Changing internet providers or upgrading a home router often requires office equipment users to quickly reconfigure their devices. Canon Many printers face the problem of their usual wireless network becoming unavailable for printing, and a wired connection is physically unavailable. Changing the printer's Wi-Fi settings isn't just a whim, but a necessary procedure to restore the device's functionality in the new network environment.
The reconfiguration process may seem complicated only at first glance, but modern models Canon PIXMA And imageCLASS Equipped with intuitive interfaces, the key is understanding which data entry method is available on your model: via the LCD screen, buttons on the housing, or a computer utility. Choosing the right method will save you time and frustration.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at all the available methods for changing wireless connection settings. We'll cover both standard procedures via the printer's menu and alternative methods that may be useful in unusual situations.
Preparing to change network settings
Before you begin navigating the printer menu, make sure you have all the required information. You'll need the exact name of your wireless network (SSID) and its password. If you've changed your router, this information may differ from what you previously entered. Make sure the new router is turned on and has a signal.
It's also worth checking in advance what frequency your network operates on. Many older printer models Canon only support range 2.4 GHz and don't see the network 5 GHzIf your router broadcasts two networks with the same name (dual-band), the printer may attempt to connect to an unsupported frequency, which will result in an error.
⚠️ Note: If your router uses the "Hidden Network" feature, the printer will not be able to find it automatically. You will need to manually enter the network name or temporarily enable SSID broadcasting for successful setup.
Place the printer close to the router during setup. This will eliminate weak signal issues that often arise during initial pairing. Once the settings are successfully saved, the printer can be moved to its permanent location.
Using the Wireless button on the printer body
On most models of the series Canon PIXMA (e.g. MG, TS, TR) has a dedicated button for controlling the wireless connection. It is usually marked with an antenna icon or the inscription WirelessTo enter the setup mode, press and hold this button until the power indicator starts flashing.
After activating setup mode, the printer will prompt you to select a connection method via the screen or by flashing the indicator lights. If your device has a display, select "Wi-Fi Setup" or "Wireless LAN Setup." For models without a display, the sequence of actions is determined by the number of indicator lights flashing. Power And Alarm.
- 📡 Press and hold the "Wireless" button until the indicator mode changes.
- 🔘 Select "WLAN Settings" on the screen or confirm the action with the "OK/Color" button.
- 📶 Wait for the list of available networks to appear or for a signal that the network is ready to connect.
- ✅ Enter the password for your Wi-Fi network using the navigation keys or the numeric keypad.
It's important to enter the password slowly. Even a single character error will prevent the printer from obtaining an IP address from the router. After entering the password, the device will attempt to establish a connection, indicated by the wireless network indicator lighting up.
☑️ Checklist before setup
Setting up via LCD display (for models with screen)
Devices of the series imageCLASS and older models PIXMA They are equipped with full-color displays, making navigation much easier. To change settings, go to the main menu and find the section responsible for network connections. This is usually indicated by a globe or antenna icon.
Inside the menu, find the item Settings (Settings), then go to Device settings -> LAN settingsHere you will be asked to select a connection type. Since we are changing Wi-Fi settings, we select Wireless LANThe system may warn you that your current settings will be changed—agree.
The printer will then search for available networks. Find your router's name in the list that appears. If the network is password-protected (which is the security standard) WPA2/WPA3), the device will prompt you to enter it. Use the on-screen keyboard to enter characters.
| Parameter | Default value | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Network mode (SSID) | Not set | Select from the list or enter manually |
| Encryption type | Auto | Leave automatically (WPA2-PSK) |
| IP address | Dynamic (DHCP) | Leave it dynamic for home |
| Protocol | IPv4/IPv6 | Use both or only IPv4 |
After a successful connection, the printer will prompt you to print a network connection report. This is a useful feature, allowing you to immediately see the device's current IP address and connection status. Save this report until you're ready to test printing from your computer.
What to do if the printer does not see the network?
If your router isn't listed in the list of networks, check if AP Isolation is enabled in the router settings. Also, make sure the printer isn't too far from the signal source or shielded by metal objects. In rare cases, temporarily disabling MAC filtering on the router may help.
WPS method: quick connection without entering a password
The easiest way to change the settings and connect the printer to a new network is with technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). This method allows you to automatically transfer network information from your router to your printer, eliminating the need to manually enter a complex password. This is especially useful if your router uses a long password.
