Wireless printing has long ceased to be a luxury and has become a standard of convenience for the home office. Model Canon PIXMA TS3640s (often referred to as the 3640s) offers a full range of features for working on a local network, but initial setup often raises questions among users. Properly connecting the device to your router will allow you to print documents from any device, be it a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, within the network coverage area.
Integrating a printer into your home's infrastructure requires careful attention to detail, especially when entering passwords and selecting security protocols. Modern routers often use the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, and not all older or budget printer models work correctly with the higher frequency band. Therefore, it's important to understand exactly how Canon PIXMA 3640s interacts with your router to avoid common startup errors.
In this article, we'll cover all available methods for activating the wireless interface, from automatic configuration via WPS to manually entering parameters through the device's menu. You'll learn how to avoid common IP address conflicts and what to do if the indicators are behaving strangely. Proper network configuration is the key to the stable operation of all your printing equipment in the future.
Equipment preparation and compatibility testing
Before you begin any manipulations with the software, you must ensure that the hardware is physically ready. Make sure that your Wi-Fi router It's turned on, works reliably, and distributes internet to other devices. If your laptop or phone can't see the network, then your printer won't either, so a basic router diagnostic is the first step.
It is important to know that the series PIXMA TS3640s Supports the 802.11 b/g/n wireless standard. This means the device operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency range. If your router only broadcasts in the 5 GHz range or has the same SSID for both ranges, identification issues may arise. In such cases, it is recommended to temporarily separate the networks in the router settings or ensure the device has switched to the correct frequency.
⚠️ Attention: Some corporate networks use hidden SSIDs or MAC address filtering. These settings are rare in home environments, but if you're connecting to a complex network, make sure you have permission to add a new device.
Also, prepare the printer itself: plug it into a power outlet and wait for it to complete the self-test cycle. There should be no error or out-of-cartridge warning lights on the control panel, as the Wi-Fi module may not activate in an error state. Make sure the scanner lid is tightly closed and the paper tray is pulled out.
WPS method: quick setup without entering a password
The easiest way to connect Canon PIXMA 3640s The most common way to connect to a network is with 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. To implement this method, your router must also support WPS, which is required by 95% of modern equipment.
Find the button marked on the body of your router. WPS or an icon resembling two arrows forming a circle. On the printer's control panel PIXMA TS3640s Find the wireless button (antenna icon). Press and hold the button on the printer until the power and Wi-Fi lights start blinking simultaneously. This indicates the device is searching for a WPS signal.
Within two minutes of activating the printer's WPS mode, press the WPS button on the router. A short press is usually sufficient, but some models require holding for 3-5 seconds. Once paired successfully, the wireless indicator on the printer will stop blinking and turn solid blue or green (depending on the model), indicating a successful connection. local network.
Sometimes the process takes longer than expected. If the lights are flashing excessively or are off, and the connection is not established, repeat the procedure. Make sure the printer is no more than 2-3 meters from the router during setup to rule out signal strength issues.
Manual setup via the device menu
If the automatic method doesn't work or your router doesn't support WPS, you'll need to use manual setup. This is a more reliable method that gives you full control over the process. In the control panel Canon PIXMA 3640s press the button Wireless (or the button with the image of a smartphone/antenna) several times until the wireless network icon appears on the display.
Next, you need to enter the settings menu. Press the button OK or the menu button (gear or house icon, depending on the firmware version). Using the navigation buttons (left/right arrows), find the item LAN settings (LAN settings) and confirm your choice. In the menu that opens, select Wireless LAN setup (Wireless LAN setup).
☑️ Manual setup checklist
The printer will begin searching for available networks. When the list appears on the screen, select your router's name (SSID). If the network is hidden, select the option to enter the name manually. After selecting the network, the device will ask for a password (encryption key). Enter characters carefully, using the navigation buttons to switch between numbers, letters, and special characters. Letters are case-sensitive (Upper/Lower case) is of critical importance.
After entering the password, confirm the action. The printer will attempt to obtain an IP address from the router's DHCP server. If all the information is entered correctly, a successful connection message will appear on the screen, and the Wi-Fi indicator will stay lit. It is recommended to run a test page immediately to ensure that the computer can see the device on the network.
