How to Connect Your Router to the Internet

To connect your router to the internet, connect your modem or incoming Ethernet cable to the router’s Internet port, power it on, and complete setup through its local browser interface or supported app. Join the router’s factory Wi-Fi or connect a computer to a LAN port to reach setup. Choose the connection type your internet provider requires, then set your Wi-Fi name and password.

Connect the incoming cable and power

For an Ethernet-WAN router, connect the Ethernet output from your modem, fiber ONT, gateway, or active wall outlet to the router’s Internet port. Port selection varies by model, so follow your router’s port designation. Connect power and press the power button if fitted.

With separate modem and router equipment, allow the modem to establish service before continuing router setup. A compatible integrated modem/router can use a direct DSL or fiber connection instead, so these cabling steps apply to routers receiving service through Ethernet.

Join the router’s local network

Find the factory Wi-Fi name and password on the router’s label, then use them to join its wireless network. Alternatively, connect a computer to a LAN port on the router. Stay connected to that router while opening its local setup interface.

The label’s Wi-Fi password and your provider’s PPPoE password serve different purposes. Use the label credentials to join the router, and enter provider-issued credentials when a PPPoE setup requests them. Setup may also ask you to create an administrator password for managing the router.

Open the setup interface for your router

On NETGEAR routers covered by its browser installation flow, open routerlogin.net while connected to the router. Click If you don’t have a compatible smartphone, click here, then complete the installation prompts. The router detects the internet settings during installation.

For an ASUS router with the QIS browser interface, open asusrouter.com and select Create A New Network. Allow connection detection to run, or select Manual Setting to choose the required connection type. Complete the matching provider settings described below.

On TP-Link routers with the New interface, open https://tplinkwifi.net or open 192.168.0.1 router settings at https://192.168.0.1 while connected locally. Create a password, tick the Terms of Use box, and click Let's Get Started. Verify the Internet port and Connection Type, enter the required provider details, configure Wi-Fi, then click Apply and Finish on the summary screen.

For the TP-Link Classic interface demonstrated on Archer AX55, open tplinkwifi.net or 192.168.0.1, choose your time zone, and click Next. Under Select Connection Type, choose your provider’s type or AUTO DETECT. Supply the required credentials or addressing, then configure Wi-Fi and finish the wizard.

For Linksys Smart WiFi routers using the local setup wizard, connect the modem to the Internet port, restart the modem, and power the router. Join the router locally, then log in to 192.168.1.1 admin or open myrouter.local. Check the agreement box and click Next. Let detection finish, configure Wi-Fi, reconnect when prompted, and create the administrator password.

For a compatible NETGEAR router, obtain Nighthawk through the official Nighthawk app page. Connect the modem or incoming Ethernet line to the Internet port, power on the router, open Nighthawk, and scan its QR label when requested. Complete the installation prompts, or use browser installation if your product does not support Nighthawk.

Enter the connection settings your provider requires

In ASUS QIS, a DHCP-based service uses Automatic IP(DHCP), which normally needs no provider details in the wizard. If your provider requires authentication for this Automatic IP (IPoE) service, open WAN > Internet Connection > Account Settings > Authentication and select 802.1x MD5. For PPPoE service, select PPPoE and enter the account and password issued by your provider. On TP-Link’s New interface, select Retrieve settings from your old router if you have forgotten the PPPoE credentials and still have a working old router.

For a provider-assigned static configuration in ASUS QIS, select Static IP. Enter the supplied IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and DNS Server. Complete the Wi-Fi and administrator-password stages afterward.

If your provider requires VLAN tagging, open Special ISP Settings (IPTV/VLAN) in TP-Link’s Classic browser wizard. Select the provider profile or Custom and enter the assigned VLAN ID. Check 802.1Q Tag, leave the priority at its default setting, choose Internet for all LAN ports, and click Next.

If your provider requires PPTP or L2TP and your ASUS firmware offers it, open WAN > Internet Connection > WAN Connection Type. Select PPTP or L2TP, then supply the provider’s credentials, addressing requirements, and VPN Server. Use these types only when your provider requires them.

