Canon Printer Setup Issues: How to Finish a Setup That Keeps Failing

Printer flashing a support code before you've even started? Installer saying it can't find the printer? Setup finished, but your computer still won't print? This guide follows a Canon printer setup in the order it actually happens, so you can jump straight to the point where yours got stuck.

Every Canon setup has three parts. First, the printer finishes its own startup routine: packing material out, ink in, print head ready. Next, it joins your network or connects by cable. Last, your computer, Mac, or phone gets the software it needs to talk to the printer.

A problem in the first part can look like a problem in the last one. If leftover tape keeps the print head holder from moving, for example, setup stops cold no matter how many times you reinstall the driver. That's why the steps below start at the printer, not the computer.

The guide covers PIXMA, MAXIFY, and MegaTank inkjets, with a separate step for imageCLASS laser printers, which set up a little differently. And if an older guide told you to open the "Canon IJ Network Tool," that program is still around under a different name. Step 5 explains.

Where Did Your Canon Printer Setup Stop?

Think about the last thing that happened before setup went wrong, then go to the matching step.

Why Canon Printer Setup Fails

Nearly every failed Canon setup comes back to one of three places.

At the printer

• Packing material is still inside. Canon ships printers with tape and protective pieces that hold the print head holder in place. Miss one, and the holder can't move. The printer stops with a support code instead.
• The print head or cartridges aren't fully seated. On MegaTank models you install the print heads yourself, and a locking cover that isn't pushed all the way down is enough to stop setup.
• The first-run routine got interrupted. Turning the printer off or opening a cover while it's preparing ink, or skipping the alignment sheet, leaves setup half done.

On the network

• The printer and router aren't on the same band. Many Canon printers only use 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Some newer models also handle 5 GHz, but the printer still has to match the band of the network name you pick.
• One network name covers both bands. Mesh systems and routers with band steering often fold 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz into a single name. Canon's own router guidance is to turn band steering off so each band gets its own name.
• WPA3 is involved. Canon's manuals warn that WPS may not work when the router's security includes WPA3.
• Router privacy features are on. MAC address filtering and the "privacy separator" (also called AP or client isolation) can let the printer join Wi-Fi while blocking your computer from reaching it.

On the computer or phone

• The software came from the wrong place. An old disc, a lookalike download site, or a driver meant for a different model.
• Security software blocks the search. Canon's installer has to scan your network to find the printer, and a firewall can quietly stop it.
• The computer isn't really on the same network. A guest network, a VPN, or a range extender with its own name keeps the two apart.
• An earlier attempt left pieces behind. A half-installed driver or an old printer entry can make the next install fail.

How to Fix Canon Printer Setup Problems

Starting from scratch? Work through these steps in order. Already stuck somewhere specific? Use the table above and jump in at that step.

Step 1: Let the Printer Finish Its Own Setup First

Your printer has to finish its first-run routine before it can connect to anything. Canon's setup site has an illustrated walk-through for your exact model (Step 2 shows you how to get there), but these are the parts that matter most.

1. Remove every piece of tape and packing material. Check the outside first. Then open the cover and look closely around the print head holder. Some protective pieces sit where you won't notice them unless you're looking.
2. Install the ink the way your model expects.
   • PIXMA models with ink cartridges: Take the protective tape off each cartridge, then seat it firmly until it locks in place.
   • MegaTank (G series) models: Install the print heads first, then fill each tank with the matching color. Push the print head locking cover all the way down.
3. Let the printer finish preparing ink. Leave the power on and the covers closed until the printer goes quiet and its lamps stop flashing. For one of its models, Canon puts this at about 4 to 5 minutes. Don't switch the printer off to hurry it along.
4. Load plain paper and run the alignment. Many Canon printers print a print head alignment sheet during setup. On models with a scanner, put that sheet printed side down on the scanner glass, line up its corner mark with the mark on the glass, and let the printer scan it. Don't open the document cover or move the sheet until it's done. If your model has both a rear tray and a front cassette, check which one the screen asks for. Some models only print the alignment sheet from the cassette.

Support codes you might see at this stage

If 5100 comes back after you've cleared everything, Canon says the printer needs servicing. For any code that isn't listed here, see our guide to Canon printer error codes and messages.

