How to Connect Canon MG3500 Printer to WiFi

Learning how to connect Canon MG3500 printer to WiFi is one of the first things you'll want to tackle after unboxing this compact inkjet. The MG3500 series supports wireless printing through your home or office network, letting you send documents from any device without cables cluttering your desk. Whether you're connecting it to a laptop, a desktop, or even a mobile device, the process is straightforward once you know which method works best for your router setup. This guide walks through every available method, troubleshooting tips, and answers the most common questions so you can get printing wirelessly without frustration. If you're looking for a broader overview of Canon and other wireless printers, check out our printer reviews and guides.

What You Need Before Getting Started

Before diving into the actual setup, gathering a few things will save you considerable time. The Canon MG3500 series — which includes the MG3520, MG3522, and MG3550 — uses standard 2.4 GHz WiFi and does not support 5 GHz networks. This is an important distinction if your router broadcasts on both bands; you'll need to make sure you're connecting the printer to the 2.4 GHz network specifically.

Here's what you'll need ready:

• Your WiFi network name (SSID) and password
• The Canon MG3500 printer powered on and in a ready state
• A computer, smartphone, or tablet connected to the same WiFi network
• The Canon MG3500 setup software (either from the included CD or downloaded from Canon's official site)
• Your router's WPS button location (if using the WPS method)

It's also worth checking that the printer has ink and paper loaded, since some setup routines print a network configuration page to confirm the connection was successful. Once you have everything in place, choose the method below that best matches your router and equipment.

How to Connect Canon MG3500 to WiFi via WPS

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) is the fastest way to connect the Canon MG3500 to your wireless network if your router supports it. Most modern routers have a WPS button on the back or side panel. There are two WPS approaches: the push button method and the PIN method.

WPS Push Button Method

This is by far the easiest approach and takes less than two minutes from start to finish.

1. Press and hold the WiFi button on the printer until the WiFi lamp flashes and the power lamp flashes alternately. This puts the printer into WPS standby mode.
2. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router and hold it for two to three seconds.
3. Watch the printer's indicator lights. The WiFi lamp will flash rapidly while the printer searches for the router. When the connection is established, the WiFi lamp will light up solid blue.
4. If the connection fails, the WiFi lamp will flash orange. In that case, wait a minute and try again, or switch to the PIN method below.

The push button method works because both devices temporarily open a secure enrollment window at the same time, exchanging credentials automatically — no password typing required.

WPS PIN Method

If your router supports WPS but only through a PIN entry (common on some older or ISP-provided routers), use this approach instead.

1. Print a network configuration page from the printer to find the WPS PIN. Hold down the printer's Stop button for five seconds, then release — this prints a network status sheet containing the PIN.
2. Log into your router's admin panel (typically at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in your browser).
3. Find the WPS or wireless settings section and enter the PIN from the printer's network status sheet.
4. Confirm on the router, then press the printer's WiFi button to initiate the connection.

How to Connect Canon MG3500 to WiFi Without WPS

Not every router has WPS, and some users disable it for security reasons. The Canon MG3500 supports two alternative wireless setup methods that work without WPS.

Using the Canon Setup CD or Downloaded Software

This is the recommended method for first-time setup and works on both Windows and macOS.

1. Insert the Canon MG3500 setup CD into your computer. If you don't have the CD, download the MG3500 series MP Drivers and IJ Network Device Setup Utility from Canon's support website.
2. Run the setup program and select Wireless LAN Connection when prompted to choose a connection type.
3. The software will detect the printer. Follow the on-screen prompts and select your WiFi network from the list that appears.
4. Enter your WiFi password when asked. The software sends the network credentials to the printer automatically.
5. Once connected, the setup software will finish installing the printer drivers and add the printer to your system.

This method is particularly useful if you're setting up the printer alongside a workstation laptop or desktop that doesn't have a CD drive — just download the software directly from Canon and the process is identical.

Cableless Setup (No CD, No WPS)

Canon's "cableless setup" mode allows the printer to temporarily create its own wireless access point so your computer can connect to it directly, transmit the network credentials, and then switch the printer over to your regular WiFi network.

