My internet has been unreliable, and both the modem and router are currently set up in a back bedroom. I'd like to move them to the living room, but I'm not sure what connections or steps are required. Is it usually just a matter of unplugging everything and reconnecting it, or do I need to change any settings?
1 Answer
It’s usually pretty simple, as long as the new room has an active cable or fiber connection for the modem. Unplug the modem and router, move them, then connect the incoming service line to the modem, connect the modem’s Ethernet port to the router’s WAN/Internet port, and plug both power supplies back in. Turn on the modem first and wait a few minutes for it to connect, then power up the router. