- How can I get WiFi in my home?
- How does WiFi work with cell phones?
- Do I need a router for Wi-Fi on my phone?
- Setting up a wireless network in Windows
- Get the right equipment
- Setting up the modem and Internet connection
- Positioning the wireless router
- Securing your wireless network
- Connect a PC to your wireless network
- How to Get WiFi at Home
- Preparing to Connect
- Connecting on iPhone or iPad
- Connecting on Android
- Connecting on Windows
- Connecting on Mac
- Community Q&A
How can I get WiFi in my home?
To establish WiFi in your home, all you need is either a modem connected to a wireless router, or a wireless gateway, which is a modem and wireless router in one unit (see What is a Wireless Gateway? for more information). A WiFi-capable device can then use this signal to connect to the Internet.
What is the cost of Wi-Fi per month?
How much does internet cost per month?
Provider | Monthly price | Download speeds |
---|---|---|
Xfinity Internet | $29.99–$84.99 | 50–1200 Mbps |
CenturyLink Internet | $50–$65 | 100–940 Mbps |
AT Internet | $45 | 75–100 Mbps |
Verizon Fios Home Internet |
What is the difference between Wi-Fi and internet?
Internet is the data (the language). Wi-Fi is a wireless network technology that sends this data via internet connections (the highway) through the air to wide area networks and on to non-wired computers.
How does WiFi work with cell phones?
A WiFi phone has an antenna that transmits information to a computer, base station or wireless router using radio waves. An antenna at a base station or router picks up the signal and passes it on the Internet. You can read more about this process in How WiFi Works.
Do I need a router for Wi-Fi on my phone?
If you want to go wireless, you’re going to need a router, which is a networking device that lets you share your modem’s internet connection with all your devices. For smaller homes, single-unit routers generally provide a good enough signal to provide a strong wireless connection to all corners of your home.
Setting up a wireless network in Windows
A wireless network at home lets you get online from more places in your house. This article describes the basic steps for setting up a wireless network and starting to use it.
Get the right equipment
Before you can set up your wireless network, here’s what you’ll need:
Broadband Internet connection and modem. A broadband Internet connection is a high-speed Internet connection. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and cable are two of the most common broadband connections. You can get a broadband connection by contacting an Internet service provider (ISP). Typically, ISPs that provide DSL are telephone companies and ISPs that provide cable are cable TV companies. ISPs frequently offer broadband modems. Some ISPs also offer combination modem/wireless routers. You can also find these at computer or electronics stores, and online.
Wireless router. A router sends info between your network and the Internet. With a wireless router, you can connect PCs to your network using radio signals instead of wires. There are several different kinds of wireless network technologies, which include 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax.
Wireless network adapter. A wireless network adapter is a device that connects your PC to a wireless network. To connect your portable or desktop PC to your wireless network, the PC must have a wireless network adapter. Most laptops and tablets—and some desktop PCs—come with a wireless network adapter already installed.
To check whether your PC has a wireless network adapter:
- Select Start , type device manager in the search box, and then select Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters.
- Look for a network adapter that might have wireless in the name.
Setting up the modem and Internet connection
After you have all the equipment, you’ll need to set up your modem and Internet connection. If your modem wasn’t set up for you by your Internet service provider (ISP), follow the instructions that came with your modem to connect it to your PC and the Internet. If you’re using Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), connect your modem to a phone jack. If you’re using cable, connect your modem to a cable jack.
Positioning the wireless router
Put your wireless router somewhere where it will receive the strongest signal with the least amount of interference. For better results, follow these tips:
Place your wireless router in a central location. Place the router as close to the center of your home as possible to increase the strength of the wireless signal throughout your home.
Position the wireless router off the floor and away from walls and metal objects, such as metal file cabinets. The fewer physical obstructions between your PC and the router’s signal, the more likely that you’ll be using the router’s full signal strength.
Reduce interference. Some networking equipment uses a 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) radio frequency. This is the same frequency as most microwaves and many cordless phones. If you turn on the microwave or get a call on a cordless phone, your wireless signal might be temporarily interrupted. You can avoid most of these issues by using a cordless phone with a higher frequency, such as 5.8 GHz.
Securing your wireless network
Security is always important; with a wireless network, it’s even more important because your network’s signal could be broadcast outside your home. If you don’t help secure your network, people with PCs nearby could access info stored on your network PCs and use your Internet connection.
To help make your network more secure:
Change the default user name and password. This helps protect your router. Most router manufacturers have a default user name and password on the router and a default network name (also known as the SSID). Someone could use this info to access your router without you knowing it. To help avoid that, change the default user name and password for your router. See the documentation for your device for instructions.
