Have you ever tried connecting your Canon Bluetooth printer to your computer and didn’t know where to start? Don’t worry - you’re not alone. Setting it up might sound a bit confusing at first, but it is quite easy once you know the right steps. Here, I am going to guide you on "How to Connect your Canon Printer to Computer" in a few simple steps. Just follow along, and you are ready to print documents, photos, or files wirelessly in no time.
Before setting up a Canon Bluetooth Printer on your computer, make sure all the requirements are ready for a smooth connection. Confirm that your computer has Bluetooth and a compatible operating system, and that the printer is turned on and ready to pair. Also, you may need the correct printer driver installed and be ready to enter a pairing code if asked.
Computer with Bluetooth: Ensure your computer has a built-in Bluetooth module or a Bluetooth adapter. Check that your operating system supports Bluetooth, usually Windows 7 or later.
Printer is on: Turn on your printer and verify the power light is on.
Printer in pairing mode: Follow the printer manual to activate pairing mode by pressing and holding specific buttons until a light starts blinking.
Drivers and OS: Download and install the correct driver software for your printer model if it’s not already installed. Ensure your computer is compatible with the printer.
Bluetooth range: Keep your computer and the printer within Bluetooth range, about 30 feet or less, to maintain a stable connection.
Now that you know the basic requirements, it’s time to make sure Bluetooth is turned on your computer, with slightly different steps for Windows and Mac systems.
For Windows: First of all, press the Windows and I keys together to open the Settings menu. After that, you will need to click on Bluetooth & other devices, then find the Bluetooth switch and toggle it to On. This will allow your computer to detect nearby Bluetooth devices.
For Mac: In the top-left corner, click the Apple menu and select System Preferences. Next, click Bluetooth. If Bluetooth is off, then click Turn Bluetooth On. Now, your Mac system will be able to search for and connect to nearby devices.
After enabling Bluetooth, you should keep your computer and the printer close together within 30 feet to ensure a stable connection. Once Bluetooth is on, you are ready to move on to the next step, which is putting your printer in Bluetooth pairing mode.
To put your printer in Bluetooth pairing mode, first make sure the printer is on. Then, you have to press and hold the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth button on the printer until the indicator light starts blinking. This blinking light shows that the printer is discoverable and ready to connect to your computer.
Some Canon printer models may use a slightly different method, such as pressing the Network button followed by the Stop button. Always check your printer’s manual for the exact procedure. Once the light blinks, your printer is in pairing mode and ready to be found by your computer.
To pair your printer with your computer, start by ensuring the printing device is on and in Bluetooth pairing mode. On your computer, you have to open the settings to find available devices.
Initially, open the Settings tab on your PC.
Go to Bluetooth & devices, then select Printers & scanners.
After that, click Add a printer or scanner.
Wait while your computer searches for nearby printers.
When your printer’s name appears in the list, select it.
If the printer shows a passkey or pairing code, then enter it.
Click the Next or OK button to complete the pairing.
Open the Apple menu and go to System Preferences.
On the following screen, you have to select Print & Fax.
Then, click the (+) button to add a new printer.
Now, find your printer model in the list of available devices.
Select the printer model and click Add to complete the setup process.
Once selected, follow any on-screen steps to complete the pairing. This may include entering a passkey or confirming the connection. After the setup finishes, your Canon printer will be connected via Bluetooth, which allows you to print wirelessly from your computer.
Before you connect your printer, you need a suitable driver software installed on your computer. Printer drivers help your computer connect with the printer and ensure all features work properly. If you already have drivers installed, then check for updates to avoid compatibility or connection issues.
Locate the exact model number on your printer so you can download a compatible driver.
Navigate to the official Canon support page for your region. For example, Canon USA.
After that, you have to use the search bar to find your specific printer model.
Go to the “Software & Drivers” section. Make sure your operating system is selected and download the "Full Driver & Software Package" to get all necessary features.
Now, open the downloaded file and perform the on-screen steps. You may need to select your region and agree to the license terms. During setup, choose the Bluetooth connection option when prompted.
Once you have connected the printer to your computer via Bluetooth, it’s a good idea to test it to make sure everything is working. Printing a test page helps confirm that your printer drivers are installed properly and that your computer and the printer are communicating.
Here’s how you can do it step by step for Windows and Mac computers:
Open the printer settings:
On a Windows computer, open the Start menu and go to the Settings tab. Next, go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
On Mac, click the Apple icon at the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). After that, go to Printers & Scanners.
Look through the list of devices and select your printer model.
Open the Printer Properties or Print Queue option:
On Windows, right-click your printer’s icon and choose Printer Properties.
On Mac, you will need to select your printer and click Open Print Queue…
Print the test page:
On Windows, click the Print Test Page button in the properties window.
On a Mac, go to the Printer menu at the top of your screen and choose the option to print a test page.
Once you do this, your Canon printer should print a test page. If the page prints correctly, then your printer is connected and ready to use. If it doesn’t, then you have to check the Bluetooth connection, make sure drivers are installed, and try printing again.
Source: How to Connect Canon Bluetooth Printer to Computer