Modern home technology demands flexibility, and wired connections are gradually becoming a thing of the past, giving way to wireless technologies. Connecting a printer Canon TS304 Connecting your laptop via Wi-Fi isn't just a passing fad, but a genuine necessity for creating a comfortable workspace without unnecessary cables. When your device is online, you can print documents from any device within range of the router, which is especially convenient in multi-room apartments or small offices.
The setup process may seem confusing at first glance if you're unfamiliar with the steps and the nuances of how the operating system interacts with the peripherals. In this article, we'll cover every step in detail, from preparing the hardware to installing specialized software that will ensure the stable operation of your device. It is important to understand, that the success of the operation depends not only on the correct password entry, but also on the compatibility of your router's security protocols.
Before starting the software, make sure the hardware is physically ready for use. The printer must be plugged in and the cartridges installed, as some models disable network functions until the initial calibration is complete. The laptop, in turn, must be within range of a strong signal to avoid connection interruptions during the transfer of installation files.
Preparing equipment and checking the network
The first step is to check the status of your wireless router and the printer itself. Make sure the router is broadcasting in the 2.4 GHz band, as most budget printer models, including Canon PIXMA TS304, do not support the 5 GHz frequency. If your router broadcasts two networks with the same name, it's best to separate them during setup or force your laptop to connect to the 2.4 GHz network.
The printer itself must be put into connection standby mode. To do this, press and hold the wireless button on the control panel until the power light lights up and the Wi-Fi light starts blinking. This indicates that the device is ready to search for a network or establish a direct connection. If the lights behave differently, you may need to reset the network settings.
⚠️ Attention: If the printer's Wi-Fi indicator is solid rather than blinking, it means the device is already connected to another network. In this case, you need to reset the network settings by holding the "Stop" button (the red triangle) until the wireless indicator blinks a certain number of times, then release the button.
Also, make sure your laptop's Wi-Fi module is enabled and that VPN services or proxy servers, which may block local device detection, are disabled. Antivirus software can also sometimes interfere with driver installation, so it's recommended to temporarily suspend it or add an exception during setup.
WPS method: quick connection without entering a password
The easiest way to establish communication between devices is technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup), which allows you to transfer network credentials automatically. This method is ideal if you don't want to manually enter a complex password or if your laptop keyboard is malfunctioning. However, for this to work, your router must support this feature, which is true for most modern models.
Press the WPS button on your router. It's usually labeled with the appropriate abbreviation or has an icon of two arrows. After pressing it, you have about two minutes to activate the printer's search mode. On the panel Canon TS304 Press and hold the wireless button until the power indicator flashes, then quickly press the Color or Black Start button to confirm the WPS mode selection.
The device will begin searching for available networks in pairing mode. This process takes between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. A successful connection will be confirmed by the Wi-Fi indicator on the printer turning solid and a notification appearing on the laptop screen if the discovery utility is running in the background.
☑️ Pre-connection check with WPS
If the connection doesn't establish on the first try, don't panic. Sometimes it takes several attempts to synchronize the device timers. Make sure you didn't press the WPS button on the router too early or too late relative to the printer's WPS activation.
Using official Canon software for setup
A more reliable and functional method is to use specialized software from the manufacturer. Drivers and utilities Canon Contains advanced diagnostic and configuration features that are not available with the standard Windows installation wizard. You can download the latest version of the software from the official support website by selecting your model and operating system.
After downloading the installation file, run it as administrator. The program will prompt you to select a connection type—select "Wireless LAN." Next, the system will ask you to temporarily connect the printer to your laptop via USB cable, only to transfer the network settings. critical moment, since it is through the cable that the program will copy the SSID and password of your Wi-Fi network into the printer's memory.
During installation, the setup wizard may prompt you to update the device's firmware. Accept this step, as new firmware versions often contain security fixes and stability improvements for the wireless module. After transferring the settings, the program will prompt you to disconnect the USB cable, and the printer will switch to wireless mode.
| Software component | Function | Necessity |
|---|---|---|
| Print driver | Provides data transfer for printing | Necessarily |
| Canon IJ Scan Utility | Scanner control and digitization | Recommended |
| My Printer | Network diagnostics and configuration | Desirable |
| Easy-PhotoPrint Editor | Editing photos before printing | As desired |
If the automatic installation was successful, you'll see your printer in the list of available devices. You can now print a test page to ensure the connection is working properly. If any errors occur, the program will display a code that can be used to find a solution in the manufacturer's knowledge base.
