Why Connect Your Canon Printer Wirelessly?
A wireless connection lets you print from any device on your home or office network — laptops, smartphones, tablets — without needing a USB cable. Once connected to Wi-Fi, you can also use features like Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria Print Service for mobile printing.
Before You Begin: What You'll Need
- Your Wi-Fi network name (SSID)
- Your Wi-Fi password
- Your Canon printer powered on and near your router during initial setup
- A computer or smartphone on the same network
Method 1: WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) — Easiest Method
If your router has a WPS button, this is the fastest way to connect with no password entry required.
- On your Canon printer, press and hold the Wi-Fi button until the Wi-Fi lamp flashes.
- Within 2 minutes, press the WPS button on your router.
- Wait for the printer's Wi-Fi lamp to stop flashing and remain lit — this confirms a successful connection.
Note: Not all Canon models support WPS. Check your printer's manual to confirm.
Method 2: Using the Printer's LCD Menu
For printers with a touchscreen or LCD display (common on PIXMA TS, TR, and MAXIFY series):
- On the printer's home screen, tap the Wi-Fi or LAN settings icon.
- Select Wireless LAN Setup or Wi-Fi Setup.
- Choose Standard Setup and select your network name from the list.
- Enter your Wi-Fi password using the on-screen keyboard.
- Confirm and wait for the connection to complete.
Method 3: Using the Canon Setup Software
If you're installing the printer for the first time using Canon's driver/software package:
- Download and launch the Canon setup software for your printer model.
- When asked how you want to connect, choose Wireless LAN Connection.
- Follow the on-screen prompts — the software will detect available networks and guide you through entering your password.
- The software will also install the necessary drivers once the connection is established.
Method 4: Connecting via the Canon PRINT App (Mobile)
To print wirelessly from an iPhone or Android device:
- Download the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Make sure your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network you want the printer on.
- Open the app and tap Add Printer.
- Follow the in-app steps to connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network.
Verifying the Wi-Fi Connection
After setup, print a network configuration page to verify the connection. On most Canon printers:
- Hold the Wi-Fi button and press the Color or Start button, or
- Navigate to Settings → LAN settings → Print LAN details from the menu.
The printout will show your IP address, SSID, and connection status.
Common Wi-Fi Connection Problems and Fixes
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Printer not finding network | Move printer closer to router; check that 2.4GHz band is used (most Canon printers don't support 5GHz) |
| Wrong password error | Double-check password, including uppercase/lowercase letters |
| Connected but can't print | Ensure computer and printer are on the same network; reinstall driver |
| Wi-Fi drops frequently | Assign a static IP to the printer via router settings |
Important Note on 5GHz Networks
Most Canon PIXMA and MAXIFY home printers only support 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks. If your router broadcasts separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz SSIDs, make sure you select the 2.4GHz network during setup. Connecting to a 5GHz-only network will result in a failed connection.