Modern technology allows you to do away with bulky cables and print documents or photos directly from your smartphone, from anywhere in your home. Canon Pixma MG3640 MFP While the device is one of the most popular models in its class, its initial setup process often raises questions among users. If you've just unpacked the device or changed your internet provider, you'll need to re-enter your network settings.
Wireless connection allows access to the function Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY, turning your phone into a powerful printer remote control. It's important to understand that successful synchronization depends not only on the device itself but also on the correct settings of your router. In this article, we'll walk you through all the connection steps in detail, eliminating common errors.
Before you begin any active activities, make sure your smartphone and printer are within range of a strong signal. Wi-Fi router It must be working reliably, and you must know the password for your home network. Ignoring these basic requirements may result in the lights on the control panel blinking endlessly without establishing a connection.
Preparing equipment and checking the network
The first step is to physically prepare the device for wireless operation. Make sure that Canon Pixma MG3640 Ink cartridges are installed and paper is loaded in the tray. Printers in this series often block scanning and printing functions if consumables are missing, even if you're only setting up the network.
Turn on the device by pressing the power button and wait for the self-test cycle to complete. The power indicator on the control panel will illuminate, and the alarm indicator may also start flashing if the shipping straps have been removed. Wait until the device enters standby mode, characterized by a quiet hum and a green indicator light.
Now check your smartphone. Go to your Wi-Fi settings and make sure you're connected to the network you plan to connect the printer to. If you have a dual-band router, select the network without "5G" in the name. This is critical, as communication protocol the old model simply won't see the high frequency signal.
⚠️ Note: If you're using a corporate network or public Wi-Fi with web-based authentication (captive portal), you won't be able to connect to the printer directly. These networks require you to enter your username and password in your browser, which isn't possible through the printer interface.
Activating wireless mode on the printer
To start the setup you need to translate Canon Pixma MG3640 Enter network search mode. On the control panel, look for a button with a smartphone image or a wireless icon. Pressing this button initiates the Wi-Fi activation process inside the device.
After pressing the button, the power light should start blinking. This means the printer has entered setup mode. Now you need to press and hold the wireless button (often combined with the direct print function) until the power light stops blinking and turns solid, and the wireless light starts blinking.
☑️ Check Wi-Fi activation
There is an alternative activation method using a button combination if the standard one doesn't work. Press the button Wireless, then the button Black (black print) or Color (color printing), and then the button again WirelessAfter this sequence, select the network setup option if it is displayed on the screen, although the MG3640 does not have a screen and all control is carried out through the blinking indicators.
It's important to watch for the wireless indicator to start blinking slowly. This means the device is ready to pair and is searching for a connection command. If the indicator remains solid, the printer is already connected to a network and needs to be reset.
Using the Canon PRINT app to set up
The most reliable configuration method is to use the official application. Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHYIt's available on Google Play and the App Store. Download and install the app on your smartphone, making sure it's connected to your home Wi-Fi.
Launch the app and click the add printer icon, usually located in the upper-left or lower-left corner of the interface. The app will begin searching for available devices. If you followed the previous steps correctly, your printer will appear in the list. Canon MG3640.
Follow the instructions on your smartphone screen. The app will prompt you to select your Wi-Fi network from the list of available ones. Enter the router password. Pay attention to the case of letters and special characters, as password must be entered absolutely accurately. Even a single character error will result in connection failure.
During the setup process, the app may ask you to confirm the action by pressing a button on the printer itself. Watch the indicator lights: if they turn green and stop flashing, the connection has been established successfully. The app will transfer all necessary network parameters (SSID and encryption key) directly to the device's memory.
WPS method: quick connection without password
If your router supports the technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup), you can connect your printer without entering a password. This significantly simplifies the process and eliminates typing errors. Check the router housing: there should be a button marked accordingly or with an icon of two arrows.
