How to Set up a Wireless Network (WiFi) Connection: 12 Steps

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Installing a router is the kickoff stride to creating a solid home network, just how do you choose the right ane? And one time you've purchased your router, how do you go nigh setting it upwardly? Follow this guide to get the correct router configured for a secure wireless (Wi-Fi) network.

1. 1

   Acquire a wireless router. There are a variety of factors that volition make up one's mind which router is best for yous. These include distance, interference, transfer speed, and security.

   • I of the near important factors to consider when purchasing a router is the distance between the router and the devices that you lot are wirelessly connecting. More expensive routers mostly accept more antennae, which can lead to a more stable connection at further distances.
   • Another factor to consider is the corporeality of point interference. If yous take multiple devices that operate on the two.4 GHz ring, such as microwaves and cordless phones, these can interfere with the Wi-Fi signal. Newer routers tin can operate on the 5 GHz band, which is much less crowded and thus less decumbent to interference. The drawback is that five GHz signals do not travel every bit far equally 2.four GHz signals.
   • Transfer speed is a feature to consider. Newer routers merits to exist able to transfer data up to 450 Mbps. While this may be helpful when moving information between 2 computers over a network, it will non increment your general Internet speed, as this is set past your Isp. There are three chief router speeds available: 802.11g (54 Mbps) 802.11n (300 Mbps), and 802.11ac (450 Mbps). It is important to annotation that these speeds are virtually impossible to reach in any environment other than a clean room free of signal interference.
   • Finally, make sure that the router you are purchasing has the latest form of wireless encryption, WPA2. This is pretty much standard in all new routers, merely is something to consider if purchasing an older, second-hand router. Older encryption algorithms are much less secure; a WEP key tin be cracked in just a few minutes.

2. 2

   Connect the router to your modem. Once you've purchased your router, yous volition need to connect it to your modem. The router will accept a port in the back labeled WAN/WLAN/Net. Connect this port to the modem using a standard Ethernet cable.

   • Brand sure that the router is properly powered and turned on.

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3. three

   Connect a reckoner via Ethernet cablevision. This step is not e'er necessary, only can be very useful if you want to set up the wireless router before connecting any wireless devices to it. Connecting a computer through a concrete cable will allow you to tinker with the wireless settings without losing your connection to the router.

   • For optimum efficiency while setting up the router, plug it in side by side to your computer while yous adjust the settings. After yous are finished configuring the router, you tin can move it to where it will normally stay.

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1. i

   Install the router software. Not every router comes with software to install, but if yours did, and so install it on a computer that is connected to the router via an Ethernet cable. Using the bundled software makes setting up a router much more user-friendly than going in to the configuration menus.

   • Using the software, designate the proper noun of your wireless network, and the type of security that you want to use. Choose WPA2 for the most secure network. Cull a password and continue.
   • Most router software will automatically find your internet settings. This is the data that the router needs to translate your internet connexion and transfer information technology to all of your wirelessly continued devices.

2. two

   Open up the router's configuration folio. If your router did non come with whatever installation software, you will need to connect to the router's configuration page through your web browser. Open up your browser of choice and enter the web accost for the router. This is typically 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.one. Consult the documentation that came with the router to discover the exact address.

   • You lot will be asked for a username and countersign to continue into the router configuration. These are also provided in the documentation that came with your router. Typical defaults are username: admin and Password: password or admin.

3. 3

   Enter your Internet connectedness information. This includes the IP accost and DNS information from your internet service provider. Virtually routers will fill up this section in automatically. If it does not, contact your ISP for the information that you need to enter.

4. 4

   Set your wireless settings. Almost routers will accept a Wireless Settings section towards the top of the router'due south carte. From this department you can enable or disable the wireless signal, change the network proper name, and set up the encryption.

   • To gear up the name of the network, select the SSID field. This is the proper noun that will be displayed on any device that detects your network. If yous are living in an surface area with a lot of public traffic, avoid putting any identifiable information in the SSID, as anyone with a wireless device can run across information technology.
   • Make sure to prepare the encryption to the latest version immune by your router. In most cases, this will be WPA2. WPA2 operates with a unmarried password. You can enter whatever y'all'd similar, simply a strong password is recommended. Stronger passwords contain upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

5. five

   Apply your settings. Make certain you click the Apply or Save Changes button in your router's configuration when you are done irresolute the settings. The router volition process for a moment, and your new settings volition take effect.

6. half-dozen

   Place your router. In club to get the best possible indicate, try to identify your router in a central location. Continue in mind that any obstacles such equally walls and doors will degrade the betoken. If you have multiple floors, you may desire to consider multiple routers to ensure that y'all take the coverage you need.

