How to find the Wi-Fi password on a Canon printer: all the methods (2026)

Forgot your printer's Wi-Fi password? Canon and can't connect new devices? This problem is familiar to many users of wireless MFPs and printers of the PIXMA, MAXIFY or imageCLASSWithout the correct password, you won't be able to print from your smartphone, tablet, or second computer—the device simply won't see the printer on the local network. Fortunately, there are several ways to restore access, and most of them don't require advanced technical knowledge.

In this article we will look at all current methods getting a Wi-Fi password from a printer Canon — from viewing the device menu to resetting network settings. You'll learn how to find the password in the router settings, where connection data is stored in Windows/macOS, and what to do if the printer won't connect to the network at all. We'll cover this in detail. nuances for different models (for example, Canon MG3640 vs PIXMA TR8620) and typical errors that may prevent password recovery from working.

1. Where is the Wi-Fi password stored on a Canon printer: Technical Basics

Before you look for a password, it is important to understand, like a printer Canon saves network settingsUnlike routers, where the Wi-Fi password can be viewed in the web interface, printers store connection data in their internal memory. The password itself can be:

  • 🔑 User defined - if you manually configured the connection to the router through the printer panel or utility Canon PRINT Utility.
  • 📡 Generated automatically - many models Canon (For example, PIXMA MG2540) when connecting for the first time, create a unique password to protect the direct connection (mode Wi-Fi Direct).
  • 🔄 Inherited from the router - If the printer is connected to a home network, it uses the same password as other devices.

Key point: The password for connecting to a printer via Wi-Fi and the password for your home router are not always the same.. For example, if you use the function Wi-Fi Direct, the printer creates its own network with a unique name (for example, CANON-XX-MG3600) and a separate password. This password may differ from the one you enter to connect your laptop to the router.

It is also worth considering that some models Canon (in particular, office imageCLASS) support double authentication: First, connect the printer to the network, then enter the PIN on its control panel. In this case, you'll need both.

📊 Which Canon printer do you have?
PIXMA (home)
MAXIFY (office)
imageCLASS (MFP)
SELPHY (photo printer)
Another

2. Method 1: View the password on the printer control panel

The most obvious method is to find the password directly in the printer menu. This method works if:

  • ✅ The printer is turned on and responds to button presses.
  • ✅ The device is connected to Wi-Fi (the network indicator is green or blue).
  • ✅ The printer has a screen (even a small monochrome one).

Instructions for most models Canon PIXMA/MAXIFY:

  1. Click the button Setup (or Settings) on the printer panel.
  2. Go to the section Wi-Fi Settings → Wireless LAN Setup.
  3. Select Confirm LAN Settings or View WLAN Settings.
  4. Find the line Password, Network Key or Security Key — the current password will be displayed here.

For models with a touch screen (eg. Canon PIXMA TR8620 or MAXIFY GX6020):

  1. Tap the icon Settings (gear).
  2. Select Wi-Fi settings → LAN settings.
  3. Tap on Connection details — the password may be hidden under the button Show.

⚠️ Attention: On printers without a screen (for example, Canon PIXMA MG2540) this method won't work. In this case, proceed to the next method.

3. Method 2: Extracting the password from the router settings

If your printer is connected to your home router, you can find the Wi-Fi password through the router's web interface. This is a universal method that works regardless of the printer model. You'll need:

  • 🖥️ A computer or smartphone already connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • 🔌 IP address of the router (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
  • 🔑 Login and password to enter the router settings (by default, often admin/admin).

Step-by-step instructions:

  1. Open your browser and enter your router's IP address in the address bar (for example, http://192.168.0.1).
  2. Log in (login/password are usually indicated on the router sticker).
  3. Go to the section Wi-Fi, Wireless network or Wireless.
  4. Find the tab Security (Security) - there will be a line here Password, Network Key or PSK Password.

