How To Connect A Wireless Canon Printer?

To connect a wireless Canon printer, put it in Wi-Fi setup, join your network, then add it on your phone or computer to start printing.

New printer or router, same goal: a stable link that prints each time. This guide gives clear steps that match Canon menus, plus fixes that save time. You’ll see where each method fits, how to prep your network, and what to do when a device won’t show up right away.

Fast Basics Before You Start

Grab the network name and password. Place the printer near the router during setup. Update printer firmware if a prompt appears. Keep 2.4 GHz available, since many entry models join that band first. If you use mesh, set the printer near a main node while you pair.

Clear old installs that might confuse your computer. On Windows, remove stale devices under Printers & Scanners. On macOS, delete unused entries in Printers & Scanners. If you moved homes or changed routers, reset the printer’s network settings before you start a new attempt.

Wireless Methods At A Glance

This quick map shows which route to pick on day one. You’ll use one of these, not all.

Method	Where You See It	Best For
Easy Wireless Connect	Canon button or menu	Most recent PIXMA and MAXIFY models
WPS Push Button	Router with WPS and printer WPS option	Quick pairing without typing a password
WPS PIN	Router admin page asks for an 8-digit code	Routers that allow PIN entry
Standard Setup (IJ)	Canon software on a PC or Mac	First-time install with drivers and utilities
AirPrint	iPhone, iPad, or Mac print sheet	Apple devices on the same network
Mopria / Android	Android system Print Service	Phones and tablets without vendor apps
USB Assist	USB to set Wi-Fi, then unplug	Busy networks or hidden SSIDs
Wi-Fi Direct	Printer broadcasts its own SSID	No router or guest printing

Connecting A Wireless Canon Printer — Step-By-Step Setup

Method 1: Easy Wireless Connect

On many Canon inkjets, hold the Wi-Fi button until the light flashes, then press the “Black/Color” or OK button when the Wi-Fi icon blinks. The printer enters standby for pairing. On your phone or computer, open Canon’s guide for Easy Wireless Connect and follow the prompts. The tool passes your SSID and password to the printer and finishes driver install.

Method 2: WPS Push Button

Press the WPS button on your router. Within two minutes, start WPS on the printer from its menu. The devices trade the secure key and join. No typing needed. Some routers call this “PBC.” If you don’t see a physical button, your router may offer WPS in software only or not at all.

Method 3: WPS PIN

Start WPS PIN on the printer to show an 8-digit code. Open the router’s admin page and enter that code under WPS. The router grants access to the printer. This path appears on models that display a PIN on screen.

Method 4: Standard Setup Using Canon IJ

Download the Canon installer on a Windows PC or Mac. Pick Wireless LAN. When asked, select your network and enter the password. The installer adds drivers, utilities, and test pages. If your model ships with a disc, skip it and use the fresh download instead.

Method 5: AirPrint On Apple Devices

Join the same Wi-Fi on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Open a photo, note, or document, tap Share, then Print. Pick the Canon model from the list. On macOS, the printer appears in System Settings under Printers. No driver needed on modern versions; Apple’s AirPrint guide lists the basics.

Method 6: Android Printing

On Android, open Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Printing. Enable the system print service or the Canon add-on. Pick the printer from the sheet in any app that offers Print. If the printer hides, use the Canon app to find and add it.

How To Connect A Wireless Canon Printer On Each Platform

Windows 11 Or Windows 10

Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
Choose Add device. Wait for your Canon model to appear, then select it.
If Windows can’t see it, click Add manually > Add a printer using a TCP/IP address and enter the printer’s IP.
Print a test page from Printer properties.

If your network runs many devices, give the printer a DHCP reservation on your router. Stable IPs cut “offline” pop-ups after a reboot.

macOS

Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
Select Add Printer, then pick the Canon model under Default.
If Bonjour does not show it, select the IP tab and enter the address. Use AirPrint for driver.
Send a test print from TextEdit.

iPhone And iPad

Connect the phone and printer to the same SSID.
Open the item, tap Share, then Print.
Choose the Canon model and set copies, color, and range.

