How to connect a Canon Pixma MG3640S printer to your phone via Wi-Fi

Modern technologies allow you to do without unnecessary wires and print documents or photos directly from your smartphone, from anywhere in the apartment. Model Canon Pixma MG3640S It's one of the most popular budget solutions supporting wireless printing, but initial setup often raises questions among users. The main difficulty lies in the lack of a display on the device, which requires a specific method for entering the router password.

In this article, we will look at all the available methods for synchronizing your mobile device with an MFP, including using a proprietary application and technology Wi-Fi DirectYou'll learn how to properly activate network search mode, which drivers are required for stable operation, and how to avoid common connection errors. Proper setup will allow you to scan documents to the cloud and print high-quality images without a computer.

Before starting the process, make sure your MFP is turned on and there is paper in the tray. For a successful connection, the phone and printer must be within range of the router's signal, preferably in the same room. If you plan to use direct printing technology without a router, you don't need internet access on your phone, but for standard setup via the app, a stable connection is critical.

Equipment preparation and compatibility testing

The first step before starting setup is to check the basic readiness of the hardware for wireless operation. Ensure the cartridges are installed correctly and the protective orange tape is removed from all internal mechanisms. Without this preparatory step, the software may fail to detect the device or return false errors during driver installation.

For owners of smartphones based on Android And iOS You should ensure you have enough free memory space to install the dedicated app. It's also worth checking your operating system version, as older versions may not support the modern encryption protocols used by your router. We recommend updating your smartphone to the latest version before beginning the process.

Particular attention should be paid to the frequency range of your Wi-Fi router. Model Canon Pixma MG3640S It operates exclusively in the 2.4 GHz band and doesn't detect the 5 GHz network. If your router broadcasts both networks under the same name, this may cause conflicts during automatic detection, so temporarily separate them or use the 2.4 GHz guest network.

⚠️ Caution: If the power indicator is flashing and the wireless button is not lit, the device may be in deep sleep mode. Press the power button once to wake it up, but do not turn it off completely.

To check compatibility and prepare a list of required software, use the following table:

Activating wireless network mode on the printer

In order for the phone to see the printer, you need to put the device itself into connection standby mode. On the control panel Canon Pixma MG3640S The button with the image of a smartphone is responsible for this. Clicking it initiates the process of searching for previously used networks or preparing for a new setup.

There are two main ways to activate the device: through the menu or with a button combination. The first method is more intuitive but requires attention, while the second is quicker if you're familiar with the sequence of actions. In either case, the wireless indicator should start blinking, indicating it's ready to pair.

Let's look at the step-by-step algorithm for manually launching the setup mode:

• 📱 Press and hold the button Direct (smartphone) until the power indicator flashes.
• 📶 Release the button when the wireless indicator (antenna) starts flashing blue.
• 🔊 Wait for the network settings report to print if the printer asks you to confirm the action with the button Black or Color.

What should I do if the indicator light is flashing too fast?

If the indicator light is flashing rapidly, it may indicate a connection error. Try moving the router further away or, conversely, bringing the printer closer to the signal source. Sometimes, temporarily disabling MAC address filtering on the router helps.

Once the mode is activated, the device creates its own access point or enters search mode. If you're using the WPS method, you'll need to press the corresponding button on the router at this point. For manual setup via phone, this step is a preparatory step before launching the app.

Setup via the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app

The most functional way to manage printing is to use the official application Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHYIt's available on Google Play and the App Store and provides full access to all MFP functions, including scanning and checking ink levels. Installing this software significantly simplifies entering the Wi-Fi network password, as the app can automatically transfer it.

After downloading and installing the app, launch it and allow access to geolocation and local network. These permissions are required for the app to scan the air and find available printers. Without these permissions, the "Add a device" button may be grayed out or the search may take forever.

The process for adding a device is as follows: tap the "+" or "Add Printer" icon in the main menu. The app will prompt you to select a connection method. Select "Set up a new device" and follow the on-screen instructions. You'll be prompted to select your home Wi-Fi network from the list and enter the password.

It's important not to confuse the steps: first, the phone connects to the printer, and then the printer receives data from the phone to connect to the router. If the process is interrupted midway, you may need to reset the network settings on the MFP itself by holding the wireless button for 3 seconds.

