How to Connect Canon Printer to WiFi: Complete Step-by-Step

 In today’s world, a wireless printer offers unmatched convenience, letting you print from any room in your home or office without tangled cables. Canon, a trusted brand in the printing world, offers a range of wireless printers designed for easy connectivity and efficient printing. However, many users often struggle with setting up their Canon printer on a WiFi network for the first time. If you're wondering how to connect your Canon printer to WiFi, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step by step, covering various connection methods and troubleshooting tips. 

Before we get into the technical details, let’s quickly understand why connecting your Canon printer to WiFi is beneficial:

• Convenience: Print from anywhere in your home or office without physical connections.
   
• Multiple Device Support: Connect multiple devices (laptops, desktops, smartphones, and tablets) to a single printer.
   
• Mobile Printing: Use Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app or AirPrint (iOS) and Mopria (Android) for mobile printing.
   
• Cloud Printing: Print directly from cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
   
• Clean Setup: Reduce cable clutter and maintain a cleaner workspace.
   

 Before connecting your Canon printer to WiFi, ensure you have the following:

• A Canon wireless printer.
   
• A stable WiFi network with your router’s SSID (network name) and password.
   
• A computer or mobile device connected to the same WiFi network.
   
• Canon printer drivers or the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app (optional but recommended for mobile devices).

 Canon offers multiple ways to connect a printer to a wireless network. The suitable method may vary based on your printer model:

1. Using the WiFi Setup Button (WPS)
    
2. Standard Wireless LAN Setup via Printer’s Control Panel
    
3. Using the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY App (for mobile)
    
4. Via Computer using Canon’s IJ Network Tool
    

Let’s explore each method in detail.

 This is the simplest method if your router supports WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup).

1. Turn on your Canon printer and make sure it's in ready mode.
    
2. Press and hold the WiFi button on the printer until the power lamp starts flashing.
    
3. Once the WiFi light starts blinking blue, go to your wireless router and press the WPS button within 2 minutes.
    
4. The printer will automatically search for and connect to the WiFi network.
    
5. The WiFi lamp on your printer will become steady, indicating a successful connection.
    

• Not all routers support WPS. Check your router manual for compatibility.

 If your printer has a display screen or control panel:

1. Turn on your Canon printer.
    
2. On the printer’s home screen, press the Menu button.
    
3. Go to Network Settings and select Wireless LAN Setup.
    
4. The printer will search for available WiFi networks.
    
5. Select your WiFi network (SSID) from the list.
    
6. Enter your WiFi password using the printer’s keypad.
    
7. Confirm settings and press OK.
    
8. Wait for the printer to connect. The WiFi icon will appear solid on the display when connected.
    

• For models without a touchscreen, navigate using arrow and OK buttons.

 Ideal for mobile users who want quick setup using a smartphone or tablet.

1. Download and install the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
    
2. Turn on your printer and put it in WiFi setup mode. On most printers, press and hold the WiFi button until it blinks.
    
3. Open the app and tap Add Printer.
    
4. Select Register Printer and follow the on-screen instructions.
    
5. Choose your WiFi network and enter the password when prompted.
    
6. Complete the setup. The app will confirm when your printer is connected.

 For those who prefer setting up via a Windows or Mac computer.

1. Download and install the Canon printer driver from ij.start.canon.
    
2. Launch the Canon IJ Network Tool on your computer.
    
3. Connect your printer to your computer via a USB cable temporarily.
    
4. Open the tool and select your printer.
    
5. Click Wireless Setup and follow the prompts.
    
6. Choose your WiFi network and enter the password.
    
7. Disconnect the USB cable after setup completion.
    
8. Confirm that your printer is connected by printing a network configuration page.

 If your Canon printer isn’t connecting to WiFi, try these troubleshooting steps:

• Ensure your WiFi password is correct.
   
• Restart your printer, router, and connected devices.
   
• Confirm your router supports the required frequency band (2.4GHz for most Canon printers).
   

On your printer’s control panel:

1. Go to Setup.
    
2. Select Device Settings.
    
3. Choose Reset Settings > Reset Network Settings.
    

Then, attempt setup again.

An outdated firmware can cause connectivity problems. Visit ij.start.canon to download the latest firmware for your model.

If wireless setup fails repeatedly, connect your printer to your computer using a USB cable and attempt the wireless setup again via the IJ Network Tool.

