How to Connect a Canon MG3640S Printer to a Computer via Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide

Wireless printer connection Canon PIXMA MG3640S Connecting to a computer via Wi-Fi saves time and eliminates the clutter of cables. However, many users encounter difficulties: the router doesn't detect the device, drivers refuse to install, or printing errors occur. In this article, we'll look into these issues. all stages of setup — from equipment preparation to troubleshooting.

Model MG3640S supports the standard Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and is compatible with most modern routers. But there are some nuances: for example, the printer does not work in networks with a frequency 5 GHz (only 2.4 GHz), and a stable connection requires proper DHCP configuration. We will consider three connection methods: via WPS, using a utility Canon IJ Network Tool and manually through the printer's control panel. You'll also learn how to update the firmware and what to do if your computer can't see the device on the network.

Important: If you use Windows 11, some steps may differ from the instructions for Windows 10 — we will point out these points separately. For owners MacOS you will need to download specialized software from the official website Canon, since the standard system drivers do not always work correctly with this model.

1. Equipment preparation: what to check before setup

Before you begin connecting, make sure all system components are ready to use. Problems often arise due to minor issues: low router batteries, outdated printer firmware, or IP address conflicts.

Here mandatory checklist before the start:

• 🔌 Printer power supply: connect Canon MG3640S Plug it into a power outlet and turn on the power button. Make sure the indicator light on the panel is green (not flashing orange, which indicates an error).
• 📶 Router: Check that the router is turned on and is distributing the network at the frequency 2.4 GHzThe printer does not support 5 GHzIf you have a dual-band router, temporarily disable the network. 5 GHz in the settings.
• 💻 Computer: Update your operating system to the latest version. For Windows use Settings → Update & Security, For MacOS — System Settings → Software Update.
• 📡 DistancePlace the printer no more than 5 meters from the router. Walls and metal objects can weaken the signal.

If you have previously connected the printer via USB, disconnect the cable — it may be blocking Wi-Fi settings. Also, remove old drivers. Canon through Control Panel → Programs and Features (V Windows) to avoid conflicts.

⚠️ Attention: If your router uses hidden SSID (network name not broadcast), printer MG3640S It won't be able to connect to it automatically. In this case, manual configuration will be required through the printer's control panel.

2. Method 1: Connecting via WPS (the fastest method)

Technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) allows you to connect your printer to the network without entering a password—just press a button on the router. This method works if your router supports WPS (usually marked with a 🔄 icon or the text WPS).

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Make sure the printer Canon MG3640S is turned on and is in standby mode (the green light is steady).
2. Press and hold the button Wi-Fi on the printer panel (on the right) for 3 seconds until the indicator starts flashing blue.
3. For 2 minutes press the button WPS on the router. Hold it down for 5-10 seconds.
4. Wait until the Wi-Fi indicator on the printer stops blinking and turns blue - this means the connection is successful.

If the indicator continues to flash for more than 2 minutes or turns orange, repeat the procedure. Possible causes of the failure:

• 🔄 The router does not support WPS (check the model documentation).
• ⏱️ The time between pressing buttons on the printer and router exceeded 2 minutes.
• 🔒 MAC address filtering is enabled on the network (disable it in your router settings).

3. Method 2: Connecting via Canon IJ Network Tool

If WPS doesn't work or your router doesn't support this feature, use the proprietary utility. Canon IJ Network ToolIt automatically finds the printer on the network and sets up the connection. You can download it from official Canon website (section "Support → Drivers and Downloads").

Algorithm of actions:

1. Install the utility on your computer and launch it. In the main window, click Setting up.
2. Select your printer MG3640S from the list (if it is not there, click Refresh).
3. Click Connecting via wireless network and select your Wi-Fi network from the list.
4. Enter your Wi-Fi password and confirm the settings. Wait for a message confirming a successful connection.

