A Canon printer that refuses to connect to WiFi can be frustrating—especially when you just want to print something quickly from your computer, phone, or tablet. Whether your printer is showing connection errors, stuck in setup mode, or just not responding, there are several reasons this might happen.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common causes and easy fixes to help you reconnect your Canon printer to your wireless network.
Why Your Canon Printer Isn’t Connecting to WiFi
Before diving into the solutions, let’s look at the most common reasons your Canon printer might not connect:
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Incorrect WiFi password
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Printer is out of WiFi range
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Router is set to 5GHz only (most Canon printers support only 2.4GHz)
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Network settings are corrupted or outdated
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Firewall or antivirus software is interfering
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Printer firmware or software is outdated
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You're trying to connect in the wrong mode (USB vs. WiFi)
Now, let’s go step-by-step to fix the issue.
✅ Step 1: Restart Everything
Sometimes, a simple restart is all it takes to resolve connection issues.
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Turn off your Canon printer.
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Restart your WiFi router.
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Restart your computer or smartphone.
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Turn your printer back on once everything else is up and running.
This clears out temporary glitches in both the printer and your network.
✅ Step 2: Make Sure the Printer Is in WiFi Setup Mode
Your printer won’t connect to WiFi unless it’s in the right mode for wireless setup.
How to Enter WiFi Setup Mode:
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On Canon printers with a touchscreen, go to:
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On button-only printers, hold the Wireless or WiFi button until the WiFi light flashes.
Once in setup mode, the printer will search for nearby networks or wait for app/PC instructions.
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✅ Step 3: Confirm WiFi Compatibility
Most Canon printers only support 2.4GHz WiFi networks—not 5GHz.
How to Check:
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Log into your router settings or look for a label on the device.
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Ensure your 2.4GHz network is enabled and broadcasting.
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If your network name (SSID) is split into two—one for 2.4GHz and one for 5GHz—connect your printer to the 2.4GHz network.
✅ Step 4: Double-Check Your WiFi Credentials
An incorrect network name or password is one of the most common reasons printers fail to connect.
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Carefully re-enter your WiFi password during setup.
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Watch for case sensitivity—“Password123” is different from “password123.”
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Ensure you're selecting the correct SSID (WiFi name), especially if multiple networks are available.
If your password recently changed, you’ll need to reconnect the printer using the new one.
✅ Step 5: Use the Canon PRINT App (Mobile Setup)
If you're struggling with setup via the printer’s screen, try using the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app (free on Android and iOS). This often makes the setup smoother—especially for printers without a display.
Steps:
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Download and install the app.
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Put your printer in Easy Wireless Connect mode.
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Open the app and tap Add Printer.
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Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your phone and printer to the same WiFi network.
The app will automatically detect and connect the printer for you.
✅ Step 6: Try the WPS Button Method (If Supported)
If your router has a WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) button, this method can bypass typing in passwords.
How to Use WPS:
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On your printer, press and hold the WiFi or Wireless button until it flashes.
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Within 2 minutes, press the WPS button on your router.
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The printer should connect automatically within 30–60 seconds.
Look for a solid WiFi light or confirmation message on the printer screen when the connection is successful.
✅ Step 7: Reset Network Settings on the Printer
Sometimes, your printer needs a clean slate before it can reconnect properly.
How to Reset:
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On touchscreen models:
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On button-based models:
This will erase the old WiFi connection and allow you to set it up again from scratch.
✅ Step 8: Temporarily Disable Firewall or Antivirus Software
Your security software might be blocking the printer from connecting—especially on Windows.
Try this:
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Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus during the setup.
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Attempt the WiFi connection process again.
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Once connected, re-enable your protection software.
If this works, you may need to add the Canon software or printer as an exception in your firewall settings.
✅ Step 9: Update Printer Firmware and Drivers
Old firmware can cause connection issues, especially with newer routers or operating systems.
To Update Firmware:
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Visit the official Canon Support site.
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Enter your printer model, then go to the Drivers & Downloads section.
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Download and install the latest firmware and driver for your printer.
If you’re on a Mac or Windows, Canon also offers setup tools that can guide you through the connection process and check for updates.
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✅ Step 10: Check IP Conflicts or Router Settings
In rare cases, your router might have a conflict that prevents the printer from getting a valid IP address.
Try This:
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Restart your router and printer.
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If your router has MAC address filtering, make sure your printer isn’t being blocked.
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Log into your router settings and check the connected devices list to see if your printer shows up.
If you’re tech-savvy, try assigning a static IP address to the printer.
🧼 Bonus Tip: Clean Slate Setup (Factory Reset)
Still having issues after all of the above? A full factory reset may help.
How to Factory Reset Canon Printer:
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Press Setup (gear icon) on the printer.
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Navigate to Device Settings > Reset Settings > Reset All.
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Confirm and wait for the printer to restart.
Then, go through the WiFi setup process again using your preferred method (screen, app, or PC).
Final Test: Print a Network Status Page
Once you believe your printer is connected, print a Network Configuration Page to confirm.
On most Canon models:
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Hold down the Resume/Cancel button until the light blinks 6–7 times, then release.
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A network info page will print, showing connection status and signal strength.
Final Thoughts
WiFi connection issues with Canon printers are common—but almost always fixable. Whether the issue lies in the WiFi settings, printer configuration, or router compatibility, working through the steps above will resolve it in most cases.
Here’s a quick recap of your options:
✅ Canon Printer WiFi Fixes:
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Restart printer, router, and devices
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Ensure correct WiFi mode (2.4GHz)
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Re-enter the correct WiFi credentials
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Use Canon PRINT app or WPS setup
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Reset network settings if needed
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Disable firewalls temporarily
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Update firmware and drivers
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Check for router-level issues or conflicts
If nothing works, Canon support is responsive and may walk you through more advanced fixes specific to your printer model.
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