Android

Turn on the Canon print plug-in or the system print service.
Open the item, tap Print, and pick the device.
If needed, add by IP with More options.

Many Android skins tuck Printing deep in Settings. Use the search bar in Settings and type “printing” to jump straight there.

Network Prep That Makes Setup Smooth

Use WPA2 or WPA3 on your router. Avoid WEP. Pick a short SSID with simple characters. Long names and emojis can trip older displays. Set a strong passphrase. If your router offers both bands under one name, disable band steering during setup, then restore it later. Assign the printer a static DHCP lease once online so the IP doesn’t drift.

Linking Paths And When To Pick Them

Each option has trade-offs. Use this guide to choose with confidence:

Easy Wireless Connect suits most homes and gives a guided flow with drivers.
WPS Push Button is quick in spaces that still allow WPS.
Standard Setup helps when the SSID is hidden, long, or locked to a band.
AirPrint fits Apple-only spaces and shared family iPads.
Mopria / Plug-in keeps Android printing light without extra apps.
Wi-Fi Direct works for a dorm, studio, or rentals with no router access.

Troubleshooting: Printer Not Found Or Offline

Quick Checks

LEDs: Wi-Fi light solid means joined, flashing means pairing, off means idle.
Distance: Keep the printer within one or two rooms of the router for setup.
Band: Many models prefer 2.4 GHz. Turn that band on if it’s off.
Power cycle: Restart the router, then the printer.
Firewall: Temporarily pause strict rules on a PC during first detection.

Advanced Fixes

Print the network status page from the printer menu. Note the IP and signal level.
Ping the IP from a PC. If replies fail, move the device closer or switch channels.
Open the router client list. If the printer shows a random name, rename the entry and bind it to a fixed lease.
On Windows, remove stale entries under Printers & Scanners and add the device again.
On macOS, reset the print system from the Printers list, then add the device fresh.
If WPS fails, pair with Easy Wireless Connect or Standard Setup.

Troubleshooting Cheatsheet

Symptom	Likely Cause	Quick Fix
Printer shows offline	New IP from DHCP	Reserve the IP on the router, re-add the device
Can’t find SSID	Hidden or long name	Use Standard Setup and type it in
AirPrint not listing	Different bands or guest Wi-Fi	Join the same SSID and band
WPS fails to join	WPS disabled on router	Use Easy Wireless Connect instead
Slow prints over Wi-Fi	Weak signal or channel clash	Move closer; set channel 1/6/11
Drops after sleep	Router saves power on radios	Disable eco Wi-Fi on router or set a lease
Only USB works	Firewall blocks local discovery	Allow local ports; add by IP

Where To Find The Wi-Fi Button Or Menus

On compact PIXMA models, the Wi-Fi icon lives near the small screen. Press and hold until the light blinks. On MAXIFY units, look under Setup > LAN settings. If your model has a two-line display, watch for “Start setup” prompts after you press Wi-Fi. Some Pro photo models use touch screens with LAN listed on the first page of settings.

When Wi-Fi Direct Makes Sense

Wi-Fi Direct is a link from device to printer with no router in the middle. The printer broadcasts a short SSID and passcode on a sticker or on the screen. Join that network on your phone, then print. It’s handy in a rental or a studio where the main router blocks local devices.

Final Checks That Prove It Works

Before you wrap setup, print a one-page document, power the printer off and on, then print again from a second device. Scan a page to the same computer. If both tests pass, your network path and driver install are solid.

Where This Guide Comes From

These steps blend Canon setup flows with platform menus from Apple. The link to Canon’s Easy Wireless Connect shows the same screens you’ll meet on many models, and Apple’s AirPrint guide explains native printing on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Using The Keyword In Context

If you landed here after searching “how to connect a wireless canon printer,” you’re in the right spot. The sections above walk through the task on phones and computers, with backup paths that get a stubborn unit online. Many readers also search “how to connect a wireless canon printer on windows” and find the Windows steps near the top.