Wireless connection of a printing device is not just convenience, but a necessity for a modern office or home workspace. Canon PIXMA MG3640 MFP It's a popular model due to its compact size and functionality, but initial setup of its connection to the router often presents difficulties for users. Unlike a wired connection, where simply plugging in a cable is sufficient, Wi-Fi requires the correct sequence of steps and an understanding of the network protocol.
The main difficulty is that the printer itself does not have a full-fledged screen for entering a password, so all manipulations must be performed through indicators or a temporary USB connection. Canon MG3640 Supports IEEE 802.11b/g/n standards, providing sufficient speed for printing documents and high-resolution photos. It's important to understand that successful integration of the device into a local network will allow printing not only from a computer but also from smartphones and tablets via cloud services.
In this guide, we'll cover all the current methods for activating wireless mode, including using the WPS button on your router and manual configuration via drivers. It is critical that your router and printer are within range of a strong signal during the setup phase, as packet loss during the first handshake request will result in an installation error. We'll also cover security and choosing the right frequency range, as older models may not be able to see 5GHz networks.
Preparatory stage and network requirements
Before you begin installing software or pressing buttons on the device panel, you must ensure that the infrastructure is ready. Wireless network It must be fully configured, have a stable internet connection, and know the password to connect. If your router has dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) signals, the 2.4 GHz band is preferred for this model, as it has better penetration and compatibility with budget peripherals.
Make sure your computer or laptop has access to the included installation disc or the ability to download the latest driver from the manufacturer's official website. Using outdated software versions may prevent the system from recognizing the device in the list of available connections. Also, make sure the printer cartridges are installed and all transport tapes and locks are removed; otherwise, the device will enter error mode and be unable to activate the Wi-Fi module.
Please note the location of the equipment. For initial synchronization Canon MG3640 The router and the device should be no more than 1-2 meters apart. Walls, metal cabinets, and operating microwave ovens can create significant interference, leading to endless connection attempts and timeouts.
⚠️ Note: If you're using a corporate network with MAC address filtering or hidden SSIDs, the standard automatic discovery procedure may not work. In such cases, you'll need to pre-configure your router or use a temporary USB cable to transfer network settings.
Gather the necessary information about your network before beginning the procedure. You may need:
- 📡 The exact network name (SSID), including case.
- 🔑 Access password (WPA/WPA2 security key).
- 💻 Access to the computer with administrator rights.
- 🔌 USB cable (it’s advisable to have one on hand, even if you plan to connect wirelessly).
Activating wireless mode on the printer
The very first step that needs to be physically performed on the device is to put it into connection standby mode. In the control panel Canon MG3640 there is no display, so all communication is built around the button Wireless (antenna icon) and the power and alarm indicators. Press and hold the button Wireless until the power indicator flashes once, then release.
After this action, the wireless indicator (antenna) should start blinking blue, and the power indicator should be solid. This means the internal network adapter is activated and is searching or waiting for a command. If the indicators alternately blink green and orange, this indicates that the device is unable to find previously saved settings or is attempting to reconnect.
In some cases, especially if the printer was previously used on a different network, you may need to reset the network settings to factory defaults. To do this, press and hold the button Wireless simultaneously with the button Stop/Reset (triangle in a circle) for a few seconds until the power indicator flashes. This action clears the Wi-Fi module's memory and prepares it for a new configuration.
What do the blinking lights mean?
Blue blinking (once per second) — searching for a network or setup mode. Blue blinking (fast) — data transfer. Blue solid — connection established. Orange/Green — error or recovery mode.
Method 1: Using the WPS button
The fastest way to connect Canon MG3640 The easiest way to connect to a router is with WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). It allows devices to exchange encryption keys automatically, without manually entering a complex password. This method only works if your router supports this feature and it's enabled (it's enabled by default on most modern models).
Make sure the printer is turned on and the wireless light is blinking blue. If it is solid, press the button Wireless on the printer to start the search mode. Then go to the router and find the button marked WPSIt can be a physical button on the router's body or a virtual one in the router's web interface.
Press the WPS button on your router (sometimes you need to hold it for 2-3 seconds). Immediately after that, within 2 minutes, press and hold the button Wireless Press the button on the printer until the power indicator flashes. Then release the button. The printer will begin searching for the router and attempt secure pairing.
- 🔵 The Wi-Fi indicator is blinking slowly - searching for and establishing a connection.
- 🔵 The Wi-Fi indicator is constantly on - the connection is successful.
- 🟠 The error indicator is on - connection failed, please repeat the procedure or check the distance.
⚠️ Note: The WPS function has a security window. If you don't press the button on the printer within 2 minutes of activating WPS on the router, the connection request will be cancelled to protect your network.
Once the blue indicator lights up successfully, you can proceed to installing the drivers on your computer, selecting the “Wireless” connection type.
