How To Set Up Windstream Router

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Getting your new wireless router set upwards doesn't need to be complicated. This wikiHow will walk you through the procedure step-past-step—connecting the hardware, configuring your router, and getting your devices continued and set up to go—so you can enjoy your new wireless internet (without any headaches).

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Purchase a wireless router. Routers come in all shapes and sizes. Compare features to discover the router that is right for you lot. If you have more area that y'all need to cover, or take lots of walls in your home, you'll need a router that offers the pick of upgrading antenna(due south) with loftier proceeds types - if non supplied in the box. If more than 1 wireless device will exist connecting at the same time at different speeds, a MiMo type router is recommended, otherwise the speed for all devices will drib the highest supported by all at that time.
- All modern routers should support 802.11n, or Wireless-N). This is the most stable, offers the fastest speeds and is backwards compatible with older standards such equally 802.11g.
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Connect your router to your modem. ^[1] Routers and wireless routers enable you to share your broadband net connection with multiple devices. To do and so, you volition need to connect your broadband modem to the router. For best results, identify your router near your modem.
- Connect the router and the modem with an Ethernet cablevision. Most routers come packaged with a short Ethernet cablevision that you lot can use for this.
- Connect the modem to the WAN / Internet Port on your router. It is normally offset, and may be a different color from the LAN Ports. WAN stands for "Broad Area Network" which is what the internet actually is. LAN stands for "Local Area Network". The router volition assign a local or "individual" IP address to whatsoever device connected to its LAN Ports or WiFi signal from a puddle of individual addresses (listed further below).
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Connect any devices you desire to hard wire with Cat five (or ameliorate) Ethernet cables. If y'all take computers that are close, or a video game panel or TV, you can connect them to the router via Ethernet.^[ii] This volition result in a more stable and faster connexion, and doesn't require any extra configuration.
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Connect at to the lowest degree one reckoner via Ethernet. You will need at least one reckoner connecting via Ethernet cable in order to accommodate your router settings. You tin disconnect this computer later if yous want to connect wirelessly. You can besides connect your laptop wirelessly for the beginning time, the wifi network name and the default countersign will exist printed on the router's label

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When y'all power on the router, it volition only create its wi-fi network, and the device volition be connected to the router's wi-fi connection, not the internet. To connect the router to the cyberspace, with some internet providers (i.eastward. GTPL in Bharat), it is required to register router's MAC address to the internet service provider's website.
- MAC of the router can be found printed on router or in the documents etc.
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Go to the isp's website. Log in with the username and countersign provided by the internet service provider and go to MAC address update option. one tin can encounter their existing laptop / computers MAC accost there. Add the router's MAC address there and save it. This process means that the router is authorized to use the internet provide by the broadband company.