If the utility does not see the printer:

• 🔌 Make sure the printer is turned on and in Wi-Fi setup mode (the indicator light is flashing blue).
• 🔒 Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software—they may be blocking communication with the printer.
• 📡 Make sure your computer and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

4. Method 3: Manual connection via the printer panel

This method is useful if the first two didn't work or you don't have access to a computer. Setup is performed directly on the printer using its display and buttons.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Press the button on the printer Setup (gear).
2. Using buttons ▲/▼ select an item Device settings (Device Settings) and press OK.
3. Go to LAN settings (Network Settings) → Wireless LAN setup (Wireless network setup).
4. Select Standard setup (Default setting). The printer will begin searching for available networks.
5. Find your Wi-Fi network in the list and enter the password using the buttons (use ▲/▼/◄/► to select characters).
6. Confirm your input and wait for the message Connected (Connected).

If your network does not appear in the list:

• 📡 Check that your router is broadcasting the network at the correct frequency 2.4 GHz (the printer doesn't see it) 5 GHz).
• 🔍 Make sure the network name (SSID) does not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces - this may cause an error.
• 🔄 Restart your router and printer, then try searching again.

What should I do if my printer asks me to enter the IP address manually?

If your network uses static IP addresses (not DHCP), select Manual setup and enter the data: IP address (for example, 192.168.0.100), subnet mask (255.255.255.0), gateway (192.168.0.1) and DNS (usually the same as the gateway).

5. Installing drivers and setting up printing on a computer

After connecting the printer to Wi-Fi, you need to install drivers on your computer. Without them, the system will not be able to recognize the device and send print jobs.

For Windows 10/11:

1. Download drivers from Canon website (section "Support → Drivers"). For MG3640S choose a package MG3600 series Full Driver & Software Package.
2. Run the installer and follow the instructions. When selecting the connection type, specify Wireless connection.
3. After installation, go to Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners and check that Canon MG3640S is displayed in the list.

For MacOS:

1. Download the driver Canon IJ Printer Driver for your system version.
2. Install the package and restart your computer.
3. Open System Preferences → Printers & Scanners, click + and select MG3640S from the list.

Checking the connection:

• 📄 Send a test document to print (for example, a page from Notepad).
• 🖨️ If printing does not start, check the printer status in the job queue (in Windows — Control Panel → Devices and Printers).
• 🔄 Restart your printer and computer if the document is stuck in the queue.

⚠️ AttentionIf your printer prints with stripes or distortions after installing the drivers, update the device's firmware. Update instructions are provided in the next section.

6. Updating firmware and solving common problems

Outdated firmware can cause Wi-Fi issues, printing errors, or incompatibility with newer versions of Windows/MacOS. It is recommended to update your printer firmware at least once a year.

How to update firmware Canon MG3640S:

1. Download the latest firmware version from Canon website (section "Support → Firmware").
2. Connect the printer to the computer via USB (even if you usually use Wi-Fi).
3. Run the firmware file and follow the instructions. Do not disconnect the printer from the network or USB during the process!
4. After updating, reboot the printer and check the firmware version through the menu. Setup → Device settings → Firmware version.

Common problems and their solutions:

If the printer still does not work, reset the network settings:

1. On the printer, press Setup → Device settings → LAN settings → Reset network.
2. Confirm the reset and repeat the Wi-Fi setup from scratch.

7. Additional features: printing from mobile devices

Printer Canon MG3640S supports printing from smartphones and tablets via apps Canon PRINT (For Android/iOS) and cloud printing services such as Google Cloud Print or Apple AirPrint.

How to set up printing from your phone:

• 📱 Install the application Canon PRINT from App Store or Google Play.
• 🔍 Launch the app and select Add a printerThe utility will automatically find MG3640S on your Wi-Fi network.
• 🖼️ To print photos or documents, select a file from your gallery or cloud storage and send it to the printer.

For Apple AirPrint (only for iPhone/iPad):

1. Make sure the printer and device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Open a document or photo, click Share → Seal.
3. Select Canon MG3640S from the list of printers and confirm printing.

