Canon My Printer Keeps Disconnecting — 7 Fixes to Try Today

Canon My Printer Keeps Disconnecting — 7 Fixes to Try TodayIf your Canon printer keeps disconnecting, it’s frustrating and slows down work. Below are seven practical fixes you can try today, arranged from simplest to more advanced. Follow each step, test the printer after, and move to the next if the issue persists.

1) Restart devices and check connections

• Power-cycle both the printer and computer: turn both off, wait 30 seconds, then turn on the printer first, then the computer.
• Check physical cables: ensure USB or Ethernet cables are firmly seated and undamaged. Replace cables if frayed.
• For Wi‑Fi connections: place the printer within 3–6 meters of the router (clear line of sight if possible). Avoid USB hubs — plug directly into the computer.

2) Confirm network stability

• Test your Wi‑Fi: run a speed test and check for intermittent drops. If the network is unstable, printers will disconnect frequently.
• Reboot your router: power cycle the router and modem.
• Switch frequency bands: if you have a dual‑band router, try connecting the printer to the 2.4 GHz band (better range) instead of 5 GHz.
• Assign a static IP to the printer via its onboard settings or your router’s DHCP reservation to avoid IP changes disrupting the connection.

3) Update or reinstall drivers and software

• Download the latest drivers from Canon’s official support site for your printer model and operating system.
• Uninstall old drivers: remove previous Canon software and drivers from the computer, then reinstall the freshly downloaded package.
• Update firmware: check the printer’s firmware version in its settings or on Canon’s site and apply updates if available.

4) Adjust power and sleep settings

• Disable deep sleep/power‑save modes on the printer (menu option varies by model) so it stays connected when idle.
• Change computer USB power settings (Windows): Device Manager → Universal Serial Bus controllers → right‑click USB Root Hub → Properties → Power Management → uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
• Prevent network adapter sleep: Control Panel → Power Options → Change plan settings → Change advanced power settings → Wireless Adapter Settings → set to Maximum Performance.

5) Reconfigure the printer connection

• Remove and re-add the printer: on Windows go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → remove device, then add it again. On macOS, remove from System Settings → Printers & Scanners and re-add.
• Use the correct port/type: for networked printers, add via IP address (use the static IP if set). For USB, ensure the correct USB port is selected.

6) Check firewall, antivirus, and router settings

• Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus to see if they block printer communication; if they do, add printer and Canon software to the allowlist.
• Enable UPnP on your router or ensure that necessary ports are not blocked.
• Disable AP/client isolation on guest networks — these settings prevent devices from communicating with each other.

7) Advanced troubleshooting and hardware checks

• Factory reset the printer: restores default network settings; you’ll need to reconnect afterward. Follow your model’s manual for reset instructions.
• Try another computer/device: if the printer stays connected to another device, the issue is likely with the original computer.
• Inspect hardware: if USB/Ethernet ports on the printer feel loose or damaged, contact Canon support or a technician.
• Replace the network module (for some models with removable Wi‑Fi modules) or use a USB/Ethernet connection as a workaround.

Troubleshooting checklist (quick reference)

• Restart printer + computer + router
• Replace or test cables; try direct connections
• Connect to 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi and set a static IP
• Update drivers and firmware; reinstall Canon software
• Disable sleep modes and USB power-saving features
• Re-add printer via correct port or IP address
• Check firewall/router settings and try another device

If none of these fixes resolve the disconnects, contact Canon support with your printer model, firmware version, operating system, and a brief summary of steps already tried.