Setting up a Wi-Fi network through a wireless router and a modem is not rocket science. Let us try our hands in it. Here is the all point of the matter listed below.
- First you need connecting the router to the modem using the Ethernet cables. in the next step, connect your computer to the router.
- Now open a web browser and enter the router’s IP address to configure the security settings of your Wi-Fi network.
- You have to unplug the computer from the router. Then connect all your devices again to the wireless network properly after setup.
Wi-Fi setup at home
Just deactivate Wi-Fi Protected Setup feature before you start fixing up the Wi-Fi set-up. When your laptop wireless router and other devices are under the same Wi-Fi protected setup, just a push of a single button is sufficient for you to re-connect and configure these devices. So, that is a big advantage! But deeper down this exposes you to a massive security risk. Therefore it is strongly recommended that you turn off your WPS feature.
Setting up a Wi-Fi router – few easy steps
Now let us see how to set up a Wi-Fi router.
Step 1 – select the best location to place the wireless router.
Ideally the router for your Wi-Fi network should be in a central location. There should not by any obstruction in and around that place. If there is any obstruction then that could create wireless interference. You should place your router near walls, windows and microwave.
Step 2 – you should turn the modem off.
Before you connect your equipment you must switch off the fibre, cable or the DSL modem provided by your Internet service provider. Remember, this is an important step in the procedure explains a Wi-Fi network setup professional based in London.
Step 3 – you have to connect your router to the modem.
There must be an Ethernet cable supplied with the router. You have to plug that cable to WAN port of the router. The other end of the cable should go into the modem.
Step 4 –connect your computer or laptop to the router.
Place one end of the Ethernet cable into the device LAN port of your connected router and the other into the Ethernet port of your devices like laptop or desktop. Any port of the router will work as the LAN port.
Point to note – this wiring or the cable has to be removed later when the network gets set up.
Step 5 – now you have to power on all three – the computer, modem and the router.
It is ideal if you first power on the modem first and then followed by the router and the computer respectively. Once the light in the modem turns on, then power on the router. Similarly turn the computer on only when the router lights are on.
Step 6 – access the management webpage to set up the router.
First open up a browser and then enter the IP address of your router admin page. This IP address will be in the supporting documentation of the router. The documentation will also provide you with the login information.
Step 7 – you have to replace the default administrator username and password for your router and set up with your own credentials.
You will find this setting usually on the router admin page under the section (or tab) Administration. Make sure you enter a strong password and do not forget that password at any cost.
Step 8 – time to add WPA2 security.
This is an important step in the entire procedure and there is no way you can skip it. In order to go through this step you must find this setting. It is present in the router admin page under the wireless security section. You have to select the type of encryption you want to use. It is also essential to enter a passphrase of a minimum of 8 characters. The more characters you use, the pass word becomes more complex the better.
According to a Wi-Fi extender setup professional WPA2 is much more secure compared to WEP. If you have older wireless adaptors in that case you should use WPA or a mixed mode of WPA and WPA2. It is relevant mentioning WPA3 is yet another option for the latest range of hardware. But it has a limited compatibility.
Step 9 – replace the name of the wireless network or SSID.
You should choose a descriptive name for your SSID IR Service Set Identifier. This will make it easy to identify your network. You will have to access the wireless network information section or tab under the router admin page for this purpose.
Step 10 – now you have to change the wireless channel.
If you are in an area that is jammed with other wireless networks then you may suffer from signal interference. It is possible minimising interference by changing the wireless channel of your router. Change it to the one that other networks are not using. To locate a channel that is not crowded you can follow the “trial and error” method. Alternatively you can make use of a Wi-Fi analyser app in your smartphone to avoid using manual effort.
Step 11 – need to set up wireless adaptor on the computer.
Once the router configuration is saved you have to unplug the cable that connects the computer and the router. Then plug a USB or a PC wireless card adapter into the laptop if it has no inbuilt or installed wireless adapter. Your system may install the necessary drivers automatically. If it does not then you have to install those applications from the setup CD that came with the adapter.
Step 12 – get connected to the new wireless network and enjoy browsing.
You have to search for the new network that you set up on all your wireless enabled devices including the computer. Make sure all the computer or laptop devices are well connected to the router wifi network.
If your mobile phone is not connecting to the Wi-Fi network you should give a try out the following below setup –
- Make sure the Wi-Fi is powered on
- Make sure the airplane mode is switched off
- Rerun the password of the Wi-Fi setup
- Lastly try disconnecting and reconnecting it to the network
If the device still fails to connect then update the O/S. Then restart the device. You may have to go through the wireless setting once again right from scratch.
This is all about setting up a wireless internet connection on your own DIY.
