Good day!

Many users are intimidated by setting up a Wi-Fi router on their own, and when purchasing it, they also order a service to connect and configure it.

In my opinion, the price for this service in many stores is too high (sometimes up to half the cost of the router) - especially since many can cope with this operation on their own (you just need to figure it out a little).

I also want to immediately add that if in the future you need to change your password, settings for Internet access (or anything else), you will still have to go into the router settings and figure it out yourself...

That is why I wrote this small instruction article, with pictures and explanations of each step. I hope the step-by-step presentation of the material will help you figure out how and what to do.

And so, let's go in order ☺...

Addition! You can also read my other article on how to connect and configure the Tenda FH456 (N301, F3) router from scratch -

Step-by-step instructions: connecting and setting up a Wi-Fi router

Selecting a location and placing the router

Many users make one mistake - namely, they place the router next to the computer (for example, on the system unit). No, for testing and initial setup this is acceptable, but for continuous operation of the device this is not good in all cases.

The fact is that depending on where your Wi-Fi router is placed, the level of network reception in different parts of your home will greatly depend. Significantly reduce the Wi-Fi signal: load-bearing thick walls, mirrors, metal doors, etc.

Therefore, you need to position the router so that it is approximately equidistant from all devices that will connect to its network (and also so that there are minimal obstacles to the network signal). An example of unsuccessful and successful placement of a router in a 2-room apartment is shown in the layout below.

On the issue of choosing and placing a router in an apartment

An article about how you can strengthen your Wi-Fi signal -

In general, I think the message is clear: depending on the location of the router, the quality of the network signal, speed, errors, etc. will depend.

Connecting the router to the computer

A typical router delivery consists of (example in the picture below):

• the router itself;
• power supply;
• network cable (usually 1-2 m long). Used to connect the router to a PC (laptop) and configure it;
• operating instructions;
• antenna (there may not be an antenna - in some routers it is built into the device body).

Those. there is everything you need to start connecting and setting up the device.

The connection itself comes down to the following:

1. Connect the router with a network cable (which comes with the router) to a computer or laptop. By the way, please note that the router, as a rule, has 4 LAN ports for this (most often marked in yellow). On some routers, the marking may be Ethernet instead of LAN;
2. disconnect the Internet cable (coming from the provider) from the computer system unit and connect it to the router: to the WAN or Internet port (usually marked in blue);
3. connect power to the router and turn on the device;
4. If everything is done correctly, various LEDs on the device will begin to blink...

If shown schematically, the Wi-Fi router becomes like an intermediary between your computer and the Internet cable from the provider (see picture below).

Important! Connecting the router to a PC (laptop) using a network cable is necessary for the initial setup of the device. Subsequently, the cable can be disconnected and the router placed in a more convenient place.

Configuring network card settings

Before you go into the Wi-Fi router settings, you need to correctly configure the network card (especially if you previously had different default settings).

First you need to open a tab in the control panel - Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network Connections . The easiest way to do this is to press the Win+R button combination, enter the command ncpa.cpl and click OK.

How to open network connections || ncpa.cpl

Then you need to open select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and open its properties.

In the "General" tab, set to obtain an IP address and DNS server automatically. Save settings.

Obtain IP address and DNS server automatically

Such settings are suitable in 99.9% of cases, because... your Wi-Fi router has an active DHCP server looking at the local network - which will give a free IP address to your computer/laptop.

Entering the router settings (device IP address)

To go into the settings of a Wi-Fi router, you need to know its IP address (which you just need to enter into the address bar of your browser and go to it).

Each router has its own IP address for settings. In most cases he 192.168.1.1 , but there are exceptions:

1. address for D-Link and NetGear routers: 192.168.0.1 ;
2. address for TrendNet routers: 192.168.10.1

Important! Also pay attention to the stickers on the body of your Wi-Fi router - almost always the IP address is indicated on these stickers. By the way, on the same stickers you can find the login password for accessing the web interface.

After you enter correct IP address to enter the router settings and press Enter - you will see a window prompting you to enter your login and password (example in the figure below).

As a rule, in most cases both the login and password will be admin. If you can't log in, try leaving the password field blank.

I discussed in more detail how to enter the router settings, what passwords and logins, IP addresses, and what to do if you can’t log in in this article:

Setting up a router (router)

If the password and login were entered correctly, then you should be taken to the web interface (with a bunch of different settings, links, etc.). Each manufacturer and different router models have a different interface.

