Linksys router setup
How to setup Linksys router? Linksys router setup is very easy, and ofcourse you can do it manually. You don’t even need to run the installation CD or any other software such as Cisco connect.
In this article, you will find all the necessary steps to install Linksys router from scratch or troubleshoot the existing network.
This article will help you:
- Linksys router setup basic steps
- Basic connections between modem, router and computer
- Linksys router setup without CD
- How to Setup Linksys router for cable or DSL Internet modem
- Create wireless network. Secure wireless network
- Connect computer and other devices to wireless or wired network
- Troubleshooting network issues.
Basic Linksys router setup steps:
We will go through these steps in detail. The setup process will be same for almost all the Linksys routers (WRT54G WRT120N, WRT160N, E1000, E1200, E2000, E3000 and so on…).
Follow the simple steps below, and you will get your router up and running in minutes.
- Make sure that internet service provider’s modem is working properly.
- Make connections between Modem – Router – Computer
- Open the Linksys router setup page.
- Change the Internet connection settings according to your Internet service provider (cable/DSL)
- Get your Main computer up and running on Internet.
- Change the Wireless settings on the router and get all the wireless devices and computers connected.
Cable/DSL routers are very easy to install. You need to open the Linksys router setup page and change the Internet connection settings manually. The setup page is the page where you can change the settings.
You can open this page when your computer is connected with the Ethernet cable. Make sure that while changing the settings, your computer should be connected with the Ethernet cable. Do not change the settings when your computer is wireless.
Follow the easy steps:
Step 1: First make sure that your broadband modem is working given by ISP.
Connect your Desktop or the main computer directly to the broadband modem. Make sure that your main computer can access the Internet directly through the modem. If you are not able to access the Internet after connecting a computer directly to the modem, then contact your ISP and get your modem working first.
In case of DSL connection, you may not be able to access the Internet directly through the DSL modem. In this case, you must have PPPoE User name and password from the DSL company. Make sure that you have the correct PPPoE user name and password. If you do not have PPPoE user name and password, then get in touch with your Internet service provider and get it.
I was using Linksys WRT54G for many years. This is a really very good wireless G model. I was using DSL Internet connection at home. The connection was dropping always. I thought my device was dropping connection and I used to reinstall it again and again. I was very frustrated. On day I took it out from my WRT54G and connected my laptop directly to the modem. I found that my Internet modem was dropping the connection and I was blaming my Linksys WRT54G.
So, first make sure the modem is working fine.
Step 2: Make connections between Modem – Router – Computer
Connect the Desktop or the main computer and broadband modem to the router with the Ethernet cables. Connect the modem to the Internet port (which is standing alone ) and computer to the LAN port. There are 4 LAN ports for connecting computers and 1 Internet port for modem only.
If you connect the modem and computer to the wrong port, you will not be able to open the Linksys router setup page. If you have a computer connected to the WAN port, then it will not communicate with the Linksys. The connection is very important. You will see 4 lights, Power, WAN, wireless and Ethernet.
Linksys router setup : Connections video
Small introductory video for connections to the router. Your device may look different but the connections will remain same.
Step 3: Open Linksys router Setup page
The default IP address of most of the Linksys routers is 192.168.1.1. But in some case, for example DSL modem, IP address of Linksys router may get changed. So first of check the IP address of your device.
First, check the DHCP IP address on your computer. Open the command prompt. Type ipconfig and hit enter. You will see different IP addresses. Look for Default gateway for Local Area connection or Local network Adapter. This is the number you will need to open the router web interface for setting up the network. 192.168.1.1 is the default IP address of almost all the models of Linksys Wifi router.
Open the Internet browser on your Desktop or main computer. In the address bar type the number 192.168.1.1. Turn off the firewall on your computer if you face any issues accessing the Linksys router setup page.
If you are still having issues opening the page, then check the IP address on your computer. The default gateway will be the IP address your broadband router. Use that number to open the page. Also, make sure that there is no static IP address set on a computer.
Step 4: Change Internet connection settings on Linksys router
It will prompt you to enter the Username and password. Linksys router default password is admin. If the default password is not working, then you can reset the device to the factory default. Press and hold the reset button for 30 seconds. Release the reset button and wait for 30 seconds. Power cycle the router.
