Connecting a Canon printer to a computer via Wi-Fi: A complete guide with troubleshooting

Wireless printing saves time and eliminates the clutter of wires, but setting up Wi-Fi on printers Canon often raises questions. Especially when it comes to models of the series PIXMA MG, G or MAXIFY, where the menu interface may differ. In this article, we'll look at all stages of connection — from preparing the router to installing drivers on the PC, and we will also consider typical mistakes (for example, code E04 or absence of a network in the list) and ways to resolve them.

Many users encounter a problem where the printer "sees" the network, but the computer does not detect it—or vice versa. The cause is often incorrect protocol settings (WPA2 vs WPA3), IP address conflicts, or outdated drivers. We tested the instructions on Windows 11 And Windows 10 with the latest updates, and also took into account the nuances for printers with and without a display. If your model supports WPSThe process will only take 2 minutes, but older routers will require manual configuration.

⚠️ Important: Before you start, check that your router is operating within the range 2.4 GHz - most printers Canon (except for flagship models 2023-2026) do not support 5 GHzIf the network is dual-band, temporarily disable it. 5 GHz in the router settings or create a separate network for 2.4 GHz.

1. Preparing the equipment: what to check before setting up Wi-Fi

Before connecting your printer to the network, make sure all devices meet the minimum requirements. For example, printers Canon PIXMA MG3640 or G3260 require a router with support WPA2-PSK, and for models MAXIFY MB5450 already needed WPA3If your router is older than 2018, you may need to update its firmware.

Also check:

• 🔌 Printer power: Plug it into a power outlet and wait until it is fully loaded (the indicator should be green or blue).
• 📶 Wi-Fi signal: The printer should be no further than 5 meters from the router (walls and partitions weaken the signal).
• 🖥️ Computer: the network must be enabled on the PC Wi-Fi (not Ethernet!) and the "Airplane mode" is disabled.
• 📄 Documentation: Find your printer's serial number (usually on a sticker on the back) - you'll need it to download the drivers.

If the printer was previously connected to a different network, reset its settings. To do this:

1. Press and hold the button Wi-Fi (or Setup) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing orange.
2. On models with a display, select Settings → Network → Reset Wi-Fi settings.

2. Connection methods: WPS vs. manual setup

There are two main methods for connecting a printer. Canon to Wi-Fi: via WPS (the fastest) and manual password entry (universal). The choice depends on the capabilities of your router and printer model.

Method 1: Connect via WPS (recommended)

This method works if your router has a physical button. WPS (usually located at the back). Suitable for printers with a button Wi-Fi or WPS on the body (for example, Canon PIXMA TS3440 or MG3040).

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Click the button WPS on the router (hold for 3-5 seconds if necessary).
2. For 120 seconds press and hold the button Wi-Fi on the printer (or WPS, if any) until the indicator flashes.
3. Wait until the indicator lights up blue or green - this means that the connection is established.

Method 2: Manually Enter the Network Password

If the router does not support WPS or the printer does not have a corresponding button (for example, Canon SELPHY CP1500), use manual mode. To do this:

1. On the printer, go to Settings → Wi-Fi Setup → Manual Setup.
2. Select your network from the list (if it is not there, check that the router is broadcasting 2.4 GHz).
3. Enter the Wi-Fi password using the arrows or touch screen (for models with a display).
4. Confirm the connection - the printer will print a test sheet with network parameters.

What to do if the printer does not see the network?

Make sure the network isn't hidden (disable the "Hide SSID" option in your router settings). If you're using a dual-band router, temporarily disable it. 5 GHz or create a separate network for 2.4 GHz with a different name.

3. Installing drivers on your computer

Even if the printer is connected to Wi-Fi, the computer will not be able to communicate with it without special software. Drivers for Canon downloaded from official website — Avoid third-party sources to avoid infecting your PC with viruses.

How to find the right drivers:

1. Go to the support page Canon and enter the printer model (for example, PIXMA MG3640S).
2. Select your operating system (Windows 11 x64, Windows 10 x86 etc.).
3. Download the package Full Driver & Software Package (not only the driver, but also printing utilities).

After downloading:

• 📥 Run the installation file (for example, MG3600series_Full_Driver.exe).
• 🔄 Follow the installation wizard instructions, selecting the option Wireless connection.
• 🖨️ When the program asks you to select a printer, it should automatically appear in the list (if not, check your Wi-Fi connection).

