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Setting up a router is usually straightforward; you plug it in, and the Wi-Fi works. However, it doesn’t always work like that, and you can create Wi-Fi issues during the installation process—but thankfully, they’re easy to avoid.
1Installing the Router in a Poor Location
Router placement significantly affects the strength and range of your Wi-Fi signal. If positioned in a distant corner of your home, the signal won’t be evenly distributed, which leads to dead zones where the connection is weak or nonexistent. Installing the router near thick walls or inside a cabinet can weaken the signal, causing slower speeds.
To avoid this, you shouldfind the optimal router placementin a central location so the signal reaches all areas of your home without creating dead zones. I recommend positioning the router on a high shelf or elevated spot to reduce interference and allow the signal to travel farther. Also, don’t install it close to microwaves, baby monitors, wireless security cameras, and similar objects.
2Using the Default Credentials and a Weak Password
Changing the default login credentials on your router is just as important as keeping your front locked. Hackers often know the default credentials for various router brands, so if you skip this step during setup, your network could be compromised. I recommend changing both the default username and creating a strong password.
To do this, open a browser and enter your router’s IP address in the address bar (typically 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). If it’s different, you caneasily check this on macOS or Windows. Log in using the default username and password, then navigate toSecurity,Administration, or a similar section. Find the option to change the username or SSID.
After that, set a strong password with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Then, save the changes and restart your router.
3Failing to Enable the Router’s Firewall
A firewall is a frontline soldier that monitors incoming and outgoing traffic to block or restrict any suspicious activity. It protects your devices from unauthorized access and prevents malware and spyware from reaching your network. For this reason, you should enable your firewall and, if enabled by default, customize it for maximum security.
To enable or adjust your firewall settings, access your router’s interface like before. Then, look for sections labeledSecurity,Advanced Settings, orFirewall. Turn the firewall on, and if your router offers different security levels (low, medium, high), select the level that best suits your security preferences.
You can also customize other firewall settings, such as DoS protection. Just ensure you don’t accidentally block legitimate traffic.
Most router manufacturers use a custom interface, so the specific terms used for these settings and their exact paths may vary.
4Overlooking Quality of Service (QoS) Settings
Quality of Service (QoS) is a feature that allows you to prioritize different types of internet traffic. Tasks like video calls, online gaming, or streaming can be given the most bandwidth, while less critical activities like downloads receive less. This helps ensure that important tasks run smoothly without lag or buffering, even when your network is busy.
You can also prioritize specific devices, such as your work computer, to receive the highest bandwidth while others get less. This is particularly useful if you have a slower internet connection and want to prioritize certain activities. To set up QoS, access your router’s interface and look for theQoS,Traffic Control, orBandwidth Managementsettings.
On this page, you should firstenable the QoS (Quality of Service) featureif it’s off and use theLow,Medium, andHighoptions to prioritize devices or applications. Some routers even allow manual bandwidth allocation. After configuring your preferences, save the changes and reboot the router.
5Using Weak or Default DNS Configurations
When you first set up your router, it will use the default DNS settings provided by your internet service provider (ISP). These defaults can be slower and less secure.Switching to a faster DNS, like Google’s, can speed up domain name resolution, helping web pages load faster.
It also reduces the chances of outages and connectivity issues that ISPs face. If you haven’t changed your DNS settings yet, you’re probably still using the default ones. To change the DNS, access your router’s interface and look for sections labeledInternet Settings,WAN Settings, orDNS Settings.
Look for and switch the DNS option from automatic to manual and enter your preferred DNS, like Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 (Primary), 8.8.4.4 (Secondary). Save the changes and reboot the router to apply them. Alternatively, you can use other reliable DNS options like Cloudflare or OpenDNS if you prefer using them.
6Relying on Outdated and Insecure Encryption Protocols
Proper encryption is crucial to secure the data transmitted over your Wi-Fi network from third-party interception. Weak or outdatedWi-Fi encryption protocolscan leave your network vulnerable to hacking and data theft. The most secure standard is WPA3, which protects against brute-force attacks.
You should avoid using outdated protocols like WEP or WPA, as they can be easily compromised. To update your router’s encryption settings, access the router interface and navigate to theWireless SettingsorSecuritysection. If available, switch toWPA3. If not, selectWPA2-PSK (AES). You may also see a mixed WPA3/WPA2 option, which is also secure and is the best option for network using a mixture of older and newer devices.
Once updated, save your changes and reboot your router.
7Not Creating a Backup of Router Settings
After completing your router setup, the final step is to back up your router’s settings. This ensures that if you accidentally make unintentional changes in the settings, need to replace your router, or perform a factory reset to resolve issues, you can restore your settings using the backup file without having to start over.
To create a backup of your configured settings, navigate to theSystem ToolsorMaintenance Diagnosismenu and find theBackup and RestoreorConfiguration Fileoption. From there, download the file that contains your router’s settings backup. Store this file in a safe location; you’re able to upload it on the same page to restore your settings when needed. Also, whenever you change your router settings, create a new backup file that includes the latest settings and delete the previous one.
