How to connect your Canon printer to WiFi
Your Canon printer connects to WiFi through a setup process that takes about five to ten minutes and happens only once. The printer needs to know your WiFi network name and password, then it joins your home network the same way your phone or laptop does. After that, any device on the same network can send print jobs to it without a cable.
The exact steps depend on whether your printer has a touchscreen. Most newer Canon models have one; older ones use buttons and a small LCD display. Either way, you are looking for a WiFi or network settings menu on the printer itself — not on your computer.
Key Takeaways
- Your Canon printer connects through its own menu, not through your computer's settings or printer driver software.
- You will need your WiFi network name (SSID) and password before you start, and the printer must be powered on and within range of your router.
- Most Canon printers offer WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) as the fastest option if your router has a WPS button, or manual entry if it does not.
- After the printer joins your network, your computer or phone finds it automatically when you open the print dialog, with no additional setup needed.
- If the printer cannot find your network, the most common causes are a typo in the password, the printer being too far from the router, or your router using a 5GHz band that older Canon models do not support.
Gather your WiFi information before you start
Write down your WiFi network name and password before you touch the printer. The network name is what you see when you look for available networks on your phone — it is not your router's brand or model. The password is what you type to connect any device to that network.
If you do not know your password, you can find it on the sticker attached to your router, or you can log into your router's settings through a web browser on your computer. Most routers have a sticker on the bottom or back with the network name and a default password printed on it. If you have changed the password since you set up the router, you will need to use the password you chose, not the one on the sticker.
Use WiFi Protected Setup if your router has a WPS button
The fastest way to connect is WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) if your router has a WPS button. This button is usually on the back or bottom of the router, sometimes labeled "WPS" and sometimes just a symbol that looks like two curved arrows. Pressing it puts your router into pairing mode for about two minutes.
On your Canon printer, open the menu using the button labeled Menu or the touchscreen home icon. Navigate to Settings or Network Settings — the exact name varies by model. Look for an option called WiFi Protected Setup or WPS. Select it, then press the WPS button on your router within the next two minutes. The printer will search for and join your network automatically. You will see a confirmation message on the printer's screen when it succeeds.
If your router does not have a WPS button, or if WPS fails after two attempts, use manual entry instead. Do not keep trying WPS — it will time out and you will need to start over.
Enter your network name and password manually
On the printer, open the menu and go to Settings or Network Settings. Select WiFi or Wireless LAN. Choose "Manual Entry" or "Other Networks" — the exact wording depends on your model. The printer will show you a list of networks it can see.
Find your network name in the list and select it. The printer will ask you to enter the password. Use the arrow buttons or touchscreen keyboard to type it exactly as it appears, including capital letters and numbers. Passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword". If you make a mistake, the printer will not connect and will ask you to try again.
After you enter the password, select Connect or OK. The printer will attempt to join the network. This usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. You will see a message on the screen when it succeeds. If it fails, double-check that you typed the password correctly and try again.
Verify the connection on your printer
After the printer connects, go back to the Network Settings menu and look for Network Status or Connection Status. This screen will show you the network name the printer is connected to and usually an IP address — a series of numbers like 192.168.1.100. If you see both of these, the printer is on your WiFi network.
Some Canon printers can print a network configuration page, which lists all the connection details. Look in the Settings menu for "Print Settings" or "Printer Information" and select "Print Network Configuration" or similar. This page confirms the printer is connected and shows you the IP address, which can be useful if you need to troubleshoot later.
Add the printer to your computer or phone
Once the printer is on your WiFi network, your computer or phone will find it automatically. On Windows, open Settings, go to Devices, then Printers and Scanners, and click "Add a printer or scanner". Wait a few seconds and your Canon printer should appear in the list. Click it and select "Add device".
On a Mac, go to System Preferences, then Printers and Scanners, and click the plus button. Your Canon printer should appear in the list. Click it and select "Add". On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, go to General, then AirPrint, and your printer will appear if it is on the same WiFi network.
You do not need to install any software or drivers for basic printing — your operating system has built-in support for Canon printers. If you want to use advanced features like scanning or copying, you may want to read the Canon print driver from Canon's website, but this is optional for straightforward printing.
Troubleshoot if the printer will not connect
If the printer cannot find your network, check three things first. Make sure the printer is within 30 feet of your router and there are no thick walls between them. Confirm that you typed the password correctly — even one wrong letter will cause the connection to fail. Restart the printer by turning it off, waiting 10 seconds, and turning it back on.
If the printer finds your network but fails to connect, the most common cause is an older Canon model trying to connect to a 5GHz WiFi band. Many printers made before 2015 only support 2.4GHz. Check your router's settings to see if it is broadcasting on 5GHz only. If it is, you may need to enable the 2.4GHz band or create a separate 2.4GHz network. Your router's manual or support page will explain how to do this.
If you see an error message about the password being wrong but you are certain it is correct, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait two minutes for it to fully restart, then try connecting the printer again. If the printer still will not connect after these steps, write down the exact error message and check Canon's support website for your specific model number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to connect the printer with a USB cable first?
No. You can set up WiFi on the printer without ever plugging in a USB cable. The WiFi setup happens entirely through the printer's menu. A USB cable is only needed if you want to scan documents to your computer, and even then it is optional if your printer supports WiFi scanning.
Will the printer stay connected if I restart my router?
Yes. Once the printer has joined your WiFi network, it remembers the network name and password. When your router restarts, the printer will automatically reconnect. You do not need to set it up again unless you change your WiFi password or network name.
Can I connect the printer to a guest WiFi network?
It depends on your router's settings. Most routers allow guest networks to communicate with devices on the main network, so printing will work. However, some routers isolate guest networks completely. If printing fails when the printer is on a guest network, try connecting it to your main network instead.
What if I changed my WiFi password after setting up the printer?
The printer will lose connection because it is still trying to use the old password. Go back to the printer's Network Settings, select your WiFi network, and enter the new password. The printer will reconnect when ready.
Can multiple people print to the same printer over WiFi?
Yes. Any device on the same WiFi network can print to the printer. There is no limit to how many people or devices can use it, though the printer will queue jobs and print them one at a time in the order they arrive.