⚠️ Note: The app interface may be updated. If you don't see the buttons described, look for the "Device Settings" or "Wireless LAN Setup" section in the menu.

Using Wi-Fi Direct for printing

Technology Wi-Fi Direct Allows you to print without a router by creating a direct connection between your phone and printer. This is ideal for guests or situations where your home network is unavailable. In this mode Canon Pixma MG3640S acts as an access point to which your smartphone connects.

To activate this mode, press the button Direct on the printer's control panel. The wireless indicator will light up, and your printer's name, usually beginning with "Canon MG...," will appear in the list of available Wi-Fi networks on your phone's screen. The default connection password is often found on a sticker under the lid or in the instructions, or you can find it by printing a network settings report.

Benefits of using a direct connection:

• 🚀 High data transfer speed when printing large files, since traffic does not go through the router.
• 🔒 Security, as the connection is established only between two trusted devices.
• 📉 No load on the main home network, which is important when a large number of connected gadgets are connected.

Once the printer is connected to the network, open the app or gallery, select a photo, and tap "Print." The system will prompt you to select a driver or plugin if it hasn't already been installed automatically. After printing is complete, remember to return to your phone's Wi-Fi settings and reconnect to your primary network to access the internet.

Solving common connection problems

Even if you follow all the instructions, you may still encounter situations where your phone doesn't detect the printer or the connection keeps dropping. Most often, the problem lies in the router's security settings or a temporary glitch in the network modules. Don't panic; most issues can be resolved with a simple reboot or changing a single setting.

One common cause is the enabled "AP Isolation" feature on the router, which prevents devices on the same network from seeing each other. Also, check if your router has MAC address filtering enabled, which could block the new device. In such cases, the printer will see the network but won't be able to obtain an IP address.

Troubleshooting checklist:

• 🔄 Restart your router, printer, and phone one by one, starting with the modem.
• 📶 Make sure your phone is connected to a 2.4 GHz network, not 5 GHz.
• 🛡️ Temporarily disable your phone's firewall or antivirus software if they are blocking local connections.

If all else fails, perform a full reset of the printer's network settings. To do this, press and hold the wireless button until the power light flashes, then release it. This will reset the network module to factory settings and allow you to start setup again.

Alternative methods and cloud printing

In addition to direct tuning, the model Canon Pixma MG3640S supports cloud technologies such as Google Cloud Print (although support is gradually being phased out, some features still work through successors) and Apple AirPrintAirPrint allows you to print from your iPhone and iPad without installing any drivers, as long as the devices are on the same network.

To use AirPrint, both devices need to be connected to the same router. Open a document or photo on your iPhone, tap "Share," and select "Print." The system will automatically find a compatible printer. This is the easiest method for Apple owners, requiring no additional steps.

Cloud printing is also possible if the printer has been pre-registered on the manufacturer's website. This allows you to print documents remotely from another country, as long as the printer is turned on and connected to the internet. However, for home printing, this method may be unnecessary and slower than a local connection.

The method you choose depends on your needs: Wi-Fi Direct is ideal for a one-time photo print from a guest's phone, while for everyday office or school work, it's better to set up a landline connection via an app.

Why doesn't the printer see the 5 GHz network?

The Wi-Fi module in the Canon Pixma MG3640S doesn't physically support the 802.11ac/ax (5 GHz) standard. It only operates at 2.4 GHz. If your router combines both networks under a single name, try separating them in the router settings (for example, by adding the suffix "_2.4" to the network name) and connect your phone to that network during setup.

How to find out the IP address of a printer?

To obtain the IP address, press and hold the wireless button on the printer until the power light comes on, then release. The printer will print a network settings report with the required address listed in the IPv4 Address line. You can also view the address in the Canon PRINT app under Device Information.

Is it possible to connect a printer to a computer via Wi-Fi?

Yes, this is possible. After setting up Wi-Fi on the printer (via phone or the WPS button), your computer should see it as a network device. In Windows, go to "Devices and Printers" -> "Add a printer" and select your Canon MG3640S from the list of network devices. Drivers may be installed automatically through Windows Update.