Canon IJ Setup (ij.start.canon) Download and Setup Guide
Canon's setup portal that walks you through installing a PIXMA or MAXIFY printer
Representative photo — Dinkun Chen CC BY-SA 4.0
ij.start.canon is the address printed on the setup leaflet in the box of most Canon inkjet printers. It is a guided web flow rather than a program: you enter the model number, it detects your operating system, and it hands you the correct setup file and step-by-step instructions for connecting the printer to Wi-Fi or USB. It is the fastest route for a brand new PIXMA, PIXMA G, TS, TR or MAXIFY printer. Drivers for individual components, and everything for laser models, come from the regional Canon support site instead.
Version and licence: Free. Use ij.start.canon directly. The older address printed on some boxes, canon.com/ijsetup, now only redirects to a region selector, which is why Canon's own materials point at ij.start.canon.
Download Canon IJ Setup (ij.start.canon)
What it does
- Model-specific setup instructions with pictures of the printer's own panel
- Downloads the combined driver and utility package for Windows or macOS
- Covers wireless, wired and USB connection paths
- Links straight to the mobile app route for phone-only setup
- Includes the compatibility list for Canon's photo and utility software
- Points to the manual and to online repair booking where available
How to install it
Step 1
Unbox the printer, remove all orange tape, install the ink and let it run its initial charging cycle before touching the computer.
Step 2
Open ij.start.canon in a browser and enter your model number, for example TS3520 or GX6020.
Step 3
Confirm the operating system the page detected, correcting it if necessary.
Step 4
Download the setup file it offers and run it.
Step 5
Choose the connection method, wireless for most home setups, and let the utility find the printer.
Step 6
When asked, press and hold the Wireless button on the printer until the light flashes so it can accept the network details.
Step 7
Let the package install the driver, scan components and utilities, then print the alignment page it offers.
Step 8
Register the printer if you want warranty and supplies reminders; this step is optional.
Which printers it supports
Canon inkjet printers, meaning the PIXMA, PIXMA G MegaTank, TS, TR, TC and MAXIFY families. Laser models such as imageCLASS and i-SENSYS are set up from the regional Canon support site instead.
When Canon IJ Setup (ij.start.canon) will not work
That address now only redirects to a region selector. Go to ij.start.canon instead, which takes you straight into the model entry page.
Use the exact model number from the label on the printer, including any regional suffix. If the model is a laser, it will not be listed here at all and you should use the Canon support site's software and drivers section.
Open System Settings, Privacy and Security and choose Open Anyway for the Canon installer, then allow it to find devices on your local network when prompted. Without the local network permission it cannot discover the printer.
Confirm the network is 2.4 GHz if the model does not support 5 GHz, move the printer nearer the router, and reset LAN settings from the printer panel under Setup, Device settings, LAN settings before retrying.
Check that the queue created is the network one and not a stale USB entry. In Windows, remove any duplicate Canon entries in Printers and scanners and keep the one whose port is the printer's IP address.
Printers that use Canon IJ Setup (ij.start.canon)
Frequently asked questions
Is ij.start.canon a download or a website?
It is a website that hands you the right download. There is no permanent program called IJ Setup to install.
Can I set up without a computer?
Yes. The site offers a mobile path that uses the Canon PRINT app, which is enough for most home printers.
Does it work for laser printers?
No. imageCLASS and i-SENSYS models are served by the regional Canon support site and the Generic Plus drivers.
Do I have to register the printer?
No. Registration is optional and setup completes without it.
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