If the printer does not appear in the app:

• 🔄 Restart your printer and smartphone.
• 📡 Make sure both devices are connected to the same network (for example, not to the router's guest network).
• 🔒 Disable this feature in your router settings AP Isolation (client isolation), if enabled.

8. Security: How to protect your printer on the network

Wi-Fi-connected printers can become a vulnerable link in your home network. Attackers can intercept documents sent to print or use the device to attack other devices. Follow these recommendations to stay secure. Canon MG3640S:

Basic protective measures:

• 🔐 Change the default administrator password on the printer control panel (Setup → Device settings → Admin password).
• 📡 Disable the feature WPS on the router after setup - it is vulnerable to hacking.
• 🔄 Update your printer firmware regularly (how to do this is described in section 6).
• 🖥️ Enable MAC address filtering in your router settings and add only trusted devices to the list.

Additional settings for advanced users:

• 🌐 Set up VLAN for the printer in the router to isolate it from other devices.
• 🔒 Disable protocols FTP And Telnet in the printer settings (if not used).
• 📊 Enable print logging (Setup → Preferences → Print log) to monitor suspicious activity.

⚠️ Attention: If you use a printer in your office, set it up guest network for visitors and connect MG3640S to the main network. This will prevent unauthorized access to confidential documents.

To check security:

1. Run a network scan using apps like Fing (For Android/iOS) or Advanced IP Scanner (For Windows).
2. Make sure the printer does not appear in the list of devices with open ports (for example, 9100 or 631).
3. If the ports are open, close them in the router or printer settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

The printer is connected to Wi-Fi, but the computer can't see it. What should I do?

1. Make sure that the computer and printer are on the same network. For example, if the computer is connected to the network Home_5G, and the printer is to Home_2.4G, they will not see each other.

2. Make sure that the drivers for the device are installed on your computer. MG3640SDownload them from Canon website.

3. In Windows go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers and press Add a printer. Select Add a printer by TCP/IP address and enter the printer IP (can be found in the printer menu: Setup → LAN settings → Confirm LAN settings).

Is it possible to connect Canon MG3640S to Wi-Fi without a computer?

Yes, this is possible in two ways:

1. Through WPS (if your router supports this feature). Press the button WPS on the router, then the button Wi-Fi on the printer and hold it for 3 seconds.
2. Through printer panelGo to . Setup → LAN settings → Wireless LAN setup → Standard setup and select your network manually.

Once connected, you can print from your smartphone via the app. Canon PRINT.

My printer is producing streaks or distorted print. What's causing this?

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🖨️ Out of ink: Check the cartridge level in the printer menu (Setup → Ink information).
• 🧹 The print heads are clogged: run cleaning via Setup → Maintenance → Deep cleaning.
• 📄 Incorrect quality settings: In the print driver, select High quality instead of Draft.
• 🔧 Outdated firmware: Update your printer software (instructions in section 6).

If the problem persists, try printing a test page (Setup → Test print) - this will help determine whether it is a hardware fault.

How do I reset my printer's Wi-Fi settings?

To reset network settings Canon MG3640S:

1. Click the button Setup on the printer.
2. Go to Device settings → LAN settings → Reset network.
3. Confirm the reset by pressing Yes.

After resetting, the printer will forget all saved Wi-Fi networks and you will need to set up the connection again.

Can this printer be connected to a public network (for example, in a cafe)?

Technically yes, but there are limitations:

• 🔒 Most public networks require authorization via a web page (for example, entering a username/password). Printer MG3640S does not support this type of connection.
• 📡 If the network is open (no password), the printer will connect, but printing may be blocked by the network administrator.
• 🛡️ Security risk: Data is transmitted unencrypted on public networks, making it possible for documents sent to be printed to be intercepted.

We recommend using USB cable or mobile hotspot (smartphone in modem mode) for printing in such conditions.