How to configure a D-Link Router step by step

Setting up a modern D-Link router isn’t as complicated as you might think, since most of the configuration process is handled automatically by the router’s software and requires very little manual intervention. In this post, I will walk you through the process of setting up a D-Link router step by step. 

Step 1: Unboxing the D-Link router

In this step, we’re just going to unbox the router and examine the items included in its box which will be used for the setup process.

• Find a clean tidy surface, preferably a table. 
• Take out all the items in the router’s box and place them on the table then get rid of the box. 

Depending on the model you purchased, there may be more or fewer items, but D-Link routers usually come with the following basic items; 

• A set of antennas.
• The router’s body. 
• A power adapter.
• An ethernet cable. 
• And a set of manuals. 

Check the manual to make sure all the items needed for the setup were included in the box. If you are just reinstalling an old router then it may already have its antennas mounted. So ensure you have its power adapter and an ethernet cable with you.

Step 2: Examine the D-Link router’s ports and buttons

Take some time to become familiar with the ports and buttons on your router. They are usually found at the back. The parts may be more or less depending on your specific model. You may expect the following on a D-Link router.

• Five ethernet ports (one yellow and four black ports).
• One reset button.
• One WPS button.
• One WiFi button.
• One power button. 
• And a power input connector.

On the underside of every D-Link router is a sticker with the router’s default username and password, as well as its default admin username and password. Take note of these details as you will need them during the router configuration process.

Step 3: Setting up the D-Link router for configuration

Before we begin the router’s internet configuration process, we first need to set it up. This step is all about constructing, connecting, and powering up the router.

1. Start by attaching the router’s antennas.
2. Connect the router’s power adapter to its power connector. 
3. Plug the power adapter into a power socket. 
4. Press the power button to turn on the router.
5. Finally, connect the LAN cable from your modem (or internet source) to the yellow ethernet port at the back of your router (this port is sometimes labeled “Internet”).

Step 4: Connecting to the D-Link router’s control panel 

Great! At this point, you have successfully set up your D-Link router. But in order to configure the router’s internet access, you have to connect to its configuration wizard. A brand new D-Link router with default factory settings can be configured using any computer, smartphone, or tablet.

How to connect to a D-Link router using a laptop

With a laptop, you can configure a D-Link router in two ways. 

• With the wired method, your laptop is connected to your router through an ethernet cable. 
• With the wireless method, you connect your laptop to your router via WiFi.

Connecting to a D-Link router using a laptop via LAN

If your computer has an ethernet port, then it’s very easy to access your router’s control panel. Before starting, make sure your router has been set up and turned on as explained in Step 3 above.

1. With your computer turned on, connect one end of the ethernet cable that came with your router to any of the 4 black ethernet ports (usually labeled 1, 2, 3, 4) at the back of the device. 
2. Afterwards, connect the other end to the ethernet port on your laptop.
3. Once connected, launch your computer’s browser and visit the following address http://192.168.0.1/info/Login.html
4. From here on, you just have to follow the instructions on your router’s configuration page step by step as described in Step 5 below.

Connecting to a D-Link router using a laptop via WiFi (wireless LAN)

If your laptop doesn’t have an ethernet port, no worries. You can still configure a D-Link router via Wi-Fi. And here’s how to do it. Before starting, make sure your router has been set up and turned on as explained in Step 3 above.

1. Make sure the router is already powered on and connected to your modem (or internet source).
2. Launch your computer’s WiFi network manager and scan for your router’s default WiFi name. 
3. The default WiFi name and password can be found on the underside of your router, in your router’s manual, or on a card included in the box. 
4. Connect to your router’s WiFi using its default Username and Password. 
5. Once connected, launch your computer’s browser and visit the following address http://192.168.0.1/info/Login.html
6. From here on, you just have to follow the instructions on your router’s configuration page step by step as described in Step 5 below.

How to connect to a D-Link router using a smartphone or tablet

If you don’t have access to a computer, you can always connect to and configure your D-Link router using a smartphone or tablet. There are two options. 

1. You can connect to your D-Link router using your smartphone’s browser.
2. You can also connect to a D-Link router via the D-Link app available on Android and iOS.

Connecting to a D-Link router using the mobile browser

1. Make sure the router is already powered on and connected to your modem (or internet source).
2. Visit the WiFi settings on your smartphone/tablet and connect to the router’s WiFi using the default username and password.
3. You can find the router’s default WiFi username and password on the underside of the router, in its manual, or on a card included in the router’s box.
4. Once connected, launch your smartphone’s browser and visit the following address http://192.168.0.1/info/Login.html.
5. From here on, you just have to follow the instructions on your router’s configuration page step by step as described in Step 5 below.

Connecting to a D-Link router using the dedicated D-Link WiFi app

D-Link has an application for both iOS and Android. If you are using an iPhone or an iPad, click here to download the app for iOS. For Android smartphone and tablet users, click here to download your compatible D-Link WiFi app.

1. Download and install the app for either Android or iOS according to your device.
2. Make sure the router is already powered on and connected to your modem (or internet source).
3. Visit the WiFi settings on your smartphone/tablet and connect to the router’s WiFi using the default username and password.
4. The default WiFi name and password can be found on the underside of your router, in your router’s manual, or on a card included in the box.
5. After connection, launch the D-Link app which you recently installed.

Step 5: D-Link router internet configuration

D-link router internet configuration using the browser

At this point, your laptop/smartphone/tablet should already be connected to the router either by LAN or by WiFi. This step is all about configuring your internet, WiFi username & password, and the router’s admin password.

