The fastest way to connect your Canon printer to WiFi

Most Canon printers connect to WiFi through a menu on the printer itself or through Canon's mobile app. You'll need your WiFi network name and password, and the printer must be within range of your router. The whole process usually takes five to ten minutes, and you only do it once.

The exact steps depend on which Canon model you have, but the method is almost always the same: find the WiFi or Network settings on your printer's screen, select your network, enter your password, and wait for the connection to confirm. If your printer doesn't have a screen, you'll use the Canon PRINT app on your phone instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Canon printers with a screen connect through the Settings or Network menu on the printer itself, not through your computer.
  • Printers without a screen use the Canon PRINT app on your phone to find and connect to your WiFi network.
  • You need your WiFi password ready before you start, and the printer must be plugged in and turned on.
  • After the printer connects, your computer or phone will see it as an available printer without any additional setup.

Connect a Canon printer with a built-in screen

If your printer has a touchscreen or small LCD display on the front, this is the easiest route. Look for a button labeled Menu, Settings, or a gear icon on the printer's control panel.

Step 1: Press the Menu or Settings button on your printer. You'll see a list of options on the screen.

Step 2: Look for Network, WiFi, or Wireless settings. The exact name varies by model, but it will mention network or wireless. Select it.

Step 3: Choose "WiFi Setup" or "Wireless LAN Setup." The printer will show you a list of available networks in your area.

Step 4: Find your WiFi network name in the list and select it. If you don't see it, make sure your router is turned on and the printer is within 30 feet of it.

Step 5: When prompted, enter your WiFi password using the printer's keypad or touchscreen. Be careful with uppercase and lowercase letters — passwords are case-sensitive.

Step 6: Press OK or Confirm. The printer will attempt to connect. You'll see a message saying "Connected" or showing a WiFi symbol when it succeeds. This usually takes 10 to 30 seconds.

Connect a Canon printer without a screen using the mobile app

Smaller Canon printers, especially portable models, don't have a display screen. These connect through the Canon PRINT app on your phone or tablet instead.

Step 1: Download the Canon PRINT app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your phone. It's free.

Step 2: Make sure your printer is turned on and plugged in. Look for a WiFi button on the printer itself — it usually has a WiFi symbol. Press and hold it for three to five seconds until you see a light blink or hear a beep. This puts the printer in pairing mode.

Step 3: Open the Canon PRINT app and tap the plus sign or "Add Printer" button.

Step 4: The app will search for nearby Canon printers in pairing mode. When you see your printer model appear, tap it to select it.

Step 5: The app will ask for your WiFi network name and password. Enter them exactly as they appear — check for capital letters and special characters.

Step 6: Tap Connect or Next. The app will send this information to the printer. Wait 30 to 60 seconds for the connection to complete. You'll see a confirmation message when it's done.

What to do if the printer won't connect

The most common reason a Canon printer won't connect is an incorrect password. Passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword." If you're not sure your password is correct, check it on another device that's already connected to the same WiFi network.

If the password is correct but the printer still won't connect, move the printer closer to your router. WiFi signals weaken with distance and through walls. Try placing the printer within 15 feet of the router with no large metal objects or microwaves between them.

If the printer connects briefly and then disconnects, restart both the printer and your router. Turn off the printer completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your router — unplug it, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Then try connecting again.

If you've tried these steps and the printer still won't connect, check whether your router is using a 5GHz network. Some older Canon printers only work on 2.4GHz networks. Log into your router's settings (usually through a web browser or app) and look for the WiFi band or frequency setting. If you see separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, try connecting the printer to the 2.4GHz one instead.

Printing from your computer after WiFi is connected

Once your Canon printer is connected to WiFi, your computer will see it as an available printer. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners and look for your printer in the list. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, click the plus sign, and select your Canon printer from the list.

You don't need to install any drivers or software for basic printing — Windows and Mac include built-in drivers for most Canon models. If you want to use advanced features like scanning or photo printing, download the Canon driver from Canon's website for your specific printer model.

To print, open any document or photo, go to File > Print, and select your Canon printer from the dropdown menu. The document will send over WiFi to the printer without any cable connection.

Printing from your phone or tablet

After your printer is connected to WiFi, you can print directly from your phone using the Canon PRINT app or through your phone's built-in printing system. Open the photo or document you want to print, tap Share or the menu icon, and look for Print or AirPrint (on iPhone) or Print (on Android). Select your Canon printer from the list and tap Print.

You can also print by email on some Canon models. The Canon PRINT app will show you a unique email address for your printer. Send a photo or document to that address from your phone, and the printer will print it automatically. This is useful if you're away from home and want to print something when you return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to connect my printer to WiFi if I'm using a USB cable?

No. A USB cable connection works without WiFi and doesn't require any network setup. WiFi is only necessary if you want to print from multiple devices, print from your phone, or print from across the room without a cable.

Will I have to reconnect my printer to WiFi if I restart it?

No. Once your Canon printer connects to WiFi, it remembers that network. The next time you turn on the printer, it will reconnect automatically without you entering the password again. You only enter the password once during the initial setup.

Can I connect my Canon printer to a guest WiFi network?

Yes, but some guest networks block printer discovery, which means your computer might not see the printer in the available devices list. If this happens, try connecting both your computer and printer to the main network instead, or ask your router's administrator to enable printer discovery on the guest network.

What if my WiFi network name has special characters or spaces?

Enter it exactly as it appears. Spaces and special characters are part of the network name, so include them. If your network is called "Smith Home WiFi", type it with the spaces. If it's "Network-5G", include the hyphen.

Can I change which WiFi network my printer connects to?

Yes. Go back to the Network or WiFi settings on your printer (or in the Canon PRINT app), select "Forget Network" or "Remove," and then follow the connection steps again with your new network name and password. The printer will connect to the new network instead.