Step 2: Download Canon's Setup Software From ij.start.canon

For Canon inkjet printers (PIXMA, MAXIFY, and MegaTank), Canon's official setup site is ij.start.canon.

1. Type ij.start.canon straight into your browser's address bar. It ends in ".canon." There's no "www" and no ".com."
2. Enter your model name (it's printed on the printer, something like TS3520 or G3270) and pick it from the list.
3. Choose where you're setting it up. Canon offers a walk-through of the hardware setup for your model, plus the software for connecting a computer or a phone.
4. On a computer, download the setup file Canon offers for your operating system and run it. That one file connects the printer and installs the driver.
5. On a phone or tablet, Canon points you to its app instead. Step 9 covers that.

Setting up an imageCLASS laser printer? Get the driver and Canon's laser network utility from the Canon support page for your model instead. Step 10 covers that.

Watch out for lookalike setup sites. Search "ij start canon" and you'll find plenty of pages that borrow Canon's name, logo, and product photos. Some are tied to a well-known scam. The "driver" fails, a scary error pops up, and a chat window offers to fix it for a fee, sometimes with remote access to your computer. Gizmodo reported on FTC complaints about this in 2022, and Canon's community moderators still warn about it. Canon's setup software is a free download, and the real setup site is exactly ij.start.canon.

Need more help finding or updating the right driver? Our Canon printer driver guide goes into more detail.

Step 3: Decide How the Printer Will Connect

The installer will ask how the printer is connected, so it's worth deciding before you run it. On some models, especially imageCLASS printers, changing your mind later means reinstalling the driver.

For USB: Run the setup file, choose USB when it asks, and plug the cable in when the installer tells you to. Connect it straight to the computer, not through a hub, dock, or monitor. If the printer works over USB, you know the hardware is fine, and anything left is a network problem.

Step 4: Get the Printer Onto Your Wi-Fi

Putting the printer on Wi-Fi and adding it to your computer are two separate jobs. This step handles the first one.

Before you start, check two things

• The band. Many Canon printers connect only on 2.4 GHz. Some newer ones, such as the PIXMA TS8300 series and MAXIFY GX4000 series, can also use 5 GHz (depending on your region), but the printer still has to match the band you choose. When in doubt, use 2.4 GHz.
• The network name. If your router or mesh system shows one name for both bands, Canon suggests turning off band steering so 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz each get their own name.

Method A: Easy Wireless Connect (cableless setup)

This is the method Canon's setup software and app use most often.

1. Run the setup file on your computer, or open the Canon PRINT app on your phone, and choose a wireless connection.
2. When the software asks, put the printer into Easy Wireless Connect mode. On many models, you press and hold the Wireless connect button for about three seconds. On models with a menu, it's in the wireless or LAN settings. It varies, so follow the prompt on screen.
3. Go back to the software. Pick your network, enter the password, and let it finish.

Here's the part that trips people up. During cableless setup, your computer or phone briefly connects straight to the printer to hand over your Wi-Fi details, so it drops off your normal Wi-Fi for a moment. That's expected, but it also means:

• Pause any VPN until setup is done.
• A desktop PC with no Wi-Fi of its own (plugged into the router by cable) can't do the handoff. Use the printer's screen, WPS, the Canon PRINT app on your phone, or USB instead.
• On a phone, allow location access when Canon PRINT asks. Canon says the app needs it to search for printers and routers.

Method B: WPS push button

Use this if your router has a WPS button and WPS is turned on. Start WPS (push button) from the printer's wireless menu, press and hold the router's WPS button, then confirm on the printer. Canon's manuals give you about two minutes to finish, and the printer shows an error if the time runs out. If your router's security includes WPA3, Canon says WPS may not work. Use Method C instead, or change the router's security setting.

Method C: The printer's own screen

On models with a screen, open the Wi-Fi or LAN settings, pick your network from the list, and type the password. Passwords are case sensitive, so check capital letters.

How to tell it worked

On most models, a steady Wi-Fi lamp or icon means the printer is connected, and a flashing one means it's still trying. To be sure, print the printer's network settings (Canon calls this Print LAN details or Print details, depending on the model). The printout shows whether the connection is active, which network the printer joined, and its IP address.

If the printer won't join your Wi-Fi at all, our guide to a Canon printer not connecting to Wi-Fi walks through the router settings behind it.

