How to configure a router step by step?

At the time of wanting to configure a Wi-Fi network at home, you must have a basic knowledge of handling computers, in order to access the device platform. Furthermore, it is important to be familiar with the terms as well, before altering any parameters when updating the SSID or password.

Setting up your router may seem complicated if you’re not used to using a desktop or laptop computer regularly, but don’t worry, as here you’ll find a series of simple and explained steps so you can set up your router without help.

Next, we will review what steps to follow when configuring a TP-Link, since it is one of the most common brands of routers to put Wi-Fi at home and its interface is standard:

1. Connect the router

The first thing you need to do to allow others to connect to the router and enjoy wireless internet is to create the link between the device and the modem .

For this you will need an Ethernet cable, which is usually included with the purchase of the router. Plug one end into the modem’s Ethernet port and the other end into the router, which should activate the connection indicator light.

Some models of routers allow access to the configuration via wireless link, but others require connecting the computer directly to the device. In these cases, we advise you to do it in a wired way, to avoid setbacks and enjoy greater speed.

If you are going to configure the router as a wired access point, it is not necessary to access the internal settings, since, when it recognizes the link with the modem, the equipment will be ready to work as a wired extender. You just need to make sure that the Ethernet cable connected indicator is on.

2. Get the router address

In case you are wondering what the IP of my router is, you can find out in a simple way and using a basic Windows tool.

To use it, click Start and type Run to bring up the app. Select it with your cursor and this will bring up a small dialog at the bottom left of your screen. In the space type CMD and press Enter.

Now a new window will be displayed where you must enter the ipconfig command and touch Enter again, so that all the connection information is displayed. Look for the Default Gateway section and here you will see the address of the router.

3. Access the router

To enter the router you must open a window in the Internet browser of your choice, and then enter the address you have obtained in the navigation bar.

By default, it is usually 192.168.1.1 OR 192.168.0.1 and pressing Enter will take you to the router interface where you will be asked to enter the username and password. In most cases, you can try using admin as the user and 1234 or 0000 as the password. Once access is granted, you will find yourself in the router configuration interface, where you will find all the connection information and options for settings.

Here you can also change the IP of the router in case you prefer a specific address, but it is not recommended, to avoid carelessness in which you can lose the updated data and have to completely restart the device.

4. Determine an SSID

Once you have been able to access the TP-Link configuration to configure Wifi at home, you will need to update the SSID of the router. This is basically the name with which the access point appears in other devices, so it is necessary to know it, to know which one to choose when analyzing Wifi channels.

Click on Wireless and in the Wireless Network Name section you can enter the name you want to give to the network. When you’re done, save your changes with Save.

5. Set a password

Now the time has come to change the password of the TP-Link router.

To do so, find the Wireless section in the list of options on the left. Click on it and then on Wireless Security . Here you will probably find the Movistar Wifi password by default, which is usually 1234 or 0000.

Hover over the dialog next to PSK Password and type the password you want to use. At the bottom of the page you will find the Save button, to save the changes.

In summary

Once you can easily master how to access the router from your computer or any other mobile device, you will have extensive access to the configuration of the device, to determine its performance based on your needs.

In its interface you will find multiple options that, depending on the model of your router, will give you access to adjust advanced parameters, such as the name of the network or SSID, the password that will be requested to enter and even the connection frequency. The latter will help make the most of the network’s capacity, so you should try to configure it according to the type of connection.

In terms of security, you will find sections to determine the format and type of password, as well as MAC address filters to prevent access by certain computers, among other functions.

All these tools have been designed so that you can customize all the accesses and parameters of your router, so that the connection is not affected by the use of unauthorized third parties.

At the same time, if you’re suspecting that some stranger is taking advantage of your internet connection, within the interface you’ll be able to find the Status section where, when you click, the window will update to show all the connection information. At the bottom of the page you will see a list of all connected devices and traffic details.