How to Connect Canon 3700 Printer to Wifi? WPS Pair Steps

Introduction

Setting up a wireless printer can feel intimidating, especially if you are not sure where to begin. If you have been searching for How to Connect Canon 3700 Printer to Wifi?, you are in the right place. The Canon 3700 series is designed for home and small office use, and one of the fastest ways to get it online is through WiFi Protected Setup, commonly known as WPS.

WPS allows you to connect your printer to your wireless network without typing a long password directly on the printer’s small control panel. Depending on your router, you can use either the WPS push button method or the WPS PIN method. Both are straightforward, but they require a few specific steps to work correctly.

In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about connecting your Canon 3700 printer to WiFi. We will cover what equipment you need, how WPS works, detailed step-by-step instructions for both WPS methods, an alternative manual setup, driver installation, troubleshooting tips, security considerations, and answers to frequently asked questions. By the end of this article, you should be able to print wirelessly from your computer, smartphone, or tablet with confidence.

Table of Contents

• What You Need Before You Start
• Understanding WPS and How It Works
• Prerequisites for WPS Connection
• Step-by-Step: Connect Canon 3700 Printer to WiFi Using WPS Push Button
• Step-by-Step: Connect Canon 3700 Printer to WiFi Using WPS PIN
• Alternative: Standard WiFi Setup Without WPS
• How to Confirm the Connection Was Successful
• Installing Printer Drivers and Software on Your Computer
• Troubleshooting Common WPS Connection Issues
• Comparison Table: WPS Push Button vs WPS PIN vs Standard Setup
• Tips and Best Practices for Stable Wireless Printing
• Security Considerations When Using WPS
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

What You Need Before You Start

Before you attempt How to Connect Canon 3700 Printer to Wifi?, gather the following items so you do not have to pause in the middle of setup:

• Canon 3700 series printer: Make sure the printer is unboxed, has ink cartridges installed, and is loaded with paper. The printer should be in a ready state with no error messages on the display.
• Wireless router: Your router must support WPS. Most modern home routers do, but some older or enterprise models may not have this feature enabled.
• WPS button or WPS PIN: Depending on the method you choose, you will need physical access to the WPS button on the router or access to the router’s admin page to view the WPS PIN.
• Computer or mobile device: You will need a device on the same network to install drivers and test printing.
• Network name (SSID) and password: Even though WPS avoids typing the password on the printer, it is good to have these handy for manual setup or troubleshooting.
• Power source: Plug the printer directly into a wall outlet or surge protector. Avoid using a power strip shared with high-draw appliances if possible.

Place the printer within a reasonable range of your router during setup. Once connected, you can move it to its permanent location as long as the signal remains strong.

Understanding WPS and How It Works

WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) is a network security standard that simplifies the process of connecting devices to a secure wireless network. Instead of manually selecting a network and entering a password, WPS establishes a secure handshake between the router and the device.

There are two primary WPS methods:

• Push Button Configuration (PBC): You press a physical button on the router and then initiate WPS on the printer within a short time window, usually two minutes.
• PIN Method: The printer generates an eight-digit PIN, which you enter into the router’s administration interface to authorize the connection.

For Canon 3700 printers, WPS is often the easiest path because the printer’s control panel is not designed for comfortable text entry. Using WPS removes the need to hunt for tiny letters and numbers on a small LCD screen.

Prerequisites for WPS Connection

Before pressing any buttons, verify these conditions:

• Your router is broadcasting a 2.4 GHz wireless network. Many Canon printers, including the 3700 series, do not support 5 GHz-only networks.
• WPS is enabled on the router. Some routers disable WPS by default for security reasons.
• Your printer is powered on and in a ready state, not displaying an error message.
• No Ethernet cable is plugged into the printer during wireless setup, as this can interfere with the network handshake.

Step-by-Step: Connect Canon 3700 Printer to WiFi Using WPS Push Button

The WPS push button method is usually the quickest way to answer How to Connect Canon 3700 Printer to Wifi? if your router has a visible WPS button. Follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Prepare Your Router

Locate the WPS button on your wireless router. It is often labeled “WPS” and may be found on the back or side of the device. Make sure the router is powered on and broadcasting its wireless signal. If you are unsure where the button is, check the router’s manual or the label on the bottom of the device.

