Modern office tasks require mobility, and the presence of cables between the computer and printer often becomes a serious obstacle to efficient work. Model Canon PIXMA iX6840As a wide-format inkjet printer, the 10.5" is primarily aimed at professionals, but even in this category, wireless connectivity remains in demand. Switching to Wi-Fi frees up workspace and allows you to print documents from any device on the local network, be it a laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
The setup process may seem confusing due to the lack of a full-fledged display on the device, forcing the user to rely on indicators and software utilities. However, by following a clear step-by-step process, you can quickly integrate the printer into your ecosystem. In this article, we'll cover all setup steps in detail, from preparing the equipment to resolving specific issues with drivers and network protocols.
It's worth noting that connection stability directly depends not only on the correctness of the passwords entered, but also on the configuration of your router. WPA2 protocol is a security standard that this device supports without issue, while newer encryption standards may require adjustments to the router's settings. Let's start by checking the hardware's readiness.
Equipment preparation and compatibility testing
Before you begin software configuration, you need to make sure that you are physically ready Canon iX6840 Ready for operation. The device must be connected to a power source and turned on using the power button located on the front panel. The power indicator should be solid, indicating that the printer has completed its initial self-diagnosis and is ready to receive commands.
It is important to understand that the printer operates exclusively within the range 2.4 GHzIf your router broadcasts two networks with the same name (SSID) for the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, connection conflicts may occur. In such cases, experienced users recommend temporarily separating the networks in the router settings or creating a guest network exclusively for IoT devices.
⚠️ Important: Make sure the cartridges are installed and the protective tape is removed from all printhead components. Attempting to configure the network with hardware errors may cause the Wi-Fi module to freeze.
Also, make sure your computer or laptop used for setup is connected to the same Wi-Fi network to which you plan to connect the printer. This is critical for automatic detection.
Using the Canon installation disc and software
The most reliable way to activate the wireless module is to use the original installation disc included in the kit or download the latest driver package from the official website. Canon's software includes a utility. IJ Network Tool, which takes care of all the difficult work of scanning the airwaves and transmitting passwords.
After launching the installer, select the "Wireless LAN connection" option. The program will prompt you to select a connection method; for home use, the "Wireless connection to a computer" option is optimal. The system will automatically find the printer within range and offer to transfer your router settings to it.
- 📀 Insert the disc into the drive or run the downloaded file
setup.exeon behalf of the administrator. - 📡 Select the connection type "Wireless LAN".
- 🔐 Enter your Wi-Fi network password in the appropriate field if the program does not calculate it automatically.
- ✅ Wait until the installation of drivers and scanning utilities is complete.
During the installation process, you may need to temporarily connect the printer to your computer via USB cable. This is necessary for the initial transfer of network profiles. USB cable must be of high quality and preferably no more than 1.5 meters long to avoid data loss during the handshake process.
☑️ Pre-installation check
Setup via WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)
If your router supports WPS technology, the connection process Canon PIXMA iX6840 It's simplified to a minimum, as you don't need to enter the password manually. This method is ideal for situations where you don't have the installation disc handy or you're connecting the device from a mobile device.
On the front panel of the printer, locate the button marked with a wireless network icon or the letters "Direct." Press and hold this button for a few seconds until the power light flashes and the network light turns green. This puts the printer into connection standby mode.
Next, press the WPS button on your router. Within two minutes, the devices should find each other and exchange encryption keys. The Wi-Fi indicator on the printer should turn solid green, indicating a successful connection.
⚠️ Note: The WPS feature may be disabled by default in some routers' security settings. Check your router's admin interface and ensure WPS is enabled.
It's worth remembering that the WPS method is less secure from a cryptographic standpoint than manually entering a complex password, but for a home office network, the risk is minimal. The main advantage here is the speed of deployment.
What to do if WPS doesn't work?
If the router doesn't detect the printer, try moving the device closer to the signal source. Also, make sure your router doesn't have MAC address filtering enabled, which could block new devices.
Manual configuration via the router control panel
If automatic methods fail, manual configuration may be necessary. To do this, you'll need to find the printer's IP address, which can be obtained by printing a network connection report. Press and hold the Stop/Reset button or a combination of buttons (depending on the firmware version) until the printer displays a technical data page.
