Connecting a printer Canon PIXMA G3400 Connecting to a wireless network is a challenge faced by both novice and experienced users. Despite its apparent simplicity, the process can be complicated by mismatched firmware versions, router features, or simply inattention to detail. This article will help you avoid common mistakes and set up Wi-Fi on the printer as quickly as possible, regardless of whether you use WPS, device control panel or mobile app Canon PRINT.
Model G3400 It belongs to a series of inkjet MFPs with wireless printing support, but its interface differs from its laser counterparts. For example, it doesn't have a touchscreen—only buttons and LED indicators, which requires a special approach to setup. We'll cover all the current connection methods, including manual password entry, and we will also give recommendations on how to resolve common problems, such as the error E08 or failure to detect the network.
1. Preparing the printer and network for Wi-Fi setup
Before you start connecting, make sure that your Canon G3400 and the router are ready for the procedure. Skipping this step often leads to failures, such as the printer not seeing the network or constantly losing connection.
First, check physical condition of devices:
- 🔌 The printer must be plugged into a power outlet and in standby mode (the power indicator is green).
- 📶 The router must be turned on and distributing Wi-Fi (the wireless network indicator is active).
- 📱 You must have a smartphone/tablet with the app installed on hand Canon PRINT or a computer with printer drivers.
Secondly, pay attention to router settings:
- 🔒 The network must use
WPA2-PSK(orWPA3) - printer G3400 does not support legacy protocols likeWEP. - 📡 Wi-Fi frequency: 2.4 GHz (5 GHz is not supported!). If you have a dual-band router, temporarily disable 5 GHz or create a separate network for 2.4 GHz.
- 🔄 Disable the "Hidden Network" (Hidden SSID) feature - the printer will not be able to connect to a network that does not broadcast its name.
Finally, update your printer's firmware, if possible. Outdated firmware can cause conflicts with modern routers. You can check the latest version using the utility. Canon IJ Network Tool (download from official website).
2. Method 1: Connecting via WPS (the fastest method)
Technology Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) Allows you to connect your printer to the network without entering a password—just press a button on the router. This method only works if your router supports WPS (usually there's a button labeled WPS or marked with a 🔄 icon).
Step-by-step instructions:
- Make sure your router is turned on and distributing Wi-Fi.
- On the printer Canon G3400 press and hold the button
Wi-Fi(📶) for 3 seconds until the indicator starts flashing blue. - For 2 minutes press the button
WPSon the router. The printer's indicator light should turn green, indicating a connection has been established. - Wait for the printer to print a connection report (a sheet with the network name and IP address).
If the indicator continues to flash or remains orange, this indicates an error. Possible causes:
- ⏱️ Timed out (please try again soon).
- 🔌 WPS is disabled in the router settings (enable it in the router's web interface).
- 🔒 The router is using an incompatible security protocol (switch to
WPA2-PSK).
What should I do if my router doesn't have a WPS button?
Some models (such as Apple or ISP routers) don't have a physical WPS button. In this case, use the manual connection method via the printer control panel or the WPS PIN code, which can be found in the router's web interface.
3. Method 2: Manual Wi-Fi setup via the printer control panel
If WPS is unavailable or doesn't work, set up the connection manually. This will require you to enter the network name (SSID) and a password using the printer buttons. The process is a bit longer, but more secure.
Step-by-step instructions:
- Click the button
Setting up(⚙️) on the printer. - Using buttons
←/→select an itemLAN installation(orWi-Fi Setup) and pressOK. - Select
Manual setup(Manual Setup). - The printer will begin searching for available networks. Wait until the list appears on the screen (or in the printout).
SSID. - Select your network using the buttons and press
OK. - Enter your Wi-Fi password. Use the arrow keys to select characters and
OKfor confirmation. Please note: The printer distinguishes between upper and lower case! - After entering the password, click
OK→Yesto save the settings.
If your network does not appear in the list, check:
- 📡 The distance between the printer and the router (should be no more than 5 meters during setup).
- 🔇 Hidden network mode (disable it temporarily).
- 🔄 Wi-Fi frequency (only 2.4 GHz!).
Write down the SSID and network password on paper|Make sure the printer is turned on|Check that the router is not in "5 GHz Only" mode|Disable the VPN on your computer (if used for setup)-->
After a successful connection, the printer will print a report with the network settings. Save this sheet - it contains IP address device that will be useful for diagnostics.
4. Method 3: Connecting via the Canon PRINT app
Mobile application Canon PRINT (available for Android And iOS) simplifies Wi-Fi setup, especially if you don't want to manually enter the password using the printer's buttons. This method is also useful if the printer was previously connected to another network and needs to be reconfigured.
How to connect via the app:
- Download and install Canon PRINT from Google Play or App Store.
- Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and bring it close to the printer (distance no more than 1 meter).
- Launch the application and select
Add a printer→Setting up a new printer. - Follow the on-screen instructions. The app will prompt you to select a Wi-Fi network and enter the password.
- Once the printer is connected to the network, the application will prompt you to print a test page.
The advantages of this method:
- ✅ No need to enter a password using the printer buttons.
- ✅ Automatic network compatibility check.
- ✅ Ability to save multiple connection profiles.
If the app doesn't find the printer, make sure:
- 📱 Bluetooth is enabled on the smartphone.
- 🔄 The printer is in standby mode (not printing or scanning).
- 📲 Power saving mode is disabled on your phone (it may block the device search).
