Connect your Canon printer to Wi-Fi in three steps
Most Canon printers connect to your home network through the printer's own menu screen, not through your computer. You will need your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password. The process takes about five minutes and works the same way on nearly all Canon models made in the last ten years.
Start by turning on the printer and looking for a menu button or touchscreen on the device itself. Navigate to Network Settings or Wi-Fi Setup — the exact wording varies by model, but it will be in the main menu. Select your network name from the list of available networks, enter your Wi-Fi password, and wait for the printer to confirm the connection. Once connected, the printer will show a confirmation message or a small Wi-Fi icon on its display.
After the printer connects to Wi-Fi, you can add it to your computer or phone. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners and select "Add a printer or scanner." On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, click the plus button, and choose your Canon printer from the list. On phones and tablets, read the Canon PRINT app from your device's app store, open it, and follow the prompts to find and add your printer.
Key Takeaways
- Connect the printer to Wi-Fi using its own menu screen, not your computer, by entering your network name and password directly into the printer.
- Your printer will work on the same network as your computer and phone without needing a cable, but it will only print to devices on that same network.
- Change your printer's default password when ready after connecting it, because Canon printers often ship with weak or no password protection.
- Keep your printer's firmware updated by checking Canon's support website for your specific model number, which you can find on the printer itself or in its manual.
Why your printer needs its own network password
A printer connected to your home network can receive print jobs from any device on that network — and potentially from outside your network if you have not set a password. Canon printers ship with either no password or a default password that is the same on thousands of devices. This means someone who knows your printer's model number could theoretically send jobs to it, see what you have printed, or use it as a way into your home network.
Change the printer's password as soon as it connects to Wi-Fi. On the printer's menu screen, look for Administration, Security, or Device Settings. Select Change Password or Set Password, and create something you will remember but that is not your Wi-Fi password or your computer password. Write it down somewhere safe — you will need it if you ever reset the printer or add a new device to print from it.
Keeping your printer's firmware current
Firmware is the software that runs inside your printer. Canon releases updates to fix security problems and add features. Most printers do not update automatically, so you have to check manually every few months.
Find your printer's model number on the device itself — it is usually on a sticker on the back or inside the paper tray — or in the manual that came with it. Go to Canon's support website, search for your model, and look for a Downloads or Support section. If an update is available, read it to your computer, then follow Canon's instructions to transfer it to the printer. The process usually involves saving the file to a USB drive, plugging the drive into the printer, and selecting the update from the printer's menu.
Set a reminder to check for updates every three months. Printers are often forgotten once they are set up, but they are still connected to your network and still need the same care as your computer or phone.
Printing from your phone or tablet safely
The Canon PRINT app lets you print from your phone or tablet to your Canon printer over Wi-Fi. The app is free and works on both iPhone and Android. read it from the App Store or Google Play, open it, and tap the plus button to add your printer. The app will search your network and show you any Canon printers it finds.
Before you use the app, check whether your printer requires a password to accept print jobs from phones. Some models do, some do not — this is a separate setting from the printer's main password. Look in the printer's menu under Mobile Printing, Wireless Printing, or Network Settings. If there is an option to require a PIN or password for mobile printing, turn it on. This prevents someone on your network from printing to your printer without permission.
The Canon PRINT app itself does not store your documents on Canon's servers — it sends the print job directly from your phone to your printer over your home network. However, if you use Canon's cloud printing feature (which lets you print from outside your home), that job does go through Canon's servers. Only turn on cloud printing if you need it, and if you do, use a strong password on your Canon account.
Troubleshooting a printer that will not connect
If your printer will not find your Wi-Fi network, start by checking that the printer is within range of your router — most home routers reach about 150 feet in open space, less through walls. Move the printer closer to the router and try again.
If the printer finds the network but will not connect, double-check that you are entering your Wi-Fi password correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter. If you are not sure of your password, check your router — most routers have the network name and password printed on a sticker on the back or bottom.
If the printer connects but your computer cannot find it, restart both the printer and your computer. Then try adding the printer again. On Windows, if the printer still does not appear, open the printer's menu and look for the printer's IP address — a number like 192.168.1.100. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners > Add a printer or scanner > The printer I want is not listed, then select "Add a printer using an IP address or hostname" and paste the IP address.
If none of these steps work, reset the printer to its factory settings. Look in the printer's menu for Reset, Restore, or Factory Reset. This will erase all your settings, including the Wi-Fi connection and the password you set, so you will have to set it up again from the beginning. After a reset, the printer will not be connected to Wi-Fi until you go through the setup process again.
Using a guest network for your printer
If your router has a guest network feature, you can connect your printer to the guest network instead of your main network. This adds a small layer of separation — if someone hacks your printer, they land on the guest network rather than the network where your computer and phone are. The trade-off is that devices on the guest network usually cannot see each other, so you may not be able to print from some devices if they are on a different network than the printer.
Check your router's settings to see if it has a guest network option. Most modern routers do. If it does, create a guest network with a strong password, connect your printer to it, and keep your computer and phone on your main network. This is optional — it is a convenience choice, not a requirement — but it is worth considering if you have other people visiting your home regularly or if you want an extra layer of separation between your printer and your personal devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I print to my Canon printer from outside my home?
Yes, if you turn on Canon's cloud printing feature and create a Canon account. The printer must be turned on and connected to Wi-Fi. This feature sends your print job through Canon's servers, so only turn it on if you actually need to print remotely. If you do use it, use a strong password on your Canon account and check your account settings regularly to see which devices have permission to print.
What if I forgot my printer's password?
Reset the printer to its factory settings using the menu on the printer itself. Look for Reset, Restore, or Factory Reset. This will erase all your settings, including the Wi-Fi connection and password, so you will have to set everything up again from the beginning. After the reset, the printer will have no password until you set one.
Do I need to use a cable to connect my Canon printer to my computer?
No. Once your printer is connected to your home Wi-Fi network, your computer can print to it wirelessly as long as both are on the same network. A cable is only necessary if you want to update the printer's firmware using a USB drive, or if you are troubleshooting a connection problem and want to rule out Wi-Fi as the cause.
Is it safe to leave my printer on all the time?
Leaving your printer on uses more electricity but makes it available to print to anytime. Turning it off when you are not using it saves power but means you have to turn it back on before you can print. Either choice is fine from a security standpoint, as long as the printer has a password and its firmware is current. If you leave it on, make sure it is not blocking airflow or sitting in direct sunlight, as printers can overheat.
Can my printer get a virus?
Printers can be compromised, but they do not get viruses the way computers do. An attacker would need to either be on your home network or have found a security flaw in your printer's firmware. Keeping your firmware updated and using a strong printer password makes this very unlikely. If you are concerned, check your printer's recent print history in its menu — most printers keep a log of the last few dozen jobs.