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Detect the IP accost of the router . If this is a new installation or new router, determine the default IP address that may be printed on a label affixed to the router or in the documentation.^[iii] If you can't find the router's IP address anywhere, you can do a web search for the router model to come across what the default address is.
- IP addresses are formatted as four groups of upwardly to three digits, separated by periods.
- Unremarkably constitute "default" Local IP addresses for routers are 192.168.0.ane, 192.168.1.one, 192.168.ii.1, 10.0.0.1. Note that all the addresses in the follow ranges: 192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255, 172.sixteen.0.0 - 172.31.255.255 & 10.0.0.0 - ten.255.255.255 have been prepare aside for exclusive use in a LAN; and ane address in the range of any of them of them would be assigned to the connected router.
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Open a web browser on the reckoner that is connected to the router. Enter in the IP address of the router into the address bar and printing Enter. Your browser volition attempt to connect to the router's configuration card.
- If your router came with an installation disc, you can run the configuration program from that instead. Information technology volition accomplish many of the aforementioned functions.
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Enter your username and countersign. In order to access the configuration page, you will need to be on the router'south IP address and enter a valid username and password at the prompt. Most routers have a basic account prepare upwardly that y'all volition demand to apply to log on. This varies from model to model, but should exist printed on the router or in the documentation.
- The about typical username is "admin".
- The most typical passwords are "admin" and "password".
- Many routers volition only require a username and a bare password, and some allow you to leave all fields blank.
- If you lot can't figure out the correct IP address, your username or password, search for your router model online to see what the default login is. If it has been changed, press the Reset button on the back of the router for ten (to 30+ seconds as dictated in the instructions for the router model) to restore factory defaults and try again.
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Open the Wireless Settings. When you log in to your router, you will be taken to the router'due south main carte du jour or status screen. There will exist several options to cull from. The Internet department can normally be left at default settings, unless you received specific instructions from your internet access provider. The Wireless section will allow you to set up upward your wireless network.
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Enter a proper name for your wireless network. In the Wireless section, you should see a field labeled SSID or Name. Enter a unique name for your wireless network. This is what other devices will run across when scanning for networks.
- Bank check the box to enable SSID circulate. This will essentially "turn on" the wireless network so that information technology may be readily seen by anyone in range of the signal. *Encounter the Tips section beneath for additional information on the SSID setting.
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Choose a security method. Choose from the list of available security options. For the best security, choose WPA2-PSK as the encryption method. This is the most hard security to crack, and volition give y'all the most protection from hackers and intruders.
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Create a passphrase. Once you lot've chosen your security method, enter in a passphrase for the network. This should be a hard countersign, with a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Don't use whatsoever passwords that could be easily deduced from your network name or from knowing you lot.
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Save your settings. One time you are finished naming and securing your wireless network, click the Apply or Save button. The changes volition be practical to your router, which may take a few moments. Once the router has finished resetting, your wireless network will be enabled.
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Change your router's username and countersign from the default. In one case you lot have your network configured, you should change the username and password that you apply to access your router. This will help protect your router from unauthorized changes. You can alter these from the Administration section of the router configuration menu.^[4]
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Block sites. If you want to forbid devices that are continued to your network from accessing sure websites, you can utilize born blocking tools to restrict admission. These tin can be found in the Security/Cake section of the router.
- Yous can usually block by specific domain names, or by keywords.
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Connect a computer, tablet, or smartphone to the wireless network. Scan for the wireless network with the SSID you provided to a higher place. On whatsoever device that supports wireless networks, you should see your new network as long as you are within range of the router. Select information technology and you will be prompted for the passphrase.
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Enter your wireless passphrase. Once you enter the passphrase, your device will exist automatically continued to the wireless network. The network will exist stored in your devices memory and will automatically connect whenever yous are within range.
- For detailed instructions on selecting and joining a wireless network for your specific computer, tablet, or smartphone, follow this guide.
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Add together New Question

Question

I can't get net access. What should I do?

Contact your net provider for aid.
Question

Tin I reset my admin's password if I forgot it?

Babawale Oladapo

Customs Answer

For you to reset your admin password, you will need to reset your router to its default factory settings
Question

Can yous use Wi-Fi with a phone?

You can apply Wi-Fi with a smartphone (which is what most people accept these days), not with a basic cell phone.
Question

Tin can I remove the Ethernet cable once the router is set?

Y'all can remove Ethernet cables from devices that are going to be wireless (eastward.g. a laptop), but you should leave the router wired to whatsoever modems. Don't forget to configure the router first!
Question

How do I connect Wifi to other devices?

You have to do it from the device itself. On settings in any device, there should exist a Wifi symbol and wireless networks available.
Question

How long does information technology take to set upward a router?

Less than an hour, depending with your modem speed. It volition besides depend on how comfortable you lot are with setting it up, be sure to read the instructions closely.
Question

What can I practise if I put in the correct username and password to connect to the router, but it doesn't work?

Babawale Oladapo

Community Answer

The only matter y'all can exercise at that point is to restore your router to its default factory settings.
Question

I am out of LAN ports on my router and need one more. How can this exist accomplished?

Add a 4-port (or higher count) network switch. Connect the new switch'southward WAN or input port to 1 of the existing router's LAN ports. You now take 4 new LAN ports; connect the original devices and you'll still have open ports. Using a switch lets you add more ports without needing configuration. Don't utilise a "hub" (likewise slow) or a router (too complex). Make sure y'all utilise Cat5 cablevision for brusk jumps under 2m or Cat5e for runs under 10m. Since 1Gb networks are mutual, be sure you employ hardware that supports that speed.
Question

Should I leave my router switched on all the time?

It's up to you, but nearly people exercise go out their routers on all the fourth dimension.
Question

How can I fix a TP-Link that restarts at random times?

It's possible that information technology's overheating. Try to move it to a place with more than ventilation. If that does not piece of work, then try a factory reset. If those suggestions fail, and so your device is lacking, and you will accept to purchase a new one.

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If you have procured a used wireless router from a friend or store, brand sure to reset it to factory settings before installing it. It may try to configure your wireless network according to the previous organization. Discover the reset button on the router, and printing it for xxx seconds with a pivot or pencil.

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About This Article

Article Summary X

To set up a router in your habitation, connect the router to your wireless modem with an Ethernet cable, plug the router'south power cable into a power source, and turn on the router if it doesn't start upwards already. You lot can so connect your computer or smartphone to the router by selecting the router'due south proper name in the Wi-Fi carte and entering the password constitute on the back or bottom of the router.

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