How to setup wifi connection on computer

Reduce interference. Some networking equipment uses a 2. This is the same frequency as most microwaves and many cordless phones. If you turn on the microwave or get a call on a cordless phone, your wireless signal might be temporarily interrupted. You can avoid most of these issues by using a cordless phone with a higher frequency, such as 5.

Security is always important; with a wireless network, it's even more important because your network's signal could be broadcast outside your home. If you don't help secure your network, people with PCs nearby could access info stored on your network PCs and use your Internet connection. Change the default user name and password. This helps protect your router. Most router manufacturers have a default user name and password on the router and a default network name also known as the SSID.

Someone could use this info to access your router without you knowing it. To help avoid that, change the default user name and password for your router.

See the documentation for your device for instructions. Set up a security key password for your network. Wireless networks have a network security key to help protect them from unauthorized access. See the documentation for your router for more detailed info, including what type of security is supported and how to set it up. In Windows 7 or Windows 8. Select Set up a new network , then choose Next.

The wizard will walk you through creating a network name and a security key. Write down your security key and keep it in a safe place. You can also save your security key on a USB flash drive by following the instructions in the wizard. Use a firewall. A firewall is hardware or software that can help protect your PC from unauthorized users or malicious software malware. Running a firewall on each PC on your network can help control the spread of malicious software on your network, and help protect your PCs when you're accessing the Internet.

Windows Firewall is included with this version of Windows. Select the Network or Wifi icon in the notification area. This is the device that will broadcast the Wi-Fi signal from your Internet modem throughout your house. Your Internet service provider ISP may offer you a wireless router for a small monthly fee. If you've never set up a Wi-Fi network before, this may be the easiest option. If you want to buy your own router, we'd recommend spending a little more time researching different options.

Some Internet modems may already have a built-in wireless router, which means you won't need to purchase a separate one. Once you've acquired a wireless router, you'll need to connect it to your existing Internet modem. Connect an Ethernet cable from your modem to the wireless router there is usually a short Ethernet cable included with your wireless router for this purpose. Next, you'll need to use your computer to configure your router's default settings. This includes setting a unique name and password for your wireless network.

Using your web browser, enter the router's default IP address into the address bar, then press Enter. This is typically Consult the documentation that came with the router to find the exact address.

You will be asked for a username and password to continue into the router configuration. These are also provided in the documentation that came with your router.

Typical defaults are username: admin and Password: password or admin. Enter your Internet connection information. Most routers will fill this section in automatically. If it does not, contact your ISP for the information that you need to enter.

Set your wireless settings. Most routers will have a Wireless Settings section towards the top of the router's menu. From this section you can enable or disable the wireless signal, change the network name, and set the encryption. To set the name of the network, select the SSID field. This is the name that will be displayed on any device that detects your network. If you are living in an area with a lot of public traffic, avoid putting any identifiable information in the SSID, as anyone with a wireless device can see it.

Make sure to set the encryption to the latest version allowed by your router. In most cases, this will be WPA2. WPA2 operates with a single password. You can enter whatever you'd like, but a strong password is recommended. Stronger passwords contain upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Apply your settings. Make sure you click the Apply or Save Changes button in your router's configuration when you are done changing the settings.

The router will process for a moment, and your new settings will take effect. Place your router. In order to get the best possible signal , try to place your router in a central location. Keep in mind that any obstacles such as walls and doors will degrade the signal.

If you have multiple floors, you may want to consider multiple routers to ensure that you have the coverage you need.

Remember that it must be physically connected to your modem, so this may limit your options when placing the router. Part 3. Connect a device to the network. Once the router is broadcasting a wireless signal, you can test the connection by scanning for wireless networks using a Wi-Fi device such as another computer, a smartphone , a tablet , etc.

Scan for new networks. In Windows, click the network icon in the system tray in the lower-right corner of the desktop. On a Mac, click the AirPort icon in the menu bar, which looks like 3 curved lines. Select your SSID from the list of available networks.

Enter the password. If you enabled WPA2 encryption, you will need to enter your password to connect to the network. If you are using a private computer, you can disable the hidden characters on some systems to let you see the password you are typing easier. Test your connection. Once you are connected to the network, wait a moment for your IP address to be assigned.

Open a web browser and try to connect to a website you don't normally visit this will ensure that you aren't loading the website from memory.

Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow. Luigi Oppido. Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4. Yes, it will work. You don't need a computer to put the WiFi on. All you need is a plug and it'll work. Not Helpful 15 Helpful Do you have any idea why? Did you set up the USB properly? Not Helpful 13 Helpful Many wireless companies offer mobile hotspots, which you can buy a data plan for and take with you on the go.

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