This helps verify if your printer is connected to WiFi properly.

1. Turn on the printer.
    
2. Go to Setup > Device Settings.
    
3. Select Print Reports.
    
4. Choose Network Configuration Page.
    
5. Check the printed report for connection details like signal strength, SSID, and connection status.
    

Once connected to WiFi, you can print directly from your smartphone or tablet using:

• Open the app.
   
• Select your printer.
   
• Choose the document or photo you wish to print.
   
• Tap Print.
   

For iPhone or iPad:

• Ensure your iOS device and printer are on the same WiFi.
   
• Open the file.
   
• Tap Share > Print.
   
• Select your printer.
   

For Android devices:

• Enable Mopria Print Service from settings.
   
• Open the document.
   
• Tap Print.
   
• Select your Canon printer.

 If the WiFi signal where your printer is placed is weak, it may fail to establish a stable connection. 

 Entering the wrong WiFi password is a common cause of failed connections. 

 IP address conflicts or incorrect network settings can prevent your printer from connecting. 

 Outdated printer drivers or firmware can disrupt connectivity. 

 Some older routers may not be compatible with newer Canon printer models or specific WiFi frequency bands. 

 If multiple networks with similar names are available, your printer might attempt to connect to the wrong one. 

 Firewalls and security settings may block the printer from accessing the WiFi network. 

 Rarely, internal WiFi modules in the printer may fail. 

 Make sure your Canon printer is placed within a reasonable range of your router. Avoid placing the printer in locations surrounded by thick walls or near appliances like microwaves or cordless phones that can interfere with WiFi signals.

What to do:

• Move the printer closer to the router.
   
• Ensure no physical obstructions block the signal.
   
• Restart your router and modem to refresh the connection.

 A simple mistake while entering the WiFi password can prevent connection.

What to do:

• Double-check your WiFi password.
   
• If unsure, log into your router settings via a web browser to confirm the correct password.
   
• Re-enter the password carefully when prompted by the printer’s setup utility.

 A quick reboot can fix many connectivity glitches.

What to do:

1. Turn off your printer, router, and computer.
    
2. Wait for 2-3 minutes.
    
3. Turn on the router and wait until all lights stabilize.
    
4. Power on your printer and computer.

 If your printer lost its connection, you may need to reconnect it manually.

How to reconnect:

• Press the WiFi button on your Canon printer until the power light flashes.
   
• Select Wireless LAN setup using the printer’s control panel or LCD display.
   
• Choose your WiFi network (SSID) and enter the password.
   
• Wait for a successful connection message.

 For Windows and Mac, Canon provides an IJ Network Tool to help configure wireless settings.

To use it:

1. Download and install the Canon IJ Network Tool from ij.start.canon.
    
2. Open the tool and select your printer model.
    
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your printer to the WiFi network.

 If multiple networks are available, your printer might connect to the wrong one.

What to do:

• Disable other networks temporarily.
   
• Connect your printer only to the desired WiFi network.
   
• Ensure your computer and printer are on the same WiFi network.

 Outdated drivers can lead to connection problems.

How to update:

• Visit Canon’s official website.
   
• Download the latest drivers and firmware for your printer model.
   
• Install the updates and reboot your devices.

 Some routers may have compatibility issues with certain Canon printer models.

What to do:

• Ensure your router’s firmware is up to date.
   
• Disable dual-band mode temporarily and connect to a single frequency (2.4GHz works best for many printers).
   
• Check if MAC address filtering is enabled and add your printer’s MAC address to the whitelist.

 Security software may block your printer’s WiFi connection.

What to do:

• Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus.
   
• Try connecting your printer to WiFi.
   
• If it works, adjust the firewall settings to allow the printer as an exception.

 If none of the above work, reset your printer’s network settings.

How to reset:

• Go to the Setup or Settings menu on your printer.
   
• Choose Device Settings > Reset Settings > LAN settings only.
   
• Reconnect to your WiFi network using the standard setup process.

 If your router supports WPS:

• Press and hold the WPS button on your router.
   
• On your printer, press and hold the WiFi button until the light blinks.
   
• Wait for the printer to connect automatically.

 Use the printer’s control panel to manually select the WiFi network and enter the password. 

 If wireless setup fails, connect your printer to your computer via USB to configure the WiFi settings using Canon’s setup utility.