Canon Pixma TS3420 Printer

Canon Pixma TS3420 Printer: How to Connect to PC

The Canon Pixma TS3420 Printer is a budget-friendly, all-in-one inkjet printer perfect for home use, delivering crisp prints and scans with a compact footprint. Connecting it to your PC—whether Windows or Mac—unlocks its full potential for printing homework, photos, or receipts. Whether you prefer a wireless setup for flexibility or a trusty USB cable, this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, keeping things clear and stress-free. Let’s get your TS3420 linked up and printing in no time.

Before You Start: Quick Prep Checklist

To avoid hiccups, gather these essentials:

  • Printer: Ensure your TS3420 is powered on, with ink cartridges (PG-575 black, CL-576 color) installed and paper loaded in the rear tray.
  • PC: Running Windows 10/11 or macOS (check Canon’s site for compatibility).
  • Wi-Fi Details: For wireless, have your network name (SSID) and password ready.
  • USB Cable: For wired setup, grab a USB 2.0 cable (Type-A to Type-B, not included).
  • Internet: Needed for driver downloads and wireless setup.

Pro tip: Place the printer within 10-15 feet of your router for a strong Wi-Fi signal, avoiding thick walls.

Option 1: Connect Wirelessly (Wi-Fi)

Wireless is the way to go for clutter-free printing from anywhere in the house. The TS3420’s Wireless Connect feature makes it a breeze, even without a fancy LCD.

Step-by-Step Wireless Setup

Power Up and Prep:

  • Plug in the printer and press the power button. Wait for the green light to stabilize.
  • Ensure your PC is on the same Wi-Fi network you’ll use for the printer.

Download Drivers:

  • Visit Canon’s official support site (canon.com/support, search “Pixma TS3420”).
  • Select your OS (Windows or macOS), then download the “Full Driver & Software Package.” Save it somewhere easy, like your Desktop.
  • Run the installer and follow prompts to unpack the drivers—this also preps the setup tool.

Start Wireless Connect:

  • On the printer’s control panel, press and hold the Wireless Connect button (looks like a Wi-Fi icon) until the power light flashes.
  • Open the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app on your PC (download from Microsoft Store or Mac App Store if needed). Alternatively, use the setup tool from the driver package.
  • The app/tool will detect the TS3420. Select it, then choose your Wi-Fi network from the list.

Enter Wi-Fi Credentials:

  • Type your network’s password (case-sensitive!). If your router has a WPS button, you can press it instead for a shortcut—check the manual for details.
  • Wait as the printer connects (about 30-60 seconds). The Wi-Fi light on the printer will stop flashing when it’s linked.

Add Printer to PC:

  • Windows: Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners > Add a printer or scanner. Select “Canon TS3420 series” when it appears. If it doesn’t, click “The printer I want isn’t listed” and add via IP (print a Network Configuration Page from the printer for the IP address: hold the Information button).
  • macOS: Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners > click “+” to add. Select the TS3420 (via AirPrint) and click Add.
  • Run a test print from Notepad or TextEdit to confirm.

Troubleshooting Wireless Woes

  • No Printer Found: Ensure both devices are on the same 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (5GHz isn’t supported). Restart the router and printer.
  • Connection Drops: Move the printer closer to the router. Disable antivirus temporarily during setup, as it can block ports.
  • Error E02/E03: Clear any paper jams and restart. Check Canon’s site for firmware updates.

Option 2: Connect via USB

For a rock-solid, no-Wi-Fi-needed connection, USB is your friend. It’s ideal for single-PC setups or spotty network areas.

Step-by-Step USB Setup

Power On and Connect:
  • Plug in the TS3420 and turn it on.
  • Connect the USB cable from the printer’s rear port (Type-B) to your PC’s USB port (Type-A).
Install Drivers:
  • Head to Canon’s support site and download the TS3420 driver package for your OS, as described above.
  • Run the installer. When prompted, select “USB Connection” as the connection type.
Complete Setup:
  • The installer will detect the printer automatically. Follow prompts to finish driver installation.
  • Windows/macOS should auto-add the printer. If not, manually add it via Printers & Scanners settings, selecting the Canon Pixma TS3420 Printer.
Test It Out:
  • Print a test page (e.g., from Word or Preview). If the alignment looks off, run a print head alignment from the driver’s maintenance tab.

Troubleshooting USB Issues

  • Printer Not Detected: Try a different USB port or cable. Ensure the cable isn’t longer than 6 feet.
  • Driver Errors: Uninstall old Canon drivers via Control Panel (Windows) or System Settings (Mac), then reinstall fresh ones.

Tips for a Smooth Connection

  • Update Regularly: Check Canon’s site monthly for driver or firmware updates to dodge bugs.
  • Network Stability: For Wi-Fi, set a static IP for the printer in your router’s settings to prevent disconnects.
  • Maintenance: Run a cleaning cycle (via the driver’s maintenance menu) if prints look streaky after setup.
  • App Bonus: The Canon PRINT app lets you monitor ink levels and tweak settings from your PC.

Why It’s Worth the Effort

Once connected, the Canon Pixma TS3420 Printer shines for home tasks—think 7.7 pages per minute for black-and-white docs or vibrant 4×6 photos in about 60 seconds. Its AirPrint and Mopria support make it a snap to print from any device, and the compact design keeps your desk tidy. Users on forums like Canon’s community praise its straightforward setup when Wi-Fi plays nice, though some note occasional driver quirks on older PCs.

If you hit a snag—like a stubborn error code or setup freeze—drop a comment with details, and I’ll tailor a fix. For more, Canon printer support site or the TS3420 manual (downloadable online) has visuals and error code breakdowns. Ready to print? Your TS3420 is waiting to bring your documents to life!