Trouble connecting new PIXMA TR7820 to computer/wifi

[cgulls]

Hi, new TR7820 arrived a few days ago.  I'm having a heck of a time trying to have the printer seen by my iMac.  I tried connecting it to my wifi (successfully) both to a single router and to multiple.  When I do that, I can print from my phone. But most of our printing is from the Mac.

I've gone through the process several times but the Mac never sees the printer.  And when I click the link-looking icon on the printer's touchscreen to connect to the Mac, it loses the previously established connection to the wifi.  It's been a vicious circle of frustration. 

I'm not a total moron when it comes to technology but I'd rather not have to learn about IP addresses, etc.  These days, when I get a new wifi device and connect it to my home wifi, it usually just works.  

Surely, this is user error but I can't figure out what I'm missing. Thanks for any thoughts or help!

[Danny]

Thanks for joining the conversation, cgulls!

So that the Community can help you better, we need to know exactly which version of macOS is running on your Mac. That, and any other details you'd like to give will help the Community better understand your issue!

If this is a time-sensitive matter, click HERE search our knowledge base or find additional support options HERE.

Thanks and have a great day!

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

We understand you are not looking to become more knowledgeable in networking, but we do need some information to help.

Knowing the version and build of your MAC OS is helpful. (Danny's request)

Network:

The printer requires a 2.4Ghz broadcast that supports WPA2 / AES encryption.  You need to confirm your network supports this broadcast / security standard for connection.  Once the printer is connected to the network, your router will assign it an IP address.  This is the printers "destination" on the network.  This is how other devices (phone, computer) can find and communicate with it.  Once a device connects to your network (wired or wirelessly) it will be able to communicate with the printer. 

Knowing the printer's IP address (what the router has assigned to it) will help you.  Its also necessary so you can confirm the printer is actually connected to your wireless.  There are many ways to do this.  The printer can print its network configuration.  You can look at the list of attached devices on your router, you can ping it, or open a web browser and enter the IP address there.  If its webserver displays, then you know its associated with your wireless network.  Without confirmation, you are throwing darts at a target in the dark.   

Vicious cycle:

If the devices is "losing" connection with the router when you print from your phone, you are likely using its wireless direct feature.  This feature allows you to print from a phone or tablet by making a direct connection to the printer.  Works great if you don't have a wireless network (router).

Only one device can connect at a time, so this is not practical for some who does have a wireless network and they want any device that connect to be able to print.   

Here are the wireless set up steps for MAC.  This is to connect the printer to your router:

PIXMA TR7820 Easy Wireless Connect Setup - macOS (canon.com)

[cgulls]

Hi, thanks for the thoughts and sorry for the missing details:

• the iMac is running Monterey 12.7.6
• iPhone running iOS 17.7
• I use Google Home with several Google points around the house.  So, I think this results in some devices seeing several of what it thinks are different networks with the same name.

I didn't clearly describe the vicious cycle issue. I can get the printer to connect to my phone by connecting the printer to my wifi.  That works as I'd expect it to.  That is, connect printer to wifi using the printer instructions, then my phone simply sees the printer.  BUT, my Mac still doesn't see the printer so when I try to connect the printer to the Mac using the link-looking icon on the printer, it breaks the connection with the phone.  

The printer has been giving me Error message 3441.

This new printer replaced another Canon Pixma printer that lasted several years.  With the previous printer, once I connected it to the wifi, all other devices in our house (the Mac, our phones, iPads, etc.) were able to see that former printer on the network.  That's not happening with this new printer for some reason.

[cgulls]

Hi, I just connected the printer to the wifi router again (I chose "connect to multiple routers").  The printer says it's on the network.  When I look at the wifi settings on the router, it says WPA3-SAE (AES).  Is that a problem?

[cgulls · Accepted solution]

OK, I called Canon support.  Got through very quickly.  It turns out all I needed was to run a Firmware Update on my new printer.  Solved!!!   I love it when it's this easy!  Thanks, everybody, for your help.