Stuck in a language you can’t read? Learn how to change your Canon, HP, Brother, or Epson printer back to English using menu icons, the hidden web interface, or a factory reset. Using the control panel and this guide, we’ll have your printer in English in no time!
Help! I Can’t Read the Menus
You will be looking through Settings to make this change. Listed below are some Universal Icons and what they mean in any language:
- Gear Icon: Settings / Setup
- Wrench/Screwdriver: Maintenance / Tools
- Paper with a Cog: Preferences / Device Settings
- Globe Icon: Language (This is common on newer Epson and Brother touchscreens).
- A Icon: On many touchscreens (especially HP and Canon), the language menu is represented by a capital “A” next to a small character or globe.
What “English” Looks Like in Common Language Lists
| If the printer is stuck in… | The list will show this for English: |
| Spanish | Inglés |
| French | Anglais |
| German | Englisch |
| Italian | Inglese |
| Portuguese | Inglês |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 英语 (Yīngyǔ) |
| Japanese | 英語 (Eigo) |
| Korean | 영어 (Yeon-eo) |
| Russian | Английский |
| Arabic | الإنجليزية |
The Easiest Fix: Use Your Web Browser
Most modern printers (HP, Canon, Brother, Epson) have a hidden web settings page. This is the easiest way to change the language because the user’s web browser (Chrome/Safari) can automatically translate the page for them.
- Find the printer’s IP address (from the Starlink app or a network scan).
- Type the IP address into a browser on your computer.
- Use the browser’s “Translate to English” feature to find the language settings and switch them permanently.
How Do I Change My Canon Printer Language To English?
Canon printers offer a wide range of language options for you to choose from. Here’s how you can change the current language to English:
Step 1: Select ‘Settings’ or ‘Registration’
Firstly, use your Canon printer’s display and search for the Settings menu. Depending on your Canon printer model, the menu option might say ‘Registration’ instead.
The Settings menu is represented by an icon that looks like a gear. Highlight that option and select it.
Step 2: Go To ‘Display Switch Language/Keyboard’
After selecting the Settings menu, your next goal is to find the ‘Display Switch Language/Keyboard’ menu. That’s the menu that lists all available language options.
You can get to that menu by going to:
- Preferences, then
- Display Settings, and then
- ‘Display Switch Language/Keyboard’
Select that menu to see the list of available printer languages.
Read: Why Is Printer Only Printing On Half A Page? – Troubleshooting Guide
Step 3: Choose English
Canon printers offer a long list of different language options to choose from. So, you’ll have to scroll through that list and look for English. Highlight that language option.
Step 4: Confirm Your Choice
The final step is to confirm your choice. With the English language option highlighted, press On, and then press OK.
You’ve set your Canon printer language to English. Repeat the same steps if you’d like to switch to another language in the future.
How Do I Change My HP Printer Language To English?
Changing your HP printer language to English is done through the printer’s touch screen.
Follow these steps to switch the display language to English:
Step 1: Restart Printer
To change the display language on your HP printer, start by restarting the device. You can turn it off at its switch or disconnect its plug from the wall socket.
After 10 seconds, reconnect the printer and allow it to restart normally.
Step 2: Swipe Left
Once your HP printer and its display are turned on, swipe left on the control panel’s display. Then, look for the printer’s setup menu.
Like most printers, the setup menu is represented by a universally-understood icon that resembles a gear.
Step 3: Press The Setup Icon
Press on the setup icon when you find it. That will give you several options for adjusting your HP printer’s functionality, including the printer’s display language.
Step 4: Select Preferences
After pressing the setup icon, the Preferences menu is the first option on the following list.
The placement of the Preferences menu in the first or second position is universal across HP printer displays. So, if selecting the first option doesn’t bring you to the Preferences menu, try the second option instead.
Step 5: Go To Languages And Choose English
Next, look for the Languages menu. That menu will show you a list of display languages you can choose from. Select English and press ‘Yes’ when prompted.
Read: Why Printer Leaving Black Marks / Smudges On Printed Pages – Troubleshooting Guide
Epson EcoTank and WorkForce Printers
- Step 1: Press the Home button.
- Step 2: Select Settings (Gear icon).
- Step 3: Select Printer Setup (Printer icon).
- Step 4: Scroll down to the Globe icon or the 10th-11th item in the list (Language).
- Step 5: Select English.
How Do I Change My Brother’s Printer Language To English?
Brother printers used to only offer English and Spanish as language options. Newer office models now support a wide range of international languages found under the ‘Initial Setup’ menu. Follow these steps to switch to English as the printer’s display language:
Step 1: Menu Key
The first step to changing your Brother printer’s display language is to press the Menu key. The key is available on the printer’s control panel, though its exact position might differ between printer models.
