a generic printer driver inconsistency.

If you’re using Windows 10, you have a built-in utility at your disposal that should be capable of resolving the issue automatically if the error is covered by one of the many automated repair strategies covered by the Printer Troubleshooter.

When you start the Printer Troubleshooter, the utility will analyze your current situation and determine if any of the predetermined repair strategies are applicable in this situation. If one is a match, you will be prompted to apply the fix. If everything goes well, this will end up resolving the issue with minimal hassle.

Follow the instructions below to run the Printer Troubleshooter:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type” ms-settings:troubleshoot” and press Enter to open up the Troubleshoot tab of the Settings app.

   

2. Once you’re inside the Troubleshooting tab, move to the Get up and running tab and click on Printer. Then, from the list of available options, and click on the Run the troubleshooter button.

   

3. After the scanning period is complete, then click on Apply this fix if a repair strategy is recommended.

   

4. Once the operation is complete, close the troubleshooting window and see if you’re still encountering the same error message when trying to print something from your default printer.

If the same issue is still persisting, move down to the next method below.

Method 4: Updating your printer’s driver version

As it turns out, you can also expect to encounter the 853 error code due to some kind of outdated printer driver that is affecting the connection between the host computer and the Canon printer that is triggering the error.

In this case, you have two available options for mitigating the outdated driver issue:

• Updating your printer driver version via Windows Update
• Updating your printer driver version manually

We’ve covered both potential approaches with a series of sub guides that will walk you through every step. Follow the guide that is applicable to your preferred way of doing things under Windows.

A. Updating your printer driver via Windows Update

1. Start by pressing Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “devmgmt.msc” and press Enter to open up Device Manager. If prompted by the UAC (User Account Control), click Yes to grant administrative privileges.

   

2. Once you’re inside Device Manager, scroll through the list of devices and expand the Printers (Print queues) drop-down menu.
3. Right-click on the printer that you’re having issues with and choose Update driver.

   

4. Once you get to the next screen, click on Search automatically for updated driver software to let Windows Update scan and download the newer driver version for your printer.

   

5. If a new version of the printer version is available, follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation of the newer driver version.
6. At the end of this operation, restart your computer and see if the problem is now fixed.

B. Updating your printer driver manually

1. Start by pressing Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “devmgmt.msc” and press Enter to open up Device Manager. If you are prompted by the UAC (User Account Control), click Yes to grant admin access.

   

2. Next, go ahead and expand the drop-down menu associated with Printers (or Print Queues). Next, right-click on the printer that you’re having issues with and choose Uninstall device – You’ll need to confirm once again before the driver is uninstalled.

   

   Note: Keep in mind that you need to avoid restarting your computer during this time. Doing this will trigger Windows Update to search and install a generic version of the driver at the next startup, which will likely end up producing the same error.

3. After you manage to remove your printer’s driver open your browser and search online for your manufacturer’s website.
   Note: The latest printer driver versions are often available in the support section.
4. After you finally locate and download the latest driver version, open it and follow the on-screen prompts to install it on your system. Almost all printer drivers are self-installing – meaning that they only require you to double-click them and accept the UAC prompt for them to install.
5. Once the newer printer driver is installed, reboot your computer and see if the issue is resolved once the next startup is complete.

In case you’ve already ensured that you are using the latest printer drivers and you’re still seeing the 853 error while attempting to initiate a printing job, move down to the next method below.

Method 5: Updating the Canon printer’s firmware (if applicable)

If none of the methods above have proven to be effective in your case, you should also take into consideration that an outdated printer firmware can be responsible for the inability to take on printing jobs from the home/work network.

Several Canon users that were dealing with the same problem have reported that they finally managed to fix the issue by updating the firmware over the Internet after ensuring that the printer is connected to the internet.

Follow the instructions below to update your Canon firmware to the latest version:

Note: The instructions below were tested on a MF733Cdw Canon printer model. The steps should work on similar Canon models using the same OS with Wireless / Wired Capabilities.

1. On your printer, access the Menu option using your printer’s screen.
2. Inside the options available inside the Menu tab, access the System Management Settings.
3. Make sure your printer is connected to the internet (via wireless or wired cable).
4. Next, choose Update Firmware, then select Via Internet when asked to select your preferred approach of updating.
5. Wait until the operation is complete, then restart your printer conventionally and return to the Update Firmware screen once again.
6. If the same screen now returns the message ‘This is the latest firmware version‘, it means you have successfully updated your Canon printer versions to the latest version available.