Pixma MG5420 WiFi connection problem

[Hal2k]

The WiFi (WLAN) set-up works good all day after it starts.   But overnight when the printer is inactive it looses it.  When trying to print first thing in the morning I have to re-configure it using the "Standard Setup" method which involves typing in my WiFi password (a long and cumbersome process).  This machine is new (only 3 days old) and maybe this problem will eventually go away, but it hasn't for the last two mornings.   Anybody have this problem?  If so, how to fix?  Thanks.   

[thevinci]

I have the exact same problem with both my printers, MG5420 and MX432. My Mac would not be able to print documents properly for weeks with faded colors but worked on my Windows machine.

Now, all computers cannot connect to the printer. The printer is sitting right next to the router.

What the heck is this? Your latest drivers broken everything? Don't make me go after a class action lawsuit. All computers cannot connect to both your printers.

[tgoh]

I had the same proble. I upgraded my router to an N signal from a G signal. The stronger wireless signal is needed for the newer devices.

[tgoh]

The router needs to be upgraded to the N signal for a stronger signal which is needed for the newer devices.

[SB]

I have both a MX340 and just purchased an MX520.  MX340 had not issues with wifi connection for 2.5 years then issues started 3-6 months ago.  Unable to be seen by both MAC and PC.  Bought 520 and was told to use manual connection to network to improve strength.  I have a wireless N router.  Interestingly the air print option  from my ipad has no issues it is just when printing from my laptops (mac and PC).    Any suggestions?

[Ustlach]

I had almost given up on this printer because of the wireless printing problem.  I was having the same problem most others have described, but decided to start over again and do a thorough search of the issue.  I eventually came across a Canon video and I watched it.  Unfortunately I cannot provide the link.  The second step, in the video, was to go through a setup procedure, and I believe it said there was supposed to be a DVD/CD that came with the printer and that it would take me through the setup procedure.  I did not get a setup DVD with my printer, so I went to the Canon website and looked for the setup procedure.  I downloaded it and it installed drivers, etc. that I am pretty sure I did not do when I first got the printer, did the setup on the printer, entering the modem password, etc.  I assumed the drivers were available to the device via Windows 7, which was apparently a faulty assumption.  So, the downloaded setup procedure did its thing, including downloading drivers, etc.  I had to go through the setup on the printer again, entering the modem password, etc.  And now the printer works wirelessly and keeps whatever it needs to do it, day in day out, and has not failed since I did this, over a week ago.  I turn the printer off when I am not using it.  When I turn it on to use it again, it continues to print wirelessly.

Apparently I was missing critical drivers that I only ever succeeded in getting by using that Canon setup procedure that I downloaded from the Canon website.

This has turned my attitude about Canon and this printer around 180 degrees.  I even went out and bought $80 worth of new ink cartidges, as the originals that came with the printer are almost empty.  (I used the printer for almost a year using a cable.  I don't print a lot.)

[Andreab17]

I am having the exact same trouble but my printer info sheet says my signal is 0%. I've rebooted and moved the printer closer to my router and nothing is working. What else can I do?

[Another_Victim]

This is a reply to JJo's 9-13-2013 post in which JJo suggested disabling the printer's Wireless LAN DRX setting.

My Canon MG6320 has the same problem as the OP of this thread: After hours of printer inactivity, the printer won't print. (Nor will it scan from the pc's Canon utility software.)

Disabling the printer's Wireless LAN DRX setting did not solve the problem.

The only "solution" that works for me has been to turn the printer off and on. The print job that was stuck in the print queue automatically resumes and prints okay. (Turning it off & on also re-enables the ability to scan.)

But this workaround appears to waste ink (and it's a little inconvenient).  So I hope someone will suggest a genuine fix.  My bet is that Canon will need to provide a firmware update for the printers.

While the printer is in its buggy disconnected state, its menu shows it still thinks it's connected, and it still shows the correct IP address.

