Wireless printing saves time and eliminates cable clutter, but connecting a printer Canon PIXMA MG3640 Wi-Fi is often a concern. This model, released in 2015, is still popular due to its compact size and multifunctionality (printing/scanning/copying). However, its interface and connection protocol differ from modern devices—it lacks NFC or direct cloud printing, but it does support WPS and classic manual password entry.
In this article you will find 3 ways to connect (via WPS, standard Wi-Fi, and a USB cable), analysis of typical errors (for example, a blinking orange light or no network listed), and tips for setting up printing from a phone or laptop. We've taken into account the nuances of the latest printer firmware and current Wi-Fi network requirements (for example, not all routers support the outdated protocol). WEP, which is sometimes used by default).
If you have already tried to connect and encountered a problem, skip the general instructions and go straight to the section "Common errors and their solutions"There are collected Unique features for the MG3640, which are not included in standard manuals (for example, how to reset a printer's network settings without a computer).
Preparation: What you'll need before connecting
Before you begin setup, make sure you have everything you need. Without these components, the process may take longer or fail.
- 📶 A working Wi-Fi network with frequency
2.4 GHz(the printer does not support5 GHz). The network password must be known. - 🖨️ Canon MG3640 printer With charged cartridges and paper (for test printing). Make sure the power light is green.
- 💻 Computer or laptop with Windows/macOS (for installing drivers) or 📱 smartphone with the application Canon PRINT.
- 🔌 USB cable (included) - needed for an alternative connection method or software installation.
Please note: If your router is in wireless mode 802.11n/ac (5 GHz), temporarily switch it to 802.11b/g (2.4 GHz) or create a separate network for devices with limited frequency support. Canon MG3640 not compatible with modern standards Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E.
Also, make sure the printer is within range of the network (maximum 10 meters from the router without obstructions). If the signal is weak, temporarily move the printer closer to the router during setup.
Method 1: Connecting via WPS (the fastest method)
If your router supports the technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup), this method takes no more than a minute. The main requirement is that the WPS button on the router must be physical (not software-based in the web interface).
- Make sure the printer is turned on and located near the router.
- Press and hold the button
Wi-Fion the printer panel (front left) for 3 seconds until the indicator light starts flashing blue. - For 2 minutes press the button
WPSon the router (usually it is signed or marked with the 🔄 icon). - 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 blink for more than 2 minutes or turns orange, repeat the process. The router may not have time to process the request. Also, check that WPS isn't disabled in the router settings (sometimes this is done for security reasons).
Make sure your router supports WPS|
The printer is on and the power indicator is green|
The WPS button on the router is physical (not virtual)|
The distance between the printer and the router is no more than 5 meters-->
⚠️ Attention: Some providers (such as Rostelecom or Beeline) disable WPS by default on rented routers. If there's no button or it doesn't work, use the manual method (section below).
Method 2: Manually Enter the Wi-Fi Password
If WPS is unavailable or doesn't work, connect the printer manually. To do this, you'll need to enter the network name (SSID) and the password from the printer's control panel. The process is a bit longer, but more secure.
- Click the button
Setup(Settings) on the printer. - Use the arrow keys to select an item
Wireless LAN setup(Wireless Network Setup) and pressOK. - Select
Standard setup(Standard setting). - The printer will start searching for networks. Find your network in the list and click
OK. - Enter your password using the arrow keys (case-sensitive!). To switch between letters/numbers, use the button.
ABC/123. - After entering the password, click
OKand wait for the connection to complete. The Wi-Fi indicator should turn blue.
If your network does not appear in the list, check:
- 📡 Visibility
SSID(the network may be hidden, in which case you will need to enter the name manually). - 🔒 Encryption type (the printer only supports
WPA/WPA2-PSK, but notWPA3). - 📶 Network frequency (must be
2.4 GHz, and not5 GHz).
If the password is entered incorrectly, the printer will prompt you to try again. Error E33 (incorrect password) or E35 (no connection) means you need to start the process over again.
Method 3: Connecting via USB (Alternative Method)
If wireless methods don't work, you can connect the printer to your computer via USB, install drivers, and set up Wi-Fi via software. CanonThis method is suitable for Windows and macOS.
- Download drivers for Canon MG3640 With official website (select your OS).
- Connect the printer to your computer using the USB cable (included).
- Run the driver installer and follow the instructions. When you select the connection type, select
Wireless connection. - The program will prompt you to enter your Wi-Fi password. After that, the printer will automatically connect to the network.
After successful setup, disconnect the USB cable; the printer should remain connected to Wi-Fi. Verify this by printing a test page from your computer or phone.
| Connection method | Setup time | Required devices | Suitable if... |
|---|---|---|---|
| WPS | 1 minute | Router with a WPS button | Need a fast connection, Wi-Fi password unknown |
| Manual input | 3-5 minutes | Printer + on-screen keyboard | WPS is disabled or the router does not support it. |
| USB + software | 5-10 minutes | Computer + USB cable | Wireless methods didn't work, driver adjustments needed |
Setting up printing from a phone or tablet
Once your printer is connected to Wi-Fi, you can print from your smartphone without a computer. To do this:
- Install the application Canon PRINT from Google Play or App Store.
