A reader asks:
“Why is my canon printer not connecting to my wireless router? Since last night my Canon printer won’t connect to my Wi-Fi network. I’ve tried everything to get this working, but I still see that my printer is not connecting to Wi-Fi.”
Troubleshooting this problem will vary depending on the type of printer you have and the type of computer you’re pairing it with. The process for setting up a printer on a wireless network differs a bit from printer to printer, and fixing the issue will be different depending on if it had been previously connected without issue or if you’re having issues with the initial setup.
The first thing to do is to check the documentation that came with the printer and follow the instructions for connecting to a network. You should be able to find a copy on Canon’s support site if you have lost the original (or on another manufacturer’s website if you don’t have a Canon printer).
Generally, with printers, you can use the disc or over-the-air installation software that came with the printer and run the setup program again if something has changed with your Wi-Fi network. Follow the on-screen prompts (which will probably require you to connect the printer to your computer using a USB cable), and it should reconnect to your network.
Aside from this, make sure that all the drivers are up to date. They should also be available on your printer’s website.
Also, it could be something even more simple than that: Check to see if your printer’s “Shared Preferences” is turned OFF. If so, turn it back on again.
For more printer tips:
- Printer buying guide: How to find the best model for your home or office
- How to clear clutter and save ink when you print a webpage
- How to print from your Android phone or tablet with Google Cloud Print
This tip was originally published on IDG Answers, a reader-powered help desk for answering tech questions.