Connecting a new device to an existing network, but forgetting or losing the Wi-Fi password, is one of the most common problems in home office equipment maintenance. Device owners Canon Often, we need to reconfigure our router or add a new device to our existing ecosystem, but we don't remember the key login credentials. Fortunately, most modern models, including the Pixma And Megatank, store this information in memory or make it easy to retrieve through standard procedures.
There are several proven ways to solve this problem, ranging from viewing the settings on the device itself to using software on the connected computer. It is important to understandPlease note that the methods may vary slightly depending on the specific model and firmware version installed on your MFP. In some cases, you may need physical access to the router or use the buttons on the printer's control panel.
In this article, we will examine in detail all the available options, including working with the WPS button, using the utility IJ Network Tool and a standard network reset. You'll learn how to safely extract the necessary information without disturbing your current network configuration and quickly get your printer back up and running.
Using the WPS button to connect automatically
The easiest and fastest way to connect to a wireless network without entering a password manually is the technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). This method is ideal if you have physical access to the router and its control panel. Printers Canon They support this protocol perfectly, allowing you to transfer network data automatically in a matter of seconds.
To implement this method, you need to press the corresponding button on the router, and then activate the function on the printer. Usually, on devices Canon This is done by holding the button with the smartphone image or the network icon until the indicator light starts flashing. After this, the devices will automatically find each other and establish a connection.
⚠️ Attention: The WPS method won't show you the password in plain text; it will simply establish the connection. If your goal is to find out the password to enter on another device, this method won't work, but it will solve the problem of connecting a printer.
It's worth keeping in mind that some modern routers may have WPS disabled for security reasons or replaced with more complex authentication procedures via provider mobile apps. If your router is older or this feature is blocked by your provider, you'll have to use other methods.
Viewing saved data using the IJ Network Tool utility
If the printer has ever been connected to a computer via a USB cable or previously configured on that PC, the password may be stored in a utility program from the manufacturer. IJ Network Tool (or Canon IJ Network Scanner Utility (depending on the model) often stores configuration files, including SSID and security keys.
To check if this data is present, open the program on the computer to which the printer was previously connected. In the utility interface, navigate to the network settings section, where the current connection status is displayed. If the device is active on the network, the password may sometimes be hidden or copied to the clipboard.
☑️ Checking via the utility
Some software versions don't display the password directly, but you can see the encryption type and network name. This can help you remember the combination if you use standard passwords for different networks. Installation reports, which may contain the key, are also sometimes saved in the program logs.
Resetting the network settings of a Canon printer
If none of the previous methods work, there's a radical but effective solution: a complete reset of the printer's network settings to factory defaults. This will delete all saved Wi-Fi profiles and restore the wireless module to its "out of the box" state, allowing you to repeat the setup process and possibly view the password entry or reconfigure the router.
Reset procedure for different models Canon It's done differently. On devices with a screen, you need to go to the menu, select Settings, then Device and find the item Reset settingsOn models without a screen, you usually need to hold down the button Stop or a combination of buttons Wireless And Stop for 10-15 seconds until the alarm indicator flashes.
| Printer model | Action to reset | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Canon Pixma TS series | Menu -> Settings -> Reset | Network light blinking |
| Canon Pixma MG series | Hold Stop (10 sec) | Orange indicator |
| Canon Megatank G series | Direct + Stop button | Flashing of all indicators |
| Canon i-SENSYS | Menu -> Controls -> Reset | Sound signal |
After the reset, the printer will create its own access point or enter connection standby mode. This is a good time to run the setup wizard again, where the system can prompt you for the router's current settings if it's in range and supports automatic data transfer.
What happens to documents after a network reset?
Resetting network settings does not affect any documents or scan settings stored in the printer's memory. Only Wi-Fi connection settings, IP addresses, and router information are deleted. Your files and print history remain safe.
Printing a network configuration report
Many users forget that their printer can print a detailed report of its current status, including network parameters. Although the password is rarely displayed in plaintext for security reasons, the report contains critical information: the MAC address, current IP address, encryption type, and network name (SSID).
To print a report, you usually just need to press and hold the button Stop or button Resume/Cancel for a few seconds until the printer starts printing. On models with a display, this operation can be performed through the menu. Settings -> Report -> Network information.
The resulting report will help you identify the network your printer is connected to if you have multiple networks. Knowing the exact network name and security type makes it easier to brute-force the password or find it in your saved Windows passwords by matching the network name in the report with the name in the list of saved profiles.
Using the Windows Command Prompt to Recover Your Password
If the printer is already connected to the network, it means the computer used to configure it remembers the password. Windows stores the security keys for all networks the PC has ever connected to. You can easily retrieve this password using standard operating system tools, without having to access the router settings.
To do this, open the command prompt. Click Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter. In the window that opens, enter the command to display all saved Wi-Fi profiles:
netsh wlan show profilesFind your network name (SSID) in the list that matches the one displayed on the printer screen or in the configuration report. Then use the following command, replacing NETWORK_NAME to the real name of your Wi-Fi:
netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clearIn the text that appears, find the line Key content (or Key Content (in the English version). Your password will be displayed in clear text next to it. This method works on all modern versions of Windows and is the most reliable way to find a forgotten password if the printer is already connected to the network.
⚠️ Attention: These commands may require administrator privileges. If the system refuses to execute the command, run the Command Prompt as administrator by right-clicking the CMD icon and selecting the appropriate option.
Setting up via the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY mobile app
Modern models Canon actively interact with smartphones. Application Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY Allows you not only to print but also to manage device settings. If your phone is already connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the printer (or was previously connected), the app can automatically transfer this information to the printer when you set it up again.
The app's interface is intuitive. After launching and detecting the printer, go to the device's settings. The connection status is often displayed there. If you select the option to change the network, the app will offer to use your smartphone's current settings. This means your phone will "share" the password with the printer in the background, confirming that the information is correct.
Although the app doesn't always display the password in plain text on the screen (due to security concerns on Android and iOS), the very fact of a successful connection using this method confirms that the credentials are correct. This method is especially relevant for iPhone users, as iOS allows you to view the password for the current Wi-Fi network in Settings, and the app simply uses this system access.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to find out the password if the printer is not connected to the network?
No, if the printer has never been connected to your network, it won't know the password. In this case, you'll need to find the password on the router (on the sticker), in the provider's documentation, or look for saved passwords on a computer already connected to the Wi-Fi network.
What should I do if the WPS button on my router doesn't work?
The WPS function can be disabled in the router's settings via the web interface. Go to the router settings (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1), find the Wireless or Wi-Fi section, and make sure WPS is enabled. It may also not work if you're using WEP (an older encryption type); WPA2-PSK is required.
Will printing a network report reset all printer settings?
No, printing a network configuration report is a safe operation that simply prints the device's current status. It does not change any settings, delete any data, or interrupt any printing in the queue.
Why can't my Canon printer see the 5 GHz network?
Many printer models Canon Only support the 2.4 GHz band. If your router broadcasts networks with the same name for 2.4 and 5 GHz, try temporarily separating them in the router settings by giving them different names (for example, MyWiFi and MyWiFi_5G) and connect the printer to the 2.4 GHz network.
Where can I find the MAC address of my printer if I can't find the report?
The MAC address is often located on a sticker on the device (usually on the back or under the scanner), next to the serial number. It can also be found by pressing and holding the wireless button on some models until information prints, or by viewing the device's properties in the Windows printer list.