The basic steps to get your Canon printer on WiFi
Most Canon printers connect to WiFi through a menu on the printer itself, not through your computer. You'll need your WiFi network name and password, and the process takes about five minutes. The printer finds your network, you enter the password, and then your computer can print to it wirelessly from anywhere in your home.
The exact steps depend on whether your printer has a touchscreen. If it does, you navigate through menus on the screen. If it doesn't, you use buttons on the printer body to cycle through options. Either way, the printer does the heavy lifting — you're just telling it which network to join and what password to use.
Key Takeaways
- Turn on the printer and look for a WiFi or network button on the body or touchscreen to start the connection process.
- The printer will show you a list of available networks; select your home WiFi network from that list.
- Enter your WiFi password exactly as it appears (uppercase and lowercase matter), then wait for the printer to confirm the connection.
- Once connected, your computer will see the printer in its list of available devices without needing to install special software.
- If the printer does not appear on your computer, restart both the printer and your router, then check that they are on the same WiFi network.
Finding the WiFi button on your printer
Look at the front or top of your Canon printer for a button labeled WiFi, Network, or with a WiFi symbol (curved lines). On some models, especially older ones, this button might be small and recessed — you may need to press it with a pen or straightened paperclip. Press and hold it for about three seconds until you see lights blink or a message appear on the screen.
If your printer has a touchscreen, tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines or a gear symbol) and look for settings labeled "Network," "WiFi," or "Wireless." Once you find it, select "WiFi Setup" or "Connect to Network." The printer will then search for available networks in your area.
Selecting your network and entering the password
After you press the WiFi button or select WiFi setup, the printer will display a list of networks it can see. Find your home WiFi network name in that list — it's the same name you see on your phone or computer when you connect to WiFi. Highlight it using the arrow buttons on the printer (or tap it if you have a touchscreen) and press OK or Select.
The printer will then ask you to enter your WiFi password. Type it carefully using the printer's keypad or touchscreen. Passwords are case-sensitive, which means uppercase and lowercase letters are different — if your password is "MyPassword123" and you type "mypassword123," the connection will fail. Take your time and double-check each character before pressing OK.
The printer will attempt to connect. You'll see a message saying "Connecting" or similar, followed by either "Connected" or an error message. If it says "Connected," your printer is now on WiFi. If you see an error, go back and re-enter the password — the most common mistake is typing it wrong the first time.
What to do if the printer does not appear on your computer
After the printer connects to WiFi, your computer should see it automatically within a minute or two. On Windows, open Settings, go to Devices, then Printers and Scanners, and look for your Canon printer in the list. On Mac, go to System Preferences, Printers and Scanners, and click the plus sign to add a printer — your Canon should appear there.
If the printer does not show up, restart both the printer and your WiFi router. Turn off the printer completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. This clears temporary connection problems and forces both devices to reconnect fresh.
After restarting, check that the printer is still connected to WiFi by looking at the printer's screen or checking its network status in the menu. If it shows "Connected," wait another minute and check your computer again. If the printer still does not appear, make sure your computer is on the same WiFi network as the printer — they must be on the same network to see each other.
Printing a test page to confirm the connection works
Once the printer appears in your computer's printer list, print a test page to make sure everything is working. On Windows, right-click the printer in Printers and Scanners and select "Printer properties," then click "Print Test Page." On Mac, open System Preferences, Printers and Scanners, select your Canon printer, and click "Print Test Page."
If the test page prints, your printer is fully connected and ready to use. If nothing prints, check that the printer has paper and is not showing an error message on its screen. If there is an error, clear it and try the test page again. If the printer still does not respond, restart both devices once more and repeat the test.
Reconnecting if your printer loses WiFi
Sometimes a printer will disconnect from WiFi if the router restarts or if the printer is turned off and back on. If this happens, the printer usually reconnects automatically within a minute. If it does not, press the WiFi button again and select your network — the printer will remember your password and reconnect without asking you to type it again.
If the printer repeatedly disconnects, move it closer to your router. WiFi signals weaken with distance and through walls. If moving it is not possible, consider a WiFi extender or mesh network to strengthen the signal in that part of your home. You can also check your router's settings to make sure it is not dropping devices that have not sent data for a while — some routers have a setting that disconnects idle devices, and disabling it will keep your printer connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to install software on my computer to use the printer over WiFi?
No. Once the printer is connected to WiFi and appears in your computer's printer list, you can print to it when ready. Some Canon printers have optional software that adds extra features like scanning to your computer, but it is not required for basic printing.
What if I forgot my WiFi password?
Check the back or bottom of your router — many routers have the password printed on a sticker. If you cannot find it, log into your router's settings page (usually by typing the router's IP address into a web browser) and look for the WiFi password there. Your internet provider can also tell you the password if you call them.
Can I connect the printer to WiFi using a USB cable instead?
Some Canon printers have a setup utility that runs on your computer when you plug in a USB cable. This utility can configure WiFi for you, which is helpful if you are having trouble entering the password on the printer itself. Check your printer's manual or Canon's website to see if your model has this feature.
Why does the printer keep asking for the password even though I already entered it?
This usually means the password was typed incorrectly the first time. The printer will not save a password that did not work. Try entering it again, paying close attention to uppercase and lowercase letters. If you are still stuck, reset the printer's network settings to factory defaults (usually found in the network menu) and start the WiFi connection process over.
Can I print to the printer from my phone or tablet?
Yes. Once the printer is on WiFi, you can print from your phone or tablet using Canon's PRINT app (available free on iOS and Android) or through your phone's built-in printing feature. Your phone must be on the same WiFi network as the printer.