Connecting Canon Pixma Inkjet Printer to a New Router (Wi-Fi Reconfiguration)

What “Wi-Fi reconfiguration” really means

When you change routers, change the Wi-Fi name (SSID), or update the password, your Canon Pixma doesn’t magically follow along. The printer still remembers the old network details, so it keeps trying to join a Wi-Fi that no longer exists. Reconfiguration is simply replacing the stored Wi-Fi settings with the new router’s details, then confirming your devices can find the printer again.

Typical scenarios that require reconfiguration:

New router installed
Wi-Fi name or password changed
Moved the printer to a different location with a different network
Router reset to factory settings
Switching from a guest network to the main network
Intermittent “offline/not responding” that started after network changes

Before you start: gather the essentials

Have these ready:

The new Wi-Fi network name (SSID)
The Wi-Fi password
Router security type (usually automatic, but important if you use WPA3-only)
A few sheets of plain paper (useful for printing network status pages)
Your Android phone (for Canon PRINT app method) or a Windows/macOS computer (for software-based setup)

Quick environment checks that prevent wasted effort:

Keep the printer within strong Wi-Fi range during setup (closer to router is better).
Temporarily disable VPN on your phone/computer during setup (VPN can interfere with local discovery).
Avoid guest Wi-Fi for printers; it often blocks devices from seeing each other.

Choose the best method for your Pixma model

Canon Pixma models vary. Pick the method that matches your printer’s controls.

Printer has an LCD screen and navigation buttons
Use the printer’s Wi-Fi setup menu (most straightforward).
Printer has only buttons (no screen)
Use WPS (if available) or the Android Canon PRINT “Wireless Connect” method.
You want the easiest phone-driven setup
Use Android Canon PRINT app to guide the printer onto the new network.

If one method fails, don’t panic-switch randomly. Finish the troubleshooting steps for that method, then try the next option.

Method A: Reconfigure using the printer’s screen (LCD models)

This is the most reliable “no guessing” approach for printers with a display.

Step 1: Enter wireless settings

On the printer:

Open Setup (or Settings)
Find Network settings or Wireless LAN setup
Choose Wi-Fi setup, Wireless setup, or Change wireless network

You may see options such as:

Search for access point
WPS (push button)
WPS (PIN code)
Manual setup

Choose “Search for access point” when possible.

Step 2: Select the new Wi-Fi network

The printer scans for nearby networks.
Select your new router’s SSID.

If the SSID does not appear:

Move printer closer to the router and scan again.
Confirm the router is broadcasting the network name (hidden SSIDs are harder to join).
If your router uses separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz names, select the 2.4 GHz network. Many printers work best on 2.4 GHz.

Step 3: Enter the Wi-Fi password carefully

Common password mistakes:

Confusing uppercase and lowercase
Mixing 0 (zero) with O (letter)
Missing a character at the end
Using a space unintentionally

If your printer supports it, display the password characters as you type to avoid errors.

Step 4: Confirm connection success

After joining, the printer usually shows:

“Connected”
A Wi-Fi icon that becomes solid
A network summary including an IP address

Optional but highly useful:

Print a network configuration/status page from the printer’s maintenance or network menu (if available). This helps later if your computer can’t find the printer.

Method B: WPS connection (quick, but only if your router supports it)

WPS can be fast because you don’t type passwords, but it depends heavily on your router settings and model.

When WPS is a good idea

Your router has a WPS button and it’s enabled
You’re setting up quickly, and typing the password on the printer is awkward

When to avoid WPS

Router has WPS disabled (common for security reasons)
You’re using WPA3-only mode and the printer doesn’t support it well
Your router is inside a cabinet or out of reach

Steps for WPS (push button)

On the printer, choose Wireless LAN setup, then WPS (push button).
The printer starts waiting for the router signal (usually a short window).
Press the WPS button on the router.
Wait for the printer to confirm it’s connected.

If it fails:

Try again with the printer closer to the router.
Confirm the router’s WPS is enabled.
If it still fails, use Method A or Method C.

Method C: Reconfigure using Android Canon PRINT app (phone-driven setup)

This method is excellent when:

The printer has no screen
The printer’s screen is small and painful to type on
You want a guided setup that also re-adds the printer in the app

Step 1: Prepare Android for setup

Connect your Android phone to the new Wi-Fi network (the same one you want the printer to join).
Turn on Bluetooth if the app requests it (some models use it during discovery).
Disable VPN temporarily if you use one.

Step 2: Start printer setup in Canon PRINT

In Canon PRINT:

Add printer
Choose your Pixma model if prompted
Select a connection method such as:
- Wireless LAN setup
- Wireless Connect
- Connect to router

The app may instruct you to put the printer into setup mode. This differs by model.

Step 3: Put the printer into setup mode (common patterns)

Depending on your Pixma, setup mode might be triggered by:

Holding a Wireless button until the Wi-Fi light flashes
Holding Stop/Cancel then pressing Wireless
A Menu option for Wireless LAN setup (screen models)
A flashing Wi-Fi icon on the display indicating ready-to-configure state

When the printer is in setup mode, it may create a temporary connection path for your phone to send Wi-Fi credentials.