- Open the app and tap
Add a printer. - Choose yours MG3640 from the list of found devices.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm the connection.
Now you can print photos, documents, or web pages directly from your phone. The app also lets you scan documents using a printer and save them to your phone.
What to do if the phone does not find the printer?
If Canon PRINT The printer is not detected, check:
1. The printer and phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not to different networks of the same router, for example, MyWiFi_2.4 And MyWiFi_5).
2. Client isolation is not enabled in the router settings (AP Isolation or Client Isolation), which blocks data exchange between devices on the same network.
3. The printer has not entered sleep mode (press any button to wake it up).
If the problem persists, restart the printer and router.
For printing from iPhone/iPad you can also use the function AirPrint (built into iOS). To do this:
- Open a document or photo, click “Share” → “Print”.
- Select a printer Canon MG3640 from the list.
- Adjust the print settings and click Print.
Common errors and their solutions
Even with proper setup, problems can still occur. Here are the most common errors for Canon MG3640 and ways to eliminate them:
- 🟠 Orange blinking Wi-Fi indicator: indicates a connection error. Check the password, restart the printer and router. If the problem persists, reset the printer's network settings (hold down the
Wi-Fi10 seconds). - 🔴 Red power indicator: Indicates a hardware error (such as a paper jam or empty cartridge). Correct the problem and try connecting again.
- ❌ Network not found: If your Wi-Fi network doesn't appear in the list, check that it's within range.
2.4 GHzand isn't hidden. Also, try temporarily disabling MAC address filtering on your router. - 🖨️ The printer is connected but does not print.: Update the drivers on your computer or reinstall the application Canon PRINT on your phone. Also, check if the printer is in the print queue (on Windows:
Control Panel → Devices and Printers).
⚠️ Attention: If the printer stops responding to buttons after resetting, unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This will clear any temporary controller errors.
To diagnose the exact cause of the error, print network report:
- Press and hold the button
Stop/Reset(Red button) for 5 seconds. - The printer will print a sheet with information about the current connection, including
IP address,MAC addressand Wi-Fi status.
If the report indicates IP address 0.0.0.0, this means the printer hasn't received an address from the router. Check the settings. DHCP on the router or assign a static IP manually.
Security: How to Protect Your Printer on a Network
A printer connected to Wi-Fi can become a weak link in your network. Here are some tips to keep it secure. Canon MG3640:
- 🔐 Update your printer firmware: go to the website Canon Every six months, check to see if your software is up-to-date. Outdated versions may contain vulnerabilities.
- 🌐 Disable internet access: add in the router settings
MAC addressprinter to the list of trusted devices and block external access to the local network. - 📝 Use a strong Wi-Fi password: if the password is simple (for example,
12345678), replace it with a combination of 12+ characters with letters and numbers. - 🚫 Disable WPS after setupThis technology is vulnerable to brute-force attacks. Manual password entry is recommended.
It's also recommended to unplug the printer when not in use (for example, overnight). You can use a timer-controlled outlet or a smart plug for this purpose.
⚠️ Attention: If you are connecting your printer to a public network (such as in an office or cafe), use Wi-Fi guest mode With client isolation, this will prevent other devices from accessing your printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to connect Canon MG3640 to Wi-Fi without a computer?
Yes, use it for this Method 1 (WPS) or Method 2 (manual password entry) Directly from the printer's control panel. A computer is only needed to install drivers or if wireless methods fail.
The printer is connected to Wi-Fi, but the computer can't see it. What should I do?
Please check the following points:
- Are the drivers installed for MG3640 on the computer.
- Is the computer on the same network as the printer (e.g. not via VPN or mobile internet).
- Is the printer disabled in the Windows Firewall settings? (
Control Panel → Firewall → Allow interactions...).
If the problem persists, try adding the printer manually via Control Panel → Devices and Printers → Add a Printer → Add a network printer and enter the printer's IP address (can be found in the network report).
How do I reset my printer's Wi-Fi settings if I forgot the password?
To reset network settings Canon MG3640:
- Hold the button
Wi-Fifor 10 seconds until the indicator flashes 15 times. - The printer will reset to factory Wi-Fi settings (but other settings, such as language, will remain).
After resetting, please repeat the connection process again.
Does Canon MG3640 support cloud printing (Google Drive, Dropbox)?
No, Canon MG3640 Doesn't support direct printing from cloud services. However, you can:
- Download the file to your computer/phone and print it via Canon PRINT or standard driver.
- Use
Google Cloud Print(if it's still available in your region), but this will require a permanent connection between your computer and the printer.
Is it possible to connect a printer to two networks at the same time?
No, Canon MG3640 Supports connection to only one Wi-Fi network at a time. If you need to switch between networks (for example, at home and at the office), you'll have to repeat the setup process each time.