Canon Pixma TR8520 Printer Setup

The Canon Pixma TR8520 is a versatile home office printer with Wi-Fi, Ethernet, fax, and robust scanning. To get the most from it, set it up in the right order: unbox and load paper, choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet, install Canon's driver suite, and run quick tests for print, scan, and fax. This guide walks through each step and the fixes for common hiccups like offline status, missing fax dialing tones, or faint prints after installation.

Physical Setup and Paper

Remove all orange tapes and packaging. Install the five separate ink cartridges in their labeled slots until they click. Load plain paper in the front cassette and optionally photo paper in the rear tray for pictures. Extend the output tray. Connect power directly to a wall outlet and turn the printer on. Let it finish initialization before proceeding.

Choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet

Use Wi-Fi for flexible placement; choose Ethernet for maximum stability near your router. If using Wi-Fi, confirm your 2.4 GHz SSID and password—the TR8520 supports 2.4 GHz and often 5 GHz, but 2.4 GHz is most reliable for distance. If using Ethernet, plug in the cable before driver installation; the printer will grab an IP automatically. Avoid guest networks that block local devices.

Wireless Setup from the Touchscreen

On the TR8520 screen, tap Wi-Fi (or the network icon) > LAN settings > Wireless LAN > Wireless LAN setup. Choose Easy wireless connect (cableless) to let Canon software send credentials, or select Manual connect to pick your SSID and enter the password. If your router supports WPS, pick WPS (Push button method) and press the router's WPS button when prompted.

Ethernet Setup

For wired connections, plug the Ethernet cable into the printer and router. On the touchscreen, go to LAN settings and choose Wired LAN. The TR8520 should obtain an IP automatically. Print a network status page to confirm the address if you plan to add the printer by IP on your computer.

Install Drivers on Windows

Download the TR8500 series driver package from Canon. Run it, choose your connection type (Wireless LAN or Wired LAN), and let the installer detect the printer. If it cannot find the device over Wi-Fi, temporarily connect a USB cable to push settings, then remove it. Avoid relying solely on Windows Update drivers; use Canon's package to retain scanning, fax setup, and maintenance tools. After installation, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners to confirm status is Ready and print a test page.

Install Drivers on macOS

Install the Canon IJ driver and IJ Network Tool for TR8520. Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, click plus, and select the printer as a Bonjour or USB device. Set Use to the Canon driver instead of AirPrint to keep fax and maintenance options. If it doesn't appear, add via the IP tab with the printer's address and protocol IPP. After adding, print a test page and scan a document from Preview to verify.

Fax and Scan Setup

If you use fax, connect a phone line to the LINE port and run the Fax setup wizard on the touchscreen to set date/time, sender info, and ring settings. Load documents into the scanner or ADF, send a test fax, and confirm the dial tone. For scanning, install Canon's IJ Scan Utility; it provides one-click PDF and image scans to your computer and supports automatic document feeder scans for multi-page jobs.

Mobile Printing

Install the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app on iOS or Android. Add the TR8520 while on the same network. iPhone and iPad users can also print with AirPrint once the printer is online; Android users should enable the default print service or Mopria. If the app cannot find the printer, disable VPN and ensure the phone is on the main network, not a guest SSID.

Troubleshooting Connection Issues

Printer not found during install: Ensure the printer is on the same Wi-Fi band, disable VPN, and try adding by IP. Offline status in Windows: Reserve the printer IP in your router, then verify the port matches that IP. Cannot scan or fax: Reinstall using the full driver, not a basic driver, and confirm firewall settings allow Canon utilities. WPS fails: Enable WPS on the router or use manual SSID/password entry.

Print Quality and Maintenance

Run a Nozzle Check after setup, then Cleaning if you see gaps. Align the print head if text looks slightly fuzzy. Use quality paper and genuine or reputable compatible inks. Keep the printer powered (sleep is fine) so it can run automatic maintenance cycles. Print a page or two weekly to keep ink flowing and to confirm the network link stays active.

Quick Checklist

• Load paper and install all five cartridges.
• Choose Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB; use easy wireless connect, WPS, or manual SSID entry.
• Install Canon's full driver on Windows or macOS and verify print/scan.
• Set up fax if needed and test with a short send.
• Reserve the printer IP to prevent offline errors.
• Run nozzle checks and alignment after installation.

Follow these steps and your Canon Pixma TR8520 will be fully set up—ready to print, scan, copy, and fax with a stable connection in your home office.