Find the section in the report Wi-Fi and write down the current IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.45). Enter this address into the address bar of any browser on a computer connected to the same network. This will open the device's web interface, where you can manually enter your network settings in the "Network" section.
| Parameter | Description | Example of meaning |
|---|---|---|
| SSID | Your wireless network name | Home_Office_5G |
| Security | Encryption type | WPA2-PSK (AES) |
| IP Address | Printer address on the network | 192.168.0.15 |
| Subnet Mask | Subnet mask | 255.255.255.0 |
| Gateway | Gateway (router) address | 192.168.0.1 |
Using a static IP address, as shown in the table, can prevent situations where the printer "disappears" from the network after a router reboot. A dynamic IP (DHCP) is convenient, but in corporate networks or networks with multiple devices, the printer address may change, requiring a driver reinstallation on the PC.
Installing drivers and adding a device in Windows
Once the printer is connected to Wi-Fi, Windows may automatically detect the new device. However, for full functionality, especially for wide-format printing, you need to install specific drivers. Go to "Settings" → "Devices" → "Printers & Scanners."
If the system doesn't find your printer automatically, click "Add a printer or scanner." When the search returns no results, select "The printer I want isn't listed." Then select "Add a printer by TCP/IP address" and enter the IP address you previously found or set statically.
The system will attempt to locate a driver. If the standard Windows driver doesn't meet your functionality requirements (for example, it doesn't support borderless printing or specific paper sizes), click "Have Disk" and specify the path to the files downloaded from the Canon website. PPD format (PostScript Printer Description) is critical for accurate color reproduction.
During the driver installation process, your antivirus or firewall may block the connection. In this case, you'll need to temporarily allow the Canon app to access the network. Without this step, the computer will see the printer but won't be able to send documents to it.
Mobile printing and cloud services**
Modern Canon iX6840 Supports Apple AirPrint and Mopria for Android, allowing you to print photos and documents directly from your smartphone without a PC. To do this, make sure your mobile device is on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer.
For advanced features, such as printing from anywhere in the world, it is recommended to register your device with the service. Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHYAfter installing the app on your smartphone and adding a printer, you can scan documents directly to your phone and send them to the cloud.
- 📱 Download the Canon PRINT app from the App Store or Google Play.
- 🔗 Click "Add printer" and select your model from the list.
- ☁️ Register your device to access Cloud Printing features.
- 🖼️ Use the app to print borderless photos directly from your gallery.
Please note that for cloud-based features to work, the printer must be constantly on and have a stable internet connection. If left idle for extended periods, the device may enter deep sleep mode, and the first document will be delayed.
Diagnostics and Solution (FAQ)
Even with proper setup, glitches can still occur. These are most often related to changes in router settings or operating system updates. If the Wi-Fi light on the printer is blinking, it means it's searching for a network or transmitting data. If it's orange or off, there's no connection.
A common problem is IP address conflicts, where two devices on the network are assigned the same address. This can be resolved by rebooting the router or manually changing the address in the TCP/IP settings. It's also worth checking whether your antivirus software is blocking the ports used for printing (usually port 9100).
⚠️ Note: Software interfaces and web pages may be updated by the manufacturer. If the menu items described differ, please look for similar sections in the most current version of the manual.
Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions from users, which will help you quickly resolve problems without contacting a service center.
Why can't my computer see my Canon iX6840 printer on the network?
Most often, the problem is that the computer and printer are on different subnets (for example, one is connected to a guest network, the other to the main network). Also, check if Windows Firewall is blocking the connection. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus for diagnostics.
How do I reset my printer's network settings to factory defaults?
To reset network settings on Canon PIXMA iX6840 You need to turn off the printer. Then, press and hold the Stop/Reset button (the triangle in the circle) and, without releasing it, turn on the power. Keep holding the button until the power indicator flashes a certain number of times (usually 15 times for a full reset or until the Wi-Fi icon appears), then release it. The printer will reboot with the factory network settings.
Can this printer be connected to 5GHz Wi-Fi?
No, the wireless module in the iX6840 model only operates in the 2.4 GHz band. If your router combines both bands into a single network (Smart Connect), try separating them into different SSIDs in the router settings or force the router to switch to compatibility mode.
Printing is slow over Wi-Fi, what is the reason?
Wi-Fi printing speed depends on signal strength and channel congestion. If the printer is located far from the router or behind thick walls, data transfer speeds will drop. Try using a USB cable for large print jobs or moving the router closer.
What is the maximum paper size supported by the iX6840?
This model is wide-format and supports printing on A3+ paper (13x19 inches or 329x483 mm). Make sure the correct paper size is selected in the driver, otherwise the printer may refuse to print or crop the image.