Access Home Router Quick Guide

Usually we never need to access home router configuration as many ISPs now send many ADSL routers preconfigured, but what happens if your routers loses its settings?

This seems to be a common issue and although the user still has an email with the configuration details, how do we connect to the router and set it up again?

There are literally hundreds of ADSL routers on the market, but the way in which we connect to them and access home router information is pretty standard.

Make sure you have your router/isp configuration details to hand, your ISP will be able to provide them if necessary.

To begin with connect your computer to your router, its better to connect it via a cable, as then you will have a direct connection without having to think of the following, but you might be able to use your WiFi connection, but bare in mind if your router has lost its settings, your network name may have changed, and it may have no security.

Getting the IP address of the router
There are two ways to find this.

Go to the Start Menu > Run > CMD enter > now you will get the black DOS screen > type IPCONFIG enter, make a note of the Default Gateway Address, it will be similar to 192.168.0.1 Type EXIT to close the DOS screen.

Start Menu > Control Panel > Network Connections > Right Click on the active connection > select Status > Support tab > and you will see the Default Gateway address.

Now open your internet browser and type in the gateway address you copied earlier for example http://192.168.0.1

Access home router
Now you should be able to see your home router admin screen , if you are asked for a username and password try using admin for the username and password, if this does not work you will need to check the routers manual to find out what the defaults are, as they will have changed along with all other settings.

Hopefully you have managed to login, next go to the internet or wan section and enter the details given to you by your ISP, once done check to see if the internet is working, it may take a few seconds to connect.

Next setup your wifi security, choose WPA rather than WEP, if you have the option as its much more secure.

Network Name
Change your network name to anything you like, you can leave it as a default, but then you could also end up with other networks called the same thing if they have the same router.

Router Security
Finally give your router different password unprotected routers that have no password or have been left with the default are a security risk.

Notes
If you ever need to wipe your router for any reason either, on the back or side of it you will see a reset button, pressing it will reset the router, holding it down for 30 seconds will hard reset it, causing it to revert back to its original factory settings.

Once you have got your router up and running make sure you export its configuration, this only take a few seconds (just need to go back into the routers admin screen, select export configuration and save it to your hard drive) then if your router ever has a problem and loses its setting they can be imported, getting the router back up and running to its previous configuration in seconds.

More on access home router and find out how to setup your own network If you want to setup a home network, read on, find out how to connect computers both wired and wirelessly, sharing printing, files and of course the internet connection

Wifi running slooooow? If your wireless is running slow or not connecting you need to read this

Wifi Scams If you use a other wireless networks, dont fall prey to any scam. 

Any other home router admin issues contact us via our contacts page

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