Wireless printing has long ceased to be a luxury and has become a standard of comfort for the home office. Model Canon Pixma MG3640S It is one of the most popular budget MFPs, but its initial setup often raises questions for users accustomed to wired solutions.
The main difficulty is that the device lacks a full-fledged LCD screen, forcing you to rely on blinking indicators and button combinations. Properly configured communication channels will allow you to print documents directly from your smartphone or tablet, bypassing the need for a computer.
In this guide, we'll cover all current pairing methods, including WPS and manual setup via software. You'll learn how to avoid common errors and ensure stable printer operation on your local network.
Equipment preparation and requirements verification
Before you begin programming, you need to make sure the hardware is physically ready for use. Make sure that wireless router It is turned on and transmitting a signal, and the MFP is located in a strong reception area.
It's important to know your network name (SSID) and its password. If you're using a complex corporate network with MAC address filtering, you'll need to find the device's address in advance, which is usually located on a sticker on the bottom of the device.
⚠️ Attention: MG3600 series printers often only operate in the 2.4 GHz band. If your router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks with the same name, if you encounter errors, try temporarily separating them or forcing the device to use the 2.4 GHz band.
Drivers are also required for successful installation. You can download them from the manufacturer's official website or use the included disc, although the software versions on the disc may be different. obsolete.
- 📶 Make sure the Wi-Fi indicator on your router is on or blinking.
- 🔌 Connect the MFP to the power supply and wait until the self-test cycle completes.
- 📄 Prepare your local network login information.
Activating the setup mode on the printer
The most crucial step is to put the device itself into connection standby mode. On the control panel Canon Pixma MG3640S There is no digital display, so all indication occurs via LEDs.
Press and hold the button Wireless (with the antenna icon) until the power indicator flashes once. After that, release the button. Now press the button. Color (Color Print) and then press the button again Wireless.
The wireless network indicator should start blinking, indicating that it's entering setup mode. If the indicator light remains solid, the device is already attempting to connect to a previously saved network.
Sequence: Wireless (hold) -> Power (blink) -> Color -> Wireless (blink)Now printer Visible to external devices and ready to pair. You have about two minutes to initiate a search from your computer or smartphone before standby mode is automatically disabled.
- 🟢 The indicator flashes slowly - the setup mode is activated.
- 🔴 The indicator is constantly on - there is a connection attempt or an error.
- ⚪ The indicator is off - the wireless module is not activated.
Direct connection method via WPS
The fastest way to establish communication is through technology. WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). This method allows you to connect devices without manually entering a password, which is especially convenient if the passkey is complex or long.
Find the button WPS on your router's body. It may be physical or software (in the web interface). Press it, and then press and hold the button for two minutes. Wireless on the printer until a characteristic sound appears or the blinking pattern of the indicator changes.
⚠️ Attention: The WPS function must be enabled in your router's security settings. Some ISPs or modern security standards may block this protocol by default.
The encryption key exchange process takes up to two minutes. During this time, the indicator light on the MFP will flash. Once the connection is established, the light will turn solid.
- 🔘 Press WPS on the router.
- 📶 Activate the mode on the printer.
- ⏳ Wait for the indicator to stabilize (about 2 minutes).
☑️ WPS Readiness Check
Setup via USB cable and software installer
If automatic methods fail, the most reliable option remains using a cable. This method allows the setup program to transfer your Wi-Fi network settings directly to its memory. MG3640S.
Download the full driver package for your operating system from the official Canon website. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. When prompted to select a connection type, select Wireless LAN.
At a certain point, the installer will ask you to connect the device via USB. Use a high-quality Type AB (printer) cable. Once detected, the program will offer to transfer network settings.
Once the data transfer is successful, the cable can be disconnected. The computer and printer must be on the same subnet for proper operation.
| Stage | User action | Expected result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Launch setup.exe | Opening the driver installation menu |
| 2 | Select "Wireless Connection" | Go to device search |
| 3 | USB connection | Printer detection by the system |
| 4 | Transferring Wi-Fi settings | The network indicator came on |
What should I do if my computer doesn't see my printer via USB?
Check the cable's integrity, try a different USB port (preferably on the back of the system unit), and make sure the device is plugged in. Restarting the Windows Print Spooler service can sometimes help.
Using the Canon PRINT mobile app
For smartphone and tablet owners, the optimal solution is an app Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHYIt allows you to not only print photos and documents, but also perform initial network setup.
Download the app from App Store or Google PlayOpen the app and add a new printer following the on-screen prompts. The app will automatically try to find the device on the network or offer to set it up.
If the printer was already in setup mode (the indicator light is blinking), the app will quickly detect it and prompt you to enter the Wi-Fi password. This is the most convenient method for those who plan to print primarily from mobile devices.
The app also allows you to check ink levels and clean nozzles, making it an indispensable tool for everyday use.
- 📱 Download Canon PRINT on your smartphone.
- 🔍 Click "Add Printer".
- 🔑 Enter your Wi-Fi password when prompted.
Diagnosis and solution of typical problems
Even if you follow the instructions precisely, problems may still occur. Often, the problem lies in the computer and printer being on different networks, for example, one of the devices is connected to the router's guest network.
Another common cause is blocking by antivirus or firewall software. When installing drivers, the security system may request permission to access the network, which is necessary. allow.
⚠️ Attention: Router interfaces and driver versions are subject to update. If the menu steps don't match, please refer to the documentation for your specific router model or the Canon support website.
Try rebooting the entire chain: turn off the router, printer, and computer. Turn on the router, wait for it to fully boot up, then turn on the MFP. This often clears temporary IP addressing errors.
If all else fails, reset the printer's network settings to factory defaults. To do this, turn off the device, hold down the power button Stop (Stop), turn on the power without releasing the button, wait until the power indicator flashes 15-16 times, then release.
Why doesn't my computer see my Canon MG3640S on the network?
The most common issue is that the devices are connected to different frequencies (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) or different VLANs. Ensure both devices are on the same subnet. Also, check if AP Isolation is disabled in the router settings.
How to find out the IP address of a printer?
The easiest way is to print a network settings report. Turn off the printer. Hold down the button. Wireless and turn on the power. When the power indicator flashes, release Wireless and quickly press the button Color, then WirelessThe printer will produce a report indicating the current IP.
Can this printer be connected to 5G Wi-Fi?
Model Canon Pixma MG3640S Only supports the 802.11 b/g/n standard, which corresponds to a 2.4 GHz frequency. Connecting to 5 GHz networks is technically impossible; the device simply won't detect them.
What to do if the orange error indicator is on?
The orange light indicates a specific error: out of ink, a paper jam, or an open cover. The number of blinks before a pause indicates the error code. For example, two blinks means out of ink, three blinks means a paper jam.