Step 2: Select Initial Setup
Using the up and down arrows, highlight and select the Initial Setup menu option. Then, select it by pressing OK.
Step 3: Select Local Language
Next, scroll up or down to find the Local Language menu. Press OK to select and enter that menu option.
As mentioned before, Brother printers only offer English and Spanish as language options. So, highlight English and press OK to confirm it as your Brother printer’s new display language.
Step 4: Press Stop/Exit
The final step is to exit the Local Language menu and return to the printer’s main menu. You can do that by pressing the Stop or Exit button on your Brother printer’s control panel.
Read: How To Fix Printer Grinding Noise? – Troubleshooting Guide
Factory Reset and Power Cycling
You can always follow the steps for a thorough power cycling (unplug and let rest) to purge the printer memory. Or, you can push a sequence of buttons to factory reset your printer. This clears the memory, network settings, and any stuck language preferences that a standard power cycle won’t take care of.
Warning: a factory reset will clear out network settings and logins, admin passwords and more. Some brands even reset the ink cartridge level! Make sure you are able to log back in before the factory reset!
| Brand | Model Type | Button Combination / Sequence | Display Confirmation |
| HP | LaserJet (No Screen) | Turn OFF. Hold Resume/Cancel (X). Turn ON. Hold for 10-20 seconds until Attention light is solid. | Attention Light solid |
| HP | OfficeJet / Pro | Hold Power button. While holding, press Black Copy + Resume for 20 seconds. | Spinning wheel animation |
| Brother | MFC (Screenless) | Open front cover. Turn ON. Hold Go until all LEDs light up. Press Go 7 times. | LEDs flash in sequence |
| Brother | MFC (Touchscreen) | Hold Home for 5s. Tap blank space at bottom. Type *, 2, 8, 6, 4. Type 0, 1. | “PARAMETER INIT” |
| Canon | Pixma / Maxify | Hold Resume/Cancel until Power lamp flashes 9 times (or 10-15 depending on model). Release. | Power lamp stops flashing |
| Epson | EcoTank / WF | Turn OFF. Hold Reset button on back (use paperclip) + Power at the same time. Hold for 5s. | Warning sheet prints |
| Epson | Home Models | Hold Power + Information (i) + Wireless buttons until all lights flash together. | All lights flashing |
Read: Why Does My Printer Print Weird Random Symbols Or Characters? – Troubleshooting Guide
Why Does My Printer Keep Changing Its Display Language?
Whether you have a Canon, HP, Brother printer, or any other brand, you only need to change the display language to English once. After that, the language will stay the same until you manually change it to something else.
#1 The Printer Needs A Thorough Reset
Firstly, your printer might be experiencing a glitch or short-term error that causes it to change to a different display language.
The root cause of the error can be too challenging for you to identify. So instead, you can try to reset the printer, so it starts over fresh without any errors affecting it.
Turning it off and on at the switch isn’t enough. Instead, you should power cycle the printer by disconnecting it from the wall socket for 30 seconds before plugging it back in.
#2 The Printer’s Firmware Is Outdated
All printers have permanent software that’s installed directly into their hardware. That software is called firmware and helps manage the printer’s functions.
Like all software, the firmware must be updated occasionally. Outdated firmware can cause the printer to behave erratically, like reverting to a different display language without your input.
Download the latest version of your printer model’s firmware and install it on your printer to resolve this issue.
#3 The Printer Has A Hardware Problem
Lastly, the printer might have a hardware problem that’s causing it to change its settings without your input.
Unfortunately, a hardware issue like this cannot be fixed as a DIY task. So, you’ll have to get a qualified technician to diagnose the problem and fix it for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Do I Change The Print Settings On My Printer?
You can change the print settings on your printer through its display panel. The display has menus that allow you to access different printer settings and adjust them as needed.
How Do I Change My Printer Settings On My Computer?
You can do so through the print management software that came with the printer. Alternatively, you can change settings through your operating system (e.g. Windows or macOS).
Where Is My Printer Menu?
On Windows, your printer menu is on the Control Panel. However, you’ll have to access the Preferences tab to find the printer menu on a macOS system.
How Can I Remotely Control My Printer?
There are several ways you can control a printer remotely. For example, you can do so through cloud printing platforms like Google Cloud Print or by connecting the printer to your local network.
Can Different Printer Users Have Different Display Languages?
Yes, but that depends on the printer model. For example, commercial printer models typically made for offices allow individual users to choose their preferred display languages. The language will change when the user keys in their ID and password.
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