Another troubleshooting step I may try is to re-enable the wifi router's SSID radio beacon. The router broadcasts the beacon by default, but I keep the beacon off for extra security. (I disabled the beacon after the printer's initial connection succeeded.  The printer seems to remember the router details okay.)  Because turning the printer off & on causes the printer to reconnect, it demonstrates that the beacon shouldn't be needed, but if the printer firmware is buggy I suppose anything is possible.

[Another_Victim]

Some of the people who have posted messages in this thread have a problem totally unrelated to the problem described by the OP of this thread.  The OP successfully completed the wireless printer installation and the printer works except after inactivity.  These other people failed to complete the wireless installation.  They should have posted about their problem in a separate thread; hijacking this thread was inappropriate.  Also, there's already a lot of info available online to help them learn how to do the wireless installation.

So, please, no more messages here about not being able to do a wireless installation.  Only post messages here about printers that won't "wake up" to print (or scan) wirelessly after inactivity.  Thanks in advance.

[Another_Victim]

This is a followup to my message of a few days ago.

In my earlier message I wrote that I would test whether the wifi router's SSID beacon needs to be enabled.  My test shows that the wifi router's SSID beacon is irrelevant.  The printer disconnects after inactivity regardless of whether the SSID beacon is enabled. 

I'm currently trying to determine when the printer disconnects... Does it only happen during the night as some people have written, or will it also happen after hours of inactivity regardless of the time of day?  I will update this message or post a new message when my tests provide the answer. (UPDATE on 8-21-2014: The result of that test: Hours of inactivity cause the printer disconnection.  It doesn't matter whether it's overnight or during the day.)

I'm also testing another setting in the printer.  It failed to solve the problem when I tried Canon's suggestion of disabling the printer's Wireless LAN DRX setting, but I noticed the printer also has a LAN DRX setting, so I've disabled both to see if that helps.  I'll post the result. (UPDATE on 8-21-2014: The result of that test: Disabling the LAN DRX setting didn't help either.)

By the way, before I reinstalled the printer as wireless (about a week ago) it operated okay as a USB-connected printer.  (Switching from USB to wireless was more complicated than it ought to be: the Canon software needed to be completely reinstalled and the customized scan settings of the USB installation weren't copied.  I think Canon should find a better way to switch between USB, wireless and LAN connections... ideally by a single "virtualizing" printer driver & port that can find and communicate with the printer no matter how it's connected.  If they can't do that, they should at least provide a software tool that can switch from one connection type to another without needing to reinstall the printer software.)

On the chance that the "printer disconnection after inactivity" problem might be related to the switch from USB to wireless, can anyone confirm they have the problem after solely installing as a wireless printer (without ever having installed as a USB printer nor as a wired LAN printer)?  If it turns out that everyone with the problem initially had their printer connected via USB or wired LAN, perhaps the solution is to completely uninstall the Canon software before reinstalling as a wireless printer... in other words, maybe a bug in Canon's software causes it to get confused about the type of connection if vestiges of the previous installation remain.

[Another_Victim]

I may have solved the problem.  Two days ago I used Windows' Control Panel's "Programs and Features" to uninstall all Canon-related software, and then reinstalled the wireless printer.  Since then, no problems.

Assuming the problem has been solved, I suspect the problem is caused by Canon's software engineers' incompetence at letting the user switch the printer from a USB installation to a wireless installation.  If it's necessary to uninstall the USB installation software before (re)installing the printer as a wireless printer, then the Canon documentation needs to mention it.

Perhaps I uninstalled more software than necessary.  There were about 8 different Canon items installed.  Uninstalling all of them lost my preferences and the printing presets I'd saved (during the months the printer had been connected via USB).

In my opinion, uninstalling the USB installation shouldn't be required.  The driver ought to be redesigned so it will detect the printer no matter how the printer is connected.

UPDATE (2014-08-25): No, the above failed to solve the problem... yesterday the printer again failed to stay connected after inactivity.  However, I stand by my opinion regarding the unnecessary difficulty switching from USB to wireless.