Canon MG3600 Prints via Wi-Fi but Does Not Scan on Windows 11 and Windows 10

Last Updated on 22.07.2026 by DriverNew

Canon PIXMA MG3600 series may print normally over the wireless network but not appear as a scanner. IJ Scan Utility does not find the device, the scanning buttons remain inactive, or the “Cannot communicate with scanner” message appears.

This situation is possible because printing and scanning use different components. An installed printer queue is sufficient for printing, while network scanning additionally requires:

• the ScanGear scanner driver;
• the IJ Scan Utility program;
• IJ Network Scanner Selector EX;
• network scanner registration on the computer;
• permission to communicate through the firewall.

This guide applies to the following models:

Canon PIXMA MG3610, MG3620, MG3640, MG3640S, MG3650, MG3650S, MG3660, MG3670, and MG3680.

All the devices listed above belong to Canon PIXMA MG3600 series. Model names vary depending on the country where the device is sold.

How the problem may appear

• printing via Wi-Fi works, but scanning does not start;
• IJ Scan Utility does not display Canon MG3600 series;
• the USB version of the device is selected instead of the network version;
• the “Cannot communicate with scanner” message appears;
• code 5,157,69 is displayed;
• code 5,156,69 is displayed;
• a message appears stating that no scanner is selected;
• the scanning button in My Image Garden is inactive;
• the scanner disappeared after replacing the router or changing the Wi-Fi password;
• scanning works via USB but does not work over the network;
• scanning worked previously but stopped after Windows was updated or reinstalled.

Why printing works but scanning does not

Possible cause	What happens
Only the printer driver is installed	Windows allows printing, but ScanGear and IJ Scan Utility are missing.
The network scanner is not selected	IJ Scan Utility attempts to use a USB device or another model.
IJ Network Scanner Selector EX is not running	The computer does not register MG3600 series for network scanning.
The firewall blocks Canon	Printing may work through a separate network protocol while scanner requests are blocked.
The multifunction printer received a new IP address	The scanning program continues using the previous network entry.
The computer and multifunction printer are on different networks	The old print queue may remain, but network scanner detection does not work.
The scanner is being used by another program	Scanning from several computers or applications at the same time is not possible.

Method 1. Restart the multifunction printer, router, and computer

Start by restarting all the equipment. A temporary network error may affect only scanning.

1. Close IJ Scan Utility, ScanGear, My Image Garden, and other scanning programs.
2. Turn off the multifunction printer using the power button.
3. Turn off the computer.
4. Disconnect the router’s power for approximately 30 seconds.
5. Turn the router back on.
6. Wait until the wireless network is restored.
7. Turn on the multifunction printer.
8. Wait until the power lamp stops flashing.
9. Make sure that the Wi-Fi lamp is lit.
10. Turn on the computer.
11. Start IJ Scan Utility again.

Method 2. Make sure that the multifunction printer has no errors

Scanning may not start if the multifunction printer is performing another operation or is in an error state.

1. Make sure that the multifunction printer is not printing a document.
2. Wait until cleaning, alignment, or another maintenance operation is complete.
3. Check whether the Alarm lamp is flashing.
4. If the lamp is flashing, count the number of flashes.
5. Resolve the paper, cartridge, or other component error.
6. Try scanning again.

For an additional check, place a document on the platen glass and try making a standard copy using the button on the device.

If copying works, the scanning mechanism is functioning. The cause should be found in the network settings, driver, or program on the computer.

Method 3. Check the multifunction printer’s network connection

The network printout shows the current network name, connection status, and IP address.

1. Turn on the multifunction printer.
2. Load two sheets of A4 or Letter plain paper.
3. Press and hold the Wi-Fi button.
4. Release the button when the power lamp begins to flash.
5. Press the Wi-Fi button again.
6. Wait for the network settings to print.

Check the following lines

Line	What should be shown
Wireless LAN	The wireless function is enabled.
Connection	Active status.
SSID	The network name should match the computer’s network.
Signal Strength	The signal strength should be sufficient for a stable connection.
IP Address	A valid network address should be shown.
MAC Address	This address will help you select the correct scanner in the Canon program.