But there is one thing in common: the menu is usually located on the side or on top. The basic settings in the menu are also identical and are set in a similar way. So, having looked at how one router is configured, you can configure another by analogy...

As an example, I’ll take such a popular brand of routers as TP-LINK (with “green” firmware in Russian).

Cloning the MAC address of an old network card

The fact is that many providers charge extra. protection that checks the MAC address. And if the MAC address does not match (or has been replaced) - access to the network is blocked.

To clone a MAC address, in TP-LINK routers you need to open the “MAC Address Clone” link (in the “Network” section). If you have an English version of the firmware, then look for a link like "MAC Clone".

Addition! Not long ago, I published separate instructions on cloning a MAC address on my blog. -

MAC address cloning

Setting up Internet access

Setting up Internet access mainly depends on the network design of your Internet service provider. The necessary parameters for accessing the network must be specified in the contract for the provision of Internet connection services. Most often, PPPoE is used in Russia (note: a dynamic IP address is issued upon connection. To access you must enter your login and password).

It is impossible to open the WAN (Internet) tab in the router and first specify the connection type (for example, PPPoE, see “2” in the figure below). It is also necessary to indicate username and password (see “3” in the figure below, data can be taken from the agreement with the Internet provider).

All that remains is to save the settings. In most cases, you do not need to enter anything else. Now the router can access the Internet - and the Internet should now appear on the computer that is connected to it with a network cable.

All that remains is to configure the wireless network...

Setting up a Wi-Fi network

To set up a Wi-Fi network, you first need to open the "Wireless Settings" tab (or in English "Wireless Settings"). In this tab you need to specify the network name - i.e. the name of the network that you will look for to connect on your gadgets: tablets, phones, etc. (in some cases, if there is a bad signal, it makes sense to select a channel.).

Then you need to open the “Wireless Network Protection” tab (or in English "Wireless Security") and select the type of protection. One of the best types of encryption today is WPA2-PSK, which is the first in the list (we select it).

PSK password is the password that you will need to enter when connecting to a Wi-Fi network.

Actually, after saving the settings, the router will reboot, and after that you can connect to the Wi-Fi network and use the Internet.

That's all the setup...

I understand that in this article I did not consider many subtleties that in particular cases can have a great impact on the operation of the network. But, probably, all of them cannot be provided for in one article.

As I work on the site, I will touch on this issue more than once...

“Setting up a WiFi router? Nothing could be simpler, Watson!
Even if you are a very far person from the depths of knowledge of all the secrets of the computer world, most likely you have still heard of such a thing as Wi-Fi! Let's immediately decide what this word means. WiFi is a technology for wirelessly transmitting information via radio signals. Now it has become widespread, so in order to keep up with the homosapiens of the 21st century, I strongly recommend getting involved in the topic and actively mastering and using it. The advantage of setting up wifi at home over a cable connection is so huge that there is no point in even explaining it - Internet and data exchange wirelessly! No sockets, cords or other millennia-old nonsense - I took out a laptop or smartphone (or whatever else is weighing on your pocket?) - turned it on and away I go...

If you are reading this article, then the question of setting up a WiFi router has arisen for you. Well, let's figure out how to set up WiFi on a laptop and computer with Windows 7 or XP.

I’ll immediately make a reservation that the menu sections in the admin panel of the router that I will talk about may have different names in different models and are located in different parts of the menu - the main thing is to understand the essence of which section should be entered.

1. So, first of all, you need to purchase a router with wifi support. To set up a router for distributing a high-speed signal, it is advisable to purchase equipment with maximum throughput (currently there are up to 450 Mb/s), which is called a reserve. All the features of the choice are described in detail in this blog.
2. Turn on the WiFi router and connect two cables to it - one, Internet from the provider, to the connector called “WAN”, the other, free on both sides, which came with the kit, to the “LAN” connector.

   

3. Connect the free end of the cable to the computer or laptop from which we will configure the equipment.

   

4. Go to the browser address http://192.168.1.1 or another address indicated on the bottom of the device. Depending on the manufacturer and model, the address may look like 192.168.10.1, 192.168.0.1 or 10.10.0.1 - from those that I personally came across.

   

5. Enter your login and password - usually admin/admin, but may differ. They are indicated there, on the back of the router, next to the address for logging into the admin panel.

   

6. In the router settings, in the WAN or Internet section, select the type of connection that is either specified in the provider’s contract or found out by calling technical support, and enter all the access data depending on this type. Again, they are all indicated in the contract or accompanying explanatory materials and instructions from the provider.

