Wifi Guide

How to Connect Mg2522 to Wifi? Canon Printer Wireless Setup Steps

Introduction The Canon PIXMA MG2522 is a compact, budget-friendly all-in-one inkjet printer that many people purchase for home printing, scanning, and copying. If you have searched for How to Connect Mg2522 to Wifi?, you are likely hoping to cut the USB cable

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Introduction

The Canon PIXMA MG2522 is a compact, budget-friendly all-in-one inkjet printer that many people purchase for home printing, scanning, and copying. If you have searched for How to Connect Mg2522 to Wifi?, you are likely hoping to cut the USB cable and send print jobs from your laptop, smartphone, or tablet without being tethered to the printer.

Before following any tutorial, there is an important hardware fact you need to understand: the Canon MG2522 does not have built-in WiFi. It is a USB-only device. This article explains what that means, why so many users search for wireless setup steps for this model, and the practical workarounds that let you use the MG2522 in a wireless home environment. You will also learn which Canon printers actually support native WiFi if you decide that upgrading is the better path.

Table of Contents

Can the Canon MG2522 Connect to WiFi Directly?

The short answer is no. The Canon MG2522 is designed as a USB-only printer. It does not contain a wireless network adapter, it has no WPS button, and its control panel does not include any wireless menu options. You cannot select a WiFi network, enter a password, or print directly from a smartphone using the Canon PRINT app because the printer itself cannot join a wireless network.

If you find a video or blog post claiming to show How to Connect Mg2522 to Wifi? by pressing buttons on the printer, it is either demonstrating a different Canon model or it is incorrect. Following those steps on an MG2522 will not produce a wireless connection.

Why Do People Search for How to Connect Mg2522 to Wifi?

The confusion is completely understandable. Canon uses very similar model names across its PIXMA lineup. The MG2520, MG2522, and MG2525 look nearly identical, while higher-end models such as the MG3520, MG3620, and TS3322 do include WiFi. Retail listings sometimes group these printers together, and buyers may reasonably assume that an “all-in-one” printer includes wireless networking.

In addition, most modern printers ship with WiFi as a default feature. When users unbox the MG2522 and see only a USB cable in the box, they often search online for How to Connect Mg2522 to Wifi? expecting a simple setup process. This article is here to clarify the situation and offer real alternatives.

What You Need Before You Begin

Because the MG2522 cannot connect to WiFi on its own, your goal is to make it accessible over your local network through another device. Here is what you will need:

  • A Canon MG2522 printer
  • A USB cable (usually included with the printer)
  • A Windows PC or Mac that will act as the host computer
  • A WiFi router for your home network
  • The correct printer drivers installed on the host computer
  • A second computer, smartphone, or tablet from which you want to print

Method 1: Share the MG2522 Over WiFi Using Windows

The most common workaround for How to Connect Mg2522 to Wifi? is to connect the printer to a Windows computer via USB, then share that printer so other devices on the same WiFi network can send jobs to it. This does not make the printer wireless itself, but it makes it network-accessible.

  1. Connect the printer to your host computer. Plug the USB cable into the MG2522 and into an available USB port on your Windows PC. Turn the printer on. Windows should detect the new hardware and either install drivers automatically or prompt you to install them from the Canon website.
  2. Install the full driver software. Download the latest driver for the MG2522 from Canon’s official support site. Installing the complete software package helps ensure that printing and scanning functions work correctly on the host machine.
  3. Enable printer sharing. Open Control Panel, go to Network and Sharing Center, and click Change advanced sharing settings. Under your current network profile, turn on file and printer sharing, then save your changes.
  4. Share the printer. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers. Right-click the Canon MG2522 printer icon and select Printer properties. Go to the Sharing tab, check Share this printer, and give it a simple name such as Canon_MG2522. Click Apply and OK.
  5. Find the host computer’s name or IP address. Other devices will need to locate the host computer. You can find the computer name in Settings > System > About, or its local IP address by opening Command Prompt and typing ipconfig.
  6. Add the shared printer on other devices. On another Windows computer connected to the same WiFi network, go to Devices and Printers > Add a printer > The printer that I want isn’t listed > Select a shared printer by name. Type \\ComputerName\Canon_MG2522 or use the IP address, then follow the prompts to install the driver.

Important limitation: The host computer must remain powered on and awake for other devices to print. If it goes to sleep or is turned off, the shared printer becomes unavailable to the rest of the network.

Method 2: Share the MG2522 Over WiFi Using a Mac

Mac users can use a similar approach through macOS printer sharing.

  1. Connect via USB and install drivers. Connect the MG2522 to your Mac with the USB cable. Install the Canon driver from the official support site. Add the printer in System Settings > Printers & Scanners if it does not appear automatically.
  2. Enable printer sharing. Open System Settings > General > Sharing. Toggle on Printer Sharing. In the list of printers, select the Canon MG2522 and check the box to share it.
  3. Add the shared printer on other devices. On another Mac connected to the same WiFi network, open System Settings > Printers & Scanners > Add Printer. The shared MG2522 should appear under the host Mac’s name. Select it and add it.

Connecting Windows or mobile devices to a Mac-shared printer is more complex and may require enabling SMB file sharing or using third-party utilities. For homes with mixed device types, a dedicated wireless print server is often a simpler solution.

Method 3: Use a Wireless Print Server

A wireless print server is a small hardware device that connects to a printer’s USB port and joins your WiFi network. It effectively gives a non-wireless printer network capabilities.