4. Setting up a printer in Windows 11/10

After installing the drivers, the printer should automatically appear in the list of devices. If it doesn't, add it manually:

For Windows 11:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Printers & Scanners.
2. Click Add device → Add manually.
3. Select Add a printer by TCP/IP address and enter the printer IP (can be found on the printed test sheet).

For Windows 10:

1. Go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers → Add a printer.
2. Select The printer you need is not in the list → Add a printer by TCP/IP address.
3. Specify the printer's IP address and port 9100.

⚠️ Attention: If the printer is added, but when printing it gives an error 0x0000000d, check that the protocol is specified in the port settings Raw, and not LPRAlso make sure that Windows Firewall is not blocking the connection to the printer (add it to the exceptions).

5. Solving common errors

Even with proper setup, problems can still arise. Below is a table of the most common errors and how to fix them:

If your printer connects to Wi-Fi but your computer doesn't see it, try:

• 🔄 Restart both the printer and the PC.
• 📡 Temporarily disable your antivirus (it may block network communication).
• 🔧 Update your printer firmware using the utility Canon Firmware Update Tool.

6. Optimizing wireless printing

To ensure stable Wi-Fi printing, follow these tips:

Router setup:

• 📶 Change channel 2.4 GHz to a less busy one (use apps like Wi-Fi Analyzer for analysis).
• 🔒 Enable MAC address filtering and add the printer's MAC address (you can find it on the sticker or in the device settings).
• 🔄 Turn off the feature Band Steering (if any) so that the printer does not try to connect to 5 GHz.

Printer setup:

• 🖨️ Turn on the mode Energy saving only if the printer is rarely used (in this mode it may "fall asleep" and lose connection).
• 📄 Set duplex printing as default in your driver to save paper.
• 🔄 Update your printer firmware every 6 months to fix connection errors.

⚠️ Attention: If you use VPN on a computer, some printer models Canon may not be detected on the network. In this case, temporarily disable the VPN or add the printer manually by IP address.

7. Alternative connection methods

If you're having trouble setting up Wi-Fi, consider these alternatives:

Connecting via USB (for initial setup)

Some models (eg Canon PIXMA TR4720) allow you to temporarily connect via USB to set up Wi-Fi through the program Canon IJ Network ToolAfter setting up, the cable can be disconnected.

Using the Canon PRINT App

To print from your smartphone or tablet, install the official app Canon PRINT (available for Android And iOS). It supports:

• 📱 Print photos directly from gadgets.
• 📄 Scan documents to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox).
• 🔄 Remote printer control (checking ink levels, cleaning heads).

Cloud Printing (Google Cloud Print)

If your printer supports Google Cloud Print (For example, Canon MAXIFY MB2720), you can print from any device using your Google account. To do this:

1. Connect your printer to the same Google account as your computer.
2. IN Chrome go to Settings → Advanced → Printing → Printers and add the device.

Frequently Asked Questions

🔹 Why won't my Canon printer connect to Wi-Fi even though the password is correct?

The issue may be with the encryption type. Check your router settings to see if the network is using WPA2-PSK (Not WPA3 or WEP). Also make sure that the network name (SSID) does not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces - some models Canon they are not supported.

🔹 How do I find my printer's IP address for manual connection?

Press and hold the button Wi-Fi on the printer for 5 seconds - it will print a sheet with network settings. Alternatively, the IP can be found in the utility Canon IJ Network Tool (included in the driver package) or in the router's web interface in the section Connected devices.

🔹 Can I connect a Canon printer to Wi-Fi without a computer?

Yes, if the printer has a display. Use manual password entry (section 2) or, if the router supports WPS, press the corresponding button. For models without a screen (for example, Canon SELPHY) you will need a smartphone with the application Canon PRINT.

🔹 Why did my printer stop printing after a Windows update?

Windows updates sometimes reset drivers. Reinstall the software from the official website. Canon, selecting the version for your OS. Also check that in Device Manager There is no exclamation mark next to the printer.

🔹 How do I reset Wi-Fi settings on a Canon printer?

To reset, hold the button Wi-Fi (or Stop/Reset) 10–15 seconds, until the indicator flashes orange. For models with a display: Settings → Network → Reset Wi-Fi settingsAfter the reset, the printer will return to the factory network settings.

If none of the methods helped, please contact support. Canon indicating the printer model and error code (if any). In most cases, the problem is resolved by updating the firmware or changing the Wi-Fi channel on the router.