How to Set Up Wi-Fi Router Without a Computer (Simple Answer!)

In this post, you'll find out how to set up Wi-Fi router without a computer in 7 simple steps...

It seems like everyone has a wireless router these days, and for good reason. It's fast, easy to maintain and is secure with WPA2 encryption. Even if you don't have internet service through your home it can still be used as a hub for other devices such as gaming consoles or smart TVs. Setting up one of these devices doesn't have to be difficult but it does require some know-how on how the process works so that you don't end up in an endless loop of frustration trying to make something happen that just won't work!

Don’t have a computer but want to set up your wireless connection at home? Don’t worry, you can still configure your Wi-Fi router without a lot of fuss. The trick here is to have a smartphone device or a tablet - either Android or iOS. If you have that, then you can set up your Wi-Fi router in no time. Follow the steps in this post to help set up your router.

Using a PC to set up a wireless router is still preferable to using a mobile device. Mobile devices, while partially capable of fulfilling the functions of a laptop, still have limitations when compared to some laptop/desktop models. However, setting up a router without a computer and a router to instal is still doable. Even though things are changing and people are becoming more comfortable with using only smartphones and tablet computers to get online, it's rare to find someone without a computer.

What Do You Need?

There are two things you will be using: a smart device and a network discovery app. Before you get started with the actual set up, you have to make sure that these two have what the whole installation process requires.

First, you need a smartphone or a tablet. It’s not important if it’s an old model or new. What you’re after here is a device with which you can activate the whole setup. It’s going to work a lot like a computer anyway. 

Is your device fully charged? If it is, then you don’t have to plug it in. If it’s not and it’s at most 70% battery left, then you have to plug it into a power source just so your phone doesn’t shut down while you’re in the middle of setting up. 

Next is a network discovery app. Ideally, you won’t need this app if all goes well. However, there are instances when you encounter some problems during set up. The role of a network discovery app is to detect your Wi-Fi router’s IP address. Yes, you can do this by looking at the right sticker found in the router, but the network discovery app is free anyway so there’s no harm in having it as a backup.

Steps to Set Up Your Wi-Fi Router

Do you have everything you need? If you do, this is how you can set up your Wi-Fi router without a computer.

1. Turn your router on. Give it some time to boot completely. This might take 1-3 minutes.
2. Turn your Wi-Fi on in your smartphone. Even if there’s no Wi-Fi yet, this is how you’ll connect to a new wireless access point.
3. Your smartphone or tablet will automatically detect your router, specifically, its SSID or network ID. You will see your router’s name or SSID. Log in with the credentials provided by the router. If you don’t know the password, you can check the back of the router since it’s usually found there. If it’s not, it’s most likely in the user manual. Enter the default password. 
4. Then, open your browser. By this time, you’re still not connected to the Wi-Fi and that’s normal. Type in your router’s IP address on the address bar. Don’t know your router’s IP address? Simply check at the back of your router for the information. If it’s not there, this is where the network discovery app will be useful.
5. To use the network discovery app, turn it on and it will automatically detect your router’s IP address. The IP address will often be beside your router’s SSID. Take note, though, that IP addresses are often in the form of 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, 192.168.2.1, or 192.168.3.1. 
6. Once you know your router’s IP address, go back to your browser and type in that address in the address bar. You’ll be directed to a different site and there you’ll be required to type in your router’s credentials. This is similar to what you did on your smartphone or tablet. Keep in mind that what you should use is the default admin username and password. 
7. After that, you are now logged in to your router and you can change the SSID and WiFi password. 

What about if you have an iOS device? The beauty of this is that the steps are the same whether you’re using an Android device or an iOS device. Just follow the same steps and you’re good to go. 

Possible Problems in Setting Up

Sometimes it can be stressful when a problem comes up during setup. It can also be frustrating to not get it right the first time. Fortunately, there are a few fixes you can do when you experience a problem. 

What if your credentials don’t work? If you’ve checked the sticker at the back of the router and it doesn’t work, then they might not be the right credentials. You can check if they’re the same credentials placed on the manual. If they are, then you just might need a reset. 

There’s a reset button found on your router. Depending on your router’s design, some reset buttons are found along other buttons, but some are at the back of the router itself. There’s going to be a label for it anyway. The reset button can be an actual button or you need something sharp to push it in. Sometimes, this button is hard to push because it protects from being easily reset. Keep in mind that if you reset, all your saved information will be wiped out. 

Going back, get a pointed object like a pen and use it to press the reset button. Press it for 30 seconds or so. Before you remove the pen, make sure that the lights of the router blink off. This is the sign that your router has reset. It will turn back on right after a few seconds to signal that it is rebooting again. Wait for 1-3 minutes for the Wi-Fi to fully restart. Then, log in with the same credentials on the back of the router. Ideally, that should do the trick but if still doesn’t, call the brand’s customer service. 

Good To Know Tips

1. You can use the same setup process to connect your smart tv to your router's settings
2. You can use an ethernet cable connected to your smart home devices and go through the same process through the device's browser and connect to a wifi hotspot.
3. Always write down the details you find on a piece of paper and make one change at a time so you know where things go wrong and can revert them pretty quickly
4. All routers are different and no two manufacturers' routers have the same setup menus. 
5. In almost all the cases, IP address of your router will be on the sticker printed clearly and within the user manual.
6. Take extra care and check the network discovery app installed for any malicious programs or vulnerabilities. Stick to the two apps suggested in Step 9 as they have worked for me without any issues. Other simple apps I have checked either have limited capabilities compared to EZ and FING or riddled with an obscene number of ads.
7. The above steps work on both android and ios devices equally well

Conclusion

To summarize, you don’t have to use a computer to set up your Wi-Fi router. Even if you have a computer, you can opt not to use it if you have a smartphone or tablet that is fully charged. However, setting up your Wi-Fi router on a computer will still be relatively easier compared to when you’re using a smartphone or tablet. If there are any problems, you can simply contact your ISP’s or manufacturer’s customer service for assistance.

Have fun connecting everything wirelessly in your home and watch as everyone comes over wanting to know what's changed about your house!

In all seriousness, setting up a router can be a difficult chore, but with the appropriate information and a few clicks and taps, you can have internet connectivity up and running in no time. We hope our blog post has made things a little easier for you.

Happy browsing!