How to Set Up a D-Link Router

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

A router is a box that allows multiple computers, smartphones, and so on to join the same network. From there, the router is typically connected to a modem in order to provide an Internet connection to any device that is connected to the router. This guide aims to help you through the first time setup process for your router.

In the box you may have some of the following:

  • The router's power supply or charger.
  • Device manual.
  • Driver disc (for some models).
  • USB cable (for some models).
  • Network cable (for some models).

2. Connect Power

Please ensure that you are using the power adapter that came with your router.

  1. Locate the power cable and connect it to a power source like an outlet or surge protector.
  2. Plug the other end of the power cable to the router's power input, which is typically located in the rear.
Unplug power cable from rear of router, then plug it back in.
  1. Your router should power on.

3. Connect to Modem by Cable/Wire

Your router must be connected to a modem in order to provide the local network with an Internet connection.

  1. Acquire an Ethernet cable.
Ethernet cable.


  1.  
  2. Take one end of the cable and plug it into the Internet (or WAN) port on the rear of your router. The port may be blue or grey.
Router Internet port.


  1. Take one end of the cable and plug it into an available Ethernet (or LAN) port on the rear of your modem. These ports are typically yellow.
Modem Ethernet ports.


  1. Usually this is all that is needed to connect your router to a wired connection.

4. Login

  1. Using a computer that is connected to the D-Link router, open a web browser such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.
  2. Enter one of the following addresses into your browser address bar:
  3. http://dlinkrouter.local
  4. http://192.168.0.1
dlinkrouter.local


  1. When prompted, enter the credentials to log into the router.
    For DIR-xxx routers, the default credentials are:
  2. Username: admin
  3. Password: no password
  4. For DSR-xxx routers, the default credentials are:
  5. Username: admin
  6. Password: admin

5. Select Password

Wherever possible, you should pick a password that is impossible to guess and is also resistant to brute-force attacks.

Some devices or systems do not allow special characters or they may have their own requirements.

Password Dos and Don'ts

Dos

Green Check
  • Passwords should be long, 8-12 characters or more.
  • Passwords should be something easy for you to remember, but hard for others to guess or lookup.
  • Passwords should have lots of different character types: upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • Replacing letters with symbols is a simple way to achieve this: use @ for a, and ( for c, as example.
  • Passwords are personal, most services have a way to create a 'linked' account or share services with trusted friends and family.
  • Change passwords regularly. Every 90 to 180 days; this helps keep your accounts from being compromised long-term.
  • If you must write down a password or make note of it, do so only in specially designed programs, or keep and hold the physical copies with the same care and respect you would a social security card or birth certificate. Remember; anyone with your password "is you".
Example of a good password

Don'ts

Red X
  • Don't use short passwords; computers can guess them very easily.
  • Don't use a common word you can find in a dictionary.
  • Don't use information that can be looked up or guessed, such as a birthday, anniversary, or pet's name.
  • Don't use the same password for everything. If one password is compromised, all of the same ones are compromised across all your accounts.
  • Don't share passwords. People with your password "are you" to a computer system, or a service.
  • Don't keep the same password forever. Assume that, at some point, it will be guessed, seen, or otherwise compromised, and it must be changed.
  • Don't write down passwords in the open, or save them in non-encrypted files on your computer.
Example of a bad password

Password Resources

6. Change Network Password (New)

  1. After you login to the router's user interface, move the mouse cursor over the Settings tab.
  2. Click Wireless from the drop down menu.
D-Link web interface


  1. You may change the Wi-Fi Name (SSID) for both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands at this time if you choose to. The network name (or SSID) is the name others will see when searching for available wireless networks in the area.
Web interface with SSID names highlighted


  1. Next to Password, enter your preferred wireless password on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wireless networks.
Web interface with password fields highlighted


  1. Click Save to save your configuration.
  2. Your wireless security settings have now been updated.
  3. Any time you change your wireless security settings you will need to reconnect your wireless devices.
  4. If your router is dual-band, meaning it has a 2.4 and a 5 GHz network you may need to repeat the steps listed above for each network because each network may be controlled individually. You must use different network names for each band.
  5. If your router has a guest network you will need to repeat the steps listed above for the guest network because it is controlled separately.

