How to Convert Wireless to Wired Internet

The Ethernet ports on the back of a wireless router provide wired Internet access.

To receive a wireless Internet signal, a wireless router is generally connected to a high-speed modem. Switching from the wireless signal to wired access simply involves plugging a computer into the appropriate port on the wireless router. Should you wish to remove the wireless router completely, you can plug one computer into the modem directly.

Things You'll Need

• Ethernet cable

Instructions

1. Turn the wireless router around. Do not unplug anything from the router. You should see several open Ethernet ports that look like large phone jacks on the back of the device. In many cases, these will have the word "Ethernet" visible above or below them.

2. Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into one of the ports on the back of the wireless router.

3. Plug the other end of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on your computer.

4. Turn off the wireless receiver on your computer. If you are using a laptop, you may be able to do this with a switch on the front or side of your computer. If you are using a desktop, navigate to the "Network Connections" option within the "Control Panel." Right-click on the "Wireless Network Connection" icon and click "Disable."

Tips & Warnings

• To remove the wireless router completely, unplug it from the modem. Where it had been plugged in, substitute the Ethernet cable to your computer.

• If you have an all-in-one device that is both a modem and a wireless router, you will still be able to plug directly into the device, bypassing the wireless.

References

• Netgear: RangeMax™ Wireless-N Gigabit Modem Router