Canon printer setup fails in two places: the printer is not connected to Wi-Fi, or the phone/computer has not added it yet. Start with Canon's official setup route, then add the printer from Windows, macOS, iPhone, Android, or ChromeOS. These current paths cover Wi-Fi, USB, Wireless Direct, WPS, and a clean reset when setup goes wrong.
1. Start at Canon's official setup page
Open a browser and type ij.start.canon directly into the address bar.
Choose your exact printer model, select Start > Connecting to a Computer/Smartphone, and follow Canon's on-screen setup.
For drivers and utilities, use Canon Support > Software and Drivers > Search for your Product to Get Started > Printers, then select your device and download the recommended software for your operating system.
Canon warns about unauthorized support sites, so type the setup address into the address bar instead of a search box.
2. Put the printer on Wi-Fi
Press the printer's Power button and keep the printer near the wireless router during setup.
On supported Canon inkjet models, open the printer's Wi-Fi setup method and choose Easy Wireless Connect.
Canon says this method is not available on ChromeOS, Windows 11 in S mode, or Windows 10 in S mode; on those computers pick Other connection types, or run Easy Wireless Connect from the smartphone app instead.
Return to the Canon setup software or Canon PRINT on your phone, tablet, or computer.
Continue through Canon's on-screen prompts until the printer joins your wireless network.
On printers with an operation panel, use Wi-Fi setup > Manual connect > OK, choose your wireless router, select OK, enter the password, select OK again, press OK on the connected screen, then press COPY.
That is the TR4700-series flow, and other panels vary: G6000 series printers want you to hold OK for at least two seconds after the password and select Yes before the connected screen, so follow your own model's prompts.
Passwords are case-sensitive, so match every uppercase and lowercase letter before repeating setup.
3. Register it in Canon PRINT
Install Canon PRINT from the App Store or Google Play for a compatible Canon printer.
Open Canon PRINT and tap Register Printer at the upper left.
When the app detects the printer, tap the printer name that appears.
When the printer is not found, tap Yes, OK, and If Printer Cannot be Found.
Choose Auto Connection, Canon's recommended option, and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Add it in Windows
This fixes a Canon printer that is already on the network but missing from Windows apps.
Make sure the printer is turned on and connected to the same network as the Windows PC.
Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
Under Add a printer & scanner, select Add device.
When your Canon printer appears, select Add device.
When it is not listed, select Add manually or The printer that I want isn't listed, then follow the wizard.
For USB setup, connect the USB cable, turn on the printer, then use Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add device when Windows does not add it automatically.
5. Add it on a Mac
After the Canon printer joins the same network as your Mac, open Apple menu > System Settings > Printers & Scanners > Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax.
Select the Canon printer, then click Add.
For USB setup, connect the printer with the correct cable and add it from the same menu when macOS does not add it automatically.
For a Wi-Fi setup that asks for USB first, connect by USB, run the Canon setup assistant, join Wi-Fi, then disconnect USB after setup.
6. Print from phones and Chromebook
On iPhone or iPad, connect the device and AirPrint-enabled Canon printer to the same Wi-Fi network.
Open the item you want to print, tap Share, More, Reply, or Actions, then tap Print.
Tap No Printer Selected, choose the Canon printer, set copies and options, then tap Print.
On Android, open an app's Print option, choose a nearby Canon printer, adjust settings, and tap Print.
In Chrome on Android, open the page, image, or file, then use More > Share > Print, open the Down arrow for settings, choose the printer, and tap Print.
On Chromebook, select the time, open Settings > Device > Printers and scanners > Print, then select Save next to the Canon printer under Other available printers.
Skip Google Cloud Print; Canon says that service ended on December 31, 2020, and ChromeOS native printing replaced it.
7. Connect through Wireless Direct
On a Wireless Direct-capable Canon printer with a Setup button, such as the TR4600 series, press Setup.
Open Device settings > LAN settings > Wireless Direct.
Select Switch WL Direct, then choose Yes.
On models that show LAN settings on the HOME screen, such as imagePROGRAF PRO printers, open LAN settings > Wireless Direct and use Enable/disable Wireless Direct instead.
On your phone, tablet, or computer, open Wi-Fi settings.
Select the printer's model-specific DIRECT network name.
Enter the Password for the printer's Wireless Direct connection.
When the printer shows a confirmation prompt, verify the device name and select Yes.
8. Use WPS from the router
Use WPS only when both the Canon printer and router support push-button setup.
On button-only models such as the TS3600 and TS3700 series, the hardware path is Wireless select > WPS: press and hold the printer's Wireless select button, release it when the Network status icon flashes, then press and hold the router's WPS button within 2 minutes.
On printers with an operation panel, open LAN settings > Wi-Fi > Wi-Fi setup > WPS (Router Button) Connection instead.
Canon also warns that WPS may not work when the router's security protocol includes WPA3, so connect manually or change the router's encryption setting in that case.
Setup is complete when the Network status and Signal Strength icons are lit.
If the router has no active WPS button, use Easy Wireless Connect or Wi-Fi setup > Manual connect instead.
9. Remove a bad setup and add it again
On Windows, open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & scanners.
Select the Canon printer, choose Remove, then confirm with Yes.
Return to Printers & scanners, select Add device or Refresh, then add the printer again.
On Mac, open Apple menu > System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
Control-click the Canon printer, choose Remove Printer, then confirm Remove Printer.
Click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax and add the printer again.
On school or work-managed devices, contact the administrator before changing printer settings because the organization controls printer deployment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Canon printer administrator password?
Check the PWD label on the printer. Canon lists default values by model as canon, the printer serial number, or a random character string; supported models also show it under System information > Show password or on the printed network settings page under Default Password.
Can Canon PRINT use Bluetooth?
Bluetooth setup works on Canon models that support Bluetooth communication. In Canon PRINT, open More > Bluetooth Setup and follow the prompts; on Android, use Photo Print or Document Print when the Bluetooth mark is displayed.
What is a Canon Printer Registration ID used for?
It links a cloud-connected Canon inkjet printer to Canon Cloud Printing Center services. Go to https://cs.c-ij.com/join, enter the Printer Registration ID Code, sign in or create a Canon account, confirm the email, and finish the prompts.
How do admins deploy Canon printers on managed devices?
Managed ChromeOS admins deploy printers from Google Admin console > Devices > Chrome > Printers, select the organizational unit or group that should get the printer, then point to Add at the bottom right and click Add a printer. Managed Windows admins deploy through Universal Print, which needs each printer registered in the Universal Print service with Microsoft Entra ID plus Universal Print and Intune licenses. In the Microsoft Intune admin center, go to Devices > Manage devices > Configuration > Create > New policy, choose Windows 10 and later and Settings catalog, then use Add settings > Printer Provisioning and assign the policy to users.