First, make sure your router supports WPS (most modern models do). There should be a physical button labeled as such on the router or a software button in the web interface. On the printer Canon Find the button with the Wi-Fi icon or go to the wireless network settings through the menu.
The algorithm of actions is usually the following: press the WPS button on the router (sometimes you need to hold it for a few seconds), then within 2 minutes press the wireless connection button on the printer or select the item WPS (Push Button) in the device menu. The printer and router will automatically exchange encryption keys.
- 🔒 Make sure the WPS indicator on your router is lit or blinking.
- 🖨️ Activate WPS mode on your Canon printer via the menu or button.
- ⏳ Wait about 1-2 minutes for the handshake process to complete.
- 🎉 The Wi-Fi indicator on the printer should light up steadily.
⚠️ Note: WPS is considered less secure than manual password entry because it uses a simplified key exchange protocol. If you work in an office with high security requirements, it's better to use manual password entry or the WPS PIN Code method.
If automatic connection doesn't occur on the first try, repeat the procedure, ensuring there's a minimal delay between pressing the buttons on the router and printer. Some router models require a PIN, which may be found on a sticker on the device or generated by the printer.
Using the Canon IJ Network Tool
If you find the buttons on the printer itself inconvenient to use, or the device doesn't have a screen, the best solution is to use specialized software. Canon IJ Network Tool Allows you to manage your printer's network settings directly from a computer connected to the same network (or via USB).
To get started, you need to download and install drivers and utilities from the official support website. CanonAfter installation, run IJ Network ToolThe program will automatically detect connected Canon devices. If the printer is connected via USB, the utility will prompt you to change its settings to wireless.
In the program interface, select your printer and click the button Settings. Go to the tab Wireless LANHere you'll see a list of available networks. Select the desired one, enter the password, and click "Apply" or "Set." The program will automatically transfer the configuration to the printer.
Path in the utility:
Home -> Settings -> Wireless LAN Setup -> Select SSID -> Enter Password -> Apply
This method is especially useful when you need to write static IP address Or change DNS servers, which is impossible to do through the simple menu on budget models. This utility is also convenient for updating the network module firmware.
Reset network settings to factory defaults
If your printer is stuck trying to connect to an old network or is displaying unintelligible errors, it's a good idea to perform a full network reset. This will reset the Wi-Fi module to its factory defaults, deleting all saved profiles and passwords.
On models with a screen, this option is in the menu. Settings -> Device settings -> Reset settings -> LAN settingsOn models without a screen, you often need to press and hold the button Stop (or Wireless) until the indicator Alarm will not blink a certain number of times (usually 15-20 times).
After the reset, the printer will enter connection standby mode. The wireless network indicator will begin blinking slowly. This indicates that the device is ready for reconfiguration using any of the methods described above. Be sure to re-enter the current Wi-Fi password after the reset.
- 🔄 Find the "Reset Settings" item in the menu or use a combination of buttons.
- ⚙️ Confirm the action by agreeing to clear network settings.
- 📡 Wait for the network module to reboot (the indicators will go out and then light up again).
- 🔐 Please re-connect to the new network.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
My Canon printer stopped connecting to the network after changing my router, even though the password is the same. What's wrong?
Most likely, the new router has a different network name (SSID) or uses a different encryption standard. It's also possible that the new router only broadcasts on the 5 GHz band, while the printer only supports 2.4 GHz. Check your router settings and ensure the 2.4 GHz band is enabled.
How to change Canon printer IP address manually?
This can be done through the printer's web interface (by entering its current IP in the browser) or through the utility IJ Network Tool On your computer. In the TCP/IP settings section, uncheck "Auto" (DHCP) and enter the desired static IP address, mask, and gateway.
Is it possible to connect a Canon printer to Wi-Fi without a WPS button and screen?
Yes, this can be done using a USB cable and Canon software, using the "Wireless Direct" method (if supported by the model) or through the standard driver installation procedure, where at some point you are asked to select the connection type.
What does it mean when the Wi-Fi indicator blinks green and orange?
Alternating green and orange flashing usually indicates a connection error or low signal strength. If only orange is flashing, there was a setup error. We recommend moving the printer closer to the router and trying again.
Do I need to reinstall drivers after changing my Wi-Fi network?
Usually not. If the computer and printer are on the same network, the operating system will automatically find the device using the new IP address. However, if printing fails, you may need to remove the old printer from the device list and add it again.