How to Set Up a Router GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Internet, Networking, & Security > Home Networking 93 93 people found this article helpful

How to Set Up a Router

Here's how to get your home network up and running

By Bradley Mitchell Bradley Mitchell Writer Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Illinois An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on May 20, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Home Networking Routers & Firewalls The Wireless Connection Network Hubs ISP Broadband Ethernet Installing & Upgrading Wi-Fi & Wireless

What to Know

Turn on and connect router > open web browser > enter router address > log in > enter connection info > verify.Connect wireless devices: Confirm SSID > select connection > log in. This article explains the general process of how to set up a broadband router for home computer networks. The exact names of configuration settings on these routers vary depending on the specific model.

How to Set Up a Home Network Router

Choose a convenient location to begin installing your router, such as an open floor space or table. The placement does not need to be the permanent location of the device as wireless routers sometimes need careful positioning and deployment in places difficult to reach. In the beginning, it's better to choose a location where it's easiest to work with the router and worry about final placement later. Plug in the router's electrical power source and then turn on the router by pushing the power button. Connect your internet modem to the router (Optional). Many network modems connect via an Ethernet cable but USB connections have becoming increasingly common. The cable plugs into the router jack with possible labels as WAN, uplink, or internet. When connecting devices with network cables, be sure each end of the cable connects tightly. Loose cables are one of the most common sources of network setup problems. After connecting the cable, be sure to power cycle (turn off and turn back on) the modem to ensure the router recognizes it. Connect one computer to the router. Connect this first computer to the router via a network cable. Temporarily using a cable for router installation avoids unstable or dropped connections. Using the Wi-Fi connection of a wireless router for initial installation is not recommended as its Wi-Fi settings are not yet configured. After router installation is complete, the computer can be changed over to a wireless connection as needed. Open the router's administration console. From the computer connected to the router, open a web browser. Next, enter the router's address for network administration in the web address field and press return to reach the router's home page. Many routers are reached by either the web address http://192.168.1.1 or http://192.168.0.1. Your router's documentation will tell you the exact address for your model if the above addresses don't work. By the way, you do not need a working internet connection for this step. Log in to the router. The router's home page will prompt for a username and password. Both are provided in the router's documentation. You should change the router's password for security reasons, but do this after the installation is complete to avoid unnecessary complications during initial setup. Changing the Default Password on a Network Router Enter internet connection information. If you want your router to connect to the internet, enter internet connection information into that section of the router's configuration (exact location varies). For example, those using DSL internet often require entering PPPoE username and password settings into the router. Likewise, if you requested and have been issued a static IP address by your internet, the static IP settings (including network mask and gateway address) supplied by the provider must also be set in the router. Update the MAC address of the router. Some internet providers authenticate their customers by MAC address. If you were using an older network router or other gateway device to connect to the internet before, your provider may be tracking that MAC address and prevent you from going online with the new router. If your internet service has this restriction, you can (through the administrator console) update the MAC address of the router with the MAC address of the device you were using previously to avoid having to wait for the provider to update their records. How to Find and Change a MAC Address Consider changing the network name (Otherwise known as SSID). Routers come from the manufacturer with a default name chosen, but there are advantages to using a different name instead. You can also change the Wi-Fi name on a network router. Is Your Wi-Fi Network Name a Security Risk? Verify the local network connection. Verify the local network connection between your one computer and the router is working. To do this, check that the computer has received valid IP address information from the router. Verify your computer can connect to the internet properly. Open a web browser and visit a few internet sites. Connect additional computers to the router. When connecting from a wireless device, ensure the network name – also called a Service Set Identifier (SSID) — chosen matches that of the router. Configure network security features. Configure additional network security features as needed to guard your systems against hackers. These Wi-Fi home network security tips contain a checklist to follow. Finally, place the router in an optimal location. How to Turn Your PC Into a Router Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Connect a Router to the Internet How to Connect Two Routers on a Home Network Can't Connect to the Internet? Try These 10 Tips How to Set Up Parental Controls on a Router How to Fix Wi-Fi Authentication Problems on Android Linksys E1000 Default Password How to Fix a "Failed to Obtain IP Address" Android Error D-Link DIR-600 Default Password How to Fix It When There's No Internet Connection How to Set up a Home Wi-Fi Network How to Fix Wi-Fi Connection Drops How to Connect Chromecast to Hotel Wi-Fi How to Connect to Your Home Router as an Administrator How to Find the Default IP Address of a Belkin Router 5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Wireless Router When and How to Turn Off Wi-Fi on Your Devices Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies