How to Change Your Internet to Wireless

A wireless router is the key component when building your home network.

Setting up a wireless connection in your home makes it easier to use multiple computers on the same network. Additionally, wireless networks provide devices with the freedom to move around the house, allowing you to check your laptop in the living room or stream a movie while in bed. Any broadband Internet connection can be changed to wireless; all you need is a router, some time and expertise to complete the process.

Things You'll Need

• Wireless router
• 2 Ethernet cables

Instructions

1. Plug your wireless router into the wall or a surge protector near your modem. The modem is the device that connects your home to the Internet.

2. Run an Ethernet cable from the "Out" port on your modem to the "In" port on the wireless router. This sends your Internet connection into the wireless device.

3. Connect your computer to the router using another Ethernet cable. This one should go from your computer's Ethernet port to one of the "Out" slot on your router.

4. Open a Web browser and enter the default Internet protocol address for your router. Locate this information in your user manual or find it online through the manufacturer's website. It is usually something like "http://192.168.1.1."

5. Enter the default username and password if prompted. These differ from router to router but are usually "admin" and "admin." Review the user manual that came with your router to verify this information.

6. Change the name of your network and add an access password using the router's Web browser interface. These options should be clearly marked once you are on the router dashboard on your browser.

7. Unplug your computer from the router.

8. Open the network preferences window on your computer. Click the "Start" button, select "Control Panel," and press "Network and Internet."

9. Click "Connect to a Network" and select the network you have just set up. Enter your password to connect.

10. Repeat the network discovery process on each computer in the house.

Tips & Warnings

• Place your modem and wireless router in a central part of your home to ensure the signal is evenly distributed. Each computer that attaches to the wireless network requires a wireless network card, purchased separately from the router.

References

• Windows Support: Setting up a wireless network
• Microsoft at Home: 5 steps: How to set up your home wireless network

Resources

• Answers that Work: List of Default Router Passwords and Default Router IP Addresses