To start the WPS method, press and hold the button Wireless on the printer's control panel until the power light starts flashing. Then press the button Black or ColorThe wireless indicator will start flashing, indicating that it is ready to pair.
Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router. A short press is usually sufficient, but some models require holding for several seconds. After this, the lights on the printer and router should stop flashing rapidly and turn solid, indicating a successful encryption key exchange.
| Indicator | State | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Power | Flashing | Setup mode / Waiting for command |
| Wi-Fi (Wireless Network) | Flashing | Searching for a network or connecting process |
| Wi-Fi (Wireless Network) | It's on constantly | Successful connection to the network |
| Alarm | Flashing orange | Connection error or no ink |
The WPS method is especially convenient if you have a complex Wi-Fi password containing many special characters. However, it's worth remembering that this method is less secure in terms of network protection, although the risks are minimal for home use.
Solution and reset
Sometimes the setup process doesn't go smoothly. If the wireless indicator blinks orange or continues to blink green for more than 3-5 minutes, the connection has failed. In this case, you'll need to reset network settings on the printer.
To reset, press and hold the button Wireless until the power indicator flashes once, then release the button and immediately press the button Black or Color. After that, press the button again. WirelessThe indicators should flash, confirming that the network settings have been reset to factory defaults.
Why doesn't the printer see the network?
Often, the problem lies in a hidden SSID (network name). If your router is configured for an invisible network, the printer won't be able to find it automatically. You'll have to manually enter the network name through the app or use WPS.
Also check if MAC address filtering is enabled on your router. If this feature is enabled, you need to find the printer's MAC address (it's printed on a sticker on the back of the device or can be obtained by printing a network settings report) and add it to the router's whitelist.
⚠️ Please note: Router interfaces and app versions are updated regularly. Button locations and menu item names may differ from those described. If you cannot find the option you need, please refer to your specific router's documentation or update the Canon PRINT app to the latest version.
Printing a test page and final check
After a successful connection, it's recommended to verify that the data is being transferred correctly. Open any document or photo on your smartphone and select the print option. Make sure that your printer is selected. Canon Pixma MG3640.
If the print was successful, confirm the result by printing a connection report. To do this, click the button Wireless once to make the power indicator light up, then press the button Black or Color twice. The printer will print a page with technical data, including the IP address and connection status.
Now you can print from any device on the same Wi-Fi network. Computers, tablets, and other smartphones will automatically detect the printer on the network if they have the appropriate drivers or app installed.
Additional stability recommendations
To ensure stable operation Canon Pixma MG3640 When using wireless mode, try not to place the device too far from the router. Walls, especially load-bearing ones, and household appliances (microwaves, refrigerators) can interfere with the signal.
Regularly update your printer firmware if available through the app. Updates often contain fixes for communication protocol errors, which is especially important when your provider upgrades your equipment or installs a new router.
If you plan to use your printer infrequently, turn it on at least once a week to clean the nozzles and check the network connection. Extended periods of inactivity can cause the ink to dry out and network settings to be lost during power outages.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can the Canon MG3640 be connected to a 5G Wi-Fi network?
No, the MG3640 model is equipped with a Wi-Fi module that only supports the 2.4 GHz standard (802.11b/g/n). To connect, make sure your router is broadcasting a 2.4 GHz network and your phone is temporarily connected to it during the setup process.
What should I do if the app doesn't find the printer?
Make sure location services (GPS) and Bluetooth are enabled on your phone, as modern versions of Android require location permission to search for devices on the local network. Also, make sure your phone and printer are on the same subnet.
How to find out the IP address of a printer without printing a report?
In the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app, go to the connected printer's settings. Network connection information, including the IP address, is often displayed there. Alternatively, you can view the Client List in your router's settings.
The printer prints very slowly over Wi-Fi, what is the reason?
Slow printing may be caused by a weak Wi-Fi signal, a large distance from the router, or a busy Wi-Fi channel due to other devices. Try moving the router closer or changing the broadcast channel in the router settings to a less crowded one.