Linksys WRT1200AC setup with or without CD or installation software.

In this article, we will discuss about Linksys WRT1200AC setup. We will discuss both the ways to setup Linksys WRT1200AC router with or without installation software or CD.

2 Different methods for Linksys WRT1200AC setup.

We will discuss both the methods step by step to set up WRT1200AC wireless router.

First Method: Install the router manually.

Using web interface of the router, we can install WRT1200AC wireless router manually by opening Linksys router setup page and change the settings manually like other WRT series older wireless routers. And I think this is very simple process.

Second Method: Setting up WRT1200AC router using the Smart Setup Wizard.

Setting up the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router is made easy using the Smart Setup Wizard. It is embedded in the firmware and is available even if the router does not have an Internet connection or is in its default settings.

Watch Linksys WRT1200AC setup Video

How to setup Linksys WRT1200AC without CD or manually.

The Linksys WRT1200AC router setup is simple and only requires a few steps to finish. The router must first be connected to your modem with an Ethernet connection. Subsequently, attach your computer or mobile device to the router’s Wi-Fi network or using an additional Ethernet cable.

The default IP address of the router can be located in the user manual or on the bottom of the router. Then, launch a web browser and type that address. You may configure your router’s settings, such as your network name and password, security settings, and parental controls, on the web-based setup page for the router by clicking this.

Step 1: Check Internet connection on modem

First make sure that your broadband modem is working. Connect your Desktop or main computer directly to the ISP modem. Make sure that your Desktop or main computer is able to access Internet directly through the modem. If you are not able to access internet directly through the modem then contact your service provider and get your modem working first.

In case of DSL connection, you may not be able to connect to the Internet directly through the modem. In this case you must have PPPoE User name and password from the DSL ISP. 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.

Step 2: Make connections to the router

Connect the computer and broadband modem to the Linksys WRT1200AC 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 on the router and 1 WAN (Internet port). 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 computer connected to the WAN port then it will not communicate with WRT1200AC. Connection is very important. You will see 4 lights, Power, WAN, wireless and Ethernet. LAN ports are used to connect computers in Local Area Network.

Watch this video for basic connection between Router, modem and computer

Step 3: Open Linksys WRT1200AC setup page

Open web browser and in the address bar type the number 192.168.1.1 . This is the default IP address of almost all the models of Linksys wireless Routers. However you can open the command prompt and check the IP address on your computer. The DHCP IP address is IP address of your computer and default gateway is the IP address of the router. You need to use this default gateway number to open the web interface of the WRT1200AC router.

The next widow will ask you to enter the username and password for the router. The default username is admin and default password is admin.

Enter your Router Password then click Log in. If you have changed it, enter the new password instead. If the default password is not working then you can reset the device to the factory default. Press and hold the reset button for 10 seconds. Release the reset button and wait for 30 seconds. Power cycle the router. Try to access the router setup page using default user name and password.

You will see the WRT1200AC setup page on your screen.

Step 4: Change Internet connection settings

In the left panel, you will see all the options required to change the settings. Click on “Connectivity” under router settings section.

Click On Internet settings tab at the top.

Now according to your internet service provider, you can change the Internet settings.

Please check the images below for appropriate Internet service provider settings. There will be 2 types of ISPs. Cable ISP and DSL ISP.

For Cable ISP , you need to clone the MAC address of your computer, as shows in the image below. Then power cycle the network.

For DSL ISP, you need to enter the PPPoE user name and password as shown in the image below.

Once you change the Internet connections, you wired computer will be able to access the Internet through the WRT1200AC wifi router.

Step 5: Try to access Internet on wired computer

You have changed the Internet connection settings according to your Internet service provider. Now it is time to check if the settings are working.

Try to access Internet on the wired computer. If the settings are correct, then your main wired computer will be able to access the Internet.

Step 6: Change wireless network settings

Change the Wireless network Settings as shown in the image below.

As this is a Dual band router, you will see 2 different wireless networks.

