Printer "failed to connect to the access point"

Question

Printer "failed to connect to the access point"

I just bought time capsule and Canon PIXMA MP 560 and I've added the time capsule no problem it's all set up and working, but my Canon Printer cannot find the access point to be connected to the time Capsule.

I am not a savvy Mac user so bear with me. When I bought it yesterday @ the Apple Store the sales person told me the printer can go wireless - so I thought this meant other than an electrical plug, this printer needs no cables. I just need the time capsule and computer to know the printer exists.

At first I did not attach the printer to my iMac or the Time Capsule or the Router. I got the error message. Printer "failed to connect to the access point".

Then, I used a cable to connect the printer to the iMac and now it's recognized as a printer on the iMac "but" the message that the printer cannot find the access point still comes up when I try to add it to the time machine for wireless use. I don't know what to do to fix this problem.

If I want to use the printer, do I need the printer to be plugged into either my computer or to the Time Capsule? (the electrical plug in is a given).

Physically attaching the printer to the time capsule is inconvenient because of it's location. Attaching it to the computer is not a problem but I prefer keeping the port for other things like camera's etc.

Thank you!

iMac8,1

Posted on Jun 13, 2010 9:59 AM

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Answer 1

kostby

Level 4

2,940 points

Jun 13, 2010 3:42 PM in response to Donlakyounomoah

'Wireless' in this case does NOT mean that your computer sends the print job DIRECTLY to the printer (as some more expensive printers can do), the print job has to go through your wireless router first.

So, your MP 560 has to be configured to communicate with your wireless router. Once it's configured you go to your Mac System Preferences, click the + to add a printer, and it should already be recognized using the 'Canon IJ network' and the MP560 print drivers you already installed for USB.

I don't know how 'router-savvy' you are. If my explanations confuse you, let me know what router you have, and I'll try to explain it more specifically for your router.

If your wireless router is fairly new, you can probably connect to it in one step.

Canon gives you multiple ways to do it, but #1 (Easy) and #2a (WPS - Push Button) seem easiest to me, so I'll describe them in more detail.

#1 'Easy' - works best if you've configured your wireless router with a different name AND a different password than the factory default settings, so you can identify your 'Netgear' router signal from your neighbor's, and your wireless router and internet connection are not open to the neighbors.

_From the MP560..._
With the printer 'On' press 'the house' icon.
Turn the thumbwheel until 'Settings' is displayed on the screen. It looks like pliers and screwdriver.
Press the big OK button.
Turn the thumbwheel until 'Wireless LAN setup' is displayed, and press the big OK button.

#1. Selecting the Easy settings, choose your router's name from the list, and enter the passphrase for your router.

-OR-

#2a. WPS - Your router MUST have a WPS 'push button'. (Check the router manual.) You press the WPS push button on your router and OK on your printer, the two devices communicate, and configure themselves.

(#2b. WPS PIN number)
(#3. Selecting the WCN settings requires a flash drive to transfer info.)

Now go to your Mac, System Preferences, Printer, Click the + to Add a printer, and select the newly configured Canon MP560 - it will have a few numbers and letters appended to it's name. It's actually part of the printer's wireless MAC address. You may want to rename it, so you can distinguish it from the USB-connected Canon MP560 that is already installed. There may be times you WANT to connect directly via USB, so you might want to leave the USB configuration there. You can also choose which configuration should be the default printer, or 'last used'.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 2

Jun 15, 2010 7:10 PM in response to kostby

Thank you for the clear instructions. I think I'm getting it.

The printer software has been installed and in my system preferences, the printer is found. It's the wireless network that can't find the printer or vice versa.

To configure the printer to the wireless router - I have to physically attach the printer to the Time Capsule first so it knows the printer exists and then once it's recognized/set up, I can unplug it and move the printer to a more convenient location?

Router - is the router the cable modem or the time capsule?

Access point - is the access point - the time capsule? Access point to what? To the network?

Currently I have the printer plugged into the computer not into the TC. The diagram on page 15 of the TC set up pamphlet shows a hard wire from the printer to the TC. If the TC is the access point, maybe I have to hardwire the printer to the TC and then later unplug it once it's been recognized?

If this is correct, then I'll need three electrical outlets for the set up (TC, CM, & printer) the TC set up very clearly said do not use a power bar but I don't know why.

I could not find a WPS push button on the TC or the CM. There is a WPS pushbutton in the settings in the printer but it timed out when it was looking for the access point.

I'm off to get an extension cord to try connecting the printer to the TC.

Thanks again for the help - I may be in touch again!

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Answer 3

kostby

Level 4

2,940 points

Jun 15, 2010 11:07 PM in response to Donlakyounomoah

I missed in your original post that you had an Apple Time Capsule wireless router.

You CAN attach any USB printer to the Time Capsule and send print jobs to it 'wirelessly' from your MacBook through the TC to the printer.

And the Canon MP560 CAN connect 'wirelessly' to the TC. If you configure it while attached via USB, that's not the same thing, though it will likely print just fine that way. I'm not sure the scanner will function that way, though. I don't have a TC to try it with.

But if you want to use the Canon MP560 wireless configuration with the TC, so you don't have to physically connect the TC to the MP560 with a USB cable...

Using #1, the 'Easy' method I described in my prior message above, you should be able to locate the Time Capsule with the printer by letting the printer search for the Time Capsule wireless address.

Then you enter the password for the Time Capsule in the Canon printer control panel (a simple, but relatively time consuming process to use the Canon 'wheel' to 'dial' the letters and numbers), press OK, and you're done.

Hope this helps. My broadband connection isn't working at the moment. I'm on dial-up, and can't easily access more information about TC configuration.

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Answer 4

Jun 16, 2010 6:23 PM in response to kostby

Thanks Kostby. My plan to attach the printer to the Time Capsule didn't work. It still cannot find the access point. I'm going to keep on fiddling with it.

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