Using the Canon PRINT mobile app
Modern users often prefer to control their equipment from their smartphone. Application Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY (available for iOS and Android) significantly simplifies initial setup. Download the app from the official store (App Store or Google Play) and launch it. The app will automatically prompt you to add a new printer if it isn't already registered in the system.
Follow the instructions on your smartphone screen. The app will ask you to select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password. It will then transfer this information directly to the printer. Canon PIXMA 3640s via a temporary direct connection or via Bluetooth (if supported by the model). This eliminates errors when manually entering a password on the printer's cumbersome interface.
What should I do if the app doesn't see the printer?
Make sure location and Bluetooth are enabled on your smartphone. On Android, location permissions are often required for the app to scan for nearby Wi-Fi networks. Also, make sure your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz) to which you want to connect the printer.
After successfully registering in the app, you'll be able to not only print documents and photos, but also perform maintenance, check ink levels, and scan documents directly to the cloud. Mobile setup is especially convenient if you don't have a computer with a disc drive or a USB cable nearby.
Diagnosing and resolving connection problems
Even if you carefully follow the instructions, problems may still occur. Often, the problem lies in the wrong encryption type. Canon PIXMA 3640sLike many devices in this class, it may not support the latest WPA3 encryption standards, working only with WPA2-PSK (AES). If the router is configured for "WPA3 Only" mode, the printer simply won't see the network or won't be able to authenticate.
Another common cause is a full DHCP table in the router. If you have many smart devices connected to your home (lamps, kettles, cameras), the router may not have enough addresses to allocate to a new device. In this case, rebooting the router, which will clear the cache and free up addresses, or assigning a static IP address to the printer in the router settings, can help.
| Indicator status | Possible cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Blinks slowly | Searching for network or connection error | Check password and SSID |
| Flashing quickly | Data exchange (WPS) | Wait for completion or press WPS on the router |
| It burns with a steady light | Successful connection | You can start printing. |
| It doesn't burn. | The Wi-Fi module is turned off | Press the Wireless button on the panel |
If the indicators are flashing in emergency mode (e.g., orange), this may indicate a hardware failure in the Wi-Fi module or a critical firmware error. In this case, try resetting the network settings to factory defaults. This is usually done by holding the wireless button for more than 10 seconds until you hear a distinctive beep.
Setting up printing from a computer and mobile devices
After Canon PIXMA 3640s If your device is successfully connected to Wi-Fi, you need to install the drivers on your computer. Even if the operating system (Windows or macOS) automatically detects the device, the full software is required for full functionality (scanning, maintenance). Download the latest driver package from the manufacturer's official website, selecting your model and operating system.
During the installation process, select the "Wireless" connection type. The installer will automatically find the printer on the local network using its IP address. If your computer and printer are on the same network but the installation fails, check your firewall or antivirus settings—they may be blocking the detection of new devices.
For mobile devices (Android/iOS), printing is done via AirPrint or Mopria. Make sure your smartphone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open a document or photo, select "Share" or the print menu, and your printer should appear in the list of available printers. Canon PIXMA 3640sIf the device is not visible, check if the "AP Isolation" feature is enabled on your router, which prevents devices on the same network from seeing each other.
⚠️ Attention: Router interfaces and printer firmware versions are subject to update. If the menu items described differ, please refer to the official documentation or your router's web interface for the current function names.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can Canon PIXMA 3640s be connected to a 5GHz network?
No, this model only supports the 802.11 b/g/n standard, which operates exclusively in the 2.4 GHz band. If your router is broadcasting a 5 GHz network, the printer will not see it. You need to ensure that the 2.4 GHz network is enabled and broadcast on your router.
What should I do if my printer loses Wi-Fi settings after a power outage?
When the power goes out, the printer usually saves its network settings. If a reset occurs, simply repeat the connection procedure. If the problem persists, the internal clock battery may be dead or there's a problem with the power supply, but the Wi-Fi settings should still be saved.
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, click the button Wireless on the printer panel, then the button OK (or menu), select LAN settings -> Print details (Print details). The printed sheet will indicate the device's current IP address.
Why can't the computer see the printer via Wi-Fi, even though the phone prints?
This could be due to Windows sharing settings or different subnets. Make sure the "Private Network" profile is selected in your computer's network settings, not "Public." Also, check that the drivers are installed specifically for the network connection, not the USB one.