   

7. In the “Wireless Network” or “WiFi” section, set the name of our Wi-Fi (SSID)

   

8. In the security section, set the encryption type to WPA2/PSK and set a password for connecting to WiFi.

   

9. We activate the virtual server mode - DCHP, which allows you to dynamically distribute IP addresses from a given range.

   

10. Save all changes

Setting up a WiFi router - connecting a laptop

Let's move on to setting up WiFi on the laptop. Let's look at Windows 7 as an example, although on XP everything will be the same - the only difference is in the names of the menu items in the system itself. But first of all, keep in mind that the laptop must have a WiFi module - either built-in, which you will be notified by a sticker on the case informing you of its presence, or some kind of button to activate it.

If it is not there, then you need to purchase and install a WiFi adapter - read more about choosing this device.

Possible errors when setting up a router

When setting up a router to distribute a wifi signal on their own, beginners often make fairly simple mistakes. I will now give the solution to the most common ones.

If all the router settings have been made correctly, then the Internet should start working wirelessly. Follow the blog updates to learn how to increase Wi-Fi range and many other useful things.

Plug the Internet cable into the WAN (or Internet) port of your router (aka router).

Connect the router to the computer: insert one end of the network cable into any of the LAN ports of the router, and the other into the connector of the PC’s network card. You can use a wireless connection instead of a cable, but it is better not to do this at the setup stage.

Connect the router to a power outlet. If your device has a power button, press it. Then wait a minute or two to allow the router to boot up.

2. Check the Internet

If your router was pre-configured by your provider or received settings automatically, then the Internet can start working a few seconds after connecting the router to the PC.

To check, launch your browser and try opening several sites. If there are no problems with accessing web resources, you can skip the fourth paragraph of the article.

In your browser's address bar, enter 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 and press Enter. One of these IP addresses should lead to the router's settings menu. If both options do not work, find the required IP address in the documentation for your router model and try entering it.

When the settings login page appears in the browser window, the system may request a login and password. Most often, when connecting for the first time, one word is suitable for both fields - admin. Less often, router manufacturers use the combination as a standard password 1234 .

If necessary, you can find the login information in the instructions for the router or on the provider's website. Well, or try an alternative.

4. Set up an Internet connection

If the Internet still does not work, the router needs special settings. Exactly what settings you need depends on your specific device model and Internet service provider. There is no universal configuration. To get the necessary instructions, check the provider's website or request it from support.

Once you have obtained the manual for setting up your model, follow its prompts. If in the process you set up both an Internet connection and a home Wi-Fi network, you can skip the fifth point of the article.

For Wi-Fi, it is important to choose the right security settings.

In the settings menu, find the section responsible for the wireless network (see the documentation for your router model). Here, be sure to set a strong password (you will need it to connect your devices to the router via Wi-Fi) and select WPA2-PSK as a means of protection.

6. Change the password to enter the router settings

Just in case, it is better to limit the access of strangers to the router settings menu. If the router is still protected by the default password, replace it with your own.

Find the settings section that is responsible for the security (see the documentation for your router model) of the device, and enter a new strong password here. Save your changes.

If your computer has a Wi-Fi module, after completing the setup, you can remove the network cable from the PC and connect to the router via a wireless connection.

7. Install the router in the optimal location

Ideally, the router is in the center of the area in which you use Wi-Fi. This way the signal will be equally available to all connected devices.

The fewer walls, furniture, and other obstacles between the receiving device and the router, the better the wireless network works.

TP-LINK is one of the leading manufacturers of network equipment. We will provide detailed information on how to connect or reconfigure a TP-Link router. The procedure for connecting the device, setting up a wired and wireless network, changing the password and updating the firmware will be discussed. The information obtained will allow you to easily configure your home network in TP-Link routers.

What data is needed to connect the router?

To change the parameters of the router itself, you will need two things: a browser and a password with an access login. The latest data can be found on the label attached to the device body. As a rule, the standard login and password are the English word admin.

To use the Internet you will also need authorization data, which you must obtain from your provider. However, they must be specified in the service agreement. They must be entered in the router or a specialized program, if provided by the provider. Be sure to know the connection type (PPPoE, L2TP, PPTP and others) for proper configuration. When using a dynamic IP, you need to know your IP address, subnet mask and the like. If all these parameters are already in hand, you can connect to TP-Link.

