Modern inkjet multifunctional devices Canon Pixma 3640 Designed to simplify office work and photo printing at home, this model offers wireless connectivity, eliminating the need to search for a free USB port on a computer or run long cables across the room. However, setting up the initial connection between the printer and the router often raises questions for those new to the process.
In this guide, we'll go over all the available methods for activating wireless mode in detail. You'll learn how to use WPS pairing For automatic setup, how to control the device via a smartphone using the proprietary app, and what to do if standard methods don't work. Understanding how network interfaces work will help you not only establish a connection but also quickly diagnose potential problems in the future.
Before beginning software setup, you need to ensure the hardware is physically ready. Make sure the printer is plugged in and within range of your router's signal strength. If the device was previously used on a different network or the settings have been reset, a preliminary setup may be required. reset parameters to factory values.
Preparing equipment and checking network settings
The first step is to check the status of your Wi-Fi router and the printer itself. Make sure the wireless network is active and you know the exact name (SSID) and password for it. Most home networks operate on a frequency 2.4 GHz, which the model supports Canon Pixma 3640Newer standards 5 GHz may not be visible to the device if the router does not combine them under one name.
Place the printer no more than a few meters from the router during setup. This minimizes the risk of data packet loss during encryption key transfer. If you're using complex corporate networks with web-based authentication or a hidden SSID, the standard connection procedure may fail without first configuring router-side security.
⚠️ Note: Pixma printers often do not support pure WPA3 security protocols. If your router is configured exclusively for WPA3, try temporarily switching it to WPA2/WPA3 Mixed compatibility mode or WPA2-only.
It's also important to check the indicators on the control panel. A blinking wireless light indicates that the device is waiting for a connection or is attempting to reestablish a connection. A solid light usually indicates a successful connection. If the indicators are completely dark, the wireless module may be disabled by software and requires activation via the menu or a button.
WPS method: quick connection without entering a password
The easiest way to connect Canon Pixma 3640 with a router is the use of technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)This method allows devices to exchange encryption keys automatically, without having to manually enter a complex password on a small screen or using buttons. For successful implementation, your router must have a physical WPS button or a corresponding function in the web interface.
The process begins by activating the printer's search mode. Press and hold the wireless button on the device until the power light turns orange, then release it. Then press the Wi-Fi Press again until the indicator starts blinking. At this point, the printer enters WPS signal waiting mode.
☑️ Pre-WPS Check
Now go to your router. Click the button WPS on the router body. On some models, you need to hold it for a few seconds, while on others, a short press is enough. After this, the Wi-Fi indicator on the printer should turn blue, indicating a successful connection. If the indicator continues to blink for more than two minutes, automatic pairing was unsuccessful, and you should try another method.
Setting up via the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY mobile app
If the WPS button method is unavailable, the most convenient alternative is to use a smartphone. To do this, download the official app. Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY from the App Store or Google Play. This software acts as an intermediary, transmitting your home network settings directly to the printer via Bluetooth or a temporary Wi-Fi hotspot.
Launch the app and add a new device by clicking the plus icon in the upper left corner. The app will prompt you to select a printer model from a list or find one automatically. During the search, the app may ask for permission to use geolocation, as scanning for Wi-Fi networks without this permission is prohibited by system restrictions in modern Android versions.
Once the printer is found, the app will ask for your Wi-Fi network password. Enter it carefully, paying attention to the capitalization of the characters. After confirmation, the smartphone will transfer the data to Canon Pixma 3640The device should reconnect to your router within a minute, and you can immediately print a test page.
The advantage of this method is that once set up, you gain full control of the device directly from your phone's screen. You can not only print documents and photos, but also check ink levels, run deep nozzle cleaning, and scan images directly to cloud storage.
Manual setup via the printer control panel
For those who prefer not to use third-party apps or smartphones, there is the option to enter network settings directly using the buttons on the MFP body. This method requires careful attention, as menu navigation is performed using a combination of button presses. Wi-Fi And Stop/Reset, as well as observing the blinking of the indicator Alarm (anxiety).
