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Wifi Guide

How to Connect Mg3520 to Wifi? Canon Wireless Setup Instructions

Introduction If you have recently purchased a Canon PIXMA MG3520 or moved it to a new home or office, one of the first tasks on your list is getting it connected to your wireless network. Knowing how to connect Mg3520 to Wifi? allows you to print from laptops,

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Introduction

If you have recently purchased a Canon PIXMA MG3520 or moved it to a new home or office, one of the first tasks on your list is getting it connected to your wireless network. Knowing how to connect Mg3520 to Wifi? allows you to print from laptops, smartphones, and tablets without running cables across the room. The MG3520 is a compact all-in-one inkjet printer designed for home and small office use, and its wireless capabilities make it a convenient centerpiece for shared printing.

This guide walks you through every available method for connecting the Canon MG3520 to WiFi, including WPS push button setup, standard manual configuration, the Canon PRINT app, and WPS PIN setup. You will also learn how to install drivers, add the printer to Windows and Mac computers, troubleshoot common connection problems, and follow best practices for a stable wireless connection. Whether you are setting up the printer for the first time or reconnecting it after a router change, this article has you covered.

Table of Contents

What Is the Canon MG3520?

The Canon PIXMA MG3520 is a wireless all-in-one inkjet printer that handles printing, scanning, and copying. It is built for home users and small workgroups that need an affordable, space-saving device. The printer supports WiFi connectivity, which means it can join your local network and accept print jobs from any device connected to the same router.

Because the MG3520 does not have a large touchscreen display, wireless setup relies on a combination of physical buttons on the printer, indicator lights, and software on your computer or mobile device. Understanding the hardware layout before you begin will make the setup process much smoother. The WiFi button, located on the top or front of the unit depending on the region, is the primary control for initiating wireless pairing.

Why Connect Your MG3520 to WiFi?

Connecting the MG3520 to your wireless network removes the need for a USB cable between the printer and every computer in your home. Once the printer is on WiFi, any laptop, desktop, smartphone, or tablet on the same network can send print jobs to it. This is especially useful in households with multiple users who do not want to transfer files to a single computer just to print them.

Wireless printing also enables mobile printing through Canon’s apps and services. You can print photos directly from your phone, scan documents to a connected device, and check ink levels without walking over to the printer. For small offices, a shared wireless printer reduces cable clutter and allows the device to be placed in a central location rather than next to one specific workstation.

What You Need Before You Start

Before you attempt how to connect Mg3520 to Wifi?, gather the following items to avoid interruptions during setup:

  • Canon PIXMA MG3520 printer, powered on and loaded with paper
  • Wireless router with an active internet connection
  • Network name (SSID) and WiFi password
  • A computer, smartphone, or tablet connected to the same network
  • Canon printer drivers and software (from the included CD or Canon’s support website)
  • Approximately 15 to 30 minutes of uninterrupted time

It is also helpful to place the printer within range of your router. Thick walls, large appliances, and other electronics can interfere with the wireless signal, so a clear line of sight or short distance between the printer and router improves reliability.

Method 1: WPS Push Button Setup

WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) is the fastest way to connect the MG3520 to your network if your router supports it. This method does not require you to type the network password on the printer. Instead, you press a physical button on the router and a button on the printer to establish a secure connection.

  1. Turn on the Canon MG3520 and make sure the power light is steady.
  2. Press and hold the WiFi button on the printer until the power light begins to flash.
  3. Release the WiFi button. The WiFi light should start flashing blue or green, depending on your model.
  4. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your wireless router. Hold it for a few seconds until the router’s WPS light begins to blink.
  5. Wait for the printer’s WiFi light to stop flashing and remain steadily lit. This indicates a successful connection.
  6. Print a network configuration page from the printer to confirm the connection and note the assigned IP address.

If the connection fails, the WiFi light on the printer may flash rapidly. In that case, move the printer closer to the router and repeat the steps. WPS push button setup is ideal when both the printer and router are in the same room and you want to avoid entering a long wireless password manually.

Method 2: Standard Setup via Printer Control Panel

If your router does not have a WPS button, or if WPS is disabled for security reasons, you can connect the MG3520 using the standard wireless setup through the printer’s control panel. This method requires you to select your network and enter the password using the printer buttons.

  1. Power on the printer and confirm that the WiFi light is off.
  2. Press and hold the WiFi button until the power light flashes, then release it.
  3. Press the Color button, then press the WiFi button again. The WiFi light should flash, and the power light should remain on.
  4. The printer will search for available wireless networks. Use the printer buttons to scroll through the list until your network name appears.
  5. Select your network and confirm the selection.
  6. Enter your WiFi password using the available button inputs. Take care to enter uppercase and lowercase letters correctly, as WiFi passwords are case-sensitive.
  7. Confirm the password and wait for the printer to attempt the connection.
  8. When the WiFi light stops flashing and stays lit, the printer is connected to your network.

