To connect your Canon Pixma printer to Wi-Fi, you need to choose a setup method that matches your equipment and comfort level. Whether you have a router with a WPS button, prefer using the printer's own menu, or want to set everything up from your phone, this article covers the three standard ways to connect a printer to Wi-Fi.
Before you connect your canon pixma printer to wifi: A quick checklist
Before starting, confirm your printer model includes built-in Wi-Fi. Most Pixma models do, but you can check the user manual or the Canon support page for your specific model. You will need your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password ready. Ensure your router is powered on and broadcasting a stable signal, and place the printer within range of the router. Power on the printer and have a laptop or computer connected to the same Wi-Fi network nearby. Optionally, download the printer driver software from the Canon support page before you begin.
Method 1: Connect using the WPS button (fastest)
If your router has a physical WPS button, this is the quickest method. WPS stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup and allows devices to connect without entering a password.
- Press and hold the Wireless connect button on your Canon Pixma printer.
- Release the button when the Direct icon flashes (for models like the TS3520/TS3522) or when the Power lamp flashes twice (for general Pixma models). Ensure the Network status icon and horizontal bars flash.
- Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router. The printer and router will negotiate the connection automatically.
- Once the flashing blue wireless light turns solid, your printer is connected to the network.
This method is ideal if you are setting up a new printer or reconnecting after a router change and want to avoid typing a password.
Method 2: Connect using the printer's setup menu
Use this standard manual connection path when your router does not support WPS or if you prefer to enter your network details directly on the printer.
- With the printer turned on, press the Setup button.
- In the Setup menu, "Wi-Fi setup" is the first option; press OK.
- In the Wi-Fi setup menu, press the right arrow until "Manual connect" appears, then press OK.
- The printer will search for nearby wireless networks. Scroll through the list of detected networks using the arrow buttons and select your network.
- Press OK twice. You will be prompted to enter your network password using the numeric keypad. Use the left or right arrows to move the cursor and the Back button to delete characters if needed.
- When finished, press OK. The printer will attempt to connect. If successful, press OK. If it fails, try entering the password again.
This method gives you full control over which network you join and is useful when you need to select a specific hidden network or when connecting your Canon printer to a hotspot from a mobile device.
Method 3: Connect using the Canon PRINT app on your phone
If you prefer to use your smartphone or tablet, the Canon PRINT app handles the Wi-Fi setup for you.
- Download and open the Canon PRINT app on your mobile device. Agree to the license agreement and tap "Search" to find your printer.
- The app will prompt you to connect directly to the printer's temporary network, which appears as "Canon_ij_setup" or the printer's name. Go to your device's Wi-Fi settings and connect to that network.
- Return to the app. It will then send your home Wi-Fi network name and password to the printer.
- Once the printer receives the information, the blue wireless light will turn solid, confirming the connection.
This is the easiest method if you do not have a computer handy or if your printer's control panel is difficult to navigate. If you ever encounter a situation where your printer wifi setup gets stuck on searching for network, restarting the app and ensuring your phone is connected to the printer's temporary network usually resolves the issue.
Install the printer software on your computer
To use your Pixma printer wirelessly, you need to install the printer driver software. This is available on the installation CD that came with the printer or can be downloaded from the Canon support page for your specific model and operating system.
- Open the installation file and double-click the driver to start the setup.
- Follow the on-screen prompts. When asked how the printer is connected, ensure you select the 'Wi-Fi Network Recommended' option. This tells the installer to look for your printer on the network rather than expecting a USB connection.
- Complete the installation. Your computer will now be able to send print jobs to the printer over Wi-Fi.
Selecting the correct connection type during installation prevents the common problem of a printer going offline even though Wi-Fi is connected, as the driver is configured to communicate wirelessly from the start.
Troubleshooting: Why won't my canon pixma connect?
If your printer fails to connect, check these common issues.
2.4 GHz network compatibility. Canon Pixma printers support IEEE802.11n (2.4 GHz), IEEE802.11g, or IEEE802.11b. They do not support 5 GHz networks. If your router is set to "IEEE802.11n only" mode, WEP or TKIP security protocols cannot be used. Change the security protocol to WPA2 or WPA3, or change the router setting to allow mixed modes.
Password entry. Double-check the password you entered on the printer. A single incorrect character will cause the connection to fail. Use the printer's display to verify each character.
Understanding the blue light status. A flashing blue wireless light means the printer is searching for or attempting to connect to the network. A solid blue light means the connection is successful. If the light remains off or continues flashing after several minutes, restart the printer and router, then try the setup again.
Wireless Direct mode note. If you previously used Wireless Direct mode to connect a device directly to the printer, connecting to a new Wi-Fi network will disable those direct connections. Devices connected via Wireless Direct cannot communicate with each other, and firmware updates are not available in that mode. For standard home or office use, connect the printer to your existing Wi-Fi network instead.
For the wider topic, see connecting a printer to Wi-Fi.
