How to Set Up a Router
Overview about How to Set Up a Router for your home network
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Key Points
- Check your Internet connection.
- Connect Router to Power.
- House Keeping.
- After you log in Caution: immediately create a new username and password.
- How to Set Up a Router.
How Do You Set Up a New Router?
Yes.
Setting up a router will take 10 to 15 minutes.
Every router is different and setup won't be the same from router to router.
Keep your router's manual close to you and hopefully they provide easy tools for setup like a mobile app or web dashboard.
Before you get started
House keeping.
Check your Internet connection
Wireless routers are most common these days.
A router will not provide internet access.
You need internet access to setup the router.
If you have a good internet connection, the router setup is easy.
If your computer detects an Internet connection and you’re good to go to set up the router.
If you are new to setup the router? Please follow these instructions to activate it's functionality. Don't worry.
Let's get to the point.
Check for an app
These days many router manufacturers provide mobile apps or web dashboard that can be used for both setup and management.
Check the documentation with your router to see if an app is available.
For smart phone app, you may not have to connect the router to a computer to configure it.
Install and Extend Antennas
If the router has antennas and they're separate from the router box, you need to install them before beginning the setup process.
Gather Documentation
Here's another step “obvious one" step— Keep an eye on stickers or slips of paper that might include important setup information steps, like the router's default username and password.
Yes.
This will save you lot of your time.
Router Setup Steps
Ask yourself What You Need?
Step 1: Where to place the router?
The best place to keep a wireless router in the centre of your home and away from obstacles like concrete or brick walls, home appliances, and other electronic devices.
Step 2: How to connect a Router to The Internet
Connect the router to the modem supplied by your Internet service provider (ISP) with an Ethernet cable.
Some Internet Service Providers may use a router - acts a modem. If it's not installed by your ISP connect the router to the cable or outlet in the wall of your home.
You know
How to connect ethernet cable.
Step 3: How to connect a Router to Power
Connect the router to power.
Most of them turn on automatically.
If you don't see the router's status lights look for a power switch and turn it on.
Step 4: Check Your Router's Lights
Wait for one or two minutes for the router to finish booting up.
Usually you need to wait for the status light to turn a solid green with no flickering or pulsing.
Your router's manual provides details about what status lights indicate on your model of router.
If you are setting up a wired router.
And guess what?
You have finished the set up and the router will work with devices you connect using an Ethernet cable.
Step 5: Check Wi-Fi Name & Password
To configure the router, you'll need to log in, with default admin name and password.
You can find this printed on a card that came with the router or in the user manual.
Step 6: Test the Connection with a Device
Make sure connect to your wireless router's default Wi-Fi network on a computer, tablet, or smartphone, and enter the default password to test it.
If all goes well, you see an active Internet connection.
Completed your wireless router set up and working (tested), but it's a good idea to change the default name and password. If you don't change the default password it's easy for others to get access to your router and create problems in future.
Step 7: Create a username & password
After you log in you should immediately create a new username and password.
The defaults name and password are usually something like "admin" and "password 2345," obviously not secure—so make sure you change them at the first time.
How to Set up a Router With an App
Some latest wireless routers, like mesh network routers, use a different approach.
They depend on an app that connects to the router (without wire) wirelessly.
You can't setup Mesh network routers without the app.
Step 1: How to Attach the Router to a Cable
Connect the router to the modem provided by your Internet service provider (ISP) with an Ethernet cable.
Step 2: How to Connect Router to Power
Connect the router to power and it will turn on automatically, indicated by a status light that will become visible.
Step 3: How to Download App
Download the app provided by the model of your router.
Open the app and start the setup.
The details will be different between apps, but most brands include simple options like Set Up Device or Add New Device.
If you've never set up a router with the app before don't worry it's likely the only option available.
Step 4: Complete the Setup
Follow the instructions provided by the app and complete the setup.
Good experience.
Step 5: How to Change Your Wireless Router's Default Security Settings?
Set up your wireless router using the default network usernames and passwords printed on the card, or provided with your router.
You see a prompt message asking you to change the Wi-Fi username and password.
But...
Even if you don't see a prompt message it's best to change Wi-Fi username and password to prevent unauthorized access to your network (May be someone knows the default password).
It's easy isn’t it?
Well done.
The Takeaway
Guess what? We know. How to do it & How to Set Up a Router. Easy. Isn't it.
That’s all!. If you have any questions or suggestions, let me know by comment below.
About the Author
Sarojini is our technology director and she write mostly short (technical) and inspirational posts. Not only does she lead Satyam’s development team, but she also brews a mean espresso Indian Coffee —right at her desk and serves it in legit espresso cups. After that she will ask the team to meditate.
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