You will see the setup page on your screen. This page is the Web interface of the router, and it will help you change the router settings. There are different tabs on this page. Also, you may see slightly different setup page for different routers, but the settings will remain the same for all of them.
The setup page image ABOVE may change as per the model number of your device. If you are using new Linksys router then it may not look like image above. You will find list of Linksys router models in the top Menu. Select your model and go to specific Linksys router setup tips.
Step 5: Internet connection settings
Change the Network connection settings according to your service provider.
For Cable Internet Service Provider: You need to clone the MAC address of your main computer. (You will see the option on the Basic setup page, Clone My PC’s MAC address). Make sure that DHCP server is set to enabled. Click Save.
For DSL Internet service Provider: If you have PPPoE user name and password given by your ISP then you will need to enter those credentials. Change the Internet connection settings to PPPoE. Enter the PPPoE user name and password. Save the settings.
Step 6:
Try to go online on your main computer.
If you are not able to access the Internet on your main computer, then you might have missed the connection settings.
Step 7: Change wireless network settings.
Once you are able to go online on the main computer, you can change the wireless network settings. For wireless network setup, go to the Wireless tab on the setup page. Change the wireless network name and enter the security password for your wireless network.
The WEP / WPA key is nothing but a password for your wireless network (also called a wireless passphrase). If you keep it open or unsecured, then anyone can connect. They can use your Internet service for Free. To avoid this, you should have security enabled on wireless networks.
Many routers come with unsecured factory default settings. For better connection, use WPA2 with AES encryption. WPA2 is a string wireless security mode. WEP is now older security mode and can be cracked easily. Wireless network security is very important for your network.
Linksys router setup : Web-based Interface
Step 8: Connect to the wifi network.
Now try to connect to the new wireless network on your computers/devices wirelessly. Wireless Networking on Windows and MAC computers is easy. First, you will need to search for the SSID on your wireless computer.
SSID is the name of your wireless network. Once you find the SSID, try to connect to the SSID. Enter the password/passphrase and try to connect to get wireless Access. Once connected to an Access point or network, try to access the Internet on a wireless device. You will be able to connect to the Internet on your wireless computer also.
In many cases, you may need to do port forwarding for various applications like gaming stations in your Local Area network. Port forwarding is available under Security settings tab on the router setup page.
Troubleshooting Steps
If you are having trouble with wireless network speed or range, try changing the wireless channel. This option is available under the Wireless settings tab. If the wireless device is too far from the Linksys router, then try using wireless Range expander or extender.
If you are still not able to configure your router then follow these very basic step by step Fix Home Network’s Easy setup Guide and install your Linksys router in few minutes.
Setting up a Linksys wireless router is not difficult at all. Use Fix Home Network’s FREE guide for easy Linksys router setup without CD. It is designed to work with almost all the models of Linksys wireless routers as well as D link, Belkin and other company Broadband router. It will work for Wireless G, Wireless N routers, dual-band routers.
Many new Linksys home wireless routers (for example, E1000, E2000, E3000, E4200) will broadcast two different SSIDs. One of them is the main SSID, and the other is for guest access. To use Guest access, you need to install the Cisco connect software.
How to upgrade Linksys router firmware:
Make sure that your Linksys router is running on latest firmware. If not, then download the latest firmware from Linksys website and upgrade.
Connect the main computer to the router with the Ethernet cable. Do not upgrade firmware using wireless computer.
You can also try DD WRT or OpenWRT firmwares which are designed for Home router and access point.
linksys router stopped working.
I’ve had my 3 computers connected via wired router for years. Last week, the internet suddenly stopped working. When I bypassed the router, and plugged the cable modem directly into one of my computers the internet worked fine (on that computer). When I tried to reconnect the router, the router setup said the router couldn’t be connected. I know it is getting a signal b/c the internet light is on. So I went out and bought another router. Setup went fine. All 3 computers had internet for about a day and a half and I thought the problem was solved. When I woke up this morning, I’m having the same problem as before. What is wrong with my computer that is suddenly stopping the router from working?