Canon Printer Setup: Easy WiFi & Computer Guide

Setting up a new printer can feel a little confusing, especially if you are not someone who spends a lot of time changing computer settings. If you are trying to figure out how to setup Canon printer, don't worry. You can usually get everything working with a few simple steps.

This guide walks you through Canon printer setup. We will look at the basic setup, Canon printer WiFi setup, Canon printer setup WiFi, and the steps for a Canon PIXMA printer setup. I’ll explain it the same way I would explain it to a friend sitting at the kitchen table with the new printer still in the box.

The exact buttons can be different from one Canon model to another, so if your screen looks a little different, don't worry. The basic idea is still the same.

What You Need Before Starting Canon Printer Setup

Before you start, put a few things within reach.

You will need your Canon printer, a power outlet, some paper, the ink cartridges that came with the printer, and your computer or smartphone if you plan to print wirelessly.

If you want to connect the printer to WiFi, you will also need your home WiFi name and password. Your WiFi name is the name you see when you connect your phone or laptop to your home internet.

If you have a newer Canon PIXMA printer, you may also use the Canon PRINT app for setup and printing from a phone. Canon says the Canon PRINT app can be used to set up compatible printers and print or scan from supported devices.

Start With the Basic Canon Printer Setup

Take the printer out of the box and remove all the packing material. Look around the printer carefully because Canon printers often have protective tape or pieces of packing material inside and outside the machine.

Place the printer somewhere close to your computer or router while you are setting it up. You can move it later if needed.

Plug the power cord into the printer and then into a wall outlet. Turn the printer on.

Your printer may take a few minutes to start for the first time. If it begins cleaning, preparing the ink system, or doing another startup task, let it finish before you start the WiFi setup. Canon's PIXMA setup guides specifically advise waiting until these startup processes finish.

Next, install the ink cartridges according to the instructions that came with your printer. Add paper to the paper tray and make sure the paper guides are snug against the paper without squeezing it.

At this point, the printer itself is ready for the next part of the setup.

Canon Printer WiFi Setup

If you want to print from a laptop, desktop computer, iPhone, or Android phone without running a cable across the room, WiFi is usually the easiest choice.

For many Canon PIXMA models, you can connect the printer to your home wireless network directly from the printer's screen.

The exact menu depends on your model, but a typical Canon setup may look similar to:

Home → Network Settings → LAN Settings → Wireless LAN → Wireless LAN Setup

Some PIXMA models use Easy Wireless Connect, which lets a computer or smartphone send your wireless router information to the printer. Canon's manuals list Easy Wireless Connect as one of the main wireless setup methods on many PIXMA models.

1. Once you select the wireless setup option, your printer may search for nearby WiFi networks.
2. Find your home WiFi name in the list.
3. Select it.
4. Then enter your WiFi password.
5. Take your time with the password. A capital letter and a lowercase letter are treated as different characters. For example, MyHome123 is not the same as myhome123.
6. Once the printer accepts the password, give it a moment to connect.

Canon Printer Setup WiFi Using Easy Wireless Connect

If your Canon printer has an Easy Wireless Connect option, this can make the process much easier.

Start by turning on the printer.

Open the printer's wireless or network settings and look for Wireless LAN Setup or Easy Wireless Connect. The exact wording varies by model.

On some PIXMA models, Canon's instructions use a path similar to:

Home → Network Status → LAN Settings → Wireless LAN → Wireless LAN Setup → Easy Wireless Connect.

Select the Easy Wireless Connect option and follow the instructions shown on the printer.

Then return to your computer or phone and continue with the Canon setup program or Canon PRINT app.

The printer and your phone or computer will use the setup process to pass your home wireless information to the printer.

When the process finishes, your printer should be connected to the same home WiFi network as your other devices.

Canon PIXMA Printer Setup With the Canon PRINT App

If you prefer using your phone, the Canon PRINT app can make the setup easier on compatible PIXMA models.

Install the Canon PRINT app on your iPhone or Android phone.

Open the app and follow the printer setup instructions.

The app may ask you to select your printer and connect it to your wireless network.

Keep your phone close to the printer while you are doing this.

You will normally need to know your WiFi password.

Once the printer has been added, you can use the app for printing and, on compatible models, scanning and other printer functions. Canon lists Canon PRINT as an option for setting up compatible printers from Android and iOS devices.

How to Setup Canon Printer on a Windows Computer

If you prefer using your Windows computer, you can install the Canon printer software and connect the printer during the setup process.

1. First, turn on the printer and make sure it is ready.
2. Then open Canon's setup or download page for your exact printer model.
3. Enter your printer model when asked. This part is important because Canon makes many different PIXMA printers, and the setup files are not always the same.
4. Download the setup program for your printer and open it.
5. When the program asks how you want to connect the printer, choose the wireless or WiFi option if you want to use your home network.
6. Follow the instructions shown on the screen.
7. The setup program may ask you to select your WiFi network and enter your password.
8. Once the installation finishes, Windows should add the Canon printer to your list of available printers.
9. To check it, open: Start → Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners
10. Look for your Canon printer.
11. Then print a test page.