To enter manual setting mode, press and hold the button Wi-Fi until the power light flashes once. Then press the color print button, after which the Wi-Fi light will start flashing quickly. Next, you need to press the Wi-Fi again to select "Direct" or "Infrastructure" mode (connection via a router). Confirm your choice by pressing the button. Black and white or Color prints.
| Action | Indication | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pressing Wi-Fi | Blinks 1 time | Entering setup mode |
| Network selection | Blinks slowly | Search for available SSIDs |
| Confirmation | It's on constantly | Successful connection |
| Error | Flashing quickly | Incorrect password or failure |
During the network selection process, the printer will scan through available SSIDs. You'll need to wait for the device to find your network. If there are many networks, this process may take some time. After selecting a network, you'll be prompted to enter a password. This interface requires pressing a number of keys corresponding to letters and numbers, making this method quite labor-intensive for networks with complex passwords.
How to enter characters without a screen?
To enter characters, use the Stop button to switch between numbers, lowercase, and uppercase letters. The number of times you press the Color Print button corresponds to the ordinal number of the character in the selected group. This requires patience and careful counting.
Troubleshooting connection and driver issues
Even if you follow all the steps correctly, situations may arise where the computer doesn't see the printer on the network. This is often due to the PC and MFP being on different subnets or the device discovery service being disabled on the computer. Make sure the computer has the latest version installed. driver specifically for your model, downloaded from the manufacturer's official website.
When installing the driver, select the "Wireless LAN connection" option. The installer will attempt to find the device on the network. If the search fails, try temporarily disabling your firewall or antivirus software, which may be blocking the ports used by the printer for communication. It's also worth checking whether AP Isolation is enabled on your router, which prevents devices on the network from seeing each other.
In some cases, static IP addressing can help. You can reserve an IP address for your printer's MAC address in your router settings. This ensures the device's address doesn't change after a reboot, and the computer always knows where to send print jobs.
Table of error codes and indicator signals
Troubleshooting on Canon Pixma 3640 is carried out mainly through the flashing of the alarm indicator (Alarm) and the power indicator. The number of orange flashes indicates a specific error. Understanding these codes allows you to quickly identify the problem without calling a service center.
Below is a table of the most common codes related to network errors and general device status that may prevent you from connecting to Wi-Fi.
| Error code | Symptom | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 | The alarm is flashing | Failed to connect to access point | Check the password and SSID |
| 1909 | The alarm is flashing | Invalid authentication type | Change the encryption type on your router |
| 1910 | The alarm is flashing | DHCP error | Reboot your router |
| 1911 | The alarm is flashing | No response from access point | Check the distance to the router |
⚠️ Caution: If the Alarm indicator flashes 15 or more times, this may indicate a critical hardware error or Wi-Fi module incompatibility. In this case, try completely disconnecting the printer for 10-15 minutes by unplugging the power cord.
Regularly updating your printer firmware can also eliminate bugs that interfere with a stable connection. You can check the firmware version using the app on your smartphone or the Canon My Printer app on your computer under "Device Settings."
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can Canon Pixma 3640 be connected to a 5GHz network?
No, this printer model only supports wireless communication. 802.11 b/g/n, which operates exclusively in the frequency range 2.4 GHzIf your router is broadcasting a 5 GHz network under the same name, try separating the networks in the router settings or make sure compatibility is enabled.
What should I do if my printer stops responding via Wi-Fi after changing my router?
You need to reset the printer's network settings and set up the connection again. To do this, press and hold the button Wi-Fi on the printer until the power light blinks, then use the app or WPS to bind to the new router.
Does Wi-Fi Direct printing work without a router?
Yes, model Canon Pixma 3640 Supports Wi-Fi Direct mode. In this mode, the printer creates its own wireless network, which you can connect to directly from your phone or laptop for printing, even without internet access. However, internet access is still required for scanning to the cloud or updating drivers.
How to find the IP address of a printer on the network?
The easiest way is to print a network settings report. To do this, press and hold the button Stop/Reset until the indicator Alarm The LED will blink 15 times, then release. The printer will print a page with technical information, including the current IP address.