5. Checking the connection and troubleshooting
After setting up Wi-Fi, you need to make sure the printer is properly connected to the network and ready to use. To do this:
- Print it out
Network report(press and hold the buttonWi-Fiuntil the indicator flashes, then selectPrint report). - Check the following lines in the report:
Connection status: should beActive.SSID: the name of your network.IP address: must start with192.168.(or similar to your subnet).
If your printer does not print or displays an error, use the table below to diagnose the problem:
| Error/symptom | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
Indicator Wi-Fi flashing orange |
Incorrect password or network not found | Repeat manual setup, check the case of the characters in the password |
Error E08 on the display |
The printer cannot connect to the router. | Reboot your router and check your settings. DHCP (must be enabled) |
| The printer prints, but slowly. | Weak Wi-Fi signal or network congestion | Move the printer closer to the router or change the Wi-Fi channel in the router settings. |
| The computer does not see the printer on the network. | A firewall or antivirus is blocking access. | Add the printer to your firewall exceptions or temporarily disable it. |
For deep diagnostics, use the utility Canon IJ Network ToolIt displays the current connection status, signal strength, and allows you to reset the printer's network settings to factory defaults.
6. Additional settings for stable operation
To avoid connection problems in the future, configure your printer and network optimally:
- 🔄 Update your printer firmwareGo to . Canon website, find the model PIXMA G3400 and download the latest software version. The update fixes compatibility issues with modern routers.
- 📡 Optimize your router settings:
- Set a fixed channel
2.4 GHz(for example, 6 or 11) instead of modeAuto. - Disable the feature
Band Steering(if any) to prevent the printer from trying to connect to 5GHz. - Reduce Wi-Fi transmission power to 50-75% if the printer is close to the router - this will reduce interference.
- Set a fixed channel
- 🖨️ Set up energy saving. In the printer menu (
Settings → Power Saving) Disable deep sleep mode to prevent your device from losing connection.
If you use a printer in an office with multiple devices, consider creating a separate network for the printing equipment. This will reduce the load on the main network and improve stability.
How do I reset my printer's network settings to factory defaults?
To reset Wi-Fi settings on Canon G3400, press and hold the button Wi-Fi (📶) for 10 seconds until the indicator light starts flashing rapidly. After this, the printer will return to its factory network settings, and you can set it up again.
7. Printing from different devices after setting up Wi-Fi
Once your printer is successfully connected to Wi-Fi, you can print from any device on your network. Let's look at the main scenarios:
From a computer (Windows/macOS):
- Install drivers for Canon PIXMA G3400 With official website.
- Add a printer via
Control Panel → Devices and Printers → Add a printer(Windows) orSystem Preferences → Printers & Scanners(macOS). - Select your printer from the list of network devices.
From a smartphone/tablet:
- Use the app Canon PRINT for printing documents and photographs.
- For Android: supported printing via
Google Cloud Print(if configured). - For iOS: The printer will be available in the Print menu of any application (for example,
PhotoorFiles).
From other devices:
- 📺 C Smart TV: If your TV supports printing, use the function
Screen Mirroringor specialized applications (for example, Canon Print Service For Android TV). - 💻 C Linux: install drivers via
CUPSor packagecnijfilter2(for Debian-based distributions).
8. Frequently asked questions and solutions
❓ The printer is connected to Wi-Fi, but it won't print from my computer. What should I do?
Please check the following points:
- 🖥️ Are the drivers installed for Canon G3400 on the computer?
- 🔌 Is the printer included in the list of network devices (
Control Panel → Printers)? - 🔒 Is your firewall or antivirus blocking access to the printer?
- 📡 Is there a connection between your computer and the printer? Try pinging the printer's IP address via
Command line(ping 192.168.x.x).
If the ping works but printing doesn't work, reinstall the drivers or try connecting via USB for diagnostics.
❓ Is it possible to connect a printer to Wi-Fi without a router (in Ad-Hoc mode)?
Canon PIXMA G3400 does not support the mode Ad-Hoc (direct connection to a computer without a router). Wireless printing requires a router. Alternative options:
- Use
USB cablefor direct connection. - Create a hotspot on your smartphone and connect both the printer and the computer to it.
❓ Why does my printer lose its Wi-Fi connection after turning it off?
This is a typical problem associated with:
- ⚡ Printer energy saving settings (disable deep sleep in the menu).
- 🔄 Changing the IP address (set up a static IP for the printer in the router).
- 📡 Low signal level (move the printer closer to the router).
Also check if the router settings are reset (for example, when rebooting).
How do I change the Wi-Fi password on my printer after changing it on my router?
If you change your Wi-Fi password, the printer will automatically lose connection. To update the settings:
- Reset the printer's network settings (hold
Wi-Fi10 seconds). - Repeat the connection process (using any of the methods described above) with a new password.
Or use the app Canon PRINT for reconfiguration.
❓ Does the Canon G3400 support cloud printing (Google Drive, Dropbox)?
Yes, but with limitations. The printer doesn't have built-in cloud support, but you can:
- 📱 Print files from the cloud via the app Canon PRINT on a smartphone.
- 💻 Download the file to your computer and send it to print using the standard method.
For direct printing from Google Drive will need to be configured Google Cloud Print (The service was discontinued in 2020, but some printers still support it through workarounds).
If your question is not covered in this section, please check official Canon documentation or contact support with your printer model and a description of the problem.