Step 5: Use the Wi-Fi Connection Assistant (the Old Canon IJ Network Tool)

The Canon IJ Network Tool that older guides mention was replaced by the IJ Network Device Setup Utility, and Canon renamed that program Wi-Fi Connection Assistant in version 1.20.0. Same job, newer name.

You don't need it for a normal setup, because the setup file from Step 2 does the connecting for you. It earns its place when setup goes sideways:

• The installer can't find the printer and you want to know why. Its Diagnose and Repair option checks five things: whether your computer is connected to the router, whether it can open a web page, whether the printer can be found on the network, how strong the signal is, and whether the printer's port settings match the network.
• You need to set up or change the printer's network settings from your computer. Choose Printer Network Setup.
• Your router uses WPA3. Canon added WPA3 support to the Windows version in 1.30.0, so if your copy is older, replace it.

Download it from Canon's support page for your model. There are Windows and Mac versions. Canon notes that a few models don't support every feature, including Diagnose and Repair.

Why is it asking for a printer password?

Canon printers ask for an administrator password before anyone can change their network settings. You probably never set one, because Canon sets a default at the factory. Which default you have depends on the model:

• "canon" (with the user name ADMIN) on a short list of older models, including the PIXMA MG2900, MG5600, MX490, and MAXIFY MB2000 series.
• The printer's serial number on most other models.
• A random string of characters on some models.

To see yours, print the network settings and look for the Default Password line. On models with a screen, you can also go to System information and choose Show password. Some printers have it on a sticker. If someone already changed the password, the default won't show up, and you'll need the new password or a settings reset.

Step 6: Fix “The Printer Could Not Be Detected on the Network”

Canon's installer shows this when it searches your network and comes up empty. Canon's own fix list goes in this order, and it's worth following it that way.

1. Restart, then redetect. Turn the printer and the router off and back on. Make sure nothing big sits between them. Then click Redetect in the installer.
2. Confirm the printer actually joined your network. On models with a screen, go to Setup > Device settings > LAN settings > Confirm LAN settings > WLAN setting list (menu names vary a little by model) and look for Active in the Connection field. Inactive means the printer isn't on Wi-Fi yet, so go back to Step 4. On models without a screen, print the network settings and check there.
3. Let the installer through your firewall. On Windows, Canon says to allow Setup.exe in your security software. On a Mac, Canon lists its network components (such as Canon IJ Network Scanner Selector EX) as the items to allow. If you'd rather pause the firewall during setup, Canon suggests disconnecting from the internet while it's off, then turning it back on straight after.
4. Check the router. Turn off MAC address filtering or add the printer's MAC address to the allowed list. Turn off the privacy separator. Make sure the computer and printer are connected to the same network name, and update the router's firmware.

Three more things to check on your computer

• Is Windows treating your home Wi-Fi as a Public network? Windows keeps Public networks locked down so other devices can't discover your PC, and that can get in the way. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi, open your network's properties, and set Network profile type to Private.
• Is a VPN running? It can route your computer around your home network. Pause it and click Redetect.
• Is the computer on a guest network or an extender? Guest networks usually keep devices apart on purpose. Connect the computer to the same main network as the printer.

If the printer keeps falling off the network after setup, our Canon printer offline guide picks up from there.

Step 7: Clear a Failed Driver Install on Windows 11 or 10

If the installer errors out, freezes, or keeps sending you back to the start, clean up before trying again.

1. Unplug the USB cable if one is connected.
2. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Select each entry for this Canon printer and choose Remove.
3. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps and uninstall the Canon driver and software for this model.
4. Restart the computer. Don't skip this. It clears files Windows is still holding onto.
5. Download a fresh copy of the setup file from ij.start.canon and run it. Choose Yes if Windows asks for permission to make changes.
6. If you're using USB, plug the cable in only when the installer asks for it.

Did Windows add the printer on its own?

That's Windows doing its job, not an error. Windows 10 (version 21H2 and later) and Windows 11 include the Microsoft IPP Class Driver, which works with Mopria-certified printers over the network and over USB. Starting July 1, 2026, Windows prefers that built-in driver over the manufacturer's driver when you add a printer.

