Canon MG3650 Won’t Connect to Wi-Fi on Windows 10: Fix

If your Canon MG3650 printer suddenly drops off your Wi-Fi network or Windows 10 says it’s offline, this guide walks you through the most reliable fixes. We’ll cover quick resets, driver reinstallation, and Windows network settings that commonly block the connection.

What You’ll Need

Your Canon MG3650 printer (powered on)
Your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password
Access to your Windows 10 computer (admin account recommended)
A USB cable (optional, for a wired setup fallback)

Step-by-Step

Restart everything in the right order. Turn off the printer, unplug it from power, and wait 60 seconds. Restart your router and Windows 10 PC. Plug the printer back in and turn it on. This clears temporary IP conflicts.
Check the printer’s Wi-Fi status. On the MG3650, press and hold the Wi-Fi button (the one with the wireless icon) until the orange light flashes. Then press and hold the Stop button (red triangle) for 3 seconds. The printer will print a network configuration page. Look at the “Connection Status” – if it says “Connected,” the printer is on your network. If it says “Failed,” continue.
Reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi using WPS. Most routers have a WPS button. Press and hold the printer’s Wi-Fi button until the orange light flashes, then within 2 minutes press the WPS button on your router. Wait for the printer’s Wi-Fi light to stay solid (not flashing). Print another network status page to confirm.
Run the Canon Setup Utility (if you have it). Open the Start menu, search for “Canon Utilities” or “Canon IJ Printer Assistant Tool,” and run it. Go to Maintenance → Wireless LAN Settings → Easy Setup. Follow the on-screen prompts to re-enter your Wi-Fi password. This is often the quickest fix if the printer was previously connected but dropped off.
Remove and re-add the printer in Windows. Go to Settings → Devices → Printers & scanners. Find your Canon MG3650, click it, and select Remove device. Then click Add a printer or scanner and wait for Windows to detect it. If it doesn’t appear, click The printer that I want isn’t listed and choose Add a printer using an IP address. You’ll need the printer’s IP (from the network status page you printed earlier).
Reinstall the printer driver. Go to Settings → Devices → Printers & scanners, remove the printer, then download the latest full driver package from Canon’s support site (search “MG3650 drivers”). Run the installer and choose Wireless LAN when asked. The installer will guide you through reconnecting to Wi-Fi.
Check Windows firewall or security software. Sometimes Windows Defender Firewall or third-party antivirus blocks printer communication. Temporarily disable the firewall (just for testing) and try printing. If it works, add an exception for Canon software (like cnijfilter or Canon IJ Network Tool). Remember to re-enable the firewall.
Set a static IP for the printer (advanced). If the printer keeps dropping, its IP may change. In your router’s admin page, find the DHCP reservation section and assign a fixed IP to the printer’s MAC address (found on the network status page). Then in Windows, re-add the printer using that IP.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong Wi-Fi band. The MG3650 only supports 2.4 GHz networks. If your router broadcasts a 5 GHz network with the same SSID, the printer may fail to connect. Check your router settings to ensure the 2.4 GHz band is enabled and, if possible, give it a different SSID (e.g., “MyNetwork_2.4”).
Not pressing the Wi-Fi button correctly. The button must be held for a few seconds until the light flashes – a quick press does nothing. Also, the WPS mode requires the button to be held until the orange light flashes, not just a tap.
Leaving the USB cable connected. If you previously set up the printer via USB, Windows may still be using that connection and ignoring Wi-Fi. Unplug the USB cable and re-add the printer as a network printer.
Ignoring the printer’s own error lights. If the orange and green lights blink in a pattern, it may indicate a paper jam or ink issue that prevents the printer from accepting network commands. Check the printer’s display (if any) or the manual for error codes.

Tips

Keep the printer close to the router during setup. Move it within 3-5 feet temporarily, then you can move it back after it connects.
Update the printer firmware. Canon occasionally releases firmware updates that improve Wi-Fi stability. Use the Canon IJ Printer Assistant Tool to check for updates.
Use the Canon PRINT app. The mobile app (iOS/Android) can also help configure Wi-Fi. If the app connects, your network is fine, and the issue is Windows-specific.
Restart the print spooler service. In Windows, press Win + R, type services.msc, find Print Spooler, right-click and select Restart. This clears stuck print jobs that can make the printer appear offline.

Troubleshooting

If the above steps don’t work, try these in order:

Check the network status page again. If it shows “Connection Failed,” the printer cannot see your router. Move the printer closer, reboot the router, and try WPS again.
Reset the printer’s network settings to factory defaults. On the MG3650, press and hold the Stop button for 10 seconds (until the alarm light flashes), then release. This clears all network settings. Then run the Canon setup utility again from scratch.
Try a different Wi-Fi network. If you have a mobile hotspot, connect the printer to that temporarily. If it works, your home router is the problem – check for MAC filtering or too many connected devices.
Use Windows’ built-in troubleshooter. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Additional troubleshooters → Printer. Run it and follow the prompts.
Check for IP conflicts. On your PC, open Command Prompt and type ping [printer IP]. If you get no reply, the printer is unreachable. If you get replies, the network path is fine, and the issue is with the printer driver or Windows spooler.
Reinstall Windows network components. In Settings → Network & Internet → Status, click Network reset. This removes and reinstalls network adapters. You’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi afterward.

If none of this works, the printer’s wireless hardware may be faulty. Try a USB connection as a temporary workaround – the printer will work, just not wirelessly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Canon MG3650 keep losing Wi-Fi connection?

Common causes include router channel changes, IP address conflicts, or the printer’s power-saving mode. Setting a static IP in the router and disabling the printer’s sleep mode (if available) often helps.

How do I find my printer’s IP address?

Print a network configuration page (hold Wi-Fi button, then Stop button for 3 seconds). The IP is listed under “IPv4 Address.” You can also find it via the Canon PRINT app.

Can I connect the MG3650 to a 5 GHz network?

No, the MG3650 only supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Set your router to broadcast a 2.4 GHz network, or enable “band steering” if available.

Why does Windows say the printer is offline even though it’s connected?

This is often a Windows spooler issue. Restart the Print Spooler service, or uncheck “Use Printer Offline” in the printer’s queue window.

Do I need to reinstall the driver after a Windows update?

Not always, but Windows updates can change network settings. If the printer stops working after an update, reinstall the latest Canon driver from the official site.

Is there a way to connect the MG3650 via USB instead?

Yes, the printer has a USB port. Connect it to your PC and install the driver, choosing USB connection. This bypasses Wi-Fi entirely.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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