Common Mistakes to Avoid When Setting Up Your Wi-Fi Router

Normally, setting up a Reuter or a WiFI Reuter is usually easy and straightforward. It just involves plug-in the Reuter to power socket and wired the devices to one another.

However, it’s important to note that as these steps are easy like 123, sometimes, you can make a mistake that can create Wi-Fi issues during the installation process.

To avoid any mistakes while setting up your WiFI Router, we have compiled this article to guide you on how you can properly setup and install your Router. Note that this guide also works for Elon Musk’s Starlink.

Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Wi-FI Router

1. Don’t Install the Router at Poor Location

While choose a location where your router will be placed, it’s very important to note that placement significantly affects the strength and range of Wi-Fi/Router signal.

For instance, placing your router in a far corner of your home can result in uneven signal distribution, causing weak or nonexistent connections in certain.

More so, installing the router near thick walls or putting it inside cabinet can weaken the router signals the more which will eventually leads to slow internet speed connections.

However, to get the best out of your Wi-FI router, it’s best to place the router in a central location to ensure the signal covers all areas of your home and avoids creating dead zones.

To further strengthen the signal of the router, you can place it on a high shelf to reduce interference and allow the signal to travel farther.

Note: don’t place your WiFI Router near microwaves, baby monitors, or wireless security cameras or similar devices because placing your router near these devices can interfere with the router’s signal.

Microwaves, Wireless Security Cameras, Monitors and other similar devices often operate on the same frequency bands with Routers, particularly the 2.4 GHz band. This overlap can cause interference, weakening the Wi-Fi connection and reducing its speed and reliability.

2. Don’t Use the Default Credentials; They’re Weak

The continual usage of the follow-come Router’s login credentials such as username and password is not always advisable. If you must know, changing the default login credentials on your router is as crucial as locking your front door.

Changing your router default username and password is important because hackers are familiar with default credentials for many router brands. Hence, you should now know that skipping this step during setup leaves your network vulnerable to attacks.

So, it’s quite wise of you to change your username and generate a strong password. To do just that, open any browser on your mobile phone or computer and input your router’s IP address in the browser’s address bar.

The default IP address is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but if yours is different, you can quickly check it on macOS or Windows. Once logged in with the default username and password, go to the Security or Administration section. There, you’ll find the option to change the username or SSID.

Once you change the router username, reset the password and create a strong one. Using uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters are elements of creating a strong password.

Once you change your router username and password, restart the device and let it reboot. After the router restarts, your changes will then take effect.

3. Don’t Forget to Turn ON the Router’s Firewall

A router firewall acts as a frontline security between your home network and the internet. It monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined security rules, blocking unauthorized access from external sources while allowing safe data to pass through.

In other words, a router firewall monitors incoming and outgoing traffic to block or restrict any suspicious activity. One of the most advantages of enabling a firewall on your router is that it helps protect your devices from hackers, malware, and other cyber threats by preventing unapproved connections to your network.

Essentially, it adds an extra layer of protection to safeguard your personal data and devices. For this reason, you should enable your firewall and, if enabled by default, customize it for maximum security.

However, if you’re looking into how you can access your router’s firewall settings, kindly enter your router IP address in your browser address bar and login using your username and password. Next, navigate to “Security” section and “Advance Security” or “Firewall” depending on the router brand. Router manufacturers often use unique interfaces, so the names of these settings and their locations may differ depending on the brand.

Enable the firewall, and if your router provides multiple security levels/layers (such as low, medium, or high), choose the one that aligns with your security needs. You can also adjust additional firewall settings, like DoS protection, but be careful not to unintentionally block legitimate traffic.

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Quality of Service (QoS) settings also allows you to prioritize different kind of internet traffic to ensure important tasks like video calls, gaming, or streaming get the necessary bandwidth. The QoS feature helps prevent lag or buffering, especially on busy networks.

With the QoS on your Wi-FI router’s network, you can also prioritize specific devices, such as your work computer, to ensure they get the highest bandwidth while less critical activities, like downloads, get reduced priority.

However, it’s important to know that configuring QoS on router requires accessing your router’s settings, where you can manually set priorities for devices or applications.

Another security feature you should touch when setting up your Wi-Fi Router is DNS settings. The DNS settings should not be used as default, probably how it’s purchased with the router.

On a norms, routers’ DNS settings is provided by default from your ISP, and can be slow and less secure. Switching to faster DNS servers, like Google or Cloudflare, can speed up web browsing and reduce connection issues.

To update your DNS settings, access your router’s interface, navigate to the Internet or DNS settings section, and manually enter your preferred DNS addresses. This small change can lead to faster page load times and better overall network performance.

Lastly, it’s important to note that outdated encryption protocols, such as WEP and WPA, put your network at risk for hacking. It’s essential to update to WPA3, the most secure standard, or at least WPA2-PSK (AES) if WPA3 isn’t available.

Updating your router’s encryption settings can be done through the router’s interface under Wireless or Security settings. This ensures your data remains safe from unauthorized access and enhances your overall network security.