Canon imageCLASS MF656Cdw: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Canon imageCLASS MF656Cdw right for you?

The MF656Cdw is the current home-office colour laser MFP from Canon, a 2022 update of the MF644Cdw with the Cartridge 067 toner family and refreshed firmware. It keeps the touchscreen, fax, 50-sheet ADF and duplex that made its predecessor popular. Colour page costs remain higher than a MegaTank inkjet, so it suits offices that value laser durability and speed over cheap colour.

Best for: Home offices wanting a current colour laser MFP with fax

Setting up the Canon imageCLASS MF656Cdw

Join the network via Ethernet or the touchscreen wizard and install the full MF650C series package for scanning and faxing. Calibrate colour from the Adjustment menu after installing toner. Remember 054 cartridges do not fit; order 067 or 067H.

1. Unbox and prepare. Remove every piece of shipping tape and packing material, install the toner cartridge and drum unit, and load paper in the tray.
2. Join your Wi-Fi. Keep the printer close to the router for setup. Most printers only connect to the 2.4GHz band, so if your router broadcasts one merged network name you may need to split the bands temporarily. See our Wi-Fi guide if it will not join.
3. Install the setup app. Use Canon's official app rather than a driver you found on a search result — third-party driver sites are the most common source of printer malware.
4. Add the printer. On Windows 11: Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners › Add device. On macOS: System Settings › Printers & Scanners › Add Printer.
5. Print a test page and run a scan if this is an all-in-one, so you find any problem now rather than when you are in a hurry.

Ink, toner and supplies

The Canon imageCLASS MF656Cdw uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• Cartridge 067 BK / C / M / Y
• Cartridge 067H high yield

High-yield (XL) versions almost always cost less per page if you print regularly. On third-party ink and toner, read our honest assessment first, and note that some manufacturers push firmware that rejects non-original chips.

Full specifications