Diagnosis
The Canon PIXMA TR8620a is fully capable of wireless photo printing without a PC, but the confusion often stems from the distinction between "proprietary app integration" and "system-level printing protocols." While the printer does not require a dedicated Canon driver to be installed on a mobile device, it relies on standardized communication protocols: Apple AirPrint for iOS devices and Mopria or the Canon Print Service for Android. The root cause of failure in this process is typically a "handshake" error between the device and the printer. This happens when the printer is connected to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band while the phone is on a 5GHz band, or when the printer's "Wireless Direct" mode is disabled. To confirm the printer is ready, check the LCD screen for the wireless antenna icon; if there is a slash through it or it is blinking, the printer is not on the network and cannot be seen by your phone regardless of the app you use.
How to Fix It
Follow these exact steps to establish a direct wireless printing connection for photos:
- Enable Wireless Connection: On the printer's operation panel, tap the "Wireless" icon or go to Settings > Device Settings > LAN settings > Wireless LAN. Ensure the status is "Enabled."
- Network Alignment: Connect your smartphone to the same SSID (network name) as the printer. If your router has "Smart Connect" (merging 2.4GHz and 5GHz), this is fine. If they are separate, ensure both are on the 2.4GHz band for maximum compatibility.
- For iOS (iPhone/iPad): Open the "Photos" app. Select the image you wish to print. Tap the "Share" icon (square with an upward arrow) in the bottom left corner. Scroll down and select "Print." Tap "Select Printer" and choose "Canon TR8600 series" (the TR8620a identifies as part of the 8600 series). Adjust your paper size (e.g., 4x6 or Letter) and tap "Print."
- For Android: Go to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Printing. Ensure the "Default Print Service" or "Canon Print Service" is toggled ON. Go to your Gallery or Google Photos app, select the photo, tap the three-dot menu (top right), select "Print," and choose the TR8620a from the dropdown menu.
If That Didn't Work
- Use Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY App: If the system-level printing (AirPrint/Mopria) fails, download the "Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY" app from the App Store or Google Play. This app provides a more robust discovery tool that can "force" the phone to find the printer via a temporary Wi-Fi Direct bridge, bypassing the router entirely.
- Toggle Wireless Direct Mode: If you don't have a router, go to the printer's LAN settings and enable "Wireless Direct." This turns the printer into its own Wi-Fi hotspot. On your phone, scan for Wi-Fi networks and connect to the network named "Canon_ij_..." using the password displayed on the printer's screen.
- Clear the Print Spooler: If the document says "Printing" but nothing happens, restart the printer by unplugging the power cord for 30 seconds. Simultaneously, restart your phone. This clears the cached print queue on both devices.
- Check IP Conflict: If the printer is "Offline" on your phone, assign a Static IP to the printer via the Web Configuration page (accessed by typing the printer's IP address into a mobile browser) to prevent the router from changing the printer's address.
Heads Up
- Ink Consumption: Printing high-resolution photos from mobile devices often defaults to "Standard" quality. To avoid wasting expensive ink, manually change the quality setting to "High" or "Photo" within the print dialogue before hitting the final print button.
- Paper Loading: Ensure you have loaded photo paper in the rear tray and changed the paper type setting on the printer's LCD to "Photo Glossy" or "Photo Matte." If the printer thinks it is printing on Plain Paper, the ink will saturate the page and cause smudging.
- Battery Drain: Using Wireless Direct mode (printing without a router) consumes more battery on both the phone and the printer; use a wall outlet if printing a large album.
- Firmware Updates: Periodically check for firmware updates via the printer's maintenance menu. Outdated firmware is the primary cause of AirPrint connectivity drops after iOS updates.