Step 2: Prepare Your Printer

Turn on your Canon 3700 printer. Wait until the power light is steady and the printer is not performing a cleaning cycle or displaying an error. Load paper if you plan to print a test page immediately afterward.

Step 3: Press the WPS Button on the Printer

1. Press and hold the WiFi button on the Canon 3700 printer until the power light starts flashing. On some models, you may need to press the “Stop” or “Resume” button first, then hold the WiFi button. Check your specific model’s manual if the light does not flash.
2. The WiFi light should flash blue or green, indicating the printer is searching for a WPS signal.

Step 4: Press the WPS Button on the Router

Within two minutes of pressing the printer’s WiFi button, press the WPS button on your router. Hold it for a few seconds until the router’s WPS light begins to blink. This tells the router to accept the incoming printer connection.

Step 5: Wait for Confirmation

Wait for the printer’s WiFi light to stop flashing and remain steady. This can take anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes. Once the light is steady, the printer is connected to your WiFi network.

Step 6: Print a Network Configuration Page

Hold the printer’s “Resume” or “Cancel” button to print a network status page. This page confirms the SSID and IP address assigned to the printer.

Step-by-Step: Connect Canon 3700 Printer to WiFi Using WPS PIN

If your router does not have a physical WPS button, or if the push button method fails, you can use the WPS PIN method. This is also useful if you want to connect How to Connect Canon 3700 Printer to Wifi? from a computer without walking to the router.

Step 1: Access Printer Settings

On the Canon 3700 printer’s control panel, navigate to the WiFi or LAN settings menu. Look for an option labeled “WPS PIN” or “Wireless LAN Setup.” Select it to generate an eight-digit PIN.

Step 2: Write Down the PIN

The printer will display an eight-digit number on its screen. Write it down exactly as shown. This PIN is typically valid for a limited time.

Step 3: Log Into Your Router

Open a web browser on a computer connected to the same network. Enter your router’s IP address (commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) in the address bar. Log in with your administrator username and password.

Step 4: Enter the WPS PIN

Navigate to the wireless settings section and look for “WPS PIN” or “Add WPS Client.” Enter the eight-digit PIN from the printer. Save or apply the settings.

Step 5: Finalize Connection

The router will communicate with the printer and assign it a place on the network. The printer’s WiFi light should become steady once the handshake completes. Print a configuration page to verify the connection.

Alternative: Standard WiFi Setup Without WPS

If WPS is not available or you prefer not to use it, you can connect the Canon 3700 printer manually. This method requires you to select your network name and enter the password using the printer’s control panel.

1. On the printer, press the “Setup” or “Menu” button.
2. Navigate to “Device Settings” or “LAN Settings.”
3. Select “Wireless LAN Setup” and then “Standard Setup.”
4. Choose your network from the list of available SSIDs.
5. Enter your WiFi password using the arrow buttons and numeric keypad.
6. Confirm the settings and wait for the printer to connect.

This method takes longer than WPS but works on routers that have WPS disabled.

How to Confirm the Connection Was Successful

After completing any of the above methods, you should verify that the printer is actually on the network:

• Check the WiFi light: A steady light usually means success. A flashing light may mean the printer is still searching.
• Print a network page: Most Canon printers can print a network configuration page that lists the IP address, SSID, and signal strength.
• Ping the printer: From a computer on the same network, open the command prompt or terminal and type “ping” followed by the printer’s IP address. A reply confirms network visibility.
• Send a test print: Try printing a document from your computer or a photo from your phone.

Installing Printer Drivers and Software on Your Computer

Connecting the printer to WiFi is only half the job. Your computer also needs the correct driver to send print jobs wirelessly.

Windows Installation

1. Visit the official Canon support website and search for your Canon 3700 model.
2. Download the full driver and software package for Windows.
3. Run the installer and choose “Wireless LAN Connection” when prompted.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to detect the printer on the network.
5. Complete the installation and print a test page.

Mac Installation

1. Download the Canon driver for macOS from the support site.
2. Open the downloaded package and follow the installer prompts.
3. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
4. Click the “+” button and select your Canon 3700 from the network list.
5. Add the printer and print a test page.

