Modern printing devices have long ceased to be bulky machines connected to a computer by a thick cable. Wireless printing has become a standard, allowing users to send documents and photos directly from their smartphones, anywhere in their home. However, the initial synchronization process often presents difficulties for users who don't know where to start or why their device isn't detecting the network.
In this article, we will look at all the current methods of connecting equipment. Canon Wireless network and mobile devices. We'll cover standard operating system tools, specialized manufacturer software, and the classic method of using a USB cable to transfer network settings. Understanding these methods will allow you to easily manage printing from an iPhone or Android smartphone.
Before you begin setup, make sure your router is working properly and the printer is plugged in. It's important that your mobile device and printer are within a strong signal range, ideally in the same room as the router. If you're using a dual-band router, make sure your phone and printer are connected to the same frequency band, as older models may not see the network. 5 GHz.
Equipment preparation and compatibility testing
The first step is to check the technical capability of your device to work wirelessly. Most modern models Canon PIXMA And Canon MAXIFY Some models are equipped with a built-in Wi-Fi module, but this option may not be available in budget models. Carefully inspect the control panel: a button with an antenna icon or a menu screen indicates wireless support.
It's also critical to know your Wi-Fi network password. If you haven't changed your router settings in a while, you may have forgotten the password and will have to recover it through the administrator interface or from the sticker on the bottom of the device. Without the security key (WPA2/WPA3) connection is not possible through any application.
⚠️ Important: Make sure AP Isolation isn't enabled on your router. This prevents devices on your network from communicating with each other. If AP Isolation is enabled, your phone won't be able to physically see the printer, even if both are connected to the same router.
For successful setup, we recommend temporarily disabling the VPN on your smartphone, as virtual networks can block access to the printer's local IP address. Also, make sure your phone's battery level is sufficient to prevent the process from being interrupted mid-run.
WPS method: quick connection without entering a password
The easiest way, which does not require entering complex password characters, is the technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). This method works if your router supports this feature (most modern models do) and has a physical button or software support in the web interface.
To start, press and hold the button Wi-Fi on the printer's control panel until the power light starts blinking. Then, within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router. If your router doesn't have a physical button, access its settings through a browser and find the "Add a device via WPS" option.
- 📡 Press the Wi-Fi button on the printer and wait until the indicator light flashes.
- 🔌 Activate WPS mode on the router within 120 seconds.
- ✅ Wait until the Wi-Fi indicator on the printer stops flashing and turns solid.
- 📱 Test the connection by opening any document on your phone and selecting "Print."
If the Wi-Fi indicator continues to flash or turns orange, the connection is not established. In this case, repeat the process moving closer to the router, or use an alternative method using a cable or app.
Using the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app
Official app Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY is the most versatile tool for managing printing from mobile devices. It is available in Google Play And App Store and allows you to not only print, but also scan documents, as well as check the ink levels in the cartridges.
After installing the app, launch it and click the "Add Printer" button (usually the plus sign in the corner of the screen). The app will automatically search for devices on the network. If the printer is already connected to Wi-Fi, it will appear in the list. If not, the app will prompt you to complete the initial setup.
| Application function | Description of the opportunity | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Photo printing | Printing photos by customizing paper size and type | iOS / Android |
| Copying | Remotely launch the scanner and save as PDF/JPG | iOS / Android |
| Ink status | Displaying the cartridge filling level | iOS / Android |
| Setting up Wi-Fi | Transferring a password from a router to a printer | iOS / Android |
During the setup process, the app will ask for local network and location access permissions. These permissions are required so your phone can discover devices on your home network and share your SSID and Wi-Fi password with them. Without these permissions, the setup process will fail during the search phase.
Setup via USB cable (Android only)
Owners of devices based on Android You can use the initial setup method via a USB cable. This is especially important if the printer doesn't detect the 5 GHz network or you're having trouble entering the password via your smartphone's screen. To do this, you'll need a USB Type-C (or Micro-USB) cable and an OTG adapter, if one isn't built into the cable.