How to Setup Canon Printer on a Mac

The process on a Mac is also fairly simple.

1. First, connect the Canon printer to your home WiFi using the printer's wireless setup or Canon setup software.
2. Then open: Apple menu → System Settings → Printers & Scanners
3. Click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax.
4. Look for your Canon printer in the list.
5. Select it and follow the instructions on the screen.

Some Canon printers can also work with Apple AirPrint. When a compatible Canon printer and Apple device are connected to the same wireless network, AirPrint can be used for wireless printing without installing a traditional printer driver. Canon lists AirPrint as an option on compatible PIXMA models.

What If Your Canon Printer Does Not Find Your WiFi?

Don't panic if your WiFi name does not appear on the printer.

1. First, check your phone. Can your phone see your home WiFi?
2. If your phone cannot see it either, the problem may be with the router rather than the printer.
3. If your phone sees the WiFi but your Canon printer does not, move the printer closer to the router and try again.
4. Also make sure the router is turned on and working normally.

If your router has separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, check the requirements for your particular Canon model. Wireless features can vary between PIXMA models, so it is better to follow the instructions for the exact printer you own.

What If the Canon Printer Connects to WiFi but Won't Print?

This is a different problem.

If the printer says it is connected to WiFi but your computer cannot print, first make sure the computer is connected to the same home WiFi network.

For example:

Computer: MyHomeWiFi
Printer: MyHomeWiFi

That is what you want.

If your computer is connected to a guest network while the printer is connected to your regular home network, they may not be able to communicate properly.

Restarting both the printer and router can also help.

After that, check your computer's printer list and make sure the Canon printer is selected as the printer you want to use.

What If You Changed Your WiFi Password?

This is a very common reason an older printer suddenly stops working.

Let's say your old password was:

SmithHome123

and you changed it to:

SmithHome456

Your phone may reconnect automatically after you enter the new password, but the printer may still have the old password saved.

In that situation, you need to run the Canon printer WiFi setup again.

Open the printer's wireless settings, select your home WiFi network, and enter the new password.

Once the printer connects, try printing again.

What If You Bought a New Router?

The same thing can happen after replacing your router. Your new router may have a different WiFi name and password. The printer is still looking for the old network, so it does not know where to connect.

Run the wireless setup on the Canon printer again. Select the new WiFi network and enter the new password.

On many PIXMA models, Canon provides Easy Wireless Connect or another wireless setup method to help with this process.

How to Test Your Canon Printer After Setup

Once your Canon printer setup is finished, don't assume everything is ready just because the setup program says it is complete.

Do a quick test.

1. First, print a simple document from your computer.
2. If the printer prints, try another document with a picture or a few colors.
3. If your printer has scanning features, place a document on the scanner and try a scan.
4. If everything works, you're done.
5. If printing does not work, check the WiFi connection first. Make sure both the computer and printer are connected to the same network.
6. Common Canon Printer Setup Problems

Here are a few problems people often run into during setup.

The printer does not appear on the computer

Make sure the printer is turned on and connected to the same WiFi network as the computer.

The WiFi password does not work

Check every letter and number. WiFi passwords are case-sensitive.

The printer keeps going offline

Restart the printer and router. Then check that your computer and printer are using the same WiFi network.

The printer connected but Windows cannot print

Check the printer listed under Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners. If needed, remove the old printer entry and add the Canon printer again.

The Canon PRINT app cannot find the printer

Make sure your phone and printer are connected to the same WiFi network and that the printer is ready for wireless setup.

A Simple Canon Printer Setup Checklist

If you want the whole process in one quick list, use this:

1. Take the Canon printer out of the box.
2. Remove all packing material.
3. Install the ink cartridges.
4. Add paper.
5. Plug in and turn on the printer.
6. Let the printer finish its startup process.
7. Find your home WiFi name and password.
8. Open the printer's wireless settings.
9. Select your WiFi network.
10. Enter the WiFi password.
11. Finish the Canon setup on your computer or phone.
12. Add the printer to Windows or Mac if needed.
13. Print a test page.
14. Test scanning if your printer has a scanner.

That's really all there is to it.

Final Thoughts

A Canon printer setup may look complicated when you first see all the buttons, menus, and wireless options, but the basic idea is pretty simple: turn on the printer, connect it to your home WiFi, add it to your computer or phone, and print a test page.

If you have a Canon PIXMA model, the setup may include Easy Wireless Connect, the Canon PRINT app, or a wireless setup option built into the printer. Canon uses different menus across its PIXMA range, so don't worry if your printer does not show exactly the same words used in this guide.

If you're wondering how to setup Canon printer, take it one step at a time. You don't need to change several settings at once.

For most home users, the most important things are your WiFi name, WiFi password, the exact Canon printer model, and making sure the printer and computer are using the same home network.

Once that first test page comes out, you're all set to print your letters, photos, recipes, forms, and anything else you need around the house.