☑️ Check before WPS connection
Method two: Setting up via driver and USB cable
If automatic WPS search doesn't work or your router doesn't support this feature, you'll have to use the classic method of transferring settings via USB cable. This is the most reliable method, guaranteeing correct IP addresses and network parameters. First, download the full driver package for Canon MG3640 from the official website, choosing your operating system.
Run the installer. During the installation process, you'll be prompted to select a connection type. Select "Wireless LAN connection." Next, the installer will ask you to connect the printer to your computer using a USB cable. This is necessary so the installer can familiarize the printer with your computer's Wi-Fi network settings.
Follow the on-screen instructions. The program will automatically detect available networks and prompt you to select yours. You'll only need to confirm your selection. After the settings are transferred to the printer, the installer will ask you to disconnect the USB cable. From this point on, printing will be done wirelessly.
Sequence of actions in the installer:1. Run setup.exe
2. Select language and region
3. Acceptance of the license terms
4. Select connection type: Wireless LAN
5. Connect the USB cable as required by the program
6. Transferring Wi-Fi settings
7. Disconnecting the cable
It's important to note that the printer's Wi-Fi indicator will blink while the settings are being transferred. Do not interrupt the process or turn off the device until the process is complete. If the driver installation is complete but printing is still not working, check to see if the printer's IP address has changed.
Advanced configuration and working with IP addresses
Advanced users and network administrators may need to manually configure network settings. Static IP address This is useful because the computer will always "know" where to find the printer, even after a router reboot, when dynamic addressing may assign the device a new address. You can find out the printer's current IP address by printing a network connection report.
To print the report, turn off the printer. Press and hold the button Wireless and, without releasing it, press the power button. Hold both buttons until the power indicator flashes once, then release the button. WirelessContinue holding the power button for a couple of seconds until the indicator light flashes twice. The printer will print a page with technical information, including the MAC address and current IP address.
If you want to assign an address to the device, you need to go to your router settings (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and find the DHCP Reservation or Static Lease section. There, by binding the printer's MAC address to the desired IP address, you'll ensure a stable connection.
| Parameter | Description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| SSID | Wireless network name | Without special characters (preferably in Latin) |
| Security | Encryption type | WPA2-PSK (AES) |
| Channel | Broadcast channel | 1, 6 or 11 (for 2.4 GHz) |
| IP Address | Local network address | 192.168.xx (outside DHCP pool) |
Solution and troubleshooting
Despite the apparent simplicity, the setup process Canon MG3640 may encounter a number of obstacles. Users often encounter a situation where the computer sees the printer, but the print queue status remains "Disconnected" or "Unavailable." This is often due to Windows Firewall or antivirus software blocking the network port required for communication.
Another common issue is the router or printer's sleep mode. Energy-saving technologies can disable the printer's Wi-Fi module to save power, and it doesn't always wake up correctly when commanded from the computer. In this case, adjusting the USB port power plan or disabling power-saving mode in the PC's network adapter properties can help.
If all else fails, perform a full network reset on the printer (as described in the second section) and reinstall the driver from scratch, after first removing old devices from the Windows Control Panel. Also, make sure Airplane mode is not enabled on your computer and that IPv4 is active.
⚠️ Note: Router interfaces and driver versions are subject to update. If the menu items described differ, refer to the operating logic (Wireless, Security, LAN settings sections) or refer to the documentation for your specific equipment.
The table below lists the main error codes that may indicate connection problems:
- 🚫 Code 1300 — paper jam (blocks all functions).
- 🔴 Code 1681/1682 — low ink (the printer may pause printing).
- 📶 Code 1700 — the absorber is full (requires resetting the counter via the service software).
- 🔌 Code 2000 — paper feed error.
What should I do if the printer sees the network but doesn't connect?
The issue is most likely related to the encryption type. The Canon MG3640 is an older model and may not support the latest WPA3 encryption standards being implemented in modern routers. Try temporarily switching your router's Wi-Fi security to [unclear] mode. WPA2-PSK (AES) or WPA/WPA2 mixed mode. Also, check if MAC address filtering is enabled.
Can this printer be connected to a 5GHz network?
No, the Canon MG3640's Wi-Fi module operates exclusively in the 2.4 GHz band. If your router broadcasts a single network with a common name (Smart Connect) for both bands, try separating them in the router settings, giving the 2.4 GHz network a unique name, and connecting the printer to that network.
How do I reset my network settings to factory defaults?
Turn off the printer. Press and hold the button. Wireless (antenna) and button Stop/Reset (triangle) simultaneously. Hold them until the power indicator flashes. Release the buttons. This will clear all saved Wi-Fi profiles.
Why doesn't my computer find my printer after reinstalling Windows?
A clean OS installation often misses the necessary network protocols or virtual port drivers. Install the full driver package from Canon's website rather than relying on Windows Update's automatic installation, which only installs a basic print driver without network configuration utilities.