Ready to liberate your documents and photos from your iPad and get them onto paper with your Canon MG3620? You've come to the right place! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every single step, ensuring a smooth and successful connection.
Step 1: Let's Get Started – Do You Have What You Need?
Before we dive into the technicalities, let's do a quick checklist. Don't worry, it's nothing too complicated!
- Your Canon MG3620 Printer: Is it plugged in and powered on? Do you have paper loaded and sufficient ink? These are often overlooked but crucial first steps!
- Your iPad: Is it charged and running a relatively recent version of iOS? (Most iPads running iOS 7 or later support AirPrint, which is what we'll be using).
- A Wi-Fi Network: Both your iPad and your printer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This is the cornerstone of wireless printing. Do you know your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password?
- The Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY App (Optional but Recommended): While not strictly necessary for basic printing, this app offers enhanced functionality and control over your printer. We'll cover how to use it later.
If you answered yes to all of the above, fantastic! Let's move on. If not, take a moment to address any missing items before proceeding.
Step 2: Connecting Your Canon MG3620 to Your Wi-Fi Network
This is perhaps the most crucial step, as it establishes the wireless bridge between your printer and your iPad. Your Canon MG3620 supports a few methods for Wi-Fi setup. We'll focus on the two most common and user-friendly ones: Standard Connection (Manual Setup) and WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup).
Sub-step 2.1: Standard Connection (Manual Setup) - Recommended for Most Users
This method involves using the printer's own control panel to select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password. It's reliable and works with all routers.
- Power On Your Printer: Ensure your MG3620 is turned on.
- Access the Setup Menu: On your printer's control panel, press the Menu button (it might look like a wrench or tool icon).
- Navigate to WLAN Setup: Use the arrow keys to scroll through the menu options until you find WLAN setup or Wireless LAN setup. Press the OK button.
- Select Standard Setup: You'll likely see options like "Standard setup" or "Easy setup." Choose Standard setup and press OK.
- Search for Networks: The printer will now begin searching for available Wi-Fi networks. This might take a few moments.
- Select Your Network: Once the list of networks appears, use the arrow keys to navigate and select your home Wi-Fi network's name (SSID). Press OK.
- Enter Your Wi-Fi Password (Network Key): This is where you'll input your Wi-Fi password. It's often referred to as the "Network key" or "Passphrase."
- Tips for entering the password:
- Use the arrow keys to select characters.
- Press the OK button to confirm each character.
- There's usually a button to switch between uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
- Take your time and be precise; passwords are case-sensitive!
- Tips for entering the password:
- Confirm and Connect: After entering the full password, press OK or the designated confirmation button. The printer will attempt to connect to the network.
- Connection Confirmation: If successful, the printer's Wi-Fi lamp (usually a blue light) will illuminate steadily, and a confirmation message like "Connected to Access Point" will appear on the screen. Congratulations, your printer is now on your Wi-Fi network!
Sub-step 2.2: WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) - If Your Router Supports It
WPS is a simpler, one-touch connection method, but both your printer and your router must support it. Look for a button on your router labeled "WPS" or with a WPS symbol.
- Check Your Router: Locate the WPS button on your Wi-Fi router.
- On Your Printer: Press the Menu button on your Canon MG3620.
- Navigate to WLAN Setup: Use the arrow keys to find WLAN setup and press OK.
- Select WPS: Choose the WPS option (or "Push button method") and press OK.
- Activate WPS on Your Router: Within two minutes of selecting WPS on your printer, press and hold the WPS button on your Wi-Fi router until its WPS indicator light starts flashing.
- Printer Connection: Your printer will automatically attempt to connect to the router. The Wi-Fi lamp on the printer will flash during the process and then illuminate steadily when connected successfully.
Step 3: Connecting Your iPad to Your Wi-Fi Network
This step should be familiar to most iPad users, but it's essential to ensure your iPad is on the same network as your printer.
- Go to iPad Settings: On your iPad's home screen, tap the Settings app (it looks like gears).
- Select Wi-Fi: In the left-hand menu, tap Wi-Fi.
- Choose Your Network: Make sure Wi-Fi is toggled On. From the list of available networks, tap the exact same Wi-Fi network that you connected your Canon MG3620 to.
- Enter Password (If Needed): If you haven't connected to this network before, you'll be prompted to enter its password. Type it in and tap Join.
- Confirmation: A blue checkmark will appear next to your network name, indicating a successful connection.
Crucial Double-Check: At this point, both your Canon MG3620 printer and your iPad should be connected to the identical Wi-Fi network. If they're not, they won't be able to "see" each other.
Step 4: Printing from Your iPad Using AirPrint
AirPrint is Apple's technology that allows you to print directly from most apps on your iPad without needing to install special drivers. Your Canon MG3620 is AirPrint compatible!
- Open the App with Your Document/Photo: Go to the app from which you want to print. This could be Photos, Mail, Safari, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, or many third-party apps.
- Locate the Share or Print Icon: Look for the Share icon (a square with an arrow pointing upwards) or a Print icon (which might look like a printer). Its location can vary slightly depending on the app.
- In Photos: Tap the Share icon in the bottom left.
- In Safari: Tap the Share icon at the top or bottom of the screen.
- In Mail: Tap the reply/forward arrow, then scroll down to "Print."
- Tap 'Print': From the share sheet or menu that appears, scroll down and tap Print.
- Select Your Printer: Tap on Select Printer. Your Canon MG3620 should now appear in the list of AirPrint Printers. Tap on its name.