Connect the printer to your computer or directly to your phone (if it supports OTG and has the appropriate software) for initial configuration. However, for mobile setup, the most common approach is to connect your phone to the printer via USB, and the app reads the Wi-Fi settings from your phone and transfers them to the printer. In the Canon PRINT app, select "Setup via USB."
⚠️ Note: App interfaces and installation steps may vary slightly depending on your Android operating system version and printer model. Always refer to the on-screen prompts during the installation process.
After connecting with a cable, follow the on-screen instructions. The app will copy your Wi-Fi network settings and transfer them to the printer. Once the transfer is successful, you can disconnect the cable; the printer should connect to the router automatically.
Printing from iPhone and iPad (AirPrint)
For ecosystem users Apple luckier than everyone else: to print from Apple devices, you don’t need to install additional applications if your printer supports the technology AirPrintThis feature is built into iOS and iPadOS, allowing you to print directly from any app, whether it's Safari, Photos, or Mail.
The main requirement for AirPrint to work is that your phone and printer must be on the same Wi-Fi network. No drivers or complicated IP address configuration are required. Simply open a document or photo, click the "Share" button (the square with an arrow), and select "Print."
What should I do if AirPrint doesn't see my printer?
Make sure the Wi-Fi light on the printer is on. Try rebooting the router. Check if the Wi-Fi network (SSID Broadcast) is hidden; in rare cases, AirPrint requires the network to be visible.
If your device doesn't appear in the list of available printers, check whether your router's firewall is blocking the ports required for the Bonjour protocol (used by AirPrint). Also, make sure you're not using a guest Wi-Fi network, as it's often isolated from the main network where the printer is located.
Solving common connection problems
Even if you follow all the instructions, problems may still occur. Most often, the problem lies in frequency range incompatibility. Many Canon printers only work within the frequency range. 2.4 GHz, while modern smartphones are often connected to 5 GHzIn this case, the devices “don’t see” each other, even though they are located in the same physical location.
A solution may be to combine networks (Smart Connect) on the router or create a separate guest network with the same name as the main network, but operating at 2.4 GHz. Temporarily disabling mobile data (3G/4G/5G) on the phone during setup may also help, so that the system does not attempt to use the carrier's internet.
- 🔄 Restart your router and printer—this solves 80% of IP address problems.
- 📶 Move closer to the router, avoiding the influence of thick walls and microwaves.
- 🔌 Check if your Wi-Fi password has expired (if you changed it recently).
- 📲 Remove the printer from the list of devices in the app and add it again.
If the error indicator flashes a certain number of times, consult your model's manual. For example, 7 orange flashes often indicate low ink or a cartridge error, which blocks network functions.
☑️ Connection diagnostics
Why won't my printer connect to 5GHz Wi-Fi?
Most budget and mid-range Canon printer models are equipped with Wi-Fi modules that support only the 802.11 b/g/n standard, which operates exclusively at the 2.4 GHz frequency. The 5 GHz frequency (ac/ax standards) requires more complex and expensive hardware, which is rarely found in printing equipment. If your router broadcasts two different networks with different names, connect your phone to the network without the "5G" prefix.
Is it possible to connect a printer without a router?
Yes, many Canon models support Direct Wireless mode. In this mode, the printer automatically creates a Wi-Fi network to which your phone connects. However, in this mode, your phone may not have internet access because it's busy connecting to the printer. This method is convenient for quick photo printing, but not suitable for continuous use.
How to find the IP address of a printer on the network?
The IP address is sometimes required for diagnostics. On models with a display, you can find it in the Device Settings -> LAN Settings menu. On models without a display, press and hold the Stop button (or the button with the triangle in a circle) until the power indicator flashes once, then release. The printer will print a report with an address in the IPv4 section, such as 192.168.1.45.
What should I do if the app says "Printer not found"?
Make sure you've granted the app all requested permissions, especially local network access (this is critical for iOS 14+). Also, try temporarily switching your phone to a mobile network, launching the app, and then turning Wi-Fi back on. Sometimes resetting the printer's network settings using a key combination (usually the Wi-Fi button + Stop) can help.