How to Setup Canon MX450 Wireless Printer?

Oct 24, 2026 3 min read 32 views

The Canon PIXMA MX450 is an all-in-one printer that supports wireless printing over WiFi. Once connected to your home network you can print from any computer, phone, or tablet without running cables to the printer. Here is how to set it up step by step.

Prepare for Wireless Setup

Before starting make sure the Canon MX450 is powered on with ink cartridges and paper loaded. You will need your WiFi network name and password. The MX450 only supports 2.4GHz WiFi so if your router broadcasts both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands make sure you know the name of the 2.4GHz network. Place the printer within range of your router for a strong signal during setup.

Method 1: Setup Using the Printer Control Panel

Press the Menu button on the printer. Use the arrow keys to navigate to WLAN Setup and press OK. Select Standard Setup and press OK. The printer will search for available WiFi networks. Select your network name from the list using the arrow keys and press OK. Enter your WiFi password using the number pad. Letters are entered by pressing the number keys multiple times similar to old phone texting. Press OK when done. The WiFi light on the printer will turn solid blue when the connection is successful.

Method 2: Setup Using WPS Push Button

This is the fastest method if your router has a WPS button. On the Canon MX450 press the Menu button, go to WLAN Setup, and select WPS Push Button. Press OK and the printer will start searching. Within two minutes press the WPS button on your router and hold it for about 3 seconds. The printer and router will connect automatically without you needing to enter the WiFi password. The WiFi light turns solid blue when connected.

Install the Printer Driver on Your Computer

After the printer is connected to WiFi you need to install the driver on your computer so it can send print jobs. Go to the Canon support website, search for PIXMA MX450, and download the full driver and software package for your operating system. Run the installer and select Wireless LAN Connection when prompted. The installer will search for the printer on your network and set everything up automatically.

Print from Your Phone

For iPhone and iPad you can print using AirPrint which is built in and requires no extra apps. Just make sure your phone is on the same WiFi network as the printer, open a document or photo, tap Share then Print, and select the Canon MX450. For Android download the Canon PRINT Inkjet app from Google Play. Open the app and it will detect the printer on your network automatically.

Troubleshooting: MX450 Not Connecting to WiFi

If the printer cannot find your WiFi network, make sure you are connecting to the 2.4GHz band and not 5GHz. Power cycle both the router and the printer by unplugging them for 30 seconds. If the password keeps failing, double check for uppercase letters and special characters. You can also try resetting the printer network settings by going to Menu then WLAN Setup then Reset LAN Settings. This clears all saved WiFi data and lets you start the setup from scratch.

Canon MX450 Wireless Setup FAQ

Q1. Can I use the Canon MX450 wirelessly and with USB at the same time? Ans: No, the Canon MX450 can only use one connection type at a time. If you connect a USB cable the wireless connection will be disabled automatically. To switch back to wireless, disconnect the USB cable and the printer will reconnect to your saved WiFi network. You do not need to run the wireless setup again as long as the network settings were not changed.

Q2. How do I check if my Canon MX450 is connected to WiFi? Ans: Press the Menu button on the printer, navigate to WLAN Setup, and select Confirm LAN Settings. The printer will display the current connection status including the network name, IP address, and signal strength. You can also print a network configuration page from the same menu which shows all the wireless details on paper. If the WiFi light on the front of the printer is solid blue, the connection is active.

Q3. Does the Canon MX450 support WiFi Direct for printing without a router? Ans: The Canon MX450 does not support WiFi Direct. It requires a wireless router to connect. If you need to print without a router you can connect the printer to your computer using a USB cable as the only alternative. Newer Canon PIXMA models support WiFi Direct but the MX450 series predates that feature.