Canon Printer Not Connecting to Internet: Easy Fixes
A Canon wireless printer normally needs a stable connection to your WiFi network so that computers and other devices can communicate with it. If the printer is not connecting to the internet, it may fail to communicate with your computer, appear offline, or stop printing over the network.
Fortunately, many network connection problems can be fixed by checking the WiFi connection, restarting the printer and router, reconnecting the printer to the correct wireless network, and reviewing the network settings.
Why Is My Canon Printer Not Connecting to Internet?
Several common issues can prevent a Canon printer from connecting to the internet or wireless network. Some problems are caused by the printer, while others are related to the router or WiFi connection.
- Incorrect WiFi password
- Weak or unstable WiFi signal
- Router connection problems
- Changed WiFi name or password
- Incorrect printer network settings
- Printer is too far from the wireless router
- Temporary network communication problem
- Wireless connection was interrupted
- Router settings are preventing the connection
- Printer needs to be connected to the WiFi network again
1. Check Your Internet and WiFi Connection
Start by checking whether your WiFi network is working correctly. Connect a phone, laptop, or another device to the same wireless network and open a website.
If other devices also cannot access the internet, the problem may be with the router or internet service rather than the Canon printer.
2. Restart Your Canon Printer and Router
Restarting both devices can clear temporary network communication problems.
- Turn off the Canon printer.
- Unplug the printer for a short time.
- Turn off your wireless router.
- Wait for the router to restart completely.
- Turn the Canon printer back on.
- Try connecting the printer to WiFi again.
After the router is fully online, check whether the Canon printer can connect to the wireless network.
3. Check the WiFi Password
An incorrect wireless password is one of the common reasons a printer cannot connect to WiFi. If you recently changed your WiFi password, the printer may still have the old password saved.
Re-enter the current WiFi password carefully. Pay attention to uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
4. Move the Canon Printer Closer to the Router
A weak wireless signal can cause connection problems. If your printer is located far away from the router, walls and other objects may reduce the WiFi signal.
Temporarily move the printer closer to the router and try connecting again. If the connection works near the router, signal strength may be contributing to the problem.
5. Check Your WiFi Network Name
Make sure you are selecting the correct wireless network when setting up the Canon printer. Many homes have multiple networks or WiFi bands with similar names.
Select the network that your computer or mobile device normally uses and enter its current password.
6. Reconnect the Canon Printer to WiFi
If the printer was previously connected but no longer connects to the network, reconnecting it can restore communication.
- Open the wireless or network settings on the Canon printer.
- Search for available WiFi networks.
- Select your wireless network.
- Enter the correct WiFi password.
- Confirm the wireless connection.
- Wait for the printer to establish the connection.
The exact menu names can vary by Canon printer model, so use the options shown on your printer's display.
7. Check the WiFi Band
Some wireless printer models may have specific network compatibility requirements. If your router broadcasts separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, check which network your Canon printer supports.
If your printer cannot connect to one network, check the printer's documentation for its supported wireless specifications and try the compatible network.
8. Check the Canon Printer Network Settings
Incorrect network settings can prevent the printer from communicating with the router. If your printer has a network settings or wireless LAN setup option, review the current connection information.
If the network configuration appears incorrect, use the printer's available network reset or wireless setup option and reconnect it to your WiFi network.
9. Check the Router
A router can sometimes prevent a wireless printer from connecting correctly. Check that the router is working normally and that other devices can connect to the same network.
Also check:
- WiFi is enabled on the router.
- The router is connected to the internet.
- The WiFi password has not recently changed.
- The printer is within a reasonable wireless range.
- The router has not been restarted or replaced recently.
10. Check Canon Printer Connection on Windows
If the Canon printer connects to WiFi but your Windows computer cannot communicate with it, check the printer connection on the computer.
- Open Windows printer settings.
- Check whether your Canon printer is listed.
- Confirm that the printer is connected to the same network as the computer.
- Check whether Windows shows the printer as offline.
- Try printing a test document.
If the printer appears offline, see our Canon Printer Offline troubleshooting guide.
11. Check Canon Printer Connection on Mac
On a Mac, make sure the computer and Canon printer are connected to the same wireless network. Check the printer list in your Mac's printer settings and confirm that the correct printer is selected.
If the printer is not listed, reconnect it to the WiFi network and add it again using the available printer settings on your Mac.
12. Check Whether the Printer Is Connected to the Same Network
Your printer and computer should normally communicate through the same local network. If the computer is connected to one WiFi network while the printer is connected to another, they may not communicate properly.
Check the WiFi network name on both devices and make sure they are using the intended network.
13. Check for Recent WiFi or Router Changes
Think about whether anything changed recently. For example, you may have replaced the router, changed the WiFi password, changed the network name, or moved the printer.
If the network information changed, reconnect the Canon printer using the new WiFi details.
14. Reset the Canon Printer Network Connection
If normal troubleshooting does not work, resetting the printer's network settings may help. The exact procedure varies by Canon model.
Before resetting network settings, make sure you know your current WiFi network name and password because you may need to reconnect the printer afterward.
15. Canon Printer Still Not Connecting to Internet?
If your Canon printer still cannot connect after trying the steps above, go through the basic connection checks again.
Quick Troubleshooting Checklist
- Check whether your internet connection is working.
- Restart the router.
- Restart the Canon printer.
- Verify the WiFi password.
- Confirm the correct WiFi network.
- Move the printer closer to the router.
- Check compatible WiFi bands.
- Reconnect the printer to WiFi.
- Check the printer network settings.
- Make sure the computer and printer use the same network.
Canon Printer Internet Connection vs. WiFi Connection
It is important to understand that a printer can sometimes be connected to a local WiFi network even when the internet connection itself is unavailable.
Printing between devices on the same local network may not always require the printer to have direct internet access. Therefore, if your main problem is that your computer cannot communicate with the printer, check the local WiFi connection and printer status as well.
Related Canon Printer Troubleshooting Guides
- Canon Printer WiFi Setup
- Canon Printer Offline: How to Fix It
- Canon Printer Won't Connect to WiFi
- Canon Printer Not Printing
- Canon Printer Not Connecting to Computer
- Canon Printer Won't Scan
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Canon printer not connecting to the internet?
Common causes include an incorrect WiFi password, weak wireless signal, router problems, changed network settings, or an interrupted wireless connection.
How do I reconnect my Canon printer to WiFi?
Open the wireless network settings on the printer, search for your WiFi network, select it, enter the correct password, and complete the connection process.
Why does my Canon printer say connected but have no internet?
The printer may be connected to the local WiFi network while the router's internet connection is unavailable. Check the internet connection using another device and restart the router if necessary.
Can a weak WiFi signal affect my Canon printer?
Yes. A weak or unstable wireless signal can cause the printer to disconnect or have difficulty communicating with other devices.
What if my Canon printer cannot find my WiFi network?
Check that the router is working, move the printer closer to the router, verify the wireless network name, and search for available networks again.
Why did my Canon printer stop connecting after changing my WiFi password?
The printer may still have the old WiFi password saved. Reconnect the printer using the new wireless password.
Why is my Canon printer connected to WiFi but not printing?
The printer may have a communication, printer status, queue, or computer connection problem. Check our Canon Printer Not Printing guide for additional troubleshooting steps.
Conclusion
A Canon printer that is not connecting to the internet or WiFi can often be fixed by checking the wireless network, restarting the printer and router, verifying the WiFi password, improving the wireless signal, and reconnecting the printer.
If the printer connects to WiFi but your computer cannot communicate with it, check the printer and computer network settings and make sure both devices are using the intended network.