To set up your Canon Pixma TR4720 printer and connect it to your computer, you have primarily two methods: USB connection and wireless (Wi-Fi) connection.
Before connecting, ensure the printer is turned on by pressing the ON button; the ON lamp will flash and then remain lit. It might take a moment for the printer to be ready after turning on, especially for large print jobs. You can also enable an Auto Power On feature so the printer automatically turns on when a print or scan operation is initiated from a connected computer via USB or Wi-Fi. This feature is off by default and can be configured through the EnergySaveSettings within the Setup menu.
The Canon Pixma TR4720 is compatible with Windows (Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 SP1) and macOS (macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 – macOS Big Sur 11). Some functions might not be available with certain supported operating systems.
Connecting Your Canon Pixma TR4720 to a Computer
1. USB Connection
To connect your printer to a computer using a USB cable:
- Ensure the USB cable is securely plugged into both the printer and the computer. The USB port is located at the back of the printer.
- When connecting, make sure to check the orientation of the “Type-B” connector for proper insertion into the printer.
- For Windows users, after connecting, verify that “Enable bidirectional support” is selected in the Ports sheet of the Printer properties dialog box. If not, select it to enable bidirectional support.
- For macOS users, ensure the lock icon is present on the lower left of the Printers & Scanners screen. If the unlocked icon is displayed, click it to lock (administrator name and password may be required).
- Avoid plugging or unplugging the USB cable while the printer is printing or scanning with the computer, as this can cause trouble.
- If you are using a relay device like a USB hub, try connecting the printer directly to the computer to rule out issues with the relay device. A faulty USB cable can also cause problems, so replacing it might be necessary.
2. Wireless (Wi-Fi) Connection
The printer can connect to devices (computers, smartphones, tablets) via a wireless router (Wireless Connection) or directly to devices without a router (Wireless Direct Connection).
- Wireless Connection (via a Wireless Router):
- To set up Wi-Fi, you can use Easy Wireless Connect (Easy WL), which allows you to specify access point information to the printer directly from a device like a smartphone without operating the wireless router. To activate Easy Wireless Connect mode on the printer, press and hold the Menu/Wireless connect button for 3 seconds.
- Other Wi-Fi setup methods include Manual connect, WPS (Push button), or WPS (PIN code).
- The Canon Wi-Fi Connection Assistant is a utility that helps in searching for printers on the network, performing initial network setup, and changing printer network settings. It can also diagnose and repair network status.
- To ensure Wi-Fi is enabled on the printer, check that the Wi-Fi icon is displayed on the LCD when the Setup button is pressed. If not, enable it via Setup menu > Device settings > LAN settings > Wi-Fi > Wi-Fi enab./disable.
- The printer does not support wireless networking standards using the 5 GHz band; it supports IEEE802.11n (2.4 GHz), IEEE802.11g, or IEEE802.11b.
- If you change your wireless router or its settings, you may need to set up the printer’s network connection again.
- Wireless Direct Connection (direct to printer):
- This method allows devices to connect directly to the printer without a wireless router.
- To enable Wireless Direct on the printer, navigate through the printer’s menu: Press Setup button > select Device settings > select LAN settings > select Wireless Direct > select Switch WL Direct, and then select Yes.
- You can connect up to 5 devices simultaneously using Wireless Direct.
- The printer’s network name (SSID) for Wireless Direct usually appears as “DIRECT-XXXX-TR4700series”. A password (YYYYYYYYYY by default), automatically specified when the printer is first turned on, may be required for connection. You have the option to change this password.
- Note that while using Wireless Direct, Internet connection from the printer may become unavailable, and web services for the printer cannot be used. Also, devices connected directly to the printer cannot communicate with each other. Firmware updates are not available in Wireless Direct mode.
3. Software and Driver Installation
- A critical step is to install the Canon IJ printer driver, also known as MP Drivers, on your computer to enable communication with the printer. You can usually find the latest drivers on the Canon website.
- For mobile devices (iOS, iPadOS, Android, Chrome OS), you should download the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app from your device’s app store (App Store or Google Play) to enable printing.
- During initial setup, you might be directed to specific Canon setup pages, such as
ij.start.cannon tr4720.
Troubleshooting Connection Issues
If you encounter problems connecting your Canon Pixma TR4720 to your computer:
- Cannot find printer on network: This could be due to a new computer or wireless router, changes in wireless router settings, a change in the printer’s connection method (Wi-Fi/USB), or forgetting the printer’s administrator password.
- Check that your security software’s firewall is off or configured to allow Canon software access.
- Ensure your device and the wireless router are properly connected.
- Verify that the printer’s network settings (like network name/SSID and password) match those of your wireless router.
- The Canon Wi-Fi Connection Assistant can help diagnose and repair network issues.
- Cannot proceed beyond printer connection screen (USB): This might happen if the printer is not found or recognized. Check the USB cable connection, its orientation, and ensure “Enable bidirectional support” is enabled in Windows printer properties.
- Printer does not turn on: Ensure the power plug is securely connected, and if it still doesn’t turn on, unplug the printer for at least 2 minutes before plugging it back in and trying again.
- Printer not printing: Make sure the printer is properly connected to the computer. Delete any unnecessary print jobs from the print queue on your computer. Verify that the correct printer driver for your Canon TR4720 is selected in the print dialog box.
- Error codes: If an error message with a four-digit support code appears on the LCD or computer screen, refer to the “List of Support Codes for Printer Errors” for appropriate action. For example, error code 5100 indicates a printer error possibly due to improperly installed FINE cartridges or an impediment to the cartridge holder’s motion. Error code 1651 means the printer cannot communicate with or recognize the ink cartridge status, and printing will be deactivated. Error code 1003 indicates no paper in the front tray.
- Ink-related issues: The printer uses FINE cartridges. Ink is consumed for printing and for print head cleaning to maintain quality and prevent clogging. If ink is low or empty, a warning or error message will appear, and printing or scanning may be halted. You may be able to disable the ink level detection to continue printing/copying/scanning if residual ink is present by pressing the Stop button for at least five seconds.