Set your Wi-Fi and administrator passwords

During wireless setup, choose your Wi-Fi network name and password. In ASUS QIS, enter those details and click Apply, then set the administrator credentials and click Next. Check Internet Status after completing the wizard.

In the Linksys Smart WiFi wizard, configure the wireless credentials, then reconnect when prompted. After that, create the router administrator password to complete that part of setup.

Complete mesh setup in the matching app

For Nest Wifi Pro, use a phone running Android 9.0 or later or iOS 17.0 or later. Get Google Home by selecting Get the app on the official Google Home site. Use Google Home for new setup and network changes, since it has replaced the old Google Wifi app.

Connect the working modem to the Nest Wifi Pro router’s WAN port, power it on, and wait for pulsing blue. Open Google Home, select Add > Device, and scan the QR code or select Use setup code. Complete the connection prompts, assign the network name and password, and choose a room.

For an Ethernet-capable eero gateway, connect it to the modem, ONT, or modem/router combination and power both devices. Use the eero app to register the gateway, assign its location, and create the network name and password. Tap Finish Setup, or tap Add another eero to extend the network. Initial setup requires an upstream internet connection.

On Deco BE63, sign into the Deco app with a TP-Link ID and tap + > Create a Network. Power the main Deco, wait for pulsing blue, and connect it to the modem or upstream LAN port. Select its location, choose the provider’s connection type, enter the required information, and complete Wi-Fi setup. Other Deco models can have different flows.

Keep an existing router in charge

If you are adding Deco behind an existing router, connect the existing router’s LAN port to the main Deco by Ethernet. Complete Deco setup using Dynamic IP with IPTV/VLAN Settings off, then create and join the Deco Wi-Fi network. Router mode creates a second routed network; use access point mode when the original router should remain responsible for routing. The available controls vary by Deco model and firmware.

On ASUS routers supporting access point mode, open Administration > Operation mode, select Access Point(AP) mode, and click Save. Connect the ASUS WAN or LAN port to the upstream router’s LAN port. The upstream router must provide DHCP for this arrangement.

Fix a connection that stays offline

Confirm that the upstream Ethernet output connects to the router’s Internet port, then review the selected connection type and any required PPPoE credentials, static addresses, or VLAN settings. On ASUS routers exposing the WAN control, open WAN > Internet Connection and turn on Enable WAN.

Next, power cycle the equipment by unplugging its power cable, waiting one minute, and reconnecting it. For separate modem and router equipment, let the modem establish service before retrying router setup. This restart preserves the configuration.

A replacement ASUS router may need an additional change when your provider binds service to a registered MAC address. Ask your provider to register the replacement router’s MAC address, or open WAN > Internet Connection > Special Requirement from ISP > MAC Address and match the previously registered device. Apply this only to a service that uses MAC-address registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a router get internet from another Wi-Fi network?

Yes, GL.iNet firmware 4.x routers with Wi-Fi support an upstream wireless connection through repeater mode. Open the local admin interface, normally 192.168.8.1, select INTERNET > Repeater > Connect, choose the upstream Wi-Fi or phone hotspot, enter its password, and click Apply. For a hidden network, select Join Other Network and enter its SSID, Security, and password.

Can a router connect directly to a DSL line?

A FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro running the latest FRITZ!OS can connect directly to compatible DSL service. Connect the line to its DSL socket, log into its local interface, and open Wizards > Configure the Internet Connection. Enable Use DSL/WAN for internet connection, click Next, and select your provider. If your provider is not listed, select more internet service providers > other internet service provider and complete the provider-specific wizard.

Do IPv6 settings replace the main internet setup?

IPv6 configuration is not a universal replacement for IPv4 setup. On IPv6-capable ASUS routers in router mode, configure WAN first, then open Advanced Settings > IPv6 > Connection Type. Confirm the appropriate type with your provider, choose it, enter any assigned addresses, and click Apply.

Can Nest Wifi Pro join an older Google mesh network?

You cannot add Nest Wifi Pro to a mesh made up of Nest Wifi or Google Wifi devices. Nest Wifi Pro cannot share a mesh with either system.

What phone software does eero setup require?

You need iOS 15 or later or Android 9 or later to use the eero setup app. Check your phone’s operating system version before starting setup.