For popular router models the path may differ:

Router brand Wi-Fi password path
TP-Link Basic → Wireless → Wireless Security
ASUS Wireless → General → WPA-PSK Key
Keenetic Home Network → Access Point → Password
MikroTik Wireless → Security Profiles → Tab "General"

⚠️ Attention: If the mode is enabled in the router settings WPS, printer Canon I could connect to the network without entering a password—by pressing a button on the router. In this case, the password may not be available in the printer menu, and new connections will require reactivation. WPS.

What should I do if I can't access my router?

If you've forgotten your router's login/password, try resetting it to factory settings. To do this, press and hold the button. Reset (usually located on the back panel) for 10-15 seconds. After the reset, the login information will be the default ones (indicated on the device's sticker).

4. Method 3: Password recovery via Canon software (PRINT Utility, IJ Network Tool)

Company Canon offers official printer management utilities that can display network settings, including the Wi-Fi password. These programs run on Windows and macOS.

Utility 1: Canon PRINT Utility

  • 📥 Download the program from official Canon website (Support section → enter your printer model).
  • 🔌 Connect the printer to your computer via USB (even if it's already on a Wi-Fi network).
  • 🖱️ Launch PRINT Utility, select your printer and go to Printer settings → Network settings.
  • 🔍 Tab Wi-Fi or Wireless communication may contain information about the current connection, including the password.

Utility 2: IJ Network Tool (for advanced users)

  1. Download IJ Network Tool from the website Canon.
  2. Run the program - it will automatically find all printers Canon in the local network.
  3. Select your printer and click Configuration.
  4. In the window that opens, go to the tab Wireless LAN — connection data may be displayed here.

⚠️ Attention: On some printer models (for example, Canon PIXMA TS3450) these utilities only show the network name (SSID), but not the password. In this case, try the following method.

Download the official utility from the Canon website | Connect the printer to your PC via USB | Run the program as administrator | Check the "Network Settings" section -->

5. Method 4: Reset the printer's network settings (if nothing helps)

If the previous methods did not work, there remains a radical way - reset the printer's network settings and set up the connection again. This will delete the current Wi-Fi password but allow you to set a new one.

Reset instructions:

  1. Press and hold the button Wi-Fi (or Wireless) on the printer control panel for 5-10 seconds until the indicator starts flashing orange.
  2. On some models (eg, Canon MAXIFY MB2720) you need to clamp Stop/Reset and hold until the light blinks twice.
  3. After resetting, the printer will create a new network. Wi-Fi Direct with the default password. It can be found:
    • 📄 On the sticker on the back or bottom of the printer (line Password or PIN).
    • 📋 In the user manual (section "Getting Started").

Next, connect to this network from a computer or smartphone and set up the printer again via:

  • 🌐 Printer web interface (enter its IP address in the browser).
  • 📱 Application Canon PRINT (available for Android And iOS).

⚠️ Attention: Resetting network settings does not affect other printer settings (such as ink counters or print settings). However, if you reset all settings (through Full Reset), the printer will return to its factory state - this will require a complete reconfiguration.

6. Method 5: View saved passwords on a computer or smartphone

If your computer or smartphone has previously connected to the printer's network (for example, via Wi-Fi Direct), the password may have been saved in the system. Here's how to retrieve it:

On Windows 10/11:

  1. Open Parameters → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
  2. Click Managing known networks.
  3. Select the printer network (e.g. CANON-XX-MG3600) and click Properties.
  4. In the section Security parameters check the box Show entered characters — the password will become visible.

On macOS:

  1. Open Spotlight (⌘ + Space) and enter Bunch of keys.
  2. Find the printer's network name in the list.
  3. Double-click on the entry and check the box Show password (You will be asked to enter your Mac account password).

On Android:

  • 📱 Install the application WiFi Password Viewer (root rights required).
  • 🔍 Or use the function Export passwords in the Wi-Fi settings (available on some firmware versions, for example, MIUI).

