How to Connect Canon Printer to WiFi

Connecting your Canon printer to your Wi-Fi network lets you print wirelessly from laptops, phones, and tablets anywhere in your home or office. This guide walks you through the standard setup methods—using the printer’s panel, the Canon PRINT app, and Windows or Mac software—so you can get printing without cables.

What You’ll Need

• Your Canon printer (with power on and paper loaded)
• Your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password
• A computer or mobile device on the same network
• Canon printer drivers or the Canon PRINT app (free from official app stores)

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using the Printer’s Control Panel (WPS or Manual Setup)

1. Find the Wi-Fi button on your printer. It’s usually labeled with a wireless icon (waves) or says “Wi-Fi.” On many models, it’s on the top or front panel.
2. Press and hold the Wi-Fi button until the Wi-Fi lamp starts flashing. This puts the printer into setup mode.
3. If your router has a WPS button: Press the WPS button on your router within 2 minutes. The printer will automatically connect. Wait for the Wi-Fi lamp to stop flashing and stay solid—this means connection succeeded.
4. If your router doesn’t have WPS: Use the printer’s menu to manually enter your Wi-Fi network. On the printer’s touchscreen, go to Settings → Wireless LAN Setup → Standard Setup. Select your network name (SSID) from the list, enter the password using the on-screen keyboard, and confirm.
5. Print a network configuration page (often found under Settings → Network → Print Details) to verify the connection. The page shows the IP address and connection status.

Method 2: Using the Canon PRINT App (Mobile)

1. Download the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and tap Allow when asked for location and Bluetooth permissions (needed for setup).
3. Tap the printer icon (usually a plus sign or “Add Printer”).
4. Select your printer from the list of discovered devices. If it doesn’t appear, tap Manual Setup and choose your printer model.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to connect the printer to your Wi-Fi. The app will ask for your Wi-Fi network name and password. Make sure your phone is connected to the same 2.4 GHz network (Canon printers typically don’t support 5 GHz).
6. Wait for the app to confirm the connection. Once done, your printer appears in the app’s home screen and is ready to print.

Method 3: Using Windows or Mac Software

1. Download the latest driver from Canon’s official support website. Search for your printer model and download the driver for your operating system.
2. Run the installer and choose Wireless LAN Connection when prompted.
3. Select your Wi-Fi network from the list and enter the password when asked.
4. Follow the installer’s instructions to complete the setup. The software will detect the printer on the network and install the necessary drivers.
5. Print a test page to confirm everything works.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong Wi-Fi band: Most Canon printers only support 2.4 GHz. If your router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz under the same name, the printer may not connect. Split the bands or connect to the 2.4 GHz network.
• Entering the wrong password: Wi-Fi passwords are case-sensitive. Double-check for uppercase/lowercase and special characters.
• Not pressing WPS at the right time: The WPS button on your router must be pressed within 2 minutes of starting the printer’s WPS mode.
• Printer and device on different networks: Make sure your phone or computer is on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer, not a guest network or a different band.
• Ignoring firmware updates: Outdated printer firmware can cause connectivity issues. Check for updates in the printer’s settings or via the Canon PRINT app.

Tips

• Place the printer close to the router during setup, then move it to its final location. This reduces interference and makes the initial connection more reliable.
• Use the Canon PRINT app for easy setup and also for scanning and checking ink levels.
• Write down your network name and password before starting—you’ll need them during setup.
• If your router uses WPA3 security, switch to WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode if the printer fails to connect, as some older printers don’t support WPA3.
• After setup, print a network configuration page and keep it for reference—it shows the printer’s IP address, which helps when troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting

Printer not found during setup

• Restart everything: Turn off your printer, router, and phone/computer. Wait 30 seconds, then turn them back on in order: router first, then printer, then device.
• Check the Wi-Fi lamp: If it’s off, the printer isn’t in setup mode. Press the Wi-Fi button again.
• Move the printer closer to the router to improve signal strength.
• Disable VPN or firewall temporarily on your device, as they can block discovery.

Printer connects but won’t print

• Check the printer’s IP address: Print a network configuration page and verify the IP address is in the same range as your network (e.g., 192.168.1.x). If it’s 169.254.x.x, the printer didn’t get a valid IP—restart the router and printer.
• Reinstall the driver: Uninstall the Canon software from your computer, then reinstall it using the latest version from Canon’s website.
• Set the printer as default: On Windows, go to Settings → Devices → Printers & scanners, select your Canon printer, and click Manage → Set as default.

Wi-Fi connection drops frequently

• Update printer firmware via the Canon PRINT app or the printer’s menu.
• Reduce interference: Keep the printer away from microwaves, cordless phones, and metal objects.
• Assign a static IP address to the printer in your router’s settings. This prevents the IP from changing and breaking the connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won’t my Canon printer connect to Wi-Fi?

Common reasons include using the wrong Wi-Fi band (5 GHz instead of 2.4 GHz), incorrect password, or the printer being out of range. Restart all devices, ensure you’re on the 2.4 GHz network, and try again.

Does my Canon printer support WPS?

Most modern Canon printers have a WPS button, but entry-level models may not. Check your printer’s manual or look for a WPS button on the printer panel. If there’s no WPS, use the manual setup method via the printer’s menu or the Canon PRINT app.

Can I connect my Canon printer to Wi-Fi without a router?

No, a router is required to create a Wi-Fi network. However, you can use the printer’s Direct Connection (also called Access Point Mode) to print wirelessly from a device without a router—but you’ll need to switch the printer to that mode and connect your device to the printer’s own Wi-Fi network.

How do I find my Canon printer’s IP address?

Print a network configuration page: On the printer’s touchscreen, go to Settings → Network → Print Details (or similar). The IP address will be listed there. You can also find it in the Canon PRINT app under printer settings.

Why does my Canon printer only work when connected via USB?

This usually means the Wi-Fi setup wasn’t completed or the printer reverted to USB mode. Run the wireless setup again using the Canon PRINT app or the computer software, and make sure the printer is set to use Wi-Fi, not USB, as the connection method.

Can I connect my Canon printer to Wi-Fi using an Ethernet cable?

No, Ethernet and Wi-Fi are separate connection types. If your printer has an Ethernet port, you can connect it to your router with a cable for a wired network connection, but that’s not the same as Wi-Fi. To use Wi-Fi, you must complete the wireless setup.

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