Mobile Printing

For smartphones and tablets, download the Canon PRINT app from the App Store or Google Play. The app can discover your printer on the same WiFi network and allow you to print photos and documents directly.

Troubleshooting Common WPS Connection Issues

Even with clear instructions, things can go wrong. Here are common problems and how to fix them:

Printer Not Found During Setup

Make sure the printer and router are powered on and within range. Restart both devices and try the WPS process again. Ensure you press the router’s WPS button within two minutes of activating WPS on the printer.

WPS Timeout

WPS sessions expire quickly. If the lights stop flashing before you press the second button, start over from the beginning.

Printer Connects to the Wrong Network

If you have multiple routers or range extenders with similar names, the printer may connect to the wrong one. Use the printer’s network page to check the SSID, and move closer to the intended router during setup.

Router Does Not Support WPS

Some routers disable WPS by default or do not support it at all. Log into your router’s admin panel to enable WPS, or use the standard manual setup method described earlier.

Printer Goes Offline After Connection

Assign a static IP address to the printer through your router’s DHCP reservation settings. This prevents the printer’s address from changing and causing offline errors.

Comparison Table: WPS Push Button vs WPS PIN vs Standard Setup

Feature	WPS Push Button	WPS PIN	Standard Manual Setup
Ease of Use	Very easy	Moderate	Moderate to difficult
Setup Speed	Fast	Moderate	Slower
Router Requirements	Physical WPS button	WPS enabled in admin panel	No special requirements
Password Entry	Not required	Not required	Required on printer panel
Best For	Quick home setup	Routers without a WPS button	Enterprise or secured networks

Tips and Best Practices for Stable Wireless Printing

• Use the 2.4 GHz band: Canon 3700 printers typically connect best to 2.4 GHz networks. If your router combines 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz under one name, consider splitting them or temporarily disabling 5 GHz during setup.
• Keep firmware updated: Check for printer and router firmware updates regularly. Updates often improve wireless stability.
• Reduce interference: Keep the printer away from microwaves, cordless phones, and large metal objects that can weaken WiFi signals.
• Assign a static IP: Reserve an IP address for the printer in your router settings so it does not change after a reboot.
• Print a network page monthly: This helps you catch connection issues before they become major problems.
• Restart periodically: Power cycling the printer and router once every few weeks can clear minor network glitches.

Security Considerations When Using WPS

WPS is convenient, but it is not without security concerns. Older WPS implementations have been vulnerable to brute-force attacks on the PIN method. If you are in a high-security environment, consider disabling WPS on your router after you finish connecting the printer.

For home users, WPS is generally safe if your router uses WPA2 or WPA3 encryption. Avoid using WPS on open or unsecured networks. Once your Canon 3700 printer is connected, you can continue using it normally without keeping WPS active.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my router does not have a WPS button?

Use the WPS PIN method or the standard manual WiFi setup. Both are covered earlier in this guide.

Can I connect my Canon 3700 printer to a 5 GHz network?

Most Canon 3700 series printers support 2.4 GHz only. Check your router to ensure a 2.4 GHz network is available.

Do I need to reinstall drivers if I change my WiFi password?

Yes. If you change your network password, you will need to reconnect the printer using WPS or manual setup, then reinstall or re-add the printer on your computer so it has the correct network path.

How many devices can print to the Canon 3700 over WiFi?

Multiple computers, phones, and tablets can send print jobs to the printer as long as they are on the same network and have the printer driver or app installed.

Why does my printer show as offline?

This often happens if the printer loses its WiFi connection or if its IP address changes. Assigning a static IP and ensuring a strong signal usually resolves this.

Conclusion

Learning How to Connect Canon 3700 Printer to Wifi? does not have to be complicated. The WPS push button method offers the fastest path for most home users, while the WPS PIN method provides a reliable alternative when a physical button is unavailable. If neither works, the standard manual setup remains a dependable fallback.

Once your printer is connected, take a few minutes to install the correct drivers on each device and print a test page. Following the best practices outlined here—such as using the 2.4 GHz band, keeping firmware updated, and assigning a static IP—will help you maintain a stable wireless printing experience.

If you run into issues, revisit the troubleshooting section or consult your router’s manual. With a little patience, your Canon 3700 printer will be ready for wireless printing from anywhere in your home or office.