Ready? Let’s get started. Which one should you use? It depends on the type of internet service you have:
DSL internet plugs into a phone jack with a phone cord. Cable internet plugs into a cable outlet with a coaxial cable.
But, whether you have cable or DSL, both need to plug into your wall for your internet service to work. Think of it like pumping gas into your car. Without gas, your car goes nowhere, just like your computer can’t surf online without an internet connection. So you “connect” your car to the gas pump with the nozzle—but without power, the gas pump won’t work. You need both a connection to the power grid and a connection to the pump to get gas in your car and drive off into the horizon. Likewise, you need a connection to the power grid and a connection to your internet service to binge-watch The Irishman on Netflix or check your email. Now watch those lights on your modem come to life as it boots up. Patience is key here—this can take anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute or two. You can set your router up right along with your modem. Instead of plugging the modem directly into your computer, you’ll plug it into the router with an Ethernet cable. After that, you’ll take a second Ethernet cable and connect the router to your computer. In essence, you’re linking your computer to the modem through the router. Open your web browser and head to www.google.com or another search engine. If the web page loads, congrats! You’ve got an internet connection. Go to your modem’s administration panel by typing the modem’s IP address into your URL bar. Common modem admin IP addresses include 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.1.1. You can usually find each modem’s admin IP address on the back of the modem. If you got the heebie-jeebies thinking about how insecure that username and password are, you’re not alone. One of the easiest ways for hackers to access your modem and internet connection is by using the default username and password combos. So be sure to set up a new password for your modem’s admin panel right away. And while you’re at it, set your security protocol to WPA2, WPA/WPA2, or WPA-AES—the three most secure options. After setting up your Wi-Fi network password, be sure to make a note of it somewhere so that you can easily remember it when connecting to other devices. Out of ideas? Check out these network naming best practices: Firmware keeps your equipment operating at its highest potential. So downloading the latest firmware updates could improve your internet speed, resolve performance issues, and maybe even add new features to your admin panel. Here’s a quick recap on how to connect your computer to the internet: If you’ve followed each of these steps and you’re still experiencing trouble, you can learn more about how to fix your Wi-Fi network when it’s not working. Hopefully, our guide helped you out, but if you have any questions about setting up your internet, ask us in the comments below. Remember to always change your network password from the default and follow password creation best practices too!
LAN: You want a flashing (or blinking) green light here. That means there’s internet traffic on your network.DSL: If your modem has a DSL light, you want it to be a steady green light. If it’s blinking, that could mean you’re having trouble connecting to the internet or your modem is searching for a connection. If it’s red, call your internet provider.Power: You want your power light to be a solid green light. If it’s unlit or orange, your modem may be malfunctioning, and you should call your provider.Ethernet: If the Ethernet light is solid green, your modem knows you’ve connected it to a router or computer. If it’s off, your modem can’t detect your router or computer, and you should check that your Ethernet cable is plugged in all the way.Wireless: If you’ve set up your wireless network correctly, the wireless light on your modem will be a solid green or a flashing green light. If it’s off or orange, you may not have set up your wireless network correctly, or your Wi-Fi is disabled.
