Canon Printer WiFi Setup — Connect in 5 Minutes
By Ryan Green · Updated July 2026 · Independent guide · PrinterCare USA LLC (not affiliated with any printer manufacturer)
Switching your Canon printer to a new router or WiFi network shouldn't be complicated, but it's one of the most common issues we see in the shop. Whether you've upgraded your internet service, moved to a new location, or just changed your network password, your printer needs to "forget" the old connection and authenticate with the new one.
The good news: most Canon printers handle this in under five minutes if you follow the right sequence. We'll walk you through the official method, then show you the manual network reset if the printer won't cooperate.
How to fix it — step by step
- Power cycle both devices. Turn off your Canon printer completely and unplug it for 30 seconds. Meanwhile, power-cycle your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds as well. This clears temporary network hiccups and prevents the printer from trying to reconnect to the old network automatically.
- Access the WiFi setup menu on your printer. Power on the printer and wait for the startup sequence to complete. On the touchscreen, tap the Menu icon (usually a wrench or gear), then navigate to Settings > Network > WiFi Setup. If your model doesn't have a touchscreen, check the front panel buttons for a WiFi or Network button.
- Select your new WiFi network. The printer will scan for available networks and display a list. Locate your new network name (SSID) in the list and tap it. Make sure you're selecting the correct network—if you have a 5GHz and 2.4GHz band, most Canon printers perform better on 2.4GHz.
- Enter the WiFi password. When prompted, type in your new WiFi password carefully—it's case-sensitive. The printer's keyboard interface can be finicky, so double-check each character before confirming. If you're unsure of the password, check your router's label or your internet provider's documentation.
- Confirm the connection and note the IP address. Once connected, the printer will display a confirmation message with its new IP address. Write down this IP address or take a screenshot—you'll need it if you need to manually add the printer to your computer later. The printer should also return to the home screen without error messages.
- Add the printer to your computer via PRINT app or USB setup. On Windows 11 or macOS, open Canon's PRINT app (free download from Canon's website) and select "Add Printer." The app should auto-discover your printer on the new network. Alternatively, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners (Windows) or System Preferences > Printers & Scanners (macOS) and click Add Printer.
- Perform a manual network reset if auto-setup fails. If the printer won't connect after three attempts, access the Settings menu again and look for Network Reset or Restore Network Settings. Confirm the reset, which will erase all saved networks. Then repeat steps 2–5 from scratch. This forces the printer to completely forget the old router and start fresh.
- Test with a print job from your computer. Once added to your computer, print a test page from any application to confirm the connection is stable. If the test page prints successfully without pausing or timing out, the setup is complete. If you see errors, note the exact error code and consult your printer's manual or contact support.
Still stuck? A technician can fix it remotely today.
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Frequently asked questions
Why does my Canon printer keep connecting to my old WiFi network?
Your printer likely still has the old network saved in memory and automatically reconnects when it detects that network's signal. Access Network Settings on the printer, find the old network name in the saved list, and select "Forget" or "Delete." Then proceed with connecting to the new network.
My printer shows "Cannot connect to network" even though I entered the password correctly.
This usually means the printer and router aren't on the same network band or there's a compatibility issue. Try temporarily disabling WPA3 security on your router and using WPA2 instead—older Canon models don't support WPA3. You can re-enable WPA3 once the printer connects.
Can I connect my Canon printer to WiFi without the touchscreen menu?
Yes. Use Canon's PRINT app on your computer—it has a network setup wizard that can push your WiFi credentials to the printer without using the printer's menu. Alternatively, some older Canon models support WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) by holding the WiFi button on the printer while your router is in pairing mode.
What's the difference between connecting via the PRINT app versus manually adding the printer in Windows/macOS settings?
The PRINT app is Canon's proprietary software and often finds your printer faster on new networks. Windows/macOS native settings (Windows Devices > Printers or Mac System Preferences) will also work but may require you to manually enter the printer's IP address. Both methods achieve the same result—use whichever works first.