Modern office and home tasks require high mobility, and having a cable to connect printing equipment often becomes an unnecessary inconvenience. Model Canon PIXMA MG3640S This popular multifunctional device allows you to wirelessly print documents and photos from any computer within range. Properly configured, the connection eliminates the need to carry your laptop to the printer or run cables across the room.
Integrating a device into a local network may seem complicated at first glance, but if you follow the steps, it only takes a few minutes. In this article, we'll cover every step in detail: from checking the hardware buttons to installing specialized software. You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes and ensure a stable connection between your laptop and MFP.
Before beginning the active setup phase, you need to ensure your equipment is fully operational. This is a fundamental step, and ignoring it often leads to failures in later configuration stages.
Preparatory stage and equipment testing
The first step is to physically check the system components. Make sure the printer Canon MG3640S The power supply is plugged in and operational, as indicated by the power indicator light. You should also check that the ink cartridges are installed correctly and the paper tray is open, as some models perform a self-test when turned on.
A working router is crucial for a successful connection. Your laptop and printer must be within range of a strong wireless network signal. If you are using a laptop with an operating system Windows or macOS, make sure that the Wi-Fi module on your computer is active and connected to the same network to which you plan to connect the printer.
Pay attention to the control panel of the MFP itself. It contains two main buttons necessary for setup: the power button and the wireless connection button, marked with an antenna icon. Interacting with these controls will be key during the setup process.
⚠️ Attention: If your router supports dual-band mode (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), make sure your laptop is connected to the 2.4 GHz network. Most printer models, including the MG series, do not detect 5 GHz networks during initial setup.
Activating wireless mode on the printer
In order for the laptop to “see” the printing device, it is necessary to translate Canon MG3640S Enter network search mode. Press and hold the wireless connection button (antenna icon) on the control panel until the power indicator flashes once. This activates Wi-Fi setup mode.
After the power indicator flashes, release the button and immediately press the "Black" or "Color" button. At this point, the wireless indicator should begin flashing, indicating the device is searching for available networks. If the indicator remains solid, the device is already connected to a network, and it's best to reset the old settings before setting up a new one.
There's an alternative way to activate pairing mode if the standard method doesn't work. You can use a key combination by holding down the Stop/Reset button and the wireless button simultaneously. Keep holding them for about 5 seconds until the indicators light up accordingly.
☑️ Checking printer readiness
It's important to understand that at this point, the printer isn't yet connected to the internet; it's simply broadcasting a signal indicating it's ready for configuration. From then on, control of the process passes to the software on your computer.
Installing drivers and software
To fully operate in wireless mode, the laptop's operating system requires special drivers. Although basic functions can be enabled automatically through standard system tools, to unlock the full potential MFP (Multi-Function Printer) requires a full package of utilities from the manufacturer.
We recommend downloading software exclusively from the official Canon support website. Enter your device model in the search bar. MG3640SThe system will prompt you to select an operating system; make sure the Windows or macOS version is detected correctly.
Download the installation file, usually called "Drivers for MP Drivers" or "Full Driver & Software Package." Run the downloaded executable file. During installation, the program will prompt you to select a connection type. Select "Wireless LAN connection."
⚠️ Attention: Do not connect the USB cable between the printer and laptop during Wi-Fi driver installation unless specifically instructed to do so. Connecting the USB cable may disrupt the wireless network search process and redirect the installation to the local port.
The setup program will automatically detect the printer, which is in setup mode (the Wi-Fi indicator is blinking). If the device is found, the setup wizard will prompt you to select your home network from the list and enter the Wi-Fi password. Enter the password carefully, being careful not to overwrite the letters.
What to do if the driver is not found?
If the automatic search fails, try temporarily connecting the printer via USB cable for the initial network setup. After the Wi-Fi settings are successfully transferred, you can disconnect the cable, and the device will continue to operate wirelessly.
Setup via WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)
There is a faster connection method that doesn't require manually entering a password or searching for networks in the driver menu. This method is called WPS It works if your router supports this technology. Most modern routers have a physical button labeled "WPS" or marked with two arrows.
To use this method, press the WPS button on your router. Within two minutes, press and hold the wireless button on the printer. Canon MG3640Suntil the power light flashes. Then press the "Black and White" or "Color" copy button.
The device will automatically exchange encryption keys with the router. The wireless indicator on the printer will stop blinking and remain solid, indicating a successful connection. You can now install the drivers on your laptop by selecting the appropriate connection type.
This method is especially convenient if you don't know your Wi-Fi network password or it's too complex to enter. However, if your router is old or WPS is disabled in its security settings, this method won't work.
Solving common connection problems
Even if you follow all the instructions, you may still encounter situations where your laptop doesn't see the printer or the connection constantly drops. One common cause is using a guest Wi-Fi network. Make sure both your laptop and printer are connected to the main network, not the guest network, as client isolation in guest mode prevents the devices from seeing each other.
Another common issue is antivirus software or a firewall, which can block network device detection. Try temporarily disabling the firewall while installing drivers and printing for the first time. If this helps, add the printer to the exceptions list.
If the printer lost its network settings after turning off the router, the device's IP address may have changed. In this case, reconnecting using the Canon IJ Network Tool utility, which is installed with the drivers, can help. It allows you to rescan the network and assign a static IP address, which will improve stability.
| Wi-Fi indicator status | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Blinking (slowly) | Network Search / Setup Mode | Run the driver installation on your PC |
| It's on constantly | Successful connection | You can print |
| It doesn't burn. | Wi-Fi is off | Press the wireless button |
| Flashing (frequently) | Connection error | Check your router password and settings |
It's also worth keeping in mind that the number of devices you can connect to your home network is limited by your router's capacity. If you have more than 10-15 devices connected, the printer may not receive an IP address due to the DHCP pool being full.
Using cloud technologies and mobile printing
Model Canon MG3640S supports technology Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY, which allows you to print documents and photos directly from your smartphone or tablet. To do this, you need to download the appropriate app for iOS or Android.
After installing the app, launch it and follow the on-screen instructions to add the printer. The app will automatically find the device on your local network. This is especially convenient for printing photos from social media or documents from cloud storage without using a computer.
Additionally, the device supports AirPrint for Apple devices and Mopria for Android devices. This means that when on the same Wi-Fi network, you can simply select "Print" from the menu of any document or photo on your phone, and the system will automatically suggest an available Canon printer.
To print remotely from anywhere in the world, you can register your device with the Canon Cloud service. This requires creating an account and linking the printer with a unique ID, which you can print as a test page.
Why doesn't the printer print after successful connection?
Often, the issue lies in the print queue status. Go to "Devices and Printers" on your laptop, select the Canon MG3640S, and check if the status is "Use printer offline." Also, make sure the correct port is selected (usually a WSD or IP address), and not a USB port if the cable isn't connected.
Is it possible to connect a printer to a 5 GHz network?
The MG3640S model only operates in the 2.4 GHz band. If your router is broadcasting a single network with a common name (Smart Connect), try separating the networks in the router settings or force a connection to the 2.4 GHz network from your laptop during setup.
How do I reset network settings on a printer?
To reset network settings, press and hold the wireless button on the control panel until the power indicator flashes twice. This will restore the network settings to factory defaults.
Do I need to turn on the printer before turning on the laptop?
It's best to have the printer turned on and ready to print before initiating printing tasks on your laptop. This will allow the operating system to correctly determine the device's status and avoid "Printer unavailable" errors.