Wireless printing of documents and photos is a convenience that modern users have become accustomed to, allowing them to get rid of unnecessary wires and place equipment anywhere in the apartment. Model Canon Pixma MG3640s It's one of the most popular budget MFPs, but its initial setup often presents difficulties for beginners due to the lack of a screen on the device's body. Establishing the connection between a laptop and printer requires attention to detail, as success depends on the correct sequence of steps and up-to-date software.
In this guide, we'll cover all the details of setting up a wireless connection, from checking your hardware to installing specialized drivers. You don't need to be an IT professional to complete these steps; simply follow the steps. We'll cover both automatic setup methods and manual configuration via WPS, and we'll also highlight common errors that occur when trying to pair devices.
Preparing equipment and checking the network
Before starting the procedure, you need to make sure that your laptop and router are working correctly, and that the printer itself is physically ready for use. Make sure that wireless module The laptop is activated and is already connected to the home Wi-Fi network you plan to use for printing. Canon Pixma MG3640s must be plugged into a power outlet and the cartridges installed in their slots, as without them the device may not enter the ready-to-setup mode.
Pay attention to the indicators on the printer's control panel: the power button should be solid, and the wireless indicator (antenna icon) may blink or be off until setup begins. If the Wi-Fi indicator is blinking, this means the device is waiting for a connection or has lost connection to the router. It's important that the laptop and printer are within a strong signal range, preferably in the same room as the router, during setup.
It's also a good idea to download the driver installation package from the manufacturer's official website in advance if you don't have an installation disc, as software versions on discs often become outdated. Modern operating systems, such as Windows 10 or 11, may attempt to find drivers automatically, but for full functionality, you'll need to do so. MG3640s It's better to use proprietary software Canon IJ Network Tool.
⚠️ Important: Make sure your router is broadcasting in the 2.4 GHz range, as many budget printer models, including the Pixma series, do not support the 5 GHz frequency during initial setup.
Activating wireless network mode on the printer
The first step to a successful connection is to put the MFP itself into Wi-Fi setup mode. On the control panel Canon Pixma MG3640s Find the button with the antenna icon (Wireless). Press and hold this button until the Power indicator starts flashing, then release it. Immediately afterward, press the Black button to activate Direct Connection or Network Search mode.
After completing these steps, the wireless (Antenna) light should start blinking, indicating the printer is ready for pairing. If the light turns solid, the device already remembers some network settings and needs to be reset. To reset network settings, press and hold the wireless button until the power light blinks, then press the Color button.
There's an alternative method for activating via the menu if the described method doesn't work the first time. Some firmware versions require you to press a button. Setup (if it is available in your version of the panel) or use a combination of buttons to enter the service menu. However, for the model MG3640s The standard protocol is to use buttons on the front panel without a display.
Using WPS technology for quick setup
The easiest way to connect a printer Canon Pixma MG3640s To connect to a laptop via Wi-Fi, use WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) technology if your router supports it. This method allows you to transfer network parameters (name and password) automatically, without having to enter them manually. Look for a button labeled "WPS" on your router. WPS and press it.
Within two minutes of pressing the router button, go to the printer and press the wireless button on its panel. Hold the button until the power light flashes, then release. The printer's Wi-Fi light should start flashing and then turn solid, indicating a successful connection to the router.
Once the printer's indicator light is solid, you can proceed to installing the drivers on your laptop. A computer connected to the same Wi-Fi network will now "see" the printer on the local network. Run the Canon driver installer you downloaded earlier and select "Wireless LAN Connection." The program will automatically detect the device by its MAC address or model name.
What to do if there is no WPS button on the router?
If there's no physical button, log into your router's web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and find the WPS section in the wireless network settings. There you'll find a virtual activation button or a PIN code you'll need to enter.
Manual installation of drivers and software
If automatic connection doesn't occur or you prefer full control over the process, use the manual installation method via USB cable to transfer the initial Wi-Fi settings. Connect the printer to your laptop using a USB cable (usually included or purchased separately, type AB). Run the driver installation file downloaded from the official Canon website for your model. MG3640s.
During the installation process, the program will prompt you to select a connection type. Select "Wireless LAN connection." Next, the installer will ask you to select a setup method: "Direct connection" or "Via access point." Select "Connect via access point" because we want the printer to work on your home network, not create its own.
The program will prompt you to temporarily connect a USB cable, if you haven't already, to transfer the Wi-Fi settings (SSID and password) from your laptop to the printer. Once the data is transferred, you can disconnect the cable. Make sure your home network is selected in the list of networks, not a neighboring network with a similar name.
☑️ Check before installing drivers
Setup via Canon IJ Network Tool
For more in-depth configuration and problem diagnosis, it is recommended to use the utility Canon IJ Network Tool, which is installed along with the full driver package. This tool allows you to manage the printer's network settings, check the connection status, and change security settings. Launch the program from the Start menu in the Canon Utilities folder.
In the main program window, you'll see a list of available devices. If the printer is displayed but the status is "Not Connected," select it and click "Setup." In the window that opens, go to the "Wireless LAN" tab and select "Change Settings."
Here you can manually enter the IP address if DHCP isn't supported on your network, or check the signal strength. This menu also includes the "Print Network Information" function, which will print a report with current connection parameters, including the IP address, MAC address, and signal strength. This is useful for troubleshooting if your laptop isn't detecting your printer.
| Parameter | Description | Where to find |
|---|---|---|
| SSID | Your wireless network name | On the router or in the laptop's Wi-Fi settings |
| IP address | The printer's unique address on the network | In print report or IJ Network Tool |
| WPA Key | Wi-Fi network password | On the router sticker or in the provider's contract |
| MAC address | Physical address of the network interface | On a sticker on the back of the printer or in a report |
Solving common connection problems
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users often encounter a situation where the laptop does not detect Canon Pixma MG3640sOne common cause is that the laptop and printer are connected to different networks. For example, one device is on a guest network or a 5 GHz band that the printer can't see. Check that both devices are on the same subnet.
Another common issue is a connection blocked by Windows Firewall or antivirus software. When installing drivers, the security system may request permission to access the network. You must allow the Canon app to access both private and public networks, otherwise the device search will fail.
If the Wi-Fi indicator on your printer continues to blink and doesn't stay lit, try rebooting your router. Routers sometimes freeze and fail to assign new IP addresses to connected devices. Also, make sure your network name (SSID) doesn't contain Cyrillic characters, as older printer models may not process them correctly.
⚠️ Note: If you change your Wi-Fi password or router, you will need to re-configure the wireless network on the printer, as the old data in its memory will become outdated.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can the Canon MG3640s be connected to 5GHz Wi-Fi?
Model Canon Pixma MG3640s Only supports the 802.11 b/g/n standard, which operates in the 2.4 GHz band. If your router only broadcasts 5 GHz, the printer won't see the network. You'll need to enable 2.4 GHz broadcasting in your router's settings.
What should I do if the orange alarm indicator is on?
An orange light typically indicates an error: out of ink, a paper jam, or an open cover. Before setting up Wi-Fi, make sure all errors have been resolved and only the green power light is lit.
Do I need to remove the USB cable after setup?
Yes, after successfully transferring the Wi-Fi settings, you can and should disconnect the USB cable if you plan to use wireless printing. Keeping the cable connected permanently puts the printer in direct connection mode with the PC.
How do I reset network settings on a printer?
To reset the printer, press and hold the wireless button on the printer's control panel until the power light flashes, then press the color copy button. This will restore the network settings to factory defaults.