How to connect a device to a network, PC or laptop

The procedure does not cause any great difficulties, and is performed for 5-10 minutes. Follow the steps in the following instructions one by one:

Models with Wi-Fi can be configured over the air. This is relevant if you are not able to connect the router to your computer via LAN. This completes the manipulation of the wires. The process then continues in the web interface.

Login to the web interface

Manipulations with the modem are performed only in the web interface. You can access it from a computer with a network cable connected or via Wi-Fi on a wireless model. Attention! You can use the interface at any time, even when the Internet is down. To log in, follow the instructions below:

Router settings

Let's move on to the most interesting part - changing the router parameters. The main window contains more than 10 different sections. Most of them are not needed by the average user. Internet activation occurs in a maximum of two sections. Next, we will tell you in detail how to set up a TP-Link router, about creating a wired connection, setting up Wi-Fi, changing the login password and other useful things.

Connecting to a wired network

The router has a quick setup feature. Beginners are recommended to use this section. Click "Next" and follow the installer prompts:

When setting up other types of connections, fields for entering your login and password will appear. Here you need to enter the data provided by the provider. The user can change the settings in the “Network” section. In some TP Link models, next to the choice of connection type there is a “Define” button, which will help you find out your type. Based on the WAN, the corresponding characteristics are already configured.

For example, to use PPPoE, fields for login/password and parameters specific to PPPoE already appear in the window.

Connect via wireless network

For devices with a Wi-Fi module, you will also have to set up a wireless connection. This can be done with quick setup (the penultimate point involves entering all the important parameters).

Let's figure out what Wi-Fi settings on the TP-Link router should be changed. Broadcasting should be set to “on”. The SSID or network name is what will appear on other devices when searching. Specify your region, mixed mode. Leave the channel and its width automatically. Advanced users can choose it themselves, taking into account occupied channels by neighboring routers. If you want to set a password for the access point, select the WPA2-PSK security type. Finally, all that remains is to enter the password for the wireless network point. Click the “Next” button and complete the process.

Similar settings are found in the “Wireless Mode” section. To change the SSID or channel parameters, select the “Wireless Settings” sub-item. You can change the password in the “Wireless Security” section. When making any changes, do not forget to click the “Save” button. If the selected settings have not changed, reboot the device.

Through these menu items, routers from the manufacturer TP-Link are configured.

Changing the password for logging into the web interface

All owners are recommended to change the standard password and login for the router. This is due to the fact that an attacker, if the Wi-Fi password is missing or has been hacked, will be able to enter the modem settings and “have fun”. Eliminating the problems created will not be difficult, but it is better to avoid this. The interface allows you to quickly and conveniently change input data:

If you have forgotten your login information, perform a factory reset.

Advanced Settings

The router has a lot of additional functions that expand its capabilities. Consider some of the advanced settings:

• Guest network. Allows you to configure a public guest network, limit incoming/outgoing traffic or operating time.
• Changing addressing. It allows you to set static IP addresses or use DHCP.
• Forwarding – setting up virtual addresses, web telephony, conferences and the like.
• Parental control features. Limiting Internet access time or specific resources.
• Manually setting a routing table (for specialists).
• Binding MAC addresses to specific IPs.

You can find out more about how to configure specific functions of your TP-Link router in the instruction manual.

VPN

This technology allows you to hide information from prying eyes. Encryption is performed, so even your provider will not be able to track your visits. However, only those models that have a pre-installed VPN server can use VPN. You can perform the setup using the following steps (for English firmware).

Wi-Fi provides fast wireless Internet access without being tied to wires and a modem. You only need a device with a Wi-Fi module - using it, several devices can connect to the network at once.

To properly configure the router you do not need special education

Buying and setting up a router will take a little time and does not require special knowledge. To consider in detail all stages of connection, we will use the settings for TP-Link brand models, the most popular among a large number of users.

Before you move on to installing Wi-Fi, you need to figure out how to install your router and make sure it's working properly.

How to connect a Wi-Fi router? First, we choose a place for it - the main thing is that it does not stand on the table where the computer is located or on the system unit, since in such cases interference in work often occurs. Therefore, we move it a little away from other equipment and place it closer to the center of the house so that the waves cover as much area as possible.

To find out how much the router covers the room, after installation, download special applications - they will make the device work as efficiently as possible.

On the back of the router there are the following connectors (in the basic version):

• 4 Lan - port for connecting to a PC. A maximum of 4 computers can be connected to one device at the same time. We insert the cable into one of the ports, and connect the other part to the connector on the back of the system unit.
• A cord with an Internet connection is installed in the WAN cable socket.
• We plug the power cable into the outlet.

