If you're seeing a "Canon PIXMA iP8720 setup incomplete" error message, your wireless photo printer hasn't finished its initial configuration and won't respond to print jobs. This issue typically appears during first-time installation, after router changes, or when the printer fails to establish a stable network connection. The PIXMA iP8720 relies on complete setup to activate both USB and Wi-Fi printing capabilities across Windows, macOS, and mobile devices. Fortunately, most causes of incomplete setup can be resolved with targeted printer repair steps that reset the installation process and restore full functionality without replacing hardware.
Common Causes of Setup Failure
The PIXMA iP8720's setup sequence can interrupt for several reasons. Network authentication errors, outdated drivers, firewall interference, and incomplete USB detection during wired setup all trigger the incomplete status. Because this model supports both wireless and wired configuration, identifying which pathway failed helps determine the right fix printer approach. Our Canon printer support team regularly resolves these issues by isolating whether the problem stems from connection hardware, software drivers, or router compatibility.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
1
Power Cycle the Printer and Network Equipment: Turn off the PIXMA iP8720 using the power button, then unplug it from the wall outlet. Wait 60 seconds before reconnecting power. Simultaneously, reboot your wireless router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. This clears temporary memory conflicts that often cause the Canon PIXMA iP8720 setup incomplete error during initialization. Once both devices fully restart, check if the printer's power lamp remains steady green without flashing error indicators.
2
Run the Canon IJ Setup Tool from Scratch: Download the latest IJ Printer Driver and IJ Network Tool from Canon's official support site for your specific operating system. Uninstall any existing Canon software through Control Panel (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac) first. During reinstallation, select "Custom Install" and ensure both the printer driver and network tools are selected. When prompted, choose "Wireless LAN Connection" and let the tool detect the iP8720 automatically rather than entering IP addresses manually.
3
Restore Factory Defaults on the Printer: With the printer powered on, press and hold the Resume/Cancel button until the power lamp flashes 17 times, then release. This resets all network settings to factory defaults. Alternatively, access the printer's web interface by connecting via USB temporarily: enter the printer's IP address in a browser, navigate to Network Settings, and select "Reset LAN Settings." After reset, restart the setup process from the beginning to eliminate corrupted configuration files causing the incomplete status.
4
Verify Router Compatibility and Security Settings: The PIXMA iP8720 requires 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) and does not support 5 GHz networks or enterprise authentication protocols. Log into your router administration panel and confirm that WPA2-PSK (AES) security is enabled—WPA3 or mixed modes may block the printer. Temporarily disable MAC address filtering and guest network isolation during setup. If your router broadcasts both bands under one SSID, separate them into distinct names to force the printer onto the 2.4 GHz band during configuration.
5
Complete Setup Using WPS Push Button Method: If software-based setup continues failing, use Wi-Fi Protected Setup instead. Press and hold the Wi-Fi button on the iP8720 until the power lamp flashes once. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router. The Wi-Fi lamp will flash during connection and remain lit when successful. This bypasses potential driver conflicts and completes the network portion of setup independently. After WPS connection succeeds, install only the printer driver components without the network tool to avoid conflicts.
6
Check Windows Services and Firewall Exceptions: On Windows systems, press Windows key + R, type "services.msc," and ensure "Print Spooler" and "Function Discovery Provider Host" are running. Open Windows Defender Firewall settings and verify that "Canon IJ Network Tool," "Canon IJ Printer Assistant Tool," and "Setup.exe" are allowed through both private and public networks. Third-party antivirus suites often block the setup wizard's network discovery—temporarily disable real-time scanning during installation if previous steps haven't resolved the Canon PIXMA iP8720 setup incomplete error.
⚠️ Important: Do not disconnect power or interrupt the setup process once the printer begins flashing its Wi-Fi lamp during configuration. An interrupted firmware write can corrupt the printer's network module, requiring professional printer repair service to restore functionality. Wait for all lamps to return to steady states before proceeding to the next troubleshooting step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my iP8720 say setup incomplete even after successful Wi-Fi connection?
The printer may connect to your router but fail to complete driver registration with your computer. This occurs when the IJ Network Tool doesn't finalize the pairing. Uninstall all Canon software, download the complete driver package version 5.90 or later from Canon's website, and run the setup with administrator privileges while temporarily disabling User Account Control prompts.
Can I use the PIXMA iP8720 with USB only to avoid setup issues?
Yes, the iP8720 functions as a wired USB printer without any wireless configuration. However, you must still complete the full driver installation—the "setup incomplete" message will persist until the IJ Printer Driver registers the USB connection. Connect the USB cable directly to your computer (not through a hub), run the setup tool, and select "USB Connection" when prompted.
How do I know if my router is blocking the printer during setup?
Check your router's connected devices list during setup attempts. If the iP8720 appears briefly then disappears, the router is assigning then revoking the connection. Disable "Airtime Fairness," "Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) Power Save," and "Band Steering" features in router settings—these prioritize faster devices and can disconnect the printer during its slower authentication handshake.
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