This is for you if… you have bought a new phone, tablet, printer, smart TV or laptop and need to connect it to your home Wi-Fi without getting in a muddle.
I was helping someone in Biggleswade connect a new tablet recently. The password was correct, but they were accidentally choosing the neighbour’s similar network name.
Before you start
- Find your Wi-Fi network name. It may be printed on the router or a card from your broadband provider.
- Find your Wi-Fi password. This is sometimes called the wireless key.
- Check capital letters carefully.
- Keep the new device close to the router while setting it up.
Step-by-step: connect a phone or tablet to Wi-Fi
- Unlock the device.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Wi-Fi or Network & Internet.
- Make sure Wi-Fi is switched on.
- Wait for the list of nearby networks to appear.
- Tap your own Wi-Fi network name.
- Type the Wi-Fi password exactly as shown.
- Tap Join, Connect or Done.
- Wait for a tick, connected message, or Wi-Fi symbol.
- Open a website to test the internet works.
Step-by-step: connect a smart TV, printer or other device
- Open the device’s Settings menu.
- Look for Network, Internet, Wireless or Wi-Fi.
- Choose Set up connection or Wireless setup.
- Select your Wi-Fi network name.
- Enter the Wi-Fi password carefully.
- Confirm or save the connection.
- Run a connection test if the device offers one.
If the password does not work
- Check you chose your own network, not a neighbour’s.
- Check 0 and O, 1 and l, and capital letters.
- Make sure you are using the Wi-Fi password, not the router admin password.
- Try moving closer to the router.
- Restart the device and try again.
Need help?
For ongoing help and peace of mind in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk, my membership can help. For one-off setup help, you can book a visit.