Standard setup takes a bit longer than WPS, but it works with virtually any wireless router. If you make a mistake while entering the password, you can usually restart the wireless setup by holding the Stop or Reset button and beginning again.

Method 3: Using the Canon PRINT App

Canon offers a free mobile application called Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY that simplifies wireless setup. You can use this method if you prefer to configure the printer from a smartphone or tablet rather than using the printer buttons.

  1. Download the Canon PRINT app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. Open the app and grant the necessary permissions for local network access.
  3. Turn on the MG3520 and press the WiFi button until the power light flashes.
  4. In the app, tap “Add Printer” or “Register Printer.”
  5. Select your Canon MG3520 from the list of detected devices.
  6. Choose your wireless network and enter the password when prompted.
  7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.
  8. Once the app confirms the connection, print a test page to verify everything works.

The app method is especially convenient for users who are not comfortable navigating printer menus with physical buttons. It also provides quick access to ink level monitoring, scanning, and mobile printing features after setup is complete.

Method 4: WPS PIN Code Setup

Some routers support WPS through a PIN code rather than a push button. In this mode, the printer generates a unique PIN that you enter into the router’s administration page. This method is less common today but still useful for certain router models.

  1. Turn on the printer and press the WiFi button until the power light flashes.
  2. Print the network configuration page or access the printer’s wireless settings to display the WPS PIN.
  3. Open a web browser on a computer connected to the same router.
  4. Log into your router’s administration panel using the router’s IP address and admin credentials.
  5. Navigate to the WPS or wireless security section and select the option to add a device by PIN.
  6. Enter the PIN shown on the printer’s configuration page.
  7. Save the settings and wait for the router to authorize the printer.
  8. Check the printer’s WiFi light to confirm a steady connection.

WPS PIN setup is secure because the PIN is unique to each connection attempt, but it requires access to router settings that some users may not have. If you are unsure of your router’s admin login, check the sticker on the bottom or back of the router.

Installing Drivers and Software on Your Computer

Even after the printer is connected to WiFi, your computer needs the correct drivers to communicate with it. Drivers translate print jobs from your applications into a format the MG3520 can understand.

If you have the installation CD that came with the printer, insert it into your computer and run the setup program. If your computer does not have a disc drive, or if you want the most up-to-date software, visit Canon’s official support website and search for the PIXMA MG3520. Download the driver package for your operating system, whether it is Windows or macOS.

During installation, choose the wireless connection option when prompted. The installer will search for the printer on your network. If it does not find the printer automatically, you may need to enter the printer’s IP address manually. You can find this address by printing a network configuration page from the printer.

Adding the Printer on Windows

Once the drivers are installed, you need to add the printer to Windows so it appears in your list of available devices.

  1. Open the Start menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select “Bluetooth & devices,” then click “Printers & scanners.”
  3. Click “Add device” or “Add a printer or scanner.”
  4. Wait for Windows to scan the network and display the Canon MG3520.
  5. Select the printer and click “Add device.”
  6. Windows will install any remaining drivers and set the printer as the default if desired.
  7. Print a test page to confirm the connection is working.

If Windows does not detect the printer automatically, choose “The printer that I want isn’t listed” and select “Add a printer using an IP address or hostname.” Enter the printer’s IP address from the network configuration page and follow the prompts.

Adding the Printer on Mac

Adding the MG3520 to a Mac is straightforward once the printer is on the same WiFi network as your computer.

  1. Click the Apple menu and open System Settings or System Preferences.
  2. Select “Printers & Scanners.”
  3. Click the “Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax” button, usually represented by a plus sign.
  4. Your Mac will search the network for available printers.
  5. Select the Canon MG3520 from the list.
  6. Choose the appropriate driver from the “Use” dropdown menu if it is not selected automatically.
  7. Click “Add” to complete the setup.
  8. Print a test page to verify the connection.

If the printer does not appear, make sure your Mac is connected to the same WiFi network as the printer. You may also need to download and install the Canon driver package from Canon’s website before the printer appears in the list.

Troubleshooting Common Connection Issues

Wireless printers occasionally fail to connect or lose their connection after setup. Below are the most common problems and how to resolve them.

