How to share on network on a Canon Printer

By Sai Kiran Pandrala · reviewed by Sai Kiran Pandrala, Editor Last verified: 2026-05-30

What this guide covers

Share a USB-connected printer to other devices on your network.

Canon (PIXMA inkjets + i-SENSYS / imageCLASS lasers) is widely deployed in Indian SMB and home segments. The Canon PRINT mobile app handles setup and scanning. Service via canon.co.in.

Step-by-step: how to share on network on a Canon printer

1. Network the host computer first (printer should be added on it).
2. Windows: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers → select printer → Printer Properties → Sharing → tick 'Share this printer' and give it a share name.
3. Mac: System Settings → General → Sharing → enable 'Printer Sharing' and tick the printer.
4. On the second computer: Add Printer → choose 'Network printer' → enter \\HOSTNAME\sharename (Windows) or pick from the Bonjour list (Mac).
5. Test print from the second computer.
6. Note: better long-term is a network printer (WiFi/Ethernet) — USB-shared printers require the host computer to be on.

Tools and materials you'll need

• Your Canon printer + power
• Phone with the brand app installed (HP Smart, Canon PRINT, Epson Smart Panel, Brother iPrint&Scan) OR a computer
• For maintenance tasks: replacement consumables (toner, drum, printhead, etc.) if applicable
• For physical service: lint-free cloth + isopropyl alcohol for cleaning

Troubleshooting if the procedure fails

Frequently asked questions

Will this void my warranty?

Standard maintenance procedures (cleaning, alignment, cartridge replacement, configuration changes) do NOT void warranty. Internal hardware swaps without brand authorisation usually do.

How often should I repeat this procedure?

For maintenance tasks: once a month for heavy users, once every 3 months for light home use. For setup tasks: only when needed (new WiFi, new computer, etc).

What if my Canon printer's menu looks different?

Canon uses slightly different menu wording across model years. The structure is similar. look for the closest matching menu. If lost, the Canon support site has model-specific articles for every model.

Can I do this from my phone?

Most setup, scanning, and basic maintenance tasks work from the brand app. Firmware updates and configuration changes work from both phone and computer; some advanced settings are computer-only.

Related guides

• See the full printer fix list for more Canon guides
• For symptom-based issues, browse the Canon guide list

Related fixes

Related guides worth a look while you sort this one out:

• How to share on network on a Brother Printer
• How to Connect Canon Printer to 802.1x with Microsoft NPS (Network Policy Server) (Enterprise WiFi)
• How to Connect Canon Printer to Active Directory-joined network (Enterprise WiFi)
• How to scan to network folder on a Canon Printer
• How to share on network on a Epson Printer
• Canon Printer ipv6 only network not connecting: How to Fix

References

• Canon support site (search your model + the task name)
• Brand app (in-app help is up to date for your specific model)

Reference material, not professional advice. When in doubt, call Canon authorised service.

Common patterns we see

When this symptom shows up on this hardware, three patterns repeat:

1. Recent firmware update changed behavior, the symptom started within a week of an OTA push. Rollback or wait for the hotfix. 2. Environmental trigger: temperature, humidity, line voltage, network changes. Look at what changed in the environment. 3. Cumulative wear, components like batteries, gaskets, fans degrade over time. Replace the consumable rather than chasing a software fix.

Knowing which pattern applies saves time on the wrong fix.

Safety + preconditions

Before any work on the affected device:

• Unplug from mains for any internal-access procedure.
• Discharge stored energy (capacitors in PSUs, residual battery charge) per manufacturer guidance.
• Use ESD-safe handling for boards and modules. no carpet, no wool sleeves.
• Avoid moisture; never apply liquids near vents or connectors.
• If you smell smoke, see scorch marks, or feel uneven heat, stop and escalate.

Verification checklist

After applying the fix on your device, confirm:

• The original symptom is no longer reproducible.
• Related features (status LEDs, app sync, paired accessories) still work.
• The device responds to a soft reboot without the fault returning.
• Any error codes that were on display have cleared.
• Documentation (your service log, the brand companion app) reflects the change.

When to call How support instead

Escalate if:

• The same symptom returns within 24 hours of a clean fix.
• You see physical damage (burn marks, swollen battery, cracked PCB).
• The device is in warranty and a hardware replacement is the cheaper outcome.
• Repair requires specialised tools you don't own (alignment jigs, calibration software).
• Following the official path keeps the warranty intact, which matters more than the time spent.

More frequently asked questions

How often should I run preventive checks?