Manual configuration via Windows Control Panel
In situations where using an installation disc or downloading drivers is not possible, you can use the operating system's built-in tools. This method requires the printer to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the laptop, for example, via the previously described WPS method or a button on the device itself.
Open "Settings" from the Start menu and go to "Devices," then select "Printers & Scanners." Click "Add a printer or scanner." The system will begin searching for available devices on your local network. If Canon TS304 appears in the list, click on it and select "Add device".
Windows will automatically download the necessary drivers from its registry or through the Windows Update service. This process may take several minutes. If the system finds the device but is unable to install the driver, you will need to manually specify the path to the INF files downloaded from the manufacturer's website.
⚠️ Attention: Manual installation via Windows sometimes causes driver version conflicts. If printing is erratic or the device freezes, completely remove the device from the list and use only official drivers from the Canon website, ignoring the automatic Microsoft installation.
For more detailed configuration, after adding the device, go to "Device Management" and select "Printer Properties." In the "Settings" or "Advanced" tab, you can configure print priority, scheduling, and other specific settings that affect operation on a corporate or home network.
Mobile printing and cloud services
Modern Canon printers support the technology Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY, which allows you to control the device from your smartphone or tablet. This is especially convenient when you need to quickly print a photo from your phone's gallery or a document received via messenger without having to turn on your laptop.
To work with mobile devices, the printer must be connected to Wi-Fi. Download the app. Canon PRINT from the App Store or Google Play. The app will automatically find the printer on the network. Support is also available. Apple AirPrint And Mopria, which allows you to print directly from the Share menu in iOS and Android, respectively, without installing additional apps.
What to do if the phone doesn’t see the printer?
Make sure your phone and printer are connected to the SAME Wi-Fi network (often the phone is on 5 GHz and the printer is on 2.4 GHz, and the router isolates them). Try rebooting the router. In rare cases, temporarily disabling mobile data (4G/5G) on your phone while searching may help.
You can also set up cloud printing by registering your printer with the service. Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHYThis will allow you to send documents to print from anywhere in the world where there is internet access, and the printer will automatically receive the jobs and print them as soon as you return home.
Troubleshooting and Static IP Addresses
One common issue with network printers is a change in the IP address assigned by the router via DHCP. When the address changes, the laptop loses connection with the printer, and the device's status changes to "Offline." To avoid this, it is recommended to assign a network address to the printer. static IP address.
This can be done through the router's web interface or using a utility. Canon IJ Network ToolGo to your router's LAN settings, find the list of connected clients (DHCP Client List), find your printer's MAC address, and reserve a specific IP address for it outside the automatic range. For example, if your router assigns addresses from 100 to 200, assign address 50 to your printer.
If your printer stops responding, run diagnostics using the button on the control panel. Press the wireless button to view the connection status. You can also print a network connection report by pressing the "Stop" button a certain number of times (usually 10-15, depending on the firmware version). This will show the current IP address and signal strength.
In case of complete loss of control of the device, a factory reset will help. For Canon TS304 This is usually done by holding the "Stop" button until the alarm indicator (orange) flashes 15 times, then releasing the button. The printer will reboot and need to be configured again.
Why doesn't my laptop see my Canon TS304 printer on the network?
Most often, the problem is that the devices are on different subnets or frequency bands. Check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not a guest network). Also, make sure Windows Firewall isn't set to block network device discovery.
Can this printer be connected to 5GHz Wi-Fi?
No, model Canon TS304 The router is equipped with a Wi-Fi module that only operates in the 2.4 GHz band. If your router combines networks under a single name, try temporarily separating them in the router settings or using the WPS method, which often automatically switches the device to the correct band.
How to find a printer's IP address without a computer?
The easiest way is to print a network connection report. To do this, press and hold the "Stop" button (the triangle in a circle) until the power light flashes a certain number of times (usually about 15-20 times until the orange light turns on), then release. The printer will print a report with technical information, including the IP address.
What should I do if the orange indicator lights up after connecting?
An orange light usually indicates an error. If it blinks a certain number of times, it's an error code. For example, 2 blinks means out of paper, 3 blinks means a jam, and 5 blinks means a cartridge is not installed or defective. Network errors (such as 12 or 14 blinks) often require reconfiguring the Wi-Fi or resetting the printer.