Here you will also see a reset and on/off button - their functions are clear. When you have sorted out the wires and inserted them where needed, an icon about a new connection will appear at the bottom of the desktop. Now we need to find out if your PC has installed the router correctly.

Device Manager - setting up the operation of a computer with a router

How to enter the router settings and check whether the computer correctly recognized the equipment. We use the Control Panel, stop at the chapter Network Connections - if you have Windows XP, in Windows Vista/7/8 this section is designated “Network and Control”, “Network and Sharing Center”.

Current connections will appear here - select “Local Area Connection” and look at the properties. You will now see a list of components where you stop at “TCP/IP Internet Protocol”. Here we check how the checkboxes are marked:

• Typically, lines are highlighted that talk about automatically obtaining an IP address and DNS server.
• For some suppliers, information is entered manually, so you will see filled-in lines. Check them with the data in the contract or instructions for the device, enter the correct numbers if they do not match.

The next step is to move on to how to enter the router settings.

Browser and entering parameters

The router is configured using a browser.

Enter your IP address in the address bar. In most cases, this is the combination 192.168.1.1 - the standard version of the address, which, however, differs for some Internet service providers. After pressing Enter, you will see the Wi-Fi router settings. If this does not happen, then the IP address is not suitable and you need to enter other numbers.

How to find out the IP address:

• In documents or on the back of the router.
• If, when entering the properties of “Local Area Network Connections”, the IP address field was previously filled in and was not set to automatic detection, copy it.
• Try checking other addresses - the last two values ​​may look like 0.1, 0.2, or 1.2.
• Enter in the command line (it opens through “Start”) the action cmd, and then ping 168.x.1, and you will be shown all the device parameters.

After entering the IP, a form for entering your login and password appears in front of you. We fill both lines here with the word admin, after which the parameters of the router itself will appear directly.

Reflashing equipment

First of all, setting up a router begins with flashing it to the current version - after the release of each model, a lot of time passes, during which improvements are made and errors are corrected. Therefore, installing the most current version will avoid operational problems.

You can get it on the manufacturer's website. Download the file and go to the settings again (you know how to enter the router settings through a browser) in the System Tools, subsection Firmware Upgrade. Here we select “Browse...”, upload the file and after clicking Upgrade the update will begin.

Clarification: The firmware is optional, so you can do without it - it will not interfere with the operation of the device.

Setting up an Internet connection

After rebooting the Wi-Fi equipment (it will happen automatically), we proceed to setting the parameters for accessing the World Wide Web. In the System Tools section, select the Password tab and enter new data to enter the settings at your discretion.

Now in the Network section we stop at the WAN graph, where we select the type of connection provided by the provider. Mostly this is a dynamic IP (Dynamic), but in some cases this option is not correct.

How to find out your connection type?

It is listed in the documents along with the rest of the data for setting up a Wi-Fi router. If they are missing, find them on the website of your Internet service provider or contact a specialist by phone.

Note: if you need a different type of connection (not dynamic), enter additional information yourself in the fields located in this form after selecting the desired parameter.

The remaining fields will be filled in automatically when you select the Dynamic IP option.

Let's move on to the Wireless section. We put a checkmark next to Enable (if there is such a line), in the Wireless Network Name or SSID we come up with a name for the connection that will be seen by everyone who wants to use Wi-Fi. Below there may be a tab for selecting your country - indicate it, save the changes made and move on to the next stage of our setup.

Wireless Security - you should take filling out this part of the parameters seriously, because here you can secure your network from unauthorized access. Select WPA/WPA2 and set a password in the PSK Password field - without it, no one will be able to establish a connection with your Wi-Fi.

Additionally: MAC Address and copying it

Sometimes providers tie a Wi-Fi access point to the PC's network card. This equipment has a personal MAC code, which we copy into the router settings - to do this, click the “Clone MAC - Code” button.

Where can I find it? Depending on the manufacturer, the address may be located in different sections, mainly in Wireless. In the most common TP-Link models, the MAC address is located in the Network folder; to copy it, you need to select a special column.

The Wi-Fi router setup has been successfully completed. Confirm the reboot - the router will prompt you to do it, then all the changes made will take effect.

Wireless access is convenient, practical, it’s easy to install such Internet, it just takes a little time and a little effort. Now you know how to go into the router settings and fill out all the necessary fields to get quick access no matter what part of the room you are in, and use the Internet on any device that supports this technology.