1. Turn on the printer and press and hold the WiFi button for about three seconds. The WiFi lamp will flash and the power lamp will flash once — the printer is now in access point mode.
2. On your computer, go to the WiFi settings and look for a network named something like XXXXXX-mg3500 (where X is part of the printer's serial number). Connect to it.
3. Open the Canon IJ Network Device Setup Utility on your computer. It should detect the printer in direct mode.
4. Select your home WiFi network from the list and enter the password. The utility will push the credentials to the printer.
5. The printer will disconnect from its own access point and join your home network. Reconnect your computer to your home WiFi as well.

Comparing Canon MG3500 WiFi Setup Methods

Not sure which method is right for you? The table below compares all three approaches across the criteria that matter most.

For most home users with a modern router, the WPS push button method is the clear winner. If your router doesn't support WPS or you want to install drivers at the same time, the software-based method is the next best option.

Troubleshooting Canon MG3500 WiFi Connection Issues

Even with straightforward hardware, wireless printers occasionally refuse to cooperate. Below are the most common problems users encounter when connecting the Canon MG3500 to WiFi and how to fix them. For context, similar connectivity troubleshooting applies across many wireless devices — if you've ever dealt with slow internet affecting your webcam, you know that network interference and signal strength can trip up even simple setups.

Printer Not Found on Network

If your computer can't see the printer on the network after completing setup, work through this checklist:

• Check the WiFi lamp: It should be solid blue. If it's off or flashing orange, the printer isn't connected. Repeat the setup process.
• Confirm the network band: The MG3500 only supports 2.4 GHz. If your router uses the same SSID for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, temporarily disable the 5 GHz band or create separate SSIDs. The printer will always fail to connect to a 5 GHz network.
• Check router isolation settings: Some routers have "AP isolation" or "client isolation" enabled, which prevents devices on the same network from seeing each other. Disable this in your router settings.
• Firewall interference: Windows Firewall or third-party security software can block printer discovery. Temporarily disable the firewall and test, then add an exception for Canon software.
• Restart everything: Power cycle the printer, router, and computer in that order. Wait 30 seconds between each restart.
• Reset the printer's network settings: Hold the Stop button for five seconds to print a network status page and confirm the IP address. If no IP is shown, hold the WiFi button for three seconds to reset the wireless settings and start over.

Connection Drops or Goes Offline

If the Canon MG3500 connects successfully but frequently drops off the network, the issue is usually one of three things: signal strength, DHCP lease expiration, or router firmware.

• Signal strength: The MG3500's WiFi radio isn't particularly powerful. If the printer is far from the router or separated by thick walls, move it closer or consider a WiFi extender. Printing a network status page shows the signal strength level.
• Assign a static IP: By default, the printer gets a dynamic IP from your router via DHCP. If the router assigns a different IP address after a lease expires, the computer loses track of the printer. Log into your router and assign a DHCP reservation (a fixed IP) to the printer's MAC address — found on the network status printout.
• Update router firmware: Outdated router firmware can cause compatibility issues with certain wireless devices. Check your router manufacturer's support page for firmware updates.

Printing Wirelessly from Any Device

Once the Canon MG3500 is connected to WiFi, you can send print jobs from virtually any device on the same network. Here's how it works across different platforms:

Printing from Windows

After running the setup software, the printer is already installed. Simply select it from the print dialog in any application. If you skipped the software installation, go to Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners → Add a printer and Windows will detect the MG3500 on your network automatically.

Printing from macOS

Go to System Preferences → Printers & Scanners → Add Printer. The Canon MG3500 should appear in the list. macOS includes AirPrint support for this printer, so in many cases no additional driver download is needed.

Printing from iOS and Android

The Canon MG3500 supports Apple AirPrint and Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app for both iOS and Android. For iOS, just use the share sheet and tap Print — it discovers the printer automatically. Android users can download the Canon PRINT app from the Play Store and follow the in-app setup. You can also print from affordable Android tablets using either method with no additional configuration required as long as the tablet is on the same WiFi network.

Printing from Chromebook

Chromebooks support Canon printers through Google Cloud Print alternatives and the built-in printer setup. Go to Settings → Advanced → Printing → Printers and add the Canon MG3500 by IP address if it doesn't appear automatically. For wireless Chromebook printing, the printer and Chromebook must be on the same network.

Wireless printing is one of the most convenient upgrades to any home or office setup — similar to how adding the right peripherals can completely transform your workspace. Just as choosing the right mobile workstation laptop changes how you work on the go, getting your printer reliably connected to WiFi removes a surprising amount of daily friction. Once it's set up correctly, printing wirelessly becomes completely invisible — it just works.

Frequently Asked Questions