Set up a security key (password) for your network. Wireless networks have a network security key to help protect them from unauthorized access. We recommend using Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3) security if your router and PC support it. See the documentation for your router for more detailed info, including what type of security is supported and how to set it up.
Some routers support Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). If your router supports WPS and it’s connected to the network, follow these steps to set up a network security key:
- Do one of the following, depending on which version of Windows is running on your PC:
- In Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, select Start, start typing Network and Sharing Center, and then choose it in the list.
- In Windows 10, select Start , then select Settings >Network & Internet >Status >Network and Sharing Center.
- In Windows 11, select Start, type control panel, then select Control Panel >Network and Internet >Network and Sharing Center.
- Select Set up a new connection or network.
- Select Set up a new network, then choose Next.
The wizard will walk you through creating a network name and a security key. If your router supports it, the wizard will default to Wi‑Fi Protected Access (WPA2 or WPA3) security. We recommend that you use WPA3 if you can, because it offers better security than WPA2, WPA, or Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) security. With WPA3, WPA2 or WPA you can also use a passphrase, so you don’t have to remember a cryptic sequence of letters and numbers.
Write down your security key and keep it in a safe place. You can also save your security key on a USB flash drive by following the instructions in the wizard. (Saving your security key to a USB flash drive is available in Windows 8 and Windows 7, but not in Windows 10 or Windows 11.)
Use a firewall. A firewall is hardware or software that can help protect your PC from unauthorized users or malicious software (malware). Running a firewall on each PC on your network can help control the spread of malicious software on your network, and help protect your PCs when you’re accessing the Internet. Windows Firewall is included with this version of Windows.
Connect a PC to your wireless network
- Select the Network or Wifi icon in the notification area.
- In the list of networks, choose the network that you want to connect to, and then select Connect.
- Type the security key (often called the password).
- Follow additional instructions if there are any.
If you have problems with your Wi-Fi network when using Windows 10, see Fix Wi-Fi problems in Windows for advanced troubleshooting info.
- Select the Network icon in the notification area, then select the > icon next to the Wi-Fi quick setting to see a list of available networks.
- Choose the network that you want to connect to, and then select Connect.
- Type the security key (often called the password).
- Follow additional instructions if there are any.
If you have problems with your Wi-Fi network when using Windows 11, see Fix Wi-Fi problems in Windows for advanced troubleshooting info.
How to Get WiFi at Home
This article was co-authored by Luigi Oppido and by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.
The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article’s instructions and verified that they work.
This article has been viewed 712,890 times.
This wikiHow teaches you how to connect your computer, phone, or tablet to a wireless home network. Before doing so, you’ll need to buy and install a wireless router, as well as purchase an Internet plan from one of your local Internet Service Providers.
Preparing to Connect
- For example, you’ll want a router that can match your subscription’s top connection speed to make the most of your Internet package.
Connect your modem to your cable outlet. Use the coaxial cable that comes with your modem to do this. You’ll usually find cable outlets in your living room and in some bedrooms.
Plug your modem and router into a power source. Attach the router and modem power cables to the respective inputs, then attach the power cables to a wall outlet or surge protector. Both the modem and the router should automatically turn on.
Connecting on iPhone or iPad
Enter the password. Type in the password for the Wi-Fi network. This password (or «security key») should be listed on the router.
Tap Join . It’s in the top-right corner of the screen. Doing so connects you to the wireless network if the password is correct.
Connecting on Android
Enter the password. Type in the password for the Wi-Fi network. This is the password (or «security key») that’s listed on the router.
Tap CONNECT . It’s below the «Password» field. Doing so will connect you to the network as long as the password is correct.
Connecting on Windows
- You may first have to click ^ in the lower-right corner of the screen to see the Wi-Fi icon.
Enter the password. Type the password for the network into the text field. This is the password (or «security key») that was listed on your router.
Connecting on Mac
Select your Wi-Fi network. Click the name of the network as noted on the bottom of your router or modem. The network’s menu will open.
Enter the password. Type the password (or «security key») that was listed on the bottom of the router into the «Password» field.
Community Q&A
You should be able to get internet service in your home even if you don’t have a computer. Just follow the guidelines in the article. You will have to get internet service from a provider like Comcast or AT&T, along with a wireless router. However, if you’re only using it for your phone, it might not be worth it. Most people would simply get a data plan for their phone from their wireless provider.
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As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy! Claim Your Gift If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Is there any way to make a home network with something else instead of a computer like a phone or tablet?