- If your printer doesn't appear:
- Ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network (re-check Step 2 and Step 3).
- Restart both your printer and your iPad.
- Check your router settings to ensure "AP Isolation" or "Client Isolation" is disabled (this setting prevents devices on the same network from communicating with each other).
- If your printer doesn't appear:
- Choose Print Options: You'll see various printing options depending on the app:
- Copies: Adjust the number of copies.
- Range: For multi-page documents, select the pages you want to print.
- Black & White/Color: Choose your preferred print mode.
- Double-Sided: If your printer supports it, you might have this option.
- Tap 'Print': Once you've configured your settings, tap the Print button in the top right corner.
Your document or photo should now be sent to your Canon MG3620, and printing will commence!
Step 5: Using the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY App (Optional but Recommended)
While AirPrint is great for basic printing, the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app offers more advanced features, printer status monitoring, and troubleshooting tools.
- Download the App: Go to the Apple App Store on your iPad. Search for "Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY" and download the app.
- Open the App and Agree to Terms: Launch the app after it's installed. You'll likely need to agree to terms and conditions.
- Add Your Printer:
- Tap the Add Printer icon (often a plus sign or a printer icon).
- The app will search for printers on your network.
- Select your Canon MG3620 from the list.
- If it doesn't appear, ensure your printer is on, connected to the Wi-Fi, and your iPad is on the same network. You might have an option to "Register Printer" manually.
- Explore App Features: Once your printer is registered, you can:
- Print Photos: Select photos from your iPad's photo library.
- Print Documents: Print PDFs, Word documents, etc., stored on your iPad or cloud services.
- Scan: If your MG3620 has scanning capabilities, you can scan documents directly to your iPad.
- Check Ink Levels: Monitor your ink cartridges.
- Perform Maintenance: Access printer cleaning, nozzle checks, and other maintenance functions.
- Troubleshooting: The app can provide helpful tips if you encounter issues.
The Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app truly unlocks the full potential of your MG3620 from your iPad.
Step 6: Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with a step-by-step guide, sometimes things don't go as planned. Here are some quick fixes for common problems:
- "Printer Not Found" or "No AirPrint Printers Found":
- Are both devices on the exact same Wi-Fi network? This is the number one culprit. Double-check.
- Is your printer powered on and the Wi-Fi lamp illuminated steadily?
- Restart everything: Turn off your printer, iPad, and Wi-Fi router. Wait 30 seconds, then turn on the router first, then the printer, and finally your iPad. This often resolves network glitches.
- Check your router settings: Ensure "AP Isolation" or "Client Isolation" is disabled. This setting, sometimes found in public Wi-Fi or guest networks, prevents devices on the same network from communicating.
- Prints are coming out blank or with poor quality:
- Check ink levels: Use the Canon PRINT app or the printer's control panel to check ink levels.
- Perform a nozzle check and print head cleaning: These maintenance tasks can be done via the Canon app or directly from the printer's menu.
- Ensure correct paper is loaded: Verify the paper type and size settings on your printer match the paper in the tray.
- Printer is connected to Wi-Fi but won't print from iPad:
- Check for firmware updates: Sometimes, a printer firmware update can resolve compatibility issues. Check the Canon support website for your MG3620.
- Reset network settings on the printer: If all else fails, you can try resetting the printer's network settings and re-connecting it to your Wi-Fi. Consult your printer's manual for specific instructions on how to do this (it usually involves navigating through the setup menu).
Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions to help you further:
How to check if my Canon MG3620 is connected to Wi-Fi?
Check the Wi-Fi lamp on your printer. If it's glowing steadily (not flashing), it's connected. You can also print a network status sheet from the printer's menu.
How to find my Wi-Fi password?
Your Wi-Fi password (network key) is usually found on a sticker on the back or bottom of your Wi-Fi router. If you've changed it and forgotten, you might need to check with your internet service provider or access your router's administration page.
How to print two-sided from my iPad to Canon MG3620?
When you tap "Print" from an app, look for a "Duplex Printing" or "Double-Sided" option in the print options menu. If your MG3620 supports automatic duplexing, it will be available there.
How to scan a document from my Canon MG3620 to my iPad?
Use the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app. Open the app, select your printer, and then tap the "Scan" option. Follow the on-screen prompts to place your document and initiate the scan.
How to update the firmware on my Canon MG3620 printer?
You typically download firmware updates from the Canon support website for your specific model (MG3620). You'll usually transfer the file to a USB flash drive and then update the printer through its control panel, or sometimes through the Canon PRINT app. Refer to Canon's official instructions.
How to troubleshoot if my iPad isn't finding my printer?
Ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, restart your printer, iPad, and router, and check if any router settings like "AP Isolation" are enabled.
How to print from an app that doesn't have a print option?
If an app doesn't have a direct print option, you might be able to take a screenshot of the content you want to print, then print the screenshot from your iPad's Photos app.
How to connect my Canon MG3620 to a new Wi-Fi network?
You'll need to reset the network settings on your printer and then go through the "Standard Connection" (Manual Setup) process again, selecting your new Wi-Fi network and entering its password.
How to check ink levels on my Canon MG3620 from my iPad?
Download and use the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app. Once your printer is connected in the app, you can view current ink levels and other printer status information.
How to print web pages from Safari on my iPad to my Canon MG3620?
Open the web page in Safari, tap the Share icon (square with an arrow pointing up), scroll down, and tap "Print." Your Canon MG3620 should appear as an AirPrint printer.