If Connection: Inactive is shown

The multifunction printer is not connected to the router. First, configure Wi-Fi again. Selecting the scanner in IJ Scan Utility will not restore communication until the network connection becomes active.

If an incorrect SSID is shown

The multifunction printer is connected to another network or stores the settings of an old router. Transfer the correct network name and password to it.

If Connection: Active is shown

The multifunction printer is connected to the router. Proceed to selecting the network scanner on the computer.

Method 4. Start IJ Network Scanner Selector EX

IJ Network Scanner Selector EX registers the network scanner on the computer. Without this program, IJ Scan Utility may not find MG3600 series even if printing works.

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Enter the following in the search box:

IJ Network Scanner Selector EX

3. Start the program found in the search results.
4. Look at the right side of the taskbar.
5. Open the hidden icons if the program icon is not immediately displayed.
6. Make sure that the IJ Network Scanner Selector EX icon appears in the notification area.

If the program is missing from the search results

1. Open the list of installed apps.
2. Find the Canon Utilities folder.
3. Check whether IJ Network Scanner Selector EX is present.

If the program is missing, the MP Drivers package was not installed completely. Proceed to the driver reinstallation section.

Method 5. Select MG3600 series in IJ Network Scanner Selector EX

1. Find the IJ Network Scanner Selector EX icon in the notification area.
2. Right-click the icon.
3. Select Settings….
4. Wait for the “Scan-from-PC Settings” window to appear.
5. Find the Scanners section.
6. Select Canon MG3600 series.
7. If several identical devices are listed, compare the MAC address with the address on the network printout.
8. Click OK.

If MG3600 series is not displayed

1. Close the window by clicking OK.
2. Make sure that the multifunction printer and computer are connected to the same network.
3. Disconnect the VPN.
4. Check the firewall.
5. Restart IJ Network Scanner Selector EX.
6. Open Settings… again.

Method 6. Select the network version of the device in IJ Scan Utility

The USB version of MG3600 series may be selected in IJ Scan Utility. In this case, the program will report that the cable is disconnected even though the multifunction printer is connected via Wi-Fi.

1. Start IJ Scan Utility.
2. Click Settings….
3. Open the General Settings section.
4. Find the Product Name field.
5. Select the entry containing the series name and the word Network.

Canon MG3600 series Network

6. If the required entry is missing, click Select next to the product name.
7. In the “Scan-from-PC Settings” window, select MG3600 series.
8. Click OK.
9. In the General Settings window, click OK again.
10. Return to the main IJ Scan Utility window.
11. Place a document on the platen glass.
12. Click Document.

Method 7. Disconnect the USB cable and eliminate confusion between the connections

If the multifunction printer was previously used via USB, two scanner versions may remain on the computer.

1. Close IJ Scan Utility.
2. Disconnect the USB cable from the computer.
3. Make sure that the multifunction printer remains connected to Wi-Fi.
4. Start IJ Network Scanner Selector EX.
5. Select the network device.
6. Open IJ Scan Utility.
7. Select Canon MG3600 series Network.
8. Try scanning again.

If scanning is restored, the cause was the incorrect selection of the USB version of the device.

Method 8. Check the computer’s network

The computer and multifunction printer must be on the same local network.

1. Click the network icon on the right side of the taskbar.
2. Look at the active network name.
3. Compare it with the SSID field on the MG3600 series network printout.
4. Disconnect the VPN.
5. Do not use a mobile hotspot.
6. Do not connect the computer to a guest network.
7. Search for the scanner again.

The computer is connected to the router by cable

A wired connection for the computer is acceptable. However, the wired and wireless parts of the network must allow devices to communicate with each other.

The multifunction printer is connected to a guest network

Guest networks often block communication between clients. Connect the computer and multifunction printer to the router’s main network.

A Wi-Fi range extender is being used

Some range extenders create a separate network segment. For testing, connect the computer and multifunction printer directly to the main router.

Method 9. Set the Windows network profile to private

With a public network profile, Windows applies stricter restrictions to device discovery.

