With more and more devices that can connect to a wireless network, setting up a wireless router is an important step for almost any home network. Setting up a wireless network will allow your devices to connect to the internet from anywhere in the house, without having to tidy up messy cables. To get started setting up your network, see Step 1 below.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Connecting the Hardware
Step 1. Purchase a wireless router
Routers are available in various shapes and sizes. Compare each of the features to find the router that's right for you. If you have a larger coverage area, or have a lot of walls in your house, you will need a router that has more antennas.
All modern routers should support 802.11n or Wireless-N. It is the most stable and fastest frequency, and is compatible with older standards such as 802.11g
Step 2. Connect your router to your modem
A wireless router allows you to share your broadband internet connection across multiple devices. To be able to do this, you must connect your broadband modem to the router. For best results, place your router near your modem.
- Connect the router to the modem using an Ethernet cable. Most routers include a short Ethernet cable in the box that you can use for this.
- Connect the modem to the WAN/Internet port on your router. These ports are usually located separately and may be color coded (usually yellow).
Step 3. Connect any device you want to connect using a cable
If you have a nearby computer, a video game console or a TV, you can connect it to the router via Ethernet. This will result in a more stable and faster connection, and requires no additional configuration.
Step 4. Connect at least one computer via Ethernet
You will need at least a computer connected via an Ethernet cable to adjust your router settings. You can disconnect the Ethernet cable if you want to connect wirelessly after setting up.
Part 2 of 4: Connecting the Router with Internet Service
Step 1. Connect the router to the internet
When the router is turned on, the wi-fi network will turn on, but the device will not immediately connect to the internet connection. To connect the router to the internet, with some of its service providers (eg Biznet Networks in Indonesia), you must register the router's MAC address with the internet service provider's website.
The MAC on the router can be found printed on the router or in other supplementary documents
Step 2. Visit the internet service provider's website
Log in with the username and password provided by them and go to the MAC address update option. You can find the MAC address of the registered laptop/computer there. Add the router MAC address on the page and save it. That way, your new router will be allowed to use the internet services provided by the company.
Part 3 of 4: Configuring the Router
Step 1. Find the IP address of the router
Most newer routers have the IP address printed on a label affixed to the router. On older models, the IP address will be found in the accompanying documentation. If you can't find the router's IP address anywhere, you can do a web search for the router model to find out the default address.
- IP addresses have a format consisting of four groups of numbers, each consisting of three numbers, separated by periods.
- Most default IP addresses are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 192.168.2.1.
Step 2. Run the web browser program on the computer connected to the router
Enter the IP address of the router into the address field and press Enter. Your browser will try to connect to the router's configuration menu.
If your router came with an installation disc, you can instead run a configuration program from that disc. This will perform many similar functions
Step 3. Enter your username and password
In order to access the configuration page, you must enter a valid username and password. Most routers have a default setup account that you will need to log in to. This varies from model to model, but these account details should be printed on the router or in the accompanying documentation.
- The most common username is “admin”.
- The most common passwords are “admin” and “password”.
- Many routers will only require a username and leave the password blank, and some will allow you to leave all fields blank.
- If you can't find your username and password, look up your router model online for the default login. If this has been changed, press the Reset button on the back of the router for 10 seconds to restore the factory default settings.
Step 4. Open Wireless settings
When you log into your router, you will be directed to the main menu or status screen of the router. There are several options to choose from. The Internet section can usually be left at its default settings, unless you receive special instructions from your internet service provider. The Wireless section will allow you to set up your wireless network.
Step 5. Enter a name for your wireless network
In the Wireless section, you should see a column labeled SSID or Name. Enter a unique name for your wireless network. This name will appear on other devices when performing a network scan.
Check the box to enable SSID broadcasting. This will essentially "turn on" the wireless network
Step 6. Choose a security method
Choose from a list of available security options. For the best security, choose WPA2-PSK as the encryption method. This is the most difficult security to crack and will give you the most secure protection from hackers and intruders.
Step 7. Create a passphrase
Once you have selected your security method, enter a passphrase for the network. This should be a difficult password, consisting of a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. Do not use any passwords that can be easily guessed by the network name or from things that relate to you.
Step 8. Save your settings
Once you are done naming and securing your wireless network, click the Apply or Save button. The changes will be applied to your router, which may take a while. After the router finishes resetting, your wireless network will be active.
Step 9. Change your router's username and password After you have finished configuring your network, you should change the username and password that you use to access your router
This will help protect your router from unwanted changes. You can change it from the Administration section of the router configuration menu.
Step 10. Block sites
If you want to prevent devices connected to your network from accessing certain websites, you can use the built-in blocking tools to restrict access. This can be found under the Security/Block section of the router.
You can generally block by specific domains or by keywords
Part 4 of 4: Connecting Your Device
Step 1. Connect your computer, tablet or smartphone to the network
Perform a wireless network scan. On any device that supports wireless networking, you should be able to see your new network, as long as you're within range of the router. Select the network and you will be asked to enter the passphrase.
Step 2. Enter your wireless passphrase
After you enter the passphrase, your device will automatically connect to the wireless network. The network will be stored in your device's memory and will automatically connect whenever you are within its range.
For detailed instructions on selecting and joining a wireless network for a specific computer, tablet or smartphone, follow this guide
Step 3. Connect your other devices
Apart from other computers and tablets, you can also connect other devices, such as printers, game consoles, TVs and many others. See the following guide for instructions for your specific device.
- Setting up a wireless printer.
- Connect a PlayStation 3 to a wireless network.
- Connect an Xbox One to a wireless network.
- Connect a Nintendo Wii to a wireless network.
- Connect Apple TV to a wireless network.
Tips
- If you've purchased a used wireless router from a friend or shop, be sure to reset the router to factory defaults before installing it. The router will likely try to configure your wireless network according to the previous system. Find the reset button on the router and press it with a needle or pencil for 30 seconds.
- For security reasons, consider not showing your SSID or network name. By turning it off, one not only has to guess the login password, but also has to determine the SSID first. This is a problem they have to solve, and it may be enough to make them switch to using someone else's network, and not yours. Of course, this means it will be more difficult for you to set up your network - but if you have everything set up when the SSID goes live, go back and turn it off. Everything will be reconnected from memory.