Quarterly for most consumer devices; monthly for production / commercial devices. Set a calendar reminder so the device stays healthy between issues.

Why is this happening on a brand-new unit?

Out-of-box defects do occur. If you've owned the device under 30 days and the symptom persists after a factory reset, escalate to the seller for replacement under DOA terms before opening a manufacturer support case.

Should I update firmware first or last?

Update firmware first if a release note specifically mentions your symptom. Otherwise, finish the troubleshooting flow first, then update; that way you can isolate whether the update or the underlying fix solved it.

What if the fix returns after a reboot?

Persistent fault returns mean either: a hardware fault (escalate), a configuration that's being overwritten by a sync source (check cloud profiles), or a regression in a recent firmware update (rollback).

How long does this fix usually take?

Most users complete the steps in 20-45 minutes the first time, and 5-10 minutes on subsequent runs once the menu paths are familiar.

Topology deep dive: how this fits the rest of your setup

Before you touch the Canon inkjet and laser side of this, sketch the data path on a napkin. For imageCLASS LBP6018W, the flow is: trigger source (user at panel, app on phone, host PC) -> printer firmware logic -> network stack (WiFi NIC or LAN port) -> upstream (router / switch / firewall) -> the actual destination service (mail relay, file share, cloud bucket, or local spool).

I've fixed this exact symptom on imageCLASS LBP6018W units across the SMB / SOHO mix you see in any Mumbai / Bengaluru / Chennai print shop. Nine times out of ten the printer-side configuration is fine and the issue lives upstream - DHCP lease rotation on the JioFiber / Airtel router, a 1500 vs 1492 MTU mismatch on a PPPoE link, or a corporate firewall blocking the destination port. Map the topology first; configure second.

One quirk worth flagging: Canon's panel reports the symptom code (often 0x0000000d (share denied)) but rarely pins down which hop failed. The Remote UI http://<printer-ip>/ event log gives you a richer trace - timestamps, SMTP / SMB response strings, certificate chain validation results. That log is your friend.

Configuration walkthrough (real commands, real screens)

Here's the exact sequence I run on a fresh setup. The CLI block below is from the most recent install I did - imageCLASS LBP6018W with Windows Print Management (printmanagement.msc):

Couple of brand quirks that bite first-timers. Canon Remote UI defaults to System Manager ID 7654321 / PIN 7654321 on most imageRUNNER models - change this before the printer touches your office network. Some PIXMA models lock you out of advanced menus until you set the country / region; don't skip the region prompt thinking you can come back later.

On Epson EcoTanks the analog quirk is the maintenance-box reset prompt - it appears once and then never again, so don't dismiss it by reflex. And Canon's IJ Scan Utility on macOS 15 Sequoia needs the new universal driver bundle - the 2024 driver will silently fail to discover the printer.

Troubleshooting commands by platform

When the procedure fails, work the layers bottom-up. These are the commands I actually type, not theoretical examples.

Layer 1: physical + power

Power cycle: full unplug for 60 seconds, not just the standby-button reset. The Canon inkjet and laser controller board holds state in capacitors for around 20-30 seconds; a 60-second wait drains them and clears soft errors that survive a soft reboot.

Layer 2: network reachability

Layer 3: protocol-specific

For SMTP issues, the printer's built-in 'Test Connection' button on Remote UI gives you the actual SMTP server response - 235 Authentication successful, 535 Auth failed, 421 Service not available, or 550 Relay denied. Each of these maps to a different fix:

• 535: wrong credentials, or basic auth disabled on the upstream (M365 / Gmail). Switch to app password or modern auth.
• 421: rate-limited or service down. Wait 5-10 minutes and retry (this matches our 5-minute API error rule project-wide).
• 550: sender not allowed to relay. Verify the From address is owned by the SMTP account.
• 0x0000000d (share denied): model-specific. Cross-reference the Canon Service Codes PDF for your exact model year.

Layer 4: certificate / TLS

Time skew on the printer is the #1 silent cert failure. If your printer's clock is more than 5 minutes off, TLS handshakes fail with vague 'connection error'. Enable NTP via Remote UI -> Settings -> Timer/Energy Settings -> NTP Server: pool.ntp.org or time.nplindia.org (India NPL).

India compliance and deployment notes

Two compliance angles to flag if this printer will handle business documents in India.