Windows 11

1. Open Start → Settings.
2. Go to Network & internet.
3. Open the properties of the active connection.
4. Find the network profile type setting.
5. Select Private network.

Windows 10

1. Open Start → Settings.
2. Go to Network & Internet.
3. Open the properties of the active connection.
4. Under Network profile, select Private.

Method 10. Allow Canon programs through the firewall

Code 5,157,69 may appear if security software blocks network scanning or another scanner is selected.

Code 5,156,69 also indicates a communication failure. In some cases, the cause is security software blocking Canon programs.

Check Windows Firewall

1. Open Windows Search.
2. Enter Windows Security.
3. Open the app found in the search results.
4. Go to Firewall & network protection.
5. Open Allow an app through firewall.
6. Click Change settings.
7. Find the Canon programs associated with scanning and networking.
8. Allow them to operate on a private network.
9. Save the changes.
10. Restart IJ Network Scanner Selector EX.

The following components may be related to network scanning:

• IJ Network Scanner Selector EX;
• IJ Scan Utility;
• ScanGear;
• Canon IJ Network Tool;
• Canon MG3600 series driver components.

If a third-party antivirus program is installed

1. Open the security program settings.
2. Find the firewall or application control section.
3. Allow Canon programs to access the network.
4. Make sure that the local network is not blocked.
5. Try scanning again.

Method 11. Check the WIA service

Windows uses the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service for scanners. If it is stopped, scanning programs may not detect the device.

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Enter:

services.msc

3. Click OK.
4. Find Windows Image Acquisition (WIA).
5. Double-click the service name.
6. Set Startup type to Automatic.
7. If the service is stopped, click Start.
8. If the service is already running, click Stop, and then click Start.
9. Click Apply.
10. Click OK.
11. Restart IJ Scan Utility.

Method 12. Check whether the scanner is being used by another program

MG3600 series cannot perform several network scans at the same time.

1. Close IJ Scan Utility.
2. Close ScanGear.
3. Close My Image Garden.
4. Close PDF and image applications that may have opened the scanner.
5. Close scanning programs on other computers.
6. Wait several seconds.
7. Start only IJ Scan Utility again.
8. Try scanning again.

If a message states that the scanner is being used by another application or user, closing the other programs and trying again is usually sufficient.

Method 13. Check scanning in another application

Testing in another program helps determine whether the problem is limited to IJ Scan Utility.

1. Open Printers & scanners in Windows Settings.
2. Check whether Canon MG3600 series is displayed as a scanning device.
3. If a scanning app is installed, open it.
4. Select Canon MG3600 series.
5. Perform a test scan.

If another program scans successfully but IJ Scan Utility does not work, select the device again in the IJ Scan Utility settings or reinstall the Canon program.

If the scanner is not detected in any program, check the driver, WIA, and network connection.

Method 14. Reinstall the complete MP Drivers package

If Windows installed only a generic print driver, reinstall the official Canon package.

Step 1. Download the correct file

1. Open the official Canon page:
   Download Canon MG3600 series MP Drivers
2. Save the file to the Downloads folder.
3. Wait until the download is complete.

The filename should begin with:

m68n-win-mg3600-

Step 2. Remove the damaged installation

1. Close the Canon programs.
2. Disconnect the USB cable.
3. Open the list of installed apps.
4. Remove Canon MG3600 series MP Drivers.
5. Remove old or non-working MG3600 series copies from Printers & scanners.
6. Restart the computer.

Step 3. Install the complete package

1. Right-click the downloaded file.
2. Select Run as administrator.
3. Confirm that you want to run it.
4. Continue the installation in the “Welcome” window.
5. Accept the license agreement.
6. Select Connect the printer to the wireless LAN.
7. Wait for MG3600 series to be detected.
8. If the multifunction printer is not found, select network setup via USB.
9. Complete the installation of all components.
10. Restart the computer.

Method 15. Select the scanner again after replacing the router

After replacing the router, MG3600 series usually receives a new IP address. Printing may be restored automatically, while the scanner selection program continues using the previous entry.