Printer Not Found on the Network

If your computer or phone cannot find the MG3520, first confirm that the printer’s WiFi light is steady and not flashing. A flashing light means the printer is still searching for a network. Restart both the printer and the router, then wait a few minutes for the printer to reconnect automatically.

Incorrect WiFi Password

Entering the wrong network password is one of the most frequent setup errors. WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, so double-check uppercase and lowercase letters. If you recently changed your router password, you must reconfigure the printer with the new credentials.

Router Compatibility and Frequency Bands

The Canon MG3520 typically connects to 2.4 GHz wireless networks. Many modern routers broadcast both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signals under the same network name. If your phone or computer is connected to the 5 GHz band, it may not see the printer. Temporarily disable the 5 GHz band on your router or create a separate 2.4 GHz network name during setup.

Printer Shows as Offline

An offline status usually means the computer has lost communication with the printer. Check that both devices are on the same network. Restart the spooler service on Windows or reset the printing system on Mac. You can also assign a static IP address to the printer through your router settings so its address does not change.

Firewall or Security Software Blocking the Printer

Security software on your computer may block communication with the printer. Temporarily disable the firewall to test whether it is the cause. If printing works after disabling the firewall, add an exception for the Canon printer software in your security settings.

Tips and Best Practices for Stable WiFi Printing

  • Place the printer in an open area away from metal objects, microwaves, and cordless phones that can interfere with WiFi signals.
  • Keep the printer firmware updated by checking Canon’s support website periodically.
  • Use a static IP address for the printer if you frequently print from multiple computers.
  • Restart the printer and router once every few weeks to clear temporary network glitches.
  • Keep the printer’s drivers updated on every computer that uses it.
  • If you change your internet service provider or router, you will need to repeat the wireless setup process for the MG3520.
  • Print a network configuration page after setup and keep it handy for future troubleshooting.

Comparison: WPS vs. Standard vs. App Setup

The table below compares the four main methods for how to connect Mg3520 to Wifi? so you can choose the one that fits your situation.

Setup Method Difficulty Speed Requirements Best For
WPS Push Button Easy Fast Router with WPS button Quick setup when router is nearby
Standard Control Panel Moderate Moderate Network name and password Routers without WPS support
Canon PRINT App Easy Fast Smartphone or tablet Mobile-first users and app management
WPS PIN Code Moderate Moderate Router admin access Advanced users with managed routers

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Canon MG3520 support 5 GHz WiFi?

No, the MG3520 generally supports 2.4 GHz wireless networks only. If your router uses a single network name for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, the printer should connect to the 2.4 GHz band automatically. If you have separate network names, choose the 2.4 GHz option during setup.

How do I find the printer’s IP address?

Print a network configuration page from the printer by holding the WiFi button or using the printer’s setup menu. The printed page lists the IP address, subnet mask, and gateway. You can also check your router’s connected devices list to find the printer’s address.

Can I connect multiple computers to the same MG3520?

Yes. Once the printer is connected to your WiFi network, any computer or mobile device on that network can print to it after installing the appropriate drivers.

What should I do if I change my WiFi password?

You must reconnect the printer to the network using the new password. Repeat one of the wireless setup methods described above and enter the updated credentials.

Do I need the installation CD to connect wirelessly?

No. You can download the drivers and software from Canon’s support website if you do not have the CD or a disc drive.

Why is my printer offline even though it is connected to WiFi?

This can happen if the printer’s IP address changed or if the computer lost communication with the device. Restart both the printer and computer, and consider assigning a static IP address to the printer in your router settings.

Is WPS secure?

WPS is convenient but has known security vulnerabilities on some routers. If you are concerned about security, use the standard setup method or the Canon PRINT app instead, and disable WPS on your router after connecting the printer.

Can I scan over WiFi with the MG3520?

Yes. Once the printer is connected to your wireless network and the full software suite is installed, you can scan documents and photos to your computer over WiFi using the Canon scanning software or mobile app.

Conclusion

Learning how to connect Mg3520 to Wifi? is a straightforward process when you follow the right steps for your equipment. Whether you use WPS push button setup, standard control panel configuration, the Canon PRINT app, or WPS PIN entry, the goal is the same: get the printer on your wireless network so you can print from any device in your home or office.

After connecting the printer, remember to install the correct drivers on each computer, add the printer to Windows or Mac, and print a test page to confirm everything works. If you run into issues, refer to the troubleshooting section for common fixes like checking your network password, verifying the 2.4 GHz band, and restarting your router.

With the Canon MG3520 connected to WiFi, you will enjoy the convenience of wireless printing, scanning, and copying without the hassle of cables. Keep this guide handy for future reference, especially if you change routers or move the printer to a new location.