SSID is the name of the wireless network. Change both SSIDs. Keep the names of both the SSIDs different so that you can identify them. Change the password for the wireless network. ( remember this password ) . This will be the password of the wireless network and you will need this password / key when you will try to connect any wireless computer or device to the network. Wireless security is very important. You can select different security modes for wireless network such as WEP, WPA or WPA2. WPA2 is the recommended wireless security.

Step 7: Connect to wireless network

You have changed the wireless settings and created a new Wi-Fi betwork.

Try to connect to wireless network on wireless computer, laptop or mobile devices. You will see the newly created Wi-Fi network. It will ask you to enter the password.

Enter the correct password and you will be able to connect to Internet on all wireless devices.

If you wireless device is far way from the router then you may need to change wireless channel setting on the router.

Step 8: Create Guest Network access

You can also create Guest network using this web base interface. Guest network is a separate wireless network where you can allow guests to connect to Wi-Fi. Guest will not able to interfere with your private Wi-Fi.

Click on Guest Access option. Enable “Allow Guest Access”. Enter password for guest access. Keep it different than main wireless network password.

Set the number of guests to be allowed to connect. Save the settings.

This is all about basic steps for Linksys WRT1200AC setup.

Linksys WRT1200AC setup using the Smart Setup Wizard.

Requirements before setting up your Linksys WRT1200AC router

The following requirements should be met to avoid any problems during the setup:

• Browser requirements for the router setup and Linksys Smart Wi-Fi access:
  • Microsoft Edge™
  • Internet Explorer® 8 or higher
  • Latest version of Chrome™ and Firefox®
  • Safari® (for Mac® or iPad®)
  • Latest Adobe Flash® Player?
• Materials for setup – You should have the following items:
  • Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router
  • One (1) or two (2) Internet / Ethernet (RJ-45) cables
  • A wireless computer or a computer with an Ethernet port
• Active Internet connection – To check if you are able to access the Internet, connect the modem to the computer using an Ethernet cable as shown in the image below:

If you do not have modem then connect the cable (also called a patch or a fiber optic cable) provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) directly to the computer’s Ethernet port.

Step 1: Connect the Antennas. If your WRT1200AC came with external antennas, connect the antennas to the router first and then plug in the router to a power source.  If your router has a power switch, make sure that the power switch is set to the | (ON) position.  Wait until the power LED is solid.

Step 2: Connect the Ethernet cable from your modem to the Internet port of the WRT1200AC.

Step 3: Connect to your secured wireless network.  You can locate the wireless credentials either at the bottom of the router or on the Quick Start Guide.  To prevent any problems during setup, make sure you have a good signal from the router or bring the wireless computer closer to the same room as the WRT1200AC.

NOTE:  If you are using a wired computer, skip Step 3 and proceed to Step 4.

Step 4: Launch your web browser and enter “http://linksyssmartwifi.com” in the Address bar then press [Enter].

Step 5: Tick the checkbox beside I have read and accepted the License Terms for using this software then click Next to proceed.

If the Smart Setup screen does not show up, press the Reset button at the back of the router for 10 seconds, turn the router OFF and then turn it back ON.  Wait a few seconds for the router to boot up and start at Step 1 again. See how to reset linksys routers.

If no Internet connection is detected, the Your Internet cable is not connected correctly window will appear.  Follow the suggested troubleshooting steps on the screen to resolve your connection problem then click Next.

Follow the instructions and configure the WRT1200AC using the setup wizard.

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How to upgrade Linksys WRT1200AC router Firmware?

You can download firmware from Linksys website. Make sure that you select the correct hardware version of the device. The hardware version is located beside or beneath the model number and is labeled version, ver. or V.  If there is no version number beside the model number on your Linksys product, the device is version 1.

Save the firmware file on your computer.

Before upgrading the firmware, make sure that your computer is connected to the router with the Ethernet cable. Do not upgrade firmware using wireless computer.

Open the Settings of the router by using 192.168.1.1.

Click on “Connectivity” tab in the left panel.

There you will see “Firmware Update”. Go To manual section. Browse or choose the firmware file you downloaded and click Start.

Wait for the firmware upgrade process to finish. After upgrading the firmware, the device will reboot automatically.