How to Find My Canon Printer on This Computer and Add It to Devices List

If you’re struggling to locate your Canon printer on your computer or want to ensure it’s properly connected and ready to print, you’re in the right place. Many users ask how to find my Canon printer on this computer, especially when setting up a new device, reconnecting after a Wi-Fi change, or troubleshooting connection issues. This complete step-by-step guide will help you find your Canon printer, add it to your devices list, and ensure it functions perfectly on both Windows and Mac systems.

Why You Might Not See Your Canon Printer

Before you start the setup process, it’s important to understand why your Canon printer might not be appearing on your computer. There are several common reasons for this:

The printer is not properly connected via USB or Wi-Fi.
Printer drivers have not been installed or are outdated.
Your computer is connected to a different Wi-Fi network than the printer.
The printer is turned off or in an error state.
Firewall or antivirus software is blocking the printer’s communication.

Once you know what’s causing the issue, you can take the right steps to fix it. Let’s go through how to find my Canon printer on this computer and add it to your device list successfully.

Step 1: Check the Printer’s Power and Connection

Start by ensuring your Canon printer is powered on and properly connected. If you’re using a USB printer, make sure the cable is securely plugged into both the printer and your computer. For wireless printers, confirm that the printer’s Wi-Fi indicator light is on and connected to the same network as your computer.

If your printer is not responding or the display panel shows an error, restart the printer. This often resolves minor connection glitches and helps your computer detect the printer more easily.

On both Windows and Mac systems, you can add your Canon printer manually through the system settings. Here’s how:

For Windows Users:

Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
Go to Devices → Printers & Scanners.
Click on Add a printer or scanner.
Wait for the system to search for available printers.
Select your Canon printer from the list, then click Add device.

If your printer doesn’t appear, click The printer that I want isn’t listed and follow the on-screen options to manually locate it using the printer’s IP address or network name.

For Mac Users:

Open System Preferences from the Apple menu.
Click on Printers & Scanners.
Press the + icon at the bottom left corner of the window.
Your Mac will search for available printers on the network.
Select your Canon printer and click Add.

If you still can’t find my Canon printer on this computer, you may need to install or update the printer drivers before continuing.

Step 3: Install or Update Canon Printer Drivers

Printer drivers act as a bridge between your computer and your Canon printer. Without the correct drivers, your computer won’t recognize the printer. To install or update them:

Visit Canon’s official website: https://ij.start.canon.
Enter your printer model number (for example, PIXMA MG2522, TS3320, or TR4720).
Download the recommended driver and software package for your operating system.
Run the installer and follow the instructions to complete installation.

Once installation is complete, restart your computer. Then, try adding your printer again following the steps in Step 2.

Step 4: Find Your Printer Using Canon IJ Network Tool

If you have a wireless Canon printer, the Canon IJ Network Tool can help you locate it quickly. This software is specifically designed to detect Canon printers on your local network. Here’s how to use it:

Download and install the Canon IJ Network Tool from the Canon website.
Open the program and click “Search” to find all Canon printers connected to the network.
When your printer appears in the list, select it and click “Set Printer.”
If prompted, confirm your Wi-Fi settings and click “Apply.”

The IJ Network Tool will automatically sync your printer with your computer, allowing you to print wirelessly. This step is especially helpful when you need to find my Canon printer on this computer but can’t detect it using regular system settings.

Step 5: Check the Printer’s IP Address

If your Canon printer is connected via Wi-Fi but not showing up, you can manually locate it using its IP address. To find it:

Press the Menu button on your Canon printer.
Navigate to Network Settings → View Network Configuration.
Locate the printer’s IP address on the display screen.

Once you have the IP address, go to your computer’s printer setup window and choose the option to “Add a printer using a TCP/IP address.” Enter the printer’s IP address manually, and your computer should detect it immediately.

Step 6: Test the Printer Connection

After you find my Canon printer on this computer and add it to the devices list, it’s time to confirm the connection. Open a document or image, then go to File → Print and select your Canon printer from the list. Click Print to test whether the printer responds.

If the print job is successful, you’re all set. If not, try restarting both your printer and computer, and double-check the network connection.

Step 7: Troubleshoot Common Issues

Sometimes, your computer may still have trouble detecting your Canon printer. Here’s how to resolve some common issues:

Printer not detected via USB: Try a different cable or USB port. Avoid using USB hubs during setup.
Printer not connecting via Wi-Fi: Make sure both the printer and computer are on the same wireless network.
Printer shows offline: Open the printer queue, right-click your printer, and select “Use Printer Online.”
Driver conflicts: Uninstall old Canon printer drivers before reinstalling the latest version.
Firewall restrictions: Temporarily disable your firewall during printer setup, then re-enable it afterward.

These steps should help resolve most detection issues when trying to find my Canon printer on this computer.

Step 8: Keep Your Printer Drivers Updated

Keeping your printer drivers up to date ensures smooth performance and compatibility with new operating system updates. Canon frequently releases updated drivers to fix bugs and improve printing quality. You can enable automatic updates or check Canon’s support website regularly for new versions.

Step 9: Add Printer to Cloud and Mobile Printing Apps

Once your Canon printer is added to your computer, consider connecting it to cloud services for even greater flexibility. Use the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app to connect your printer to mobile devices or link it with cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox. This way, you can print directly from your smartphone or tablet anytime.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to find my Canon printer on this computer and add it to your devices list can save time and frustration. Whether your printer is connected via USB or Wi-Fi, these steps ensure it’s recognized correctly and ready for printing. Always use Canon’s official software and drivers for the best performance. Once configured, your Canon printer will deliver consistent results, wireless convenience, and reliable operation—making printing effortless across all your devices.

How to Find My Canon Printer on This Computer and Add It to Devices List