Canon Pixma MG3122 printer/scanner: Wi-Fi won't detect

[BarryVG]

To determine the pool of addresses, first determine the ip set of the router.  in a command screen, type msconfig and what is the results.  Normal is 192.168.x.xxx.   Xs will be shown and can be different.  A 192.168.x.1 is the normal router gateway address.  In a web browser, type this number and you should get a login screen.  Routine id is admin and password may be admin or password.  If this has not been change, highly recommended to set a different password.  Then look through the pages and determine where the pool set is identified.  I've seen 100 to 125 and other groupings dependent on the router.  My printer is set at 250 address.  The when I setup the printer in the computer, I will indicate the printer is on a LAN, for there is a network cable between the router and printer.  My laptops are all wifi and then can print.  Each printer will have a manual setup to identify which IP it is assigned.  I'm running Windows 7, 8, 10 and Linux Lite llaptops.  All on wifi and all print to the same printer.

[trinidad]

Not sure why this turned into a discussion of NAT? , but the printer should show up in network manager whether or not your OS has the correct drivers to use it, if it is actually broadcasting WIFI, ad hoc or NAT, doesn't matter which. NAT changes don't matter to network manager, just that the connection is possible. Drivers only effect whether or not you can make the connection from your OS, not whether or not it appears in network manager. Many printers allow ad hoc wireless, making the router uneccessary, and many others allow bluetooth that requires pairing.
If your printer is adverstising its WIFI connection, NAT doesn't matter and you should be able to turn it on and off and connect to whatever network address it uses at the time. If it's an ad hoc address it's already static.

1) With its WIFI turned on does your printer's broadcast connection show up in network manager?
2) If not then CONFIGURE your PRINTER'S broadcast capability i/e NAT WIFI, ad hoc WIFI, or bluetooth from the PRINTER'S interface first, not your OS. Then check network manager to see if a connection appears. Get that part right first then install dirvers if you need to.

TC

[v-grimalkin]

@v-grimalkin ,

You didn't answer the question of whether you are already able to print wirelessly to the printer or not. 

Nothing in my house can print wirelessly to the printer.  You are right; I know NOTHING!  Nothing shows up when I search network for a printer.  It is the default printer, but only connected to local host, whatever that means. 

[Jerry]

@v-grimalkin lets sort this out for once and for good. If you install Teamviewer via Lite Software I can login remotely and get this done.

[v-grimalkin]

@v-grimalkin lets sort this out for once and for good. If you install Teamviewer via Lite Software I can login remotely and get this done.
Thanks, Jerry.  Not today.  I'm on a different laptop and leaving to go on a hike.  Will resume this quest tomorrow.

[torreydale]

@BarryVG ,
Isn't msconfig a Microsoft command?  If we want the user to go with that command, we need to make sure they have a separate computer running Windows to do so.


@trinidad ,
It looks like you're the first one in the thread to mention NAT.


@Jerry ,
Good call on the Teamviewer suggestion.

[Jerry]

Ok did a remote session. OP needs to connect printer to her router before we can go any further. Scanning and USB printing work fine.
It doesn't show up in an nmap scan, and it doesn't show up in the router, so it's definitely not connected to any network.

[supergamer]

I know this is the most obvious question but was the printer actually setup for wireless with putting in the passphrase and/or wireless turned on in the printer settings. I just know using HP printers seems to make things easier and also setting a default IP on the printer when using networked/wireless printing. I have had printers not show up on the router because they changed IP randomly.

[BarryVG]

In response to the note I made about msconfig, that is a Windows command. Should have been "ifconfig".  Hope that helps.

[v-grimalkin]

I know this is the most obvious question but was the printer actually setup for wireless with putting in the passphrase and/or wireless turned on in the printer settings. I just know using HP printers seems to make things easier and also setting a default IP on the printer when using networked/wireless printing. I have had printers not show up on the router because they changed IP randomly.

This could very well be part of the mess, since up until a couple months ago, the printer and scanner were working fine via wi-fi using Mint Cinnamon 17.3, but a some point (no doubt a network package update) the wireless connecting quit.  The printer was originally installed while the notebook OS was Windows 7.  When I switched to Linux, the only problem encountered was the scanner's wireless connection which was solved somehow through a setting in the firewall, if I recall.

Jerry kindly spent over an hour with me trying to fix this issue and suggested I reinstall the Canon using a Windows pc; problem is, I don't have one, and I have promised myself never to purchase another Microsoft product.  I suppose I should stick an "ABANDONED" header on this thread. 

I really appreciate all the suggestions and especially Jerry's dedication to helping a clueless newby.

[Jerry]

It's ok to leave the thread open. Because we discovered that you can only use the Canon Windows CD to set up the wireless, it may be just a matter of time before you do it eg. friends laptop etc.

[v-grimalkin]

For The first step, please uninstal and then install again software and driver for canon mg3122.
if you dont have cd instalation, can to download here: https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support/details/printers/support-inkjet-printer/mg-series/pixma-mg3122?tab=drivers_downloads

Thanks, Mr. Canon, but the firmware download is only for Mac or Windows, and I do have a cd with both those options; only devices I own are both running Linux.

[v-grimalkin]

It's ok to leave the thread open. Because we discovered that you can only use the Canon Windows CD to set up the wireless, it may be just a matter of time before you do it eg. friends laptop etc.

  Friends?  I have no friends.