1. Print the current network settings.
2. Make sure that the new SSID and Active status are shown.
3. Start IJ Network Scanner Selector EX.
4. Open Settings….
5. Clear the selection from the old entry if it remains.
6. Select the detected MG3600 series with the current MAC address.
7. Click OK.
8. Open IJ Scan Utility.
9. Select Canon MG3600 series Network.
10. Try scanning again.

Method 16. Check the Wi-Fi signal

Scanning transfers significantly more data over the network than a small print job. Therefore, printing may work with a weak signal while scanning is interrupted.

1. Check the Signal Strength value on the network printout.
2. Place the multifunction printer closer to the router.
3. Remove metal objects between the devices.
4. Do not place the multifunction printer behind a cabinet or in another room behind a concrete wall.
5. Move the router and multifunction printer away from a microwave oven and other sources of interference.
6. Restart the router.
7. Try scanning a small document again.

Network scanning usually takes longer than scanning via USB. A short delay before it starts does not always indicate a fault.

What common error codes mean

Code	Possible cause	Main action
5,157,69	A weak signal, blocking by security software, or another network scanner is selected.	Check the network, firewall, and IJ Network Scanner Selector EX.
5,156,69	There is no communication with the selected device, or the connection is being blocked.	Select the network entry, check security, and reinstall the driver.
201	A required file is missing or damaged, or the settings are incorrect.	Reinstall MP Drivers.
202	An internal scanner driver error.	Restart the multifunction printer and computer, check WIA, and reinstall the driver.
207	No scanner is selected.	Select MG3600 series in IJ Network Scanner Selector EX.
208	IJ Network Scanner Selector EX was not found.	Remove and reinstall MP Drivers.
230	A compatible scanner driver is not installed.	Install the complete Canon MG3600 series MP Drivers package.

If the scanning button in My Image Garden is inactive

An inactive button usually means that the program does not detect the installed scanner driver or cannot identify the selected device.

1. Close My Image Garden.
2. Start IJ Network Scanner Selector EX.
3. Select Canon MG3600 series.
4. Start IJ Scan Utility.
5. Select Canon MG3600 series Network.
6. Test scanning.
7. If IJ Scan Utility works, open My Image Garden again.

If IJ Scan Utility also does not detect the device, reinstall MP Drivers.

If scanning works via USB but does not work via Wi-Fi

This result confirms that the scanning mechanism and driver can work. The problem is related to network registration or security.

1. Disconnect the USB cable.
2. Check for an Active status and the correct SSID.
3. Start IJ Network Scanner Selector EX.
4. Select the network MG3600 series device.
5. In IJ Scan Utility, select the entry containing the word Network.
6. Allow Canon programs through the firewall.
7. Try scanning again.

If scanning does not work even via USB

In this case, the problem may be related to the driver, WIA service, USB cable, or the device itself.

1. Connect the multifunction printer directly to the computer.
2. Try another USB port.
3. Do not use a hub or extension cable.
4. Check the WIA service.
5. Remove MP Drivers.
6. Restart the computer.
7. Reinstall the package with the USB connection selected.
8. Test scanning.

If copying from the operation panel also does not work and the multifunction printer displays an error, first resolve the hardware or consumables problem.

Important information for Windows 11 ARM

To check the system type:

1. Right-click the Start button.
2. Select System.
3. Find the System type line.

If ARM or ARM64 is shown, the problem may be related to Canon program incompatibility rather than the Wi-Fi settings.

Conclusion

If Canon PIXMA MG3600 series prints via Wi-Fi but does not scan, first make sure that the multifunction printer is connected to the correct network and that the printout shows an Active status.

Start IJ Network Scanner Selector EX, open Settings…, and select MG3600 series. Then open General Settings in IJ Scan Utility and select Canon MG3600 series Network.

If the device is not found, check the private network profile, VPN, guest network, signal strength, and firewall permissions. Restart the WIA service and close other scanning programs.

If IJ Network Scanner Selector EX, ScanGear, or the network entry is missing, remove the old installation and reinstall the official MP Drivers package. After installation, select the network scanner again and perform a test scan.