Canon's wireless setup uses Easy Wireless Connect and the Canon PRINT app. On the printer, press and hold the Wireless connect button until the wireless lamp flashes, then release; the illustration shows the lamp and horizontal bars flashing. The printer does not join your wifi automatically at that point: you must use the Canon setup software on Windows or macOS, or the Canon PRINT app on Android, iOS, iPadOS or ChromeOS, to find the printer and send it your wifi password.
The checks in more detail
Temporarily disable any VPN on your phone or computer, and make sure the device is connected to the wifi network you want the printer to join. If the printer is too far from the router, the device may connect directly to the printer instead; if that happens turn the printer off, move it closer to the router and restart the process.
On models with a touch screen, use the Wireless LAN setup wizard or WPS from the Setup menu, and enter the password. Canon has separate walkthroughs for TS3720, TS3520 and others, Android app setup, ChromeOS and Windows and Mac. After setup print the network settings to confirm the SSID and check the signal, which should be above 80 percent. If setup fails, reset the LAN settings and start again.
Use a 2.4 GHz network when the printer is 2.4 GHz only. Set up the printer near the router, then move it to its final spot and print the network settings again to check the signal. If the signal drops below 80 percent, either move the router or the printer, or use a cable. Write the network name and password on a note beside the printer, since setup asks for both and you will want them again after any router change.
Differential
Likely causes of “Canon printers will not connect to Wi-Fi”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A VPN on the device
What separates it The printer is not found because a VPN on the device hides it
How to confirm Turn the VPN off on the device during the setup
- 2
The wrong network
What separates it The device is on another wifi network from the one that the printer uses
How to confirm Join the network that the printer should use, on the device
- 3
The printer too far from the router
What separates it A direct connection is used instead because the printer is too far from the router
How to confirm Move the printer closer to the router, and try the setup again
- 4
A 5 GHz-only network
What separates it The printer will not join because the network is 5 GHz only
How to confirm Provide a 2.4 GHz network, which the printer can join
- 5
A changed password
What separates it The connection is lost because the wifi password was changed
How to confirm Run Easy Wireless Connect again, to send the new password to the printer
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The printer model and lamp state
- Whether a VPN is switched on for the device
- The signal strength from the network printout
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedStart Easy Wireless Connect
ReversibleStart Easy Wireless Connect by holding the Wireless connect button on the printer, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Turn off any VPN
ReversibleTurn off any VPN on the device, since it can stop the device finding the printer.
Open the Canon setup software or PRINT app
ReversibleOpen the Canon setup software or the PRINT app, to find the printer on the network.
Send the wifi password
ReversibleSend the wifi password to the printer, and follow the prompts that the app shows.
Move closer if needed
ReversibleMove closer to the router if needed, and then run the setup again, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Print the network settings
ReversiblePrint the network settings, and check that the network name matches yours, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the signal
ReversibleCheck the signal on the printout, and aim for above 80 percent, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Buttons
- The Wireless connect button differs by model; touch screen models use the Setup menu.
- Bands
- Some models are 2.4 GHz only.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models TS9521C, PIXMA TS6420a, G7020, G6020, GX7021, GX4020, Color imageCLASS LBP632Cdw, imageCLASS MF455dw, Color imageCLASS MF656Cdw.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If setup fails after moving the printer closer and disabling the VPN, reset LAN settings and repeat
- !If the printer cannot see any network, contact Canon
- !If the network is 5 GHz only, enable 2.4 GHz
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Easy wireless connect and the Canon PRINT app.
Android setup.
Wireless setup walkthrough.
Same network, signal strength and Use Printer Offline.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I start Easy Wireless Connect?+
Hold the Wireless connect button until the lamp flashes.
Which app do I use?+
The Canon PRINT app or Canon setup software.
Does the printer join wifi automatically?+
No, the setup software sends the password.
What if the device joins the printer directly?+
Move the printer closer to the router and restart.
Does it work on ChromeOS?+
Yes, it works on ChromeOS, using the Android version of the Canon app.
How do I check the connection?+
Print the network settings, which shows the network name and the signal strength.
What signal is good?+
A signal above 80 percent is good, for a reliable connection.
Can I set up with WPS?+
You can set up with WPS on the models that offer it, using the router's WPS button.