   • Remember that it must be physically connected to your modem, so this may limit your options when placing the router.

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1. 1

   Connect a device to the network. In one case the router is broadcasting a wireless signal, you can exam the connection by scanning for wireless networks using a Wi-Fi device such every bit another computer, a smartphone, a tablet, etc.

   • Scan for new networks. In Windows, click the network icon in the system tray in the lower-right corner of the desktop. Select Connect to a Network and look for your SSID. On a Mac, click the AirPort icon in the menu bar, which looks like 3 curved lines. Select your SSID from the list of available networks.

2. ii

   Enter the password. If you enabled WPA2 encryption, you will need to enter your countersign to connect to the network. If you are using a private computer, y'all can disable the hidden characters on some systems to let yous see the password you are typing easier.

3. three

   Test your connection. One time you are connected to the network, look a moment for your IP address to be assigned. Open a web browser and try to connect to a website you don't normally visit (this will ensure that you aren't loading the website from memory).

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Add New Question

• Question

  Why would I demand to update my router's firmware?

  

  Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in full general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is likewise the host of the Computer Man Evidence! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

  

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  Skilful Answer

  

  Support wikiHow past unlocking this expert answer.

  Firmware is essential for the operating system's security. It patches holes in the network. Updating the firmware ensures that your network is protected confronting the newest bugs and viruses out there.

• Question

  How tin I run into who is using my WiFi network?

  

  Luigi Oppido is the Possessor and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general estimator repair, information recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is too the host of the Reckoner Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

  

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  Support wikiHow past unlocking this expert reply.

  So the first thing you exercise is log in to your router. You do that by accessing your router's homepage, which is going to be an IP address or routerlogin.cyberspace, or whatever. Sign in with your username and countersign. And then, select "connected devices" to see a list of everyone who has been or is currently connected to your network.

• Question

  How tin I get unwanted guests off of my WiFi network?

  

  Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Homo Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

  

  Computer & Tech Specialist

  Expert Answer

  

  Back up wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

  The easiest way to practise this is to just change your password. The moment you practise that, they'll be booted from your network. The downside here is that yous'll have to sign in once again on all of your devices.

• Question

  I nevertheless take a modem just don't take a computer anymore. Will WiFi still work?

  

  Yes, it will work. You lot don't need a computer to put the WiFi on. All you need is a plug and it'll piece of work.

• Question

  I accept a Belkin USB adapter for wi-fi that I am using on a Dell reckoner, simply I am unable to prepare a wireless connection. Exercise you have whatever idea why?

  

  Did you fix the USB properly? Software for the USB needs to be installed on the calculator, either via the USB itself or online.

• Question

  How do I gear up a WiFi network where I tin can admission it anywhere?

  

  Many wireless companies offer mobile hotspots, which you tin can purchase a data plan for and accept with you on the go. Many mobile devices with a data plan (smartphones/tablets) can also be used as mobile hotspots. These are the just means. You can't prepare upwards a WiFi network in ane location and utilize it anywhere you become; these things have limited range. If you lot want to admission the internet anywhere, you lot have to use a portable device with a information plan.

• Question

  How do I ready WiFi in a smartphone?

  

  If the Settings section, there will exist a WiFi area (varies depending on your blazon of phone). Turn WiFi on, and it will scan for local access points and display them, in order of closest/all-time point. Tap yours and enter the password. Information technology should shortly brandish a message telling you that you've continued.

• Question

  Where on the Samsung Galaxy S7 is the ability to connect to my abode WiFi?

  

  Swipe downwards at the height of the screen to open the notification eye. Just to a higher place the notification expanse, you lot will see a WiFi icon. Long printing on it to open WiFi settings. Hither, if your WiFi radio is on, you lot should be able to see nearby networks, including your home network. Tap on your network and enter the password to connect.

• Question

  How practise I connect my phone to my WiFi?

  

  Get to the settings of your phone and click on Wi-Fi. Select the source you want to connect to and type in the password (if at that place is ane). Within a few seconds, your phone will either tell you that y'all're connected, or give you an mistake bulletin if not.

• Question

  How practise I reset my countersign if I accept forgotten it?

  

  To reset your router, expect for a pocket-sized button labeled "Reset" or "Restore Manufactory Settings." In some cases, you may need a newspaper clip or condom pivot to access this button if it is recessed. Printing and hold this button for 5 seconds, and then release. Next, give your router up to v minutes to restore its factory settings.

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Commodity Summary X

one. Connect your wireless router to your modem.
2. Connect the router to a figurer with an Ethernet cable.
3. Configure the wireless router using the computer.
4. Connect other devices to the router via Wi-Fi.

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