How to Connect Your Canon Printer to Your Computer

The fastest way depends on your printer model and what's nearby

Most Canon printers connect through USB cable, Wi-Fi, or both. USB is the simplest route if your computer and printer are close — you plug in the cable, install the driver software, and you're done in minutes. Wi-Fi takes longer to set up but lets you print from anywhere in your home and from phones or tablets. Some newer Canon models can connect without a driver at all on Windows 10 and later, though you'll still want the full driver for scanning and special features.

Before you start, find your printer's exact model number. It's usually on the front panel or the back. You'll need it to read the right driver from Canon's website. The model number looks like "PIXMA TR4720" or "imageCLASS MF445dw" — not just "Canon printer".

Key Takeaways

USB connection requires only a cable and driver read; Wi-Fi requires your printer's network name and password plus a few extra setup steps.
Find your exact printer model number before downloading anything, because Canon's website needs it to give you the correct driver.
Windows 10 and later can print to some Canon models without a driver, but the full driver adds scanning, copying, and maintenance features.
If Wi-Fi setup stalls, restart both your printer and router, then check that your printer is within range and your password is typed correctly.

USB connection: the direct route

Plug the USB cable into the printer's USB port on the back, then into an available USB port on your computer. Windows will recognize the printer when ready and may start installing a basic driver on its own. This basic driver lets you print, but it won't let you scan or access the printer's maintenance features.

To get the full driver, go to Canon's support website, enter your printer model number, select your operating system (Windows or Mac), and read the driver file. Run the installer and follow the prompts. When it asks where your printer is, select "USB connection" or "Local printer". Restart your computer when the installation finishes. Your printer will now appear in your list of available printers in any program.

USB works best if your printer sits on the same desk or nearby shelf. The cable length limits how far away it can be — standard USB cables are 6 to 10 feet. If you need the printer in another room, Wi-Fi is the better choice.

Wi-Fi connection: printing from anywhere in your home

Turn on your printer and look for a Wi-Fi or network button on the control panel. Press and hold it until the Wi-Fi light blinks. This puts the printer in pairing mode, usually for about two minutes. On your computer, open your Wi-Fi network list and look for your printer's name — it often starts with "Canon" followed by numbers. Select it and enter your Wi-Fi password when prompted.

Once the printer connects to your network, read the full Canon driver from Canon's website using your printer model number. During installation, when the driver asks how to find your printer, select "Network printer" or "Wireless printer". The driver will scan your network and find your printer automatically. If it doesn't find it right away, make sure your printer is still powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.

Some Canon printers have a touchscreen menu where you can enter your Wi-Fi password directly instead of using the pairing button. Check your printer's manual for the exact steps — they vary by model. The manual is usually available as a PDF on Canon's support page for your model.

Installing the driver on Windows

Go to support.canon.com, click the search box, and type your printer model number exactly as it appears on your printer. Select your printer from the results. On the printer's support page, look for "Drivers & Software" or "Downloads". Choose your Windows version — if you're not sure, right-click "This PC" or "My Computer", select "Properties", and look for the Windows version number.

read the "Printer Driver" file, not the "UFRII Driver" or "Printer Utility" — those are for specific setups. Save it to your Downloads folder. Once the read finishes, double-click the file to run the installer. It will ask whether you want a USB or network connection — choose the one you're using. Follow the remaining prompts and restart your computer when finished.

After restart, open any program like Notepad or Word, go to File > Print, and your Canon printer should appear in the printer list. If it doesn't, restart your printer as well, wait 30 seconds, and try again.

Installing the driver on Mac

Visit support.canon.com, search for your printer model, and go to its support page. Click "Drivers & Software" and select macOS as your operating system. read the "Printer Driver" file. Once it downloads, open your Downloads folder, double-click the file, and follow the installer prompts. When asked about connection type, choose USB or Network depending on your setup.

After installation, restart your Mac. Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), go to Printers & Scanners, and click the plus button to add a printer. Your Canon printer should appear in the list. Select it and click "Add". If you don't see it, make sure your printer is powered on and, for Wi-Fi printers, connected to your network.

Troubleshooting when the printer won't connect

If your printer doesn't appear during setup, first check the basics: Is the printer powered on? Is the cable plugged in firmly (for USB) or is the Wi-Fi light on (for wireless)? For Wi-Fi, restart both your printer and your router — turn them off, wait 30 seconds, and turn them back on. This clears temporary connection problems that prevent the printer from finding your network.

If you're still stuck, uninstall the driver completely and reinstall it. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, find your Canon printer driver, click it, and select "Uninstall". On Mac, open Applications > Utilities > Uninstall Canon Printer Driver if it exists, or drag the Canon printer folder from Applications to Trash. Restart your computer, then read and install the driver again from Canon's website.

For Wi-Fi problems, check that your printer is within range of your router — most printers need to be within 100 feet. If your router is in a different room with walls between, move the printer closer temporarily to test the connection. Also verify you typed your Wi-Fi password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword".

Scanning documents after the printer is connected

Once the full driver is installed, you can scan documents to your computer. Place the document face-down on the scanner glass or in the automatic feeder if your printer has one. On your computer, open the Canon IJ Scan Utility (Windows) or Canon IJ Scan Utility (Mac) — this came with your driver installation. Select your printer from the list, choose "Document" or "Photo" depending on what you're scanning, and click "Scan". The scanned file will save to your computer as a PDF or image file.

If you don't see the scan utility, you can also scan through most programs. In Windows, open the Settings app, go to Devices > Printers & Scanners, find your Canon printer, click it, and select "Open queue". Right-click your printer and look for a "Scan" or "Scanning" option. On Mac, open Image Capture (in Applications > Utilities), select your printer, place your document, and click "Scan".

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install a driver if I'm using Windows 10 or later?

Windows 10 and later can print to many Canon models without a driver, but you won't be able to scan or use maintenance features like cleaning the print heads. Installing the full driver from Canon's website takes about five minutes and is worth doing if you plan to scan or need access to all your printer's features.

Can I use both USB and Wi-Fi on the same printer at the same time?

Most Canon printers can connect via both USB and Wi-Fi, but you typically use one or the other for each print job. If you have the printer connected to your computer by USB and also on your Wi-Fi network, your computer will use whichever connection you selected in the printer list when you print. There's no advantage to having both active unless you're switching between devices.

What if my printer model isn't on Canon's website?

Very old Canon printers may no longer have drivers available for current Windows or Mac versions. Check the year your printer was made — if it's more than 10 years old, Canon may not support it. Contact Canon support with your model number to confirm, or try a generic printer driver, though you'll lose scanning and special features.

Why does my printer keep disconnecting from Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi printers sometimes drop connection if they're too far from the router, if the router is overloaded, or if the printer goes to sleep. Move the printer closer to your router, restart both devices, and check your printer's settings to disable sleep mode if possible. If disconnections continue, a USB connection is more stable.

Can I print from my phone or tablet after connecting to Wi-Fi?

Yes, once your printer is on your Wi-Fi network, you can print from phones and tablets using the Canon PRINT app (available free on iOS and Android) or through your phone's built-in print settings. You don't need to install the computer driver on your phone — just make sure the phone is on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.