Connecting your Canon TR4540 printer to your laptop wirelessly involves setting up the printer to your Wi-Fi network first, and then installing the necessary software on your laptop.
A wireless connection allows you to print documents and photos from anywhere within your network's range without needing a physical cable between the printer and your laptop. This guide will walk you through the primary methods to establish this connection.
Understanding Wireless Connection Methods
Your Canon TR4540 offers a few convenient ways to connect to your home Wi-Fi network, each with its own advantages. Once the printer is connected to the network, your laptop can then discover and use it.
Method 1: Connecting Using the Printer's Control Panel (Standard Setup)
This is a common method where you directly select your Wi-Fi network from the printer's display.
- Power On: Ensure your Canon TR4540 printer is turned on.
- Access Wi-Fi Setup: On the printer's keypad, navigate to the setup or settings menu. Look for options like "Wi-Fi Setup," "LAN settings," or a Wi-Fi icon.
- Select Standard Setup: Choose the "Standard setup" or "Manual connect" option.
- Search for Networks: The printer will begin searching for available wireless routers. Through this keypad, click OK, and it will search for available wireless routers. Once you see the available router, and if you identify this as the correct one, just click OK.
- Select Your Network: A list of available Wi-Fi networks will appear. Use the arrow keys on the printer's keypad to scroll through the list and select your home Wi-Fi network (SSID).
- Enter Wi-Fi Password: If your network is password-protected, you will be prompted to enter the Wi-Fi password (WPA/WPA2-PSK key). Use the printer's keypad to input the characters. This might involve cycling through characters or using a virtual keyboard on the printer's small screen.
- Confirm Connection: Once the password is entered, confirm your selection. The printer will attempt to connect to the network. A successful connection will usually be indicated by a solid blue Wi-Fi light on the printer and a confirmation message on the display.
Method 2: Connecting Using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)
WPS is a quick and easy way to connect your printer to a Wi-Fi network without typing the password, provided your router supports it.
- Check Router for WPS: Locate the WPS button on your wireless router. It often looks like two arrows chasing each other or is labeled "WPS."
- Initiate WPS on Printer:
- On your Canon TR4540 printer, navigate to the Wi-Fi Setup menu.
- Select "WPS" or "Push button method."
- Confirm the selection on the printer.
- Activate WPS on Router: Within two minutes of initiating WPS on the printer, press and hold the WPS button on your wireless router until its WPS indicator light starts flashing.
- Monitor Connection: The printer will automatically connect to the router. A solid blue Wi-Fi light on the printer indicates a successful connection.
Method 3: Connecting Using the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY App
This method uses your smartphone or tablet to facilitate the initial setup, which can be easier for some users.
- Install App: Download and install the "Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY" app from your device's app store (available for iOS and Android).
- Start Setup: Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to add a new printer.
- Printer Mode: The app will guide you to put your printer into a specific setup mode, often by holding down the Wi-Fi button until a light flashes.
- Temporary Connection: Your phone will temporarily connect to a direct network broadcast by the printer.
- Network Selection: From within the app, select your home Wi-Fi network and enter its password. The app will then transfer this information to the printer.
- Confirm: The printer will connect to your home Wi-Fi network, and the app will confirm the successful connection.
Connecting Your Laptop to the Wirelessly Connected Printer
Once your Canon TR4540 printer is successfully connected to your Wi-Fi network, you need to set up your laptop to recognize and use it.
- Download Drivers/Software:
- Go to the official Canon support website: Canon TR4540 Support (or your region's equivalent).
- Enter "TR4540" in the search bar or navigate to the product page.
- Download the full driver and software package compatible with your laptop's operating system (Windows or macOS).
- Install Software:
- Run the downloaded installer.
- During the installation process, when prompted to select the connection type, choose "Wireless LAN Connection" or "Connect to a network printer."
- The installer will search for your printer on the network. Select your Canon TR4540 from the list of found devices and follow any remaining prompts to complete the installation.
- Manually Add Printer (if needed):
- Windows:
- Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
- Click "Add a printer or scanner."
- If your printer appears, select it and click "Add device."
- If it doesn't appear immediately, click "The printer that I want isn't listed," then choose "Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname" or "Add a Bluetooth, wireless or network discoverable printer." The installer from Canon's website is usually the most straightforward method.
- macOS:
- Go to System Settings (or System Preferences) > Printers & Scanners.
- Click the + (plus) button to add a printer.
- Your printer should appear under the "Default" tab. Select it and click "Add."
- Windows:
Troubleshooting Tips
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Printer won't connect to Wi-Fi | - Ensure your Wi-Fi password is correct (case-sensitive). - Make sure your router is broadcasting a 2.4 GHz signal, as many printers don't support 5 GHz. - Move the printer closer to the router. - Restart your router and printer, then try again. |
| Laptop can't find printer | - Confirm both printer and laptop are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. - Temporarily disable your laptop's firewall to see if it's blocking the connection (remember to re-enable it). - Reinstall the Canon drivers. - Check for router firmware updates. |
| Printing is slow/intermittent | - Ensure strong Wi-Fi signal for both devices. - Reduce network congestion by disconnecting unused devices. - Update printer drivers and firmware. |
By following these steps, your Canon TR4540 printer should be wirelessly connected to your network, allowing you to print seamlessly from your laptop.
