A Canon printer not connecting to your computer (Call USA/CA: +1-8O1-878-6858) can be extremely frustrating, especially when you need to print something urgently. The problem can occur on Windows, Mac, or even when using a wireless or USB connection. Fortunately, most connection issues come from simple, fixable causes like outdated drivers, incorrect settings, or network conflicts. This guide walks you through practical steps to diagnose and fix the problem quickly, whether your Canon printer uses Wi-Fi or a wired USB connection.
Before diving into technical fixes canon printer not connecting to computer, confirm the basics.
Ensure the printer is powered on and the display panel is active.
Confirm the power cable is securely plugged in.
If using USB, check that the cable is firmly connected at both ends. Try a different USB port or cable if available.
Even simple issues like empty paper trays or error messages can stop the printer from connecting properly. Check for:
Low ink warnings
Paper jams
Cartridge errors
Open covers
Clear all errors before troubleshooting connectivity.
Restarting often resolves canon printer not connecting to computer temporary glitches.
Turn off your Canon printer.
Unplug it for 20–30 seconds.
Restart your computer (Windows or Mac).
Plug the printer back in and power it on.
This resets the printer’s memory and reestablishes communication.
If your Canon printer is plugged in via USB and canon printer still not connecting, try these steps:
Listen for the Windows “device connected” sound when plugging in the USB.
On Windows, open Device Manager → Universal Serial Bus Controllers or Printers to see if the device appears.
On Mac, check System Settings → Printers & Scanners.
Faulty cables and ports are common culprits. Use a new cable or plug into another USB port directly on the computer—not through a docking station or USB hub.
Remove the canon printer from your computer and reinstall drivers from Canon’s official support page. USB printers usually connect instantly after reinstalling proper drivers.
Wireless connectivity issues are even more common than USB problems. Here’s how to handle them:
On the printer’s control panel:
Open Menu, Setup, or Wireless Settings.
Select Wi-Fi Setup or Wireless LAN Setup.
Ensure the printer is connected to the correct network (SSID).
Check signal strength—weak signals can cause disconnections.
If canon printer not connecting to computer re-enter your Wi-Fi password and reconnect.
Your canon printer won’t connect if:
The printer is on a 2.4GHz network
Your computer is on a 5GHz network
You are connected to a guest network
Both devices must share the same Wi-Fi band and network name.
Routers sometimes drop connections for wireless printers. Turn it off for 10 seconds and restart it.
Outdated or corrupted canon drivers often prevent the printer from connecting.
Open Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Printers & Scanners.
Remove your Canon printer from the list.
Visit Canon’s official support site.
Download the latest driver package for your model.
Run the installer and choose Wireless or USB setup as needed.
Go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners.
Delete your Canon printer.
Restart your Mac.
Add the printer again by clicking the + symbol.
macOS typically installs the correct driver automatically.
If your computer still does not detect the printer automatically, you may need to add it manually.
Go to Settings → Printers & Scanners.
Click Add Device.
If the printer doesn’t appear, select Add manually.
Choose Add a printer using a TCP/IP address.
Enter your printer’s IP address (available in printer network settings).
Open Printers & Scanners.
Click +
Select IP tab.
Enter the printer’s IP address.
Click Add.
This bypasses auto-discovery and connects directly.
Windows sometimes puts canon printers in offline mode.
Go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
Right-click your Canon printer.
Select See what’s printing.
Ensure Use Printer Offline is not checked.
If it is, uncheck it.
Multiple printer instances can confuse the system.
Delete all Canon printers from your list, restart your computer, and reinstall only the correct model.
If your printer had previous Wi-Fi connections or old network data, reset it.
Open Setup on the printer menu.
Go to Device Settings.
Choose Reset or Reset LAN Settings.
Reconnect to Wi-Fi from scratch.
This clears incorrect settings and helps the printer reconnect cleanly.
Once everything is reconnected:
Open any document.
Select Print.
Choose your Canon printer.
Print a test page.
If it prints successfully, your connection issue canon printer not connecting to computer is resolved.
A Canon printer not connecting to computer is usually caused by simple issues like network conflicts, outdated drivers, USB cable problems, or incorrect settings. By checking connections, reinstalling drivers, ensuring both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, and resetting network settings when necessary, you can resolve most problems within minutes. If the printer still won’t connect, the issue may be hardware-related, and contacting Canon Support or a technician may be the next step.