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You can set up many Linksys routers without a CD by connecting to the router and completing its setup wizard in a web browser. Connect the modem to the router’s Internet port, join the router’s default Wi-Fi or connect by Ethernet, then open the local setup page. The exact prompts and defaults depend on the model.
Before you begin, identify the router model
Find the model number on the router’s label and use the matching Linksys setup guide. Linksys publishes different instructions for Smart WiFi, EA-series, dual-band, mesh, and other router families, so button names, indicator lights, addresses, and default credentials may vary. The steps below reflect the cited Smart WiFi and EA-series browser-based setup guidance.
Set up the router in a browser
- Connect the modem. If you are replacing an old router, disconnect it from the modem and restart the modem. Connect the modem to the Linksys router’s Internet port, then power on the router.
- Wait for the router to be ready. Check the indicator light according to the instructions for your model. Some Smart WiFi routers finish coming online after the setup wizard starts.
- Connect your setup device. Join the default Wi-Fi network using the network name and password printed on the router’s label. Alternatively, connect a computer to one of the router’s LAN ports with an Ethernet cable. Ethernet is optional; use it if you prefer a wired connection or cannot use the default Wi-Fi.
- Open the setup page. In a browser, try
192.168.1.1ormyrouter.local, the addresses listed in Linksys’s Smart WiFi and EA-series setup guides. If the router’s address has been changed, use its current address instead. - Complete the wizard. Follow the on-screen prompts to detect the internet connection, choose a Wi-Fi network name and password, and create the router administrator password. Reconnect to the new Wi-Fi network if the wizard asks you to, and record the credentials you set.
If the setup page or password does not work
The browser cannot reach the page
- Confirm that the setup device is connected to the router’s default Wi-Fi or to a LAN port by Ethernet.
- Check that the modem is connected to the router’s Internet port and that the router is powered on.
- Try the other listed local address. If the router was previously configured, its address may have been changed; use the address that applies to that router.
You cannot sign in to the router
Linksys’s web-interface guide lists admin as the default administrator password for an unconfigured router. That default may not apply to a router that was configured before or to another product family. If no password works, Linksys says a physical factory reset is required before setting the router up again. Check the reset instructions for the exact model first, since the procedure differs by model.
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No app is needed for the browser-based setup described here. Linksys states in its Smart WiFi setup guide that “Setup via the Linksys app is no longer supported.” That statement applies to the Smart WiFi guide; do not assume it describes every Linksys product.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- DUAL-BAND WIFI 6 ROUTER: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous gen. All WiFi routers require a separate modem. Dual-Band WiFi routers do not support the 6 GHz band.
- AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- CONNECT MORE DEVICES: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology
- EXTENSIVE COVERAGE: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset
- OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
Rank #3
- Provides up to 1,500 square feet of Wi-Fi coverage for 15plus wireless devices
- Works with existing modem, simple setup through Linksys App
- Enjoy 4K HD streaming, gaming and more in high quality without buffering
- Tri band technology delivers the fastest combined Wi-Fi speeds to all your devices
- Tri band Wi-Fi speeds up to 2.2 Gbps (5 GHz / 400 Mbps) plus (5 GHz / 867 Mbps) plus (2.4 GHz / 867 Mbps)
Rank #2
- LEAVE THE LAG BEHIND: Linksys Hydra 6 WiFi router uses Intelligent Mesh to deliver the speed of WiFi 6, at an affordable price. From next-level gaming to streaming your favorite content, get the fastest connection to everything you do.
- THE POWER AND RELIABILITY OF WIFI 6: Experience rock solid connectivity with this dual-band WiFi 6 wireless router. An advanced Qualcomm chipset delivers the ultimate mesh WiFi 6 experience for stable streaming, and wire-like low latency
- EASY SETUP & CONTROL: Wireless routers set up in minutes with the free Linksys App, allowing seamless management of your WiFi mesh network system. You can view or prioritize which connected devices are using the most WiFi from anywhere.
- POWERED BY INTELLIGENT MESH TECHNOLOGY: Eliminate dead zones and dynamically maximize speed with Linksys WiFi mesh networks. Expand the range of your WiFi network by adding nodes to keep your connection going strong
- WORLD-CLASS LINKSYS CUSTOMER SUPPORT - Any questions? Our expert wifi troubleshooters are ready to help by phone in the US at +1-800-326-7114
#1 Best Overall
- LEAVE THE LAG BEHIND: Linksys Hydra 6 WiFi router uses Intelligent Mesh to deliver the speed of WiFi 6, at an affordable price. From next-level gaming to streaming your favorite content, get the fastest connection to everything you do.
- THE POWER AND RELIABILITY OF WIFI 6: Experience rock solid connectivity with this dual-band WiFi 6 wireless router. An advanced Qualcomm chipset delivers the ultimate mesh WiFi 6 experience for stable streaming, and wire-like low latency
- MORE WIFI FOR MORE DEVICES: Supporting 25+ devices, and up to 2,000 sq ft, this WiFi 6 router sends and receives multiple streams of data simultaneously, providing up to 4x the WiFi capacity so it can handle more gaming and smart home devices
- EASY SETUP & CONTROL: Wireless routers set up in minutes with the free Linksys App, allowing seamless management of your WiFi mesh network system. You can view or prioritize which connected devices are using the most WiFi from anywhere.
- POWERED BY INTELLIGENT MESH TECHNOLOGY: Eliminate dead zones and dynamically maximize speed with Linksys WiFi mesh networks. Expand the range of your WiFi network by adding nodes to keep your connection going strong
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