Modern users rarely think about wires, preferring wireless technologies to connect any equipment. Canon PIXMA MG3640 — a prime example of a device that can become completely autonomous if properly configured to operate on a local network. The lack of cables allows for freedom of movement, allowing the device to be placed anywhere in the room where there's a power outlet.
Setting up wireless mode may seem complicated at first glance, especially for those new to this type of technology. However, by following a clear sequence of steps, you can activate the module. Wi-Fi In just minutes, this will give you access to printing documents and photos directly from your smartphone or tablet without the need for a computer.
In this article, we'll cover all possible connection methods in detail, including using the button on the device's housing and software methods. You'll learn how to avoid common errors and what to do if the device doesn't detect your network. Proper setup will ensure stable operation of your entire home printing system.
Preparing equipment for wireless operation
Before you begin software configuration, you need to make sure that the device is physically ready. Make sure that Canon MG3640 The device must be plugged in and have paper in the tray and ink in the cartridges. The device must be idle but turned on, as indicated by the power indicator.
Knowing your wireless network settings is crucial. You'll need the exact network name (SSID) and password to access it. If you don't remember these details, you can find them in your provider's account or on the router's sticker, if they haven't changed.
⚠️ Important: Make sure your computer or smartphone you'll be using for setup is already connected to the same Wi-Fi network you plan to connect the printer to. Different frequency bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) can sometimes conflict, so the 2.4 GHz band is preferable for older models.
It is also worth checking if it is blocked MAC filter On your router. In rare cases, the router's administrative settings may prevent new devices from connecting without manually whitelisting their addresses.
Direct connection method via Wireless button
The fastest way to activate wireless mode is to use the button Wireless on the control panel. This method puts the MFP into network search mode or access point mode. Press the button once; the power indicator should light up and the wireless indicator should start blinking.
After that, click the button Wi-Fi (or the button with the image of a smartphone) on the panel. The indicators will begin flashing alternately, signaling the entry into setup mode. Now confirm the action by pressing the color print button.
☑️ Pre-launch check
If everything went well, the wireless indicator will glow solid. This means the device is ready for further configuration via software. Now you can install the drivers that will introduce the printer to your computer on the network.
Installing drivers and software from the official website
For full network functionality on Windows or macOS, you need to install a specialized driver. Download software only from the manufacturer's official website to avoid malicious code and ensure compatibility between versions. Find your model MG3640 in the list and select your operating system.
Run the downloaded installer. During the installation process, the program will prompt you to select a connection type. Select "Wireless LAN connection" or "Wi-Fi connection." The system will begin searching for available devices on the network.
If the automatic search doesn't yield any results, select the "USB connection for wireless setup" option. This is a temporary solution: you'll need to connect the device with a cable, the program will automatically transfer the Wi-Fi settings, and then you can remove the cable.
What to do if the driver is not installed?
If the installation is interrupted or returns an error, try running the file as administrator. You should also temporarily disable your antivirus and Windows Firewall, as they may be blocking the network ports required for the primary handshake protocol.
Once the drivers are successfully installed, your computer will have full access to scanning and printing functions. A new device with a network status of "Ready" will appear in the list of devices and printers.
Setting up printing from smartphones and tablets
Mobile printing is becoming increasingly popular and Canon MG3640 supports this feature perfectly. For iOS devices, the technology is used AirPrint, which doesn't require installing any additional apps. Simply select a photo or document, tap "Share," and choose a printer.
For Android and more advanced iPhone printing, the app is recommended. Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHYIt's available on Google Play and the App Store. Once installed, the app will automatically find the printer on the network if the mobile device is connected to the same router.
- 📱 Launch the app and wait for the device to be detected.
- 🖼️ Select a photo from your gallery or a document from your file system.
- ⚙️ Adjust the settings: paper size, media type, number of copies.
- 🖨️ Click the print button and watch the process.
The app also allows you to scan directly to your phone. This is especially convenient for creating digital copies of documents on the fly without having to turn on your computer.
Direct Connect mode
Sometimes it happens that the router is unreachable or located too far away. In such cases Canon MG3640 can work in access point mode. You press the button Direct on the panel, and the printer creates its own Wi-Fi network.
Your smartphone or laptop connects directly to this network. The connection password is usually found on a sticker inside the device's case, in the instructions, or displayed on the mobile device's screen when attempting to connect.
⚠️ Please note: In direct connection mode, the data transfer speed may be lower, and Internet access from the connected device will be lost, since the channel is busy transmitting data to the printer.
This method is ideal for quickly printing tickets, boarding passes, or photos at a visit where there is no access to the host's main network.
Table of indicators and their meaning
Understanding the indicator lights helps you quickly diagnose the device's condition. Below is a breakdown of the main operating modes of the lights on the panel. Canon MG3640.
| Indicator | State | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power (Green) | It's on fire | The device is ready for use | You can print |
| Wi-Fi (Green) | Blinks slowly | Search network or setup mode | Run search from PC |
| Wi-Fi (Green) | It's on fire | Connection established | Printing is available |
| Alarm (Orange) | Flashing | Error (no paper, paper jam) | Check the tray and paper paths |
Pay attention to the blinking frequency. Rapidly blinking orange lights often indicate a critical error requiring attention, while slow blinking may simply indicate the printer is out of paper.
Troubleshooting connection issues
Even with proper setup, errors may still occur. If the computer "sees" the printer but can't send a document to print, try clearing the print queue. Go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers, right-click on Canon MG3640 and select "View Print Queue".
A common problem is changing or replacing the router password. In this case, the printer "loses" the network. You need to reset the network settings on the MFP itself. To do this, hold down the button Wi-Fi until the power indicator blinks, then release and press the color copy button.
If the issue persists, check if AP Isolation is enabled on your router. This feature prevents devices connected to Wi-Fi from seeing each other, making printing impossible.
- 🔄 Restart your router and printer at the same time.
- 🔌 Unplug the device from the power supply for 10-15 seconds.
- 📡 Check the signal level where the MFP is installed.
- 💻 Make sure your firewall is not blocking port 9100.
In complex cases, it may be necessary to completely reinstall the drivers and remove the old device from the system.
Why doesn't the printer see the 5 GHz network?
Model Canon MG3640 The printer is equipped with a Wi-Fi module that operates only in the 2.4 GHz band. Modern routers often combine the two frequencies under one name or use only the 5 GHz band for speed. You need to enable a 2.4 GHz guest network on your router or separate the network names (SSIDs) so that the printer can connect to the correct band.
How to find out the IP address of a printer?
To get the network address of the device, click the button Wireless on the panel, then the button Stop/Reset (or the triangle button) 15 times in a row (the number of presses may vary depending on the firmware version; sometimes 5-7 presses are enough in setup mode). An easier way is to print a network settings report using a combination of buttons on the control panel or view the information in the Canon PRINT app.
Is it possible to print over the internet from another part of the world?
Standard Wi-Fi module Canon MG3640 It doesn't have its own internet connection and only works within a local area network (LAN). Printing from anywhere requires the computer the printer is connected to (or the printer itself on the network) to be turned on, have internet access, and have a cloud printing service configured (such as Google Cloud Print, although it's no longer supported, or alternative solutions like PaperCut or built-in router features). However, this is difficult to implement for this model and requires a constantly running gateway PC.