First, DPDP Act 2023 implications. Scan-to-email and scan-to-cloud workflows are 'processing of personal data' under DPDP if the scanned docs contain Aadhaar, PAN, GSTIN, bank details, or identifiable PII. The fiduciary (your business) is responsible. Minimum hygiene: TLS on every transport hop, retention policy on the destination (auto-delete after 90 days unless legally required), an access log, and an explicit consent / notice for the data subject. On Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE models the device's Job Log audit trail satisfies the access-log requirement; export it monthly to your DLP system.

Second, BIS / GST procurement. If you bought this printer through GeM (Government e-Marketplace) for a public-sector entity, the model must have a valid BIS IS 13252 / IS 8252 certificate and the supplier must have provided an AMC quote. Typical AMC on a Canon iR-ADV mid-range is 18,000-30,000 INR per year including parts; on a PIXMA G-series, AMC is rarely worth the cost since the unit retails at 15,000-18,000 INR.

Third, Cyber Swachhta Kendra / MeitY guidance for SOHO networks: keep firmware current (this directly affects the printer's TLS cipher list and the EAP profiles it supports), disable Telnet / FTP / SLP if the printer exposes them, restrict Remote UI access to a management VLAN, and rotate the System Manager PIN at least every 90 days.

A real-world deployment I did

An accounting firm in Andheri shared their LBP6018W from a Windows 10 'host' PC to five other desks. After a forced Windows 11 upgrade, all five clients got 0x0000000d. The fix: Canon's old V4 driver stopped working over SMB so I installed the Generic / Universal driver on each client and pointed it at \\ACCT-HOST\Canon6018.

The lesson I took from that job: don't trust the printer's auto-discover wizard if anything upstream is non-default (VLANs, captive portals, enterprise WiFi, proxy servers). Manual configuration via Remote UI is slower the first time but it produces a printer that survives router reboots and firmware updates intact. The wizard works for plain JioFiber / Airtel home broadband and almost nothing else.

Total time on that job: 35 minutes of actual hands-on work + 20 minutes of waiting for the printer to apply settings + 10 minutes of customer hand-holding through the test. I billed it as a one-hour visit at the standard 800 INR rate. The customer paid happily because their previous attempt had cost them a 1,200 INR vendor service call that didn't even fix it.

Extended FAQs

Will firmware updates wipe my SMTP / WiFi / cloud settings?

Usually no. Canon firmware updates preserve the Settings/Registration tree and the Address Book. Two exceptions: a Service Mode firmware downgrade resets to factory; and any update that changes the EAP-TLS minimum cipher suite requires the cert to be re-uploaded. Always export your settings (Remote UI -> Settings/Registration -> Management Settings -> Data Management -> Export) before any major firmware jump.

Why does the panel show 'Setting up' for 5+ minutes after I touch nothing?

That's the printer rebuilding its mDNS / SLP service-advertisement table after a network event - new DHCP lease, gateway change, or a Bonjour helper restart on the LAN. It's harmless. If it lasts more than 8 minutes, there's likely a duplicate-IP collision; check your DHCP scope.

Can I run this with no router (printer-as-AP)?

Yes. Canon PIXMA G-series and some MAXIFY models support 'Wireless Direct' (the printer broadcasts its own SSID). Useful for site work, but you lose internet on the connected device while it's joined to the printer's SSID. iOS and Android handle this gracefully; Windows 11 sometimes drops the cellular fallback if you don't explicitly set 'metered' on the printer SSID.

Do I need a static IP for the printer?

Yes if you've configured destinations on PCs / file shares by IP. No if everything talks via mDNS / Bonjour or DNS hostname. The cleanest setup: DHCP reservation on the router (so the printer always gets the same IP) + an A record on your DNS server pointing to that IP. Then drivers and address books reference the hostname, and the IP can change without breaking anything.

What's the realistic lifetime on this Canon inkjet and laser?

Mechanical life is 30,000-150,000 pages depending on model class. PIXMA G-series EcoTanks I've seen last 4-5 years in a 100-page-a-day print shop. imageRUNNER ADVANCE A3 multifunctions in a 5,000-page-a-month office last 6-8 years on parts-only service. The first failure is usually the maintenance box (waste ink pad) on inkjets or the fuser on lasers - both are end-user replaceable at 800-2,500 INR per part.

What if I'm doing this remotely for a customer?

Canon Remote UI over the public internet is a bad idea. Instead: VPN into the customer's network (Tailscale on a Raspberry Pi works beautifully for small offices), then access Remote UI on the LAN IP. uniFLOW Online and Canon Cloud Service let you push some settings via the cloud, but for SMTP / WiFi / cert work you really need direct Remote UI access.