This article teaches you how to connect and set up a Canon wireless printer on your Windows or Mac computer. You can do this either by connecting over the Internet, or by attaching your printer to your computer via a USB cable and allowing the printer to install and connect itself.
Make sure that your printer is plugged in and turned on. If your printer requires an Ethernet connection to access the Internet, you'll also need to use an Ethernet cable to plug the printer into your router.
Check to see if your printer has installation software. If your printer came with a CD, chances are that you'll need to insert the CD into your computer and allow the installation program to run before you can set up the printer.
- This is unlikely for modern printers, but some older printers require CD installation before you can connect to them.
- To install via CD, simply insert the CD into your computer's CD tray, then follow the on-screen instructions. For a Mac, you'll need an external CD reader to perform this step.
Make sure that your computer is on the same network as your printer. For your wireless printer to receive commands from your computer, both your computer and your printer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- If your printer is connected to a different Wi-Fi network than your computer, change your computer's Wi-Fi network before proceeding.
Click ＋ Add a printer or scanner. It's at the top of the page. Doing so opens a pop-up window.
- If you see the printer's name (e.g., "Canon [model number]") in the "Printers & scanners" section, your printer is already connected.
Click your printer's name. It should be in the pop-up window. Doing so will prompt your computer to connect to the printer. Once the connection process is complete, you'll be able to use the printer from your computer.
- If Windows is unable to find the printer, skip to the next step.
ry installing the printer with a USB cable. If your Mac couldn't find your printer, you may be able to install the printer directly by using a USB cable:
- Update your Mac.
- Attach the printer to your computer with a USB-to-USB-C cable.
- Wait for the setup window to appear.
- Follow the on-screen prompts.
