just got a ts3520 and it won't connect to my wifi during setup, it just keeps searching and failing.

Diagnosis

The Canon PIXMA TS3520 is a budget-friendly unit with a limited wireless radio that operates exclusively on the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The "searching and failing" loop occurs because the printer cannot "see" or handshake with a network that is broadcasting only in 5 GHz, or a "Smart Connect" or "Band Steering" router that attempts to force the printer onto the 5 GHz band. When the router tries to steer the TS3520 to a higher frequency it cannot support, the connection request times out, resulting in a generic setup failure. Furthermore, many modern routers are set to WPA3 security by default. The TS3520 often struggles with WPA3 or "WPA2/WPA3 Mixed" modes, leading to an authentication failure even if the password is correct. You can confirm this is the issue if your smartphone or laptop connects instantly to the same network but the printer fails; this confirms the network is active, but the printer's specific hardware requirements (2.4 GHz / WPA2) are not being met by the router's current broadcast configuration.

How to Fix It

To resolve this, you must align your router's broadcast settings with the printer's hardware capabilities. Follow these exact steps:

1. Access your router's admin console via a web browser (usually by entering 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in the address bar).
2. Navigate to the **Wireless Settings** or **Advanced Wi-Fi** tab.
3. Locate the **Band Steering** or **Smart Connect** toggle and switch it to **OFF**. This will separate your network into two distinct SSIDs: one for 2.4 GHz and one for 5 GHz.
4. Rename the 2.4 GHz network specifically (e.g., "HomeWiFi_2.4") so you can identify it easily during setup.
5. Change the **Security Mode** from WPA3 or "Auto" to **WPA2-PSK (AES)**. This is the most stable protocol for the TS3520.
6. Set the **Channel Width** for the 2.4 GHz band to **20 MHz** instead of "Auto" or "40 MHz" to reduce interference and improve stability.
7. Save the settings and restart the router.
8. On the printer, press and hold the **Network button** (the one with the wireless tower icon) until the signal icon flashes.
9. Open the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app on your mobile device, select "Add Printer," and choose the newly created "HomeWiFi_2.4" network.

If That Didn't Work

• Perform a Network Reset: The printer may have cached a failed handshake. Press the Stop button until the Alarm lamp flashes 4 times, then press the Network button once. This clears the internal wireless cache and forces a fresh search.
• Use the WPS Method: If the app setup continues to fail, use the physical WPS button on your router. Press and hold the Network button on the TS3520 for about 3 seconds until the wireless icon flashes. Within 2 minutes, press the WPS button on your router. This bypasses the manual password entry and app handshake entirely.
• Disable Firewall/VPN: If you are using a laptop for setup, ensure any active VPN (like NordVPN or ExpressVPN) is completely disabled. VPNs create a virtual network adapter that prevents the computer from seeing the printer's temporary "Setup" broadcast signal.
• Update Firmware via USB: If you have a USB A-to-B cable, connect the printer to a PC. Use the Canon utility to check for firmware updates. There are specific patches for the TS series that improve compatibility with newer Mesh Wi-Fi systems.

Heads Up

• Avoid Mesh Nodes: When setting up the TS3520, stay within 5-10 feet of the main router rather than a satellite node; once the handshake is complete, you can move the printer back to its permanent location.
• Power Cycle Routine: If the printer loses connection after a power outage, always reboot the router first, wait 2 minutes for the 2.4 GHz band to stabilize, and then power on the printer.
• Avoid Special Characters: Ensure your Wi-Fi password does not contain complex symbols (like emojis or non-standard ASCII characters), as the TS3520's basic firmware can occasionally misinterpret these during the handshake.
• Ink Warning: Note that the printer may refuse to complete the wireless setup if the ink cartridges are not properly seated or if the "Low Ink" warning is blocking the screen; ensure the printer is in a "Ready" state before starting the network process.