On iPhone/iPad:

Apple doesn't allow you to view saved Wi-Fi passwords directly. However, if you have a Mac synced with the same Apple ID, you can find the password through A bunch of keys (see instructions for macOS above).

7. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

When recovering Wi-Fi passwords on printers Canon Users often encounter the same problems. Here are the most common errors and their solutions:

  • 🔴 The printer does not connect to Wi-Fi after resetting.

    Check if your router supports the standard 802.11n (many old printers Canon don't work with 802.11ac). Try disabling it temporarily. 5 GHz and leave only 2.4 GHz.

  • 🔴 The password is not displayed on the printer screen.

    On models without a display (for example, Canon PIXMA MG2540) The password can only be found through the router or software. If the printer is new, look for the default password on the sticker.

  • 🔴 Canon utility doesn't detect the printer

    Make sure the printer and computer are connected to the same network. Disable your firewall or antivirus software—they may be blocking the connection. Try connecting the printer via USB.

  • 🔴 After reset, the printer creates a network without internet access.

    This is normal for the regime Wi-Fi DirectTo enable the printer to print over the Internet, connect it to your router (see the user manual for instructions).

💡 Advice: If you often forget your passwords, write them down in a safe place (for example, in a password manager) KeePass or 1Password). For printers Canon You can create a separate entry with data:

  • Network Name (SSID) printer.
  • Wi-Fi password (or PIN for Wi-Fi Direct).
  • The IP address of the printer on the local network.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Wi-Fi Passwords on Canon Printers

My Canon printer won't connect to Wi-Fi after changing the router password. What should I do?

The printer retains the old connection settings. You need to:

  1. Reset the printer's network settings (see Method 4).
  2. Connect to a new network through the control panel or utility Canon PRINT Utility.
  3. Enter a new password for the router.

If the printer does not see the network, check that the router is operating in mode 2.4 GHz (many models Canon do not support 5 GHz).

Where can I find the Wi-Fi Direct password for my Canon PIXMA printer?

Password for the mode Wi-Fi Direct you can find:

  • On the sticker on the back or bottom of the printer (line Password or PIN).
  • In the user manual (section "Wireless communication").
  • On the printer screen: Settings → Wi-Fi Direct → Password.

If the sticker has worn off, reset the settings. Wi-Fi Direct (cm. Method 4) - the printer will generate a new password.

Is it possible to find out a printer's Wi-Fi password using the command line?

Yes, if the computer was connected to the printer's network. In Windows:

  1. Open Command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
  2. Run the command: 
    netsh wlan show profile name="PRINTER_NETWORK_NAME" key=clear

    Replace PRINTER_NETWORK_NAME to the actual name (for example, CANON-XX-MG3600).

  3. Find the line Key content - this is the password.

On macOS/Linux use the command security find-generic-password -wa "NETWORK_NAME".

My Canon printer is connected to the network, but it won't print over Wi-Fi. What's the problem?

Possible reasons:

  • The printer and computer are connected to different networks (for example, one to 2.4 GHz, another to 5 GHz).
  • The protocol is disabled Bonjour (Needed to detect the printer on the network). Install it from the Apple website.
  • The firewall is blocking ports. Add an exception for the printer in the firewall settings.
  • The printer driver is out of date. Download the latest version from the website. Canon.

Check the connection status in the utility Canon PRINT Utility or via the printer's web interface (enter its IP in the browser).

How to protect your Canon printer from unauthorized access via Wi-Fi?

Safety recommendations:

  • 🔒 Turn it off Wi-Fi Direct, if you do not use it (in the printer settings).
  • 🔄 Update your printer firmware regularly via Canon PRINT Utility.
  • 📛 Change the network name (SSID) printer to a unique one (do not leave the standard one) CANON-XX-...).
  • 🚫 Turn it off WPS on the router - this protocol is vulnerable to hacking.
  • 🔑 Use a complex password (at least 12 characters with numbers and special characters).

For office printers Canon imageCLASS set up access by IP filtering — allow connections only from certain addresses.

📖 Read also

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