Manually Configure Your Router Without Setup Software

1. Connect your wireless router to the modem, using an ethernet cable.
2. Connect the wireless router to a power source. Wait about a minute to ensure that your router is fully operational.
3. Connect the wireless router to your computer using an ethernet cable.
4. Log in to your router’s Web interface by opening a browser and entering the IP address of your router into the address bar. The IP address should be listed within your router’s documentation; if you can't find it, most routers use a common IP address such as http://192.168.1.1, http://192.168.0.1, or http://192.168.2.1.
5. Enter the default username and password, which you should find within your router’s documentation. Alternatively, visit Port Forward’s Default Router Passwords page.
6. Use the Web interface to set up a network name and password.
7. Disconnect your computer from the wireless router and then reconnect wirelessly. Finally, check out our router tips to speed up your wireless connection.

Caution: Be sure to use a password to protect your wireless network. Unauthorized parties can easily connect to an unprotected network, stealing your bandwidth as well as your personal data. Include a combination of letters, symbols, and numbers to build a better password, and don’t use words found in the dictionary. Don’t worry about memorizing your password; just write it down and file it away. The one-time minor inconvenience of connecting a computer to a password-protected network is worth the huge security advantage.