Basic printing works fine that way, but some Canon settings may be missing. To see which driver you have, open Printers & scanners, select the printer, choose Printer properties, and look on the Advanced tab. If it says Microsoft IPP Class Driver and you want Canon's full options, run Canon's installer. Microsoft says manufacturers can still offer their own installers, and in February 2026 it clarified that printers already working on Windows will keep working.

If your Canon printer worked fine until an update came through, see Canon printer issues after a Windows update.

Step 8: Set Up a Canon Printer on a Mac

On a Mac, the big question is whether your model uses AirPrint. Canon's macOS compatibility list, last updated in January 2026, covers macOS Sonoma, Sequoia, and Tahoe. It shows most current PIXMA TS, TR, and G models and MAXIFY GX printers printing through AirPrint.

Canon says AirPrint models don't need a printer driver download. So if Canon's site shows no Mac driver for your printer, nothing is wrong. That's how your model is meant to work. Some older models, including a number of PIXMA iP, MG, and MX printers and MAXIFY MB and iB printers, still need Canon's CUPS driver.

1. Put the printer on the same network as your Mac (Step 4). The Mac setup file from ij.start.canon can do this for you.
2. If your model needs a CUPS driver, download it from Canon's support page for your model and install it first.
3. Open Apple menu > System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
4. Click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax and select your Canon.
5. Check the Use menu. It should say AirPrint, or show the Canon driver if you installed one. Then click Add.

Printer not in the list? Click the IP tab and type in the printer's IP address from the network settings printout. Choose AirPrint in the Use menu if your model supports it.

One catch from Canon: if your model has a CUPS driver and you add it with AirPrint instead, install that driver if you want Canon's full set of options.

Step 9: Set Up a Canon Printer on a Phone, Tablet, or Chromebook

Canon PRINT app (iPhone, iPad, and Android)

Canon PRINT is Canon's free app for setup, printing, and scanning. It used to be called Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY, and Canon has since folded its Canon PRINT Business app into it too.

1. Connect your phone to the Wi-Fi network you want the printer on.
2. Open Canon PRINT, add your printer, and follow the setup prompts.
3. Allow location access when the app asks. Canon says it needs location to search for printers and routers.

If the app can't find the printer, check that Wi-Fi is on for both the phone and the printer, that both are connected to the same router, and then restart both.

Printing from an iPhone or iPad without the app

If your model supports AirPrint (Step 8), open what you want to print, tap Share, then Print, and choose your Canon.

Chromebook

Chromebooks don't use printer drivers, so there's nothing to download from Canon.

1. Make sure the Chromebook and the printer are on the same network.
2. Select the time in the bottom-right corner, then Settings.
3. Under Device, go to Printers and scanners > Print, find your Canon, and add it.
4. Not listed? Choose Add printer manually. Type in the printer's IP address, choose Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), and use ipp/print as the queue.

Step 10: Setting Up a Canon imageCLASS Laser Printer

imageCLASS printers use different software and menus from Canon's inkjets, so a few things work differently.

• Where to get the software. Download the driver package listed on Canon's support page for your model. On multifunction models it's usually called MF Drivers. If you want to set up Wi-Fi from your computer, download the Canon Laser NW Device Setup Utility from the same page.
• Choose wired or wireless on the printer first. In the printer's network menu, Select Wired/Wireless LAN sets which one it uses. Canon says that if you switch from wired to wireless (or back) later, you'll need to uninstall the drivers on your computer and reinstall them. So decide before you install.
• Connecting to Wi-Fi. From the printer's Wireless LAN Settings, you can pick your router from the list the printer finds, use WPS push button mode, or turn on Easy Connection via PC. That's a cableless setup mode that lets the Canon Laser NW Device Setup Utility configure the printer from your computer.
• USB driver won't install on Windows. For its Generic Plus drivers, Canon says to unplug the USB cable, remove the existing printer from Windows, restart, and install the latest driver again. If that still fails, Canon's fallback is to add the driver by hand, pointing Windows to the INF file in the driver folder.
• Windows' built-in driver. If your PC is using Microsoft's IPP Class Driver (on an ARM-based PC, for example, or with Windows Protected Print Mode turned on), Canon offers the Canon Print Assistant app in the Microsoft Store. It adds more imageCLASS settings than Windows' driver has on its own.