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HP DeskJet 3638 Manual — Setup, Troubleshooting & WiFi Guide

The HP DeskJet 3638 is a compact all-in-one printer delivering color printing, copying, and scanning with wireless connectivity. This guide covers initial setup, control panel features, wireless configuration, and comprehensive troubleshooting to keep your printer running smoothly.

Wireless 802.11b/g/n Color Inkjet Print Speed: 8 ppm
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Product Setup

1

Load Paper into Input Tray

Raise the input tray and slide the paper-width guide to the left. Insert a stack of paper with the short edge down and print side up, then slide the paper-width guide to the right until it stops at the edge of the paper.

2

Install Ink Cartridges

Open the cartridge access door and insert HP 65 or HP 65XL cartridges into their corresponding slots, matching the color and icon of each cartridge to its slot. Make sure cartridges snap securely into place.

3

Connect Wirelessly or via USB

Press the Wireless button to connect to your network using WPS or HP software, or connect via USB cable for direct connection to your computer. Allow 2 minutes for wireless connection to establish.

4

Install Printer Software

Download and install the HP printer software from 123.hp.com. The software enables full functionality including wireless setup, print quality optimization, and maintenance tools.

info

Pro-Tip: Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles. Touching these parts can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.

WiFi Connection Guide

router

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)

Press and hold the Wireless button for 3+ seconds, then press your router's WPS button. The printer connects automatically within 2 minutes and the Wireless light stops blinking when connected.

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Wi-Fi Direct (No Router)

Press the Wi-Fi Direct button on the control panel. Search for DIRECT-**-HP DeskJet 3638 on your device, enter the Wi-Fi Direct password, and print wirelessly without a network connection.

Troubleshooting FAQ

Paper Jam Error (E4)expand_more
Press the Cancel button to attempt automatic clearing. If unsuccessful, turn off the printer, open the cartridge access door, and gently remove jammed paper from the input tray, output tray, or cartridge access area. Turn on the printer and press the Resume button to continue printing.
Low or Missing Ink Cartridgeexpand_more
Check the Ink Level icons on the control panel display. If an icon shows only one segment, ink is low. Remove the cartridge, verify no plastic tape remains, and reinsert securely. If the icon blinks with no segment, the cartridge may be missing or incompatible. Replace with genuine HP 65 or HP 65XL cartridges.
Wireless Connection Not Workingexpand_more
If the Wireless light is blinking with the Wireless Attention icon on, ensure your router is powered on and move the printer closer to it. Press the Wireless button and Information button together to print a wireless test report. For complete troubleshooting, use the HP Print and Scan Doctor utility on Windows.
Poor Print Quality or Missing Colorsexpand_more
Verify you are using original HP ink cartridges and high-quality paper. Open the HP printer software and click 'Maintain Your Printer' to run alignment or cleaning tools. Print a diagnostic page to check for streaks or missing color sections. Allow 5 minutes between cleaning cycles.
Printer Not Detected or Unable to Printexpand_more
Verify the printer is powered on and paper is loaded. For USB connections, disconnect and reconnect the cable. Check that the printer is not paused or offline in Windows Devices and Printers. Ensure it is set as the default printer. Restart the Print Spooler service or restart your computer if issues persist.
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Important Safety Instructions

  • Always turn off the printer using the Power button and wait for the light to go out to protect cartridges from drying
  • Do not remove plastic tape from cartridges until installation and keep them in original packaging when stored
  • Align cartridges regularly through the 'Maintain Your Printer' menu for optimal print quality
  • Replace cartridges when print quality becomes unacceptable, not when low-ink warnings first appear
  • Use only genuine HP 65 or HP 65XL cartridges to avoid compatibility and damage issues

Replacement Ink Cartridges

The HP DeskJet 3638 printer uses genuine HP 65 / HP 65XL ink cartridges. Select your cartridge below to purchase replacement cartridges on Amazon:

shopping_cart Buy HP 65 on Amazon shopping_cart Buy HP 65XL on Amazon

Technical Specifications

Feature Specification
Printer TypeColor Inkjet All-in-One (Print, Copy, Scan)
Ink CartridgesHP 65 (Black & Tri-color) / HP 65XL (High Capacity)
Print SpeedUp to 8 ppm (black), 5.5 ppm (color)
Print ResolutionUp to 4800 x 1200 dpi (optimized)
ConnectivityWireless 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz), Wi-Fi Direct, USB 2.0
Input Tray CapacityUp to 60 sheets of plain paper
Paper Sizes SupportedLetter, Legal, A4, A6, Envelopes, 4x6 Photos
Dimensions430 x 305 x 150 mm (W x D x H)
WeightApproximately 3.5 kg (without consumables)
Energy ConsumptionSleep Mode, Auto-Off after 2 hours, Quiet Mode available