Connecting canon printer to hotspot allows you to print wirelessly from your phone or laptop when a traditional Wi-Fi network is unavailable. This guide covers two methods: connecting the printer directly to your mobile hotspot, or using Canon's Wireless Direct mode where the printer itself becomes a temporary access point.
Before You Start: Connecting Canon Printer to Hotspot Requirements
There are two distinct ways to print without a standard Wi-Fi router. The first method treats your phone's hotspot like any ordinary wireless network, making the printer a client of that hotspot. The second method, Wireless Direct, reverses the roles: the printer creates its own network, and your mobile device connects directly to it. Understanding this difference is critical because each method has different trade-offs. The most common reason for failure when connecting a printer to Wi-Fi is that the hotspot is broadcasting on the wrong frequency. Most Canon printers only support 2.4GHz networks. If your mobile hotspot is set to 5GHz, the printer will not detect it. Before proceeding, check your phone's hotspot settings and ensure it is broadcasting on 2.4GHz.
Method 1: Connect Your Canon Printer to a Mobile Hotspot
This method works when you want to keep your phone connected to the internet while the printer uses the same hotspot for wireless printing. Follow these steps to treat your mobile hotspot as a standard wireless router.
- Turn on your Canon printer and ensure it is ready for setup.
- On the printer's operation panel, press the "Menu" or "Settings" button, then navigate to "WLAN" or "LAN settings."
- Select "Wireless LAN setup" or "Wi-Fi setup." If the printer prompts you to choose a connection method, select "Manual connect" or "Other Methods."
- The printer will scan for available wireless networks. From the list, select the SSID (network name) of your mobile hotspot.
- When prompted, enter the password for your mobile hotspot using the printer's on-screen keyboard. Verify the password carefully.
- The printer will attempt to connect to the hotspot. Once the connection is established, the printer's Wi-Fi indicator light should turn solid or show a successful connection message.
If you are wondering how to connect a Canon Pixma printer to Wi-Fi, this method works for nearly all Pixma models. The printer treats the hotspot exactly like a home router, so once connected, any device on the same hotspot can send print jobs to it.
Method 2: Use Canon's Wireless Direct Mode
Wireless Direct is useful when you do not want to share your hotspot password or when your hotspot's 2.4GHz band is unreliable. In this mode, the printer becomes its own access point, and your mobile device connects directly to it. The key drawback is that your mobile device loses its internet connection while connected to the printer's network.
- On the printer's operation panel, press the "Menu" button, then navigate to "Network settings" or "Direct Connection Settings."
- Select "Direct Connection" or "Use Direct Connect" and set it to "On."
- Press the "Mobile Portal" button on the printer's home screen. Select the "Direct Connection" tab, then press "Connect" or "QR Code." The printer will display its own SSID and network key (password). The SSID typically begins with "Canon_ij_" or "DIRECT-".
- On your mobile device, open Wi-Fi settings and look for the printer's SSID. Select it and enter the network key displayed on the printer screen (this may be the printer's serial number).
- Once connected, your mobile device can send print jobs directly to the printer. Note that internet access on the mobile device will be unavailable while connected via Wireless Direct. The printer can support up to five mobile devices connected simultaneously in this mode.
Using the Canon PRINT App for Setup and Printing
The Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app (or Canon PRINT Business for some models) simplifies the entire process. After installing the app on your mobile device, it can guide you through either connection method. For the hotspot method, the app can detect the printer on the same network and manage print jobs without needing to navigate the printer's small screen. The app also handles scanning, ink level checks, and maintenance tasks, making it the most convenient tool for ongoing printing after the initial connection.
Troubleshooting Common Connection Issues
If the printer cannot find your hotspot during setup, the most likely cause is a 5GHz vs. 2.4GHz mismatch. Check your phone's hotspot settings and ensure it is set to the 2.4GHz band. If you are experiencing a printer wifi setup stuck on searching for network, the printer is likely scanning for networks it cannot see. Restart the printer and your phone's hotspot, then try again. If the connection fails after entering the password, double-check that the password is correct, paying attention to case sensitivity. For persistent issues with a printer going offline despite Wi-Fi, the hotspot may have switched bands or the printer may have lost the connection due to power-saving features on the phone. Keep the hotspot active and within range. If using Wireless Direct, ensure no other devices are connected that exceed the five-device limit. For the hotspot method, remember that your phone must remain on and the hotspot active for the printer to receive jobs. If all else fails, reset the printer's network settings to factory defaults and begin the setup process again from scratch.
