- Connect the router to the master socket faceplate or, for full fibre, to the optical network terminal.
- You access the router's admin panel through a web browser using the address printed on the router.
- Change the default Wi-Fi name and password, and the admin password, as your first setup steps.
- Setting up a separate guest network keeps visitors off your main devices.
Most routers work out of the box, but the default settings are rarely the ones you want for security and performance. Setting a router up properly takes only a few minutes and is the same broad process across brands. Done once, it gives you a network that is secure, well named, and easier to manage.
Connect the router correctly
How you connect depends on your technology. On a copper-based or SOGEA line, the router connects to the faceplate of the master socket. On full fibre, it connects to the optical network terminal installed during your fibre installation. Use the cable supplied, power the router on, and wait for it to establish a connection, shown by its status lights.
Access the admin panel
To change settings you log into the router's admin panel through a web browser. The address to type, and the default login, are usually printed on a label on the router itself. Once in, you can change the network name, passwords, and other settings. If you cannot find the address, the router's documentation or a sticker on its underside will have it.
Change the name and passwords
Your first jobs are security. Change the Wi-Fi network name to something you recognise but that does not identify your address, set a strong Wi-Fi password, and change the admin password from its default so nobody on your network can reconfigure the router. These three changes are the foundation of a secure home network.
Setup steps in order
| Order | Step |
|---|---|
| 1 | Connect router to faceplate or ONT |
| 2 | Power on and wait for connection |
| 3 | Log into the admin panel |
| 4 | Change Wi-Fi name and password |
| 5 | Change the admin password |
| 6 | Set up a guest network if wanted |
Optional extras worth doing
A guest network gives visitors internet access without putting them on your main network alongside your personal devices. It is worth enabling. Also check that the router's firmware is up to date, since updates fix security flaws. With these basics done, your router is secure and ready, and you can explore further settings like parental controls as needed.
Frequently asked questions
How do I access my router admin panel?
Open a web browser and type the address printed on the router's label, then log in with the default credentials shown there. From the admin panel you can change the network name, passwords and other settings.
What should I change on a new router?
As a minimum, change the Wi-Fi network name, set a strong Wi-Fi password, and change the admin password from its default. These three changes secure your network against the most common risks.
What is a good WiFi password?
A long, unique password is the priority, length matters more than complex symbols. A memorable phrase of several unrelated words makes a strong password that is hard to guess but easy to recall. Avoid reusing it from other accounts.
How do I set up a guest WiFi network?
In the router's admin panel, look for a guest network option, enable it, and give it its own name and password. Visitors then get internet access without joining your main network alongside your personal devices.
How do I find my router's IP address?
It is usually printed on a label on the router, along with the admin login. If not, your device's network settings show the router, listed as the default gateway, which is the address you type into a browser to reach the admin panel.