How It Works

  1. Plug the MG2522 into the print server’s USB port.
  2. Connect the print server to power and configure it to join your WiFi network using its setup software or web interface.
  3. Install the print server software on each computer that needs to print, or add the printer as a TCP/IP network printer using the print server’s IP address.

Pros

  • The host computer does not need to stay turned on.
  • Works with Windows, Mac, and sometimes mobile devices depending on the print server model.
  • Frees up the USB port on your computer.

Cons

  • Adds cost, typically between $30 and $80.
  • Setup can be technical for some users.
  • Many print servers support printing only; scanning over the network may not work with an all-in-one printer like the MG2522.

Method 4: Print from Mobile Devices Indirectly

Because the MG2522 cannot join a WiFi network, you cannot use the Canon PRINT app to send jobs directly from an iPhone or Android phone. However, you can still print from mobile devices indirectly if the printer is shared through a computer.

On an iPhone or iPad, if the printer is shared from a Mac, you may be able to use AirPrint if the Mac is configured to share it as an AirPrint target. Otherwise, the simplest method is to email a document to yourself, open it on the host computer, and print from there.

On Android, some third-party printing apps can detect shared Windows printers if the SMB protocol is enabled, but reliability varies. For most users, sending the file to the host computer and printing from the desktop remains the most dependable option.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Printer Not Detected by Host Computer

  • Try a different USB cable or USB port.
  • Restart both the printer and the computer.
  • Reinstall the Canon MG2522 driver from Canon’s support website.

Shared Printer Not Visible on the Network

  • Ensure network discovery and file and printer sharing are enabled on the host computer.
  • Check that the firewall is not blocking printer sharing.
  • Confirm that all devices are connected to the same WiFi network and subnet.

Print Jobs Stuck in Queue

  • Clear the print spooler on the host computer.
  • Verify that the host computer is awake and not in sleep mode.
  • Remove and re-add the shared printer on the client device.

Scanning Over WiFi

Scanning usually does not work over a shared USB connection or a basic print server unless the print server explicitly supports network scanning. For true wireless scanning, you need a printer with built-in WiFi and scanning software that supports network communication.

Comparison Table: Connection Options

Option Host PC Required? WiFi Printing? Scanning Over Network? Approximate Cost Best For
Direct USB to Computer Yes No Yes, via USB $0, cable included Single-computer setups
Windows Printer Sharing Yes Indirectly No $0 Windows-only homes
Mac Printer Sharing Yes Indirectly No $0 Mac-only homes
Wireless Print Server No Yes Rarely $30–$80 Mixed-device networks
Upgrade to WiFi Printer No Yes Yes $60–$150+ True wireless printing

Tips and Best Practices

  • If you rely on printer sharing, keep the host computer plugged in and set its power plan to never sleep.
  • Assign a static IP address or DHCP reservation to the host computer so client devices can always find it on the network.
  • Name the shared printer something simple without spaces to avoid network path errors.
  • Before buying a wireless print server, confirm that it lists the Canon MG2522 as a supported model.
  • Consider whether you actually need scanning over WiFi. If you do, a print server may not be enough, and upgrading to a wireless printer is the better choice.

Alternative Canon Printers with Built-in WiFi

If your goal is genuine wireless printing without leaving a computer turned on, consider these Canon PIXMA models:

  • Canon PIXMA MG3520: WiFi connectivity, mobile printing support, and a compact design similar to the MG2522.
  • Canon PIXMA TS3322: WiFi and Bluetooth, with Canon PRINT app support for easy mobile printing.
  • Canon PIXMA TR4520: WiFi, automatic document feeder, and fax capability for home office use.
  • Canon PIXMA TS3520: A budget-friendly WiFi all-in-one option.

These printers connect directly to your router, so you will not need to search for How to Connect Mg2522 to Wifi? workarounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I press a WPS button on the MG2522 to connect to WiFi?

No. The MG2522 does not have a WPS button or any wireless radio.

Does the Canon PRINT app work with the MG2522?

Not for wireless printing. The app requires the printer to be on the same WiFi network, which the MG2522 cannot join.

Can I connect the MG2522 to a WiFi router with an Ethernet cable?

No. The MG2522 has no Ethernet port. It only has a USB port.

Is there a hidden wireless menu on the printer?

No. The control panel only has basic power, stop, and indicator buttons for ink and paper. There are no network settings.

Will printer sharing work if my host computer is a laptop running on battery?

It can, but if the laptop sleeps or shuts down, printing stops. Keep the host computer plugged in for reliable sharing.

Can I scan wirelessly with a shared MG2522?

Generally no. Standard Windows and Mac printer sharing does not enable network scanning for this model.

Is a wireless print server worth it for an MG2522?

Only if you need wireless printing and do not want to upgrade. Compare the cost of a print server to the price of a new WiFi printer before deciding.

Can I use a USB-to-WiFi adapter on the printer?

No. The MG2522 does not support external WiFi adapters or network interface hardware.

Conclusion

If you came here searching for How to Connect Mg2522 to Wifi?, the honest answer is that the Canon MG2522 was not designed for wireless networking. It is a USB-only printer, and there is no button sequence, app, or hidden setting that will make it join your WiFi network directly.

That said, you are not stuck. By sharing the printer through a Windows or Mac computer, you can send print jobs from other devices on the same network. A wireless print server offers another path, though it adds cost and setup complexity. If you need true wireless printing and scanning without leaving a computer on, upgrading to a Canon PIXMA model with built-in WiFi is the simplest long-term solution.

Choose the method that fits your budget and your household’s devices, and remember that the host computer must stay powered on whenever you want to print through sharing.