Step 4: Send the new Wi-Fi settings to the printer

Follow the app prompts:

Confirm the SSID
Confirm password
Wait for the printer to join

Success signs:

The app shows the printer as available
The printer Wi-Fi light becomes steady
A test print option appears in the app

If the printer connects but disappears afterward:

This usually indicates your router is isolating devices (guest network or client isolation). Move to the router checks in troubleshooting.

Method D: Reset printer network settings then set up fresh (best when you don’t know what’s stored)

If your printer has been connected to multiple routers over time, it may behave stubbornly. A network reset clears old Wi-Fi profiles and lets you configure from clean slate.

What a network reset does

Removes saved SSIDs/passwords
Restores wireless settings to default
Forces the printer to be “new network ready”

How to do it (generic guidance)

Because Pixma models differ, the network reset might be found under:

Setup > Device settings > Reset settings > LAN settings
Setup > Network settings > Reset
Settings > Reset > Network

Button-only models sometimes require a specific hold sequence involving Wireless and Stop/Cancel.

After reset, immediately run Method A or Method C while the printer is close to the router.

After the printer connects: make your devices find it again

A printer can be connected correctly and still not print if your devices are using an old printer entry.

On Windows (important after router changes)

Remove the old printer entry if it shows Offline repeatedly.
Add the printer again as a network printer.
If given a choice between a “discovered” printer and one you add by address, pick the one that matches your printer’s current network identity.
Print a test page.

If the printer goes offline again after a few days:

The printer’s IP address may be changing. Stabilize it in the router (see “Stability upgrades” below).

On macOS

Remove the old Pixma entry.
Add it again in Printers & Scanners.
If you see duplicate entries, keep only the one that prints reliably.

On Android

In Canon PRINT, remove the old printer instance if it won’t connect.
Add the printer again after reconfiguration.
Print a small test document or photo.

Troubleshooting: when reconfiguration doesn’t work

Problem 1: The printer cannot find your new Wi-Fi network

Likely causes:

Router is broadcasting only 5 GHz with no 2.4 GHz option
SSID is hidden
Printer is too far from router during setup
Router channel settings are incompatible with the printer in your region

Fixes:

Enable 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi on the router and try connecting the printer to that band.
Temporarily unhide the SSID during setup.
Move the printer closer to the router, connect, then move it back after success.
Reboot router and printer, then rescan.

Problem 2: Password is correct, but connection fails

Likely causes:

Router is set to WPA3-only mode
The router requires a newer security handshake than the printer supports

Fixes:

Change router security to WPA2 or WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode (if available).
Avoid enterprise authentication modes for home printers unless you specifically manage them.

Problem 3: Printer connects, but devices can’t see it

Likely causes:

Your device is on a guest network
Router has client isolation enabled
Router has separate networks that can’t talk to each other

Fixes:

Put phone/computer on the same main Wi-Fi network as the printer.
Disable guest network isolation for the network you are using (or avoid guest network).
Temporarily disable VPN.
Re-add the printer on each device.

Problem 4: Printer works for a day, then goes offline again

Likely cause:

Printer IP address changes after router reboot or lease renewal, and your computer is still pointing to the old address.

Fixes:

Reserve a stable IP for the printer in the router (best long-term fix).
Keep the printer on a strong signal so it reconnects quickly after router restarts.
On Windows, ensure your printer entry targets the current network identity rather than an outdated path.

Problem 5: Wi-Fi light is on, but printing is slow or intermittent

Likely causes:

Weak Wi-Fi signal
Interference from walls, metal objects, microwaves, or crowded channels
Printer placed too low or enclosed

Fixes:

Move printer to a more open location temporarily and test.
Reduce distance to router or add a closer access point in large homes.
Avoid placing the printer behind metal shelves or inside cabinets.

Stability upgrades (recommended if you print often)

These changes reduce recurring “offline” problems.

1) Keep the printer on 2.4 GHz (when possible)

Many printers are optimized for 2.4 GHz range and compatibility. Even if 5 GHz works, 2.4 GHz is often more stable through walls.

2) Reserve the printer’s IP address in your router

This prevents the printer’s address from changing and breaking print queues. It’s one of the most effective “set it once, forget it” improvements.

3) Avoid guest networks for printing

Guest Wi-Fi may block local device discovery and scanning even if internet works.

4) Keep firmware and apps current

An updated Canon PRINT app on Android and a properly installed driver on Windows/macOS help with discovery and status reporting, especially after network changes.

Quick “everything in one go” recovery plan

If you want a single clean path that usually works:

Move printer close to the router
Reset printer network settings (if you suspect old profiles)
Connect printer to the new Wi-Fi using the printer screen or Android Canon PRINT
Confirm printer shows connected and has an IP address
Remove old printer entries on Windows/macOS and add the printer again
Re-add the printer in Canon PRINT on Android
Print a test page from each device
Reserve the printer’s IP in the router if offline issues return

Once the Pixma is on the correct Wi-Fi and your devices are using the updated printer entry, the “new router” problem disappears—and stays gone.