• With your laptop, smartphone, or tablet connected to the router, launch your preferred web browser and type the following address to login to your router’s control panel http://192.168.0.1/info/Login.html. 
• This address will be labeled “Not Secure” in your browser, but this isn’t a problem.
• For most D-Link routers, the default admin username is “Admin” and there is no password. So just leave the password space blank if prompted and click “Log In”. 

If your D-Link router is brand new or has just been reset to its factory settings you won’t even need to log in because the first time you connect to the router, it will immediately redirect you to its installation wizard page.

From here on, all you need to do is click “Next” and follow the instructions displayed in the configuration menu. Depending on the specific router, you may have to follow slightly different steps.

For example, the D-Link COVR-3902 comes with a range extender in the box and has the following steps:

1. Install my range extender (COVR-1300E).
2. Configure my Network and Wi-Fi settings.
3. Set up my router’s Admin Password.
4. And finally, relocate my range extender to the desired location.

Meanwhile, the D-Link DIR 867 doesn’t come with a range extender so it has only 3 steps as follows:

1. Install your device.
2. Configure your network and WiFi settings.
3. Set your router password.

Your D-Link router is capable of automatically detecting and configuring your internet connection. Just let it do its thing and click next until you get to the point where you have to rename the router’s WiFi username & password.

Router internet configuration using the D-Link mobile app

• It’s advisable to disable your mobile data connection to avoid any interference.
• Some D-Link routers have a QR code which you can scan with the D-Link app to identify the router model.
• If you can’t find any QR code, then you need to enter your router’s model manually. So click continue without scanning.
• Next, you will be presented with a menu and required to select your router model. 
• In case you don’t know the router’s model, it is mentioned underneath the router, in the router’s manual, or on a card included in the box. So select the appropriate model and proceed.
• Henceforth, you just have to follow the instructions on your router’s configuration page step by step.
• The router will automatically detect and configure the internet settings. 
• Your next manual input will only be required at the point of renaming your WiFi username and password.

Changing the D-Link router’s WiFi username and Password

After your router configures your internet connection, the only thing you need to do is modify your WiFi network name and Password.

D-Link routers come with a default WiFi username and password that you should never use. Because a knowledgeable person can easily find any router’s default WiFi details on the internet and connect to your network.

Change the router’s default WiFi name, and create a password that is both easy for you to remember and difficult for a random person to guess. Try to use a mixture of numbers, symbols, upper and lower case letters. I’m currently preparing an amazing post about how to create safe passwords and I will add a link to it here, once the post is ready. 

Assigning the D-Link router admin password

A brand new D-Link router or one that has just been reset to factory settings, usually does not have an admin password. That’s why the final step of the setup process requires you to assign an admin password to your D-Link router. 

This step is compulsory, and the password must be a mixture of letters and numbers. Always use a password that is hard for someone else to guess, but easy for you to remember. 

After you assign an admin password, your router will save all the settings and reboot. Congratulations! You have successfully configured your D-Link router.

How to reset a D-Link router to factory settings

1. Locate the router’s reset button at the back end of your router.
2. A D-Link router’s reset button is retracted within a small cavity. So you would need something like a toothpick or paper clip to press it.
3. Make sure the router is turned on.
4. Using the toothpick, press and hold the reset button for about 10 to 14 seconds then release it.
5. The router will reboot and be reverted to its default factory settings.

For DIR-xxx model routers, the default login credentials are as follows: username “admin” password, there is no password. For DSR-xxx model routers, the default login credentials are as follows: username “admin“, password “admin“.

How to Change a D-Link router’s WiFi username and password

There are two ways to change a D-Link router’s WiFi username and password.

Option 1: By resetting the router 

• Reset the router and go through the router’s configuration process explained above. 
• During this process, you would be required to assign a new username and password

Option 2: Login to the router’s admin control panel

1. Make sure your computer, smartphone, or tablet is connected to the router by WiFi or LAN (Check step 4 above).
2. Once connected, launch your computer or smartphone’s browser and visit the following address http://192.168.0.1/info/Login.html.
3. Now, you have to login to your router’s control panel.
4. To login to a D-Link router’s control panel, you must know it’s admin password. 
5. If you don’t know it’s admin password, or have forgotten it then the only option is to factory reset the router as explained in Option 1 above.
6. On the admin login page, type the router’s admin password and click “Log in”
7. After you login, go to “Settings”, and click “Wireless”.
8. Within this menu, you can change your D-Link router’s WiFi name and password. 
9. After assigning the new WiFi username and password, click save
10. Your D-Link router will save the new settings and reboot. 
11. Note that all previously connected devices will be disconnected from the router’s WiFi.

How to Change a D-Link router’s admin password

Option 1: By resetting the router 

• Reset the router and go through the router’s configuration process explained above. 
• During this process, you would be required to assign a new admin password

Option 2: Login to the router’s admin control panel

1. Make sure your computer, smartphone, or tablet is connected to the router by WiFi or LAN (Check step 4 above).
2. Once connected, launch your computer or smartphone’s browser and visit the following address http://192.168.0.1/info/Login.html.
3. Now, you have to login to your router’s control panel.
4. To login to a D-Link router’s control panel, you must know it’s admin password. 
5. If you don’t know it’s admin password, or have forgotten it then the only option is to factory reset the router as explained in Option 1 above.
6. On the admin login page, type the router’s admin password and click “Log in”
7. After you login, go to “Management”, and click “System Admin”.
8. Within this menu, you can change your D-Link router’s admin password. 
9. After assigning the new admin password, click save.
10. Your D-Link router will save the new settings and reboot. 
11. So the next time you want to login to your router’s control panel, you must use the new admin password.

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