7. Keeping Your Password Secure

Some precautions should be taken in order to keep your password secure.

Best practices:

  • Do not use a master password that you use everywhere (such as email, work, school, home, network)
  • If possible, do not share your password with anybody.
  • Passwords that are shared with others, like for a home network, should only be shared if necessary.
  • Be aware when typing your password in public, or that in no way anyone is watching.
  • Some types of electronic devices like computers and smartphones can remember passwords, so beware of devices that are not yours.
  • Make a schedule of when to change your password. For example, every 180 days.
  • It is not recommended to write down passwords. But if you have to, make sure that it is neither physically nor visually accessible by others.

8. Deciding to Update

Router updates are provided to add new security features, fix vulnerabilities, or other enhancements like performance upgrades. We recommend updating your router at this time in order to get the best possible security. Depending on the model, you may need an internet connection, access to a computer, and a formatted USB flash drive in order to update.

You may update now or do so another time.

9. Go to Updating Your D-Link Router

Show Me HowClicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.

10. Select Password

Wherever possible, you should pick a password that is impossible to guess and is also resistant to brute-force attacks.

Some devices or systems do not allow special characters or they may have their own requirements.

Password Dos and Don'ts

Dos

Green Check
  • Passwords should be long, 8-12 characters or more.
  • Passwords should be something easy for you to remember, but hard for others to guess or lookup.
  • Passwords should have lots of different character types: upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • Replacing letters with symbols is a simple way to achieve this: use @ for a, and ( for c, as example.
  • Passwords are personal, most services have a way to create a 'linked' account or share services with trusted friends and family.
  • Change passwords regularly. Every 90 to 180 days; this helps keep your accounts from being compromised long-term.
  • If you must write down a password or make note of it, do so only in specially designed programs, or keep and hold the physical copies with the same care and respect you would a social security card or birth certificate. Remember; anyone with your password "is you".
Example of a good password

Don'ts

Red X
  • Don't use short passwords; computers can guess them very easily.
  • Don't use a common word you can find in a dictionary.
  • Don't use information that can be looked up or guessed, such as a birthday, anniversary, or pet's name.
  • Don't use the same password for everything. If one password is compromised, all of the same ones are compromised across all your accounts.
  • Don't share passwords. People with your password "are you" to a computer system, or a service.
  • Don't keep the same password forever. Assume that, at some point, it will be guessed, seen, or otherwise compromised, and it must be changed.
  • Don't write down passwords in the open, or save them in non-encrypted files on your computer.
Example of a bad password

Password Resources

11. Change SSID and Password (Old)

  1. After you login to the router's user interface, click on the Setup tab on the top of the configuration page
  2. Click the Wireless Settings button on the left side.
D-Link menu with Wireless Settings selected. Screenshot.


  1. Click on Manual Wireless Network Setup.
Network settings with Manual Wireless Network Setup button selected. Screenshot.


  1. You may change the Wi-Fi Name (SSID) for both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands at this time if you choose to. The network name (or SSID) is the name others will see when searching for available wireless networks in the area.
Wireless Network Settings. Wireless Network Name input field. Screenshot.


  1. Scroll down the page to Wireless Security Mode.
  2. Enter your preferred wireless password under Pre-Shared Key section.
Wireless settings with Pre-Shared Key input field.


  1. Click Save Settings to save your configuration.
  2. Your wireless security settings have now been updated.
  3. Any time you change your wireless security settings you will need to reconnect your wireless devices.
  4. If your router is dual-band, meaning it has a 2.4 and a 5 GHz network you may need to repeat the steps listed above for each network because each network may be controlled individually. You must use different network names for each band.
  5. If your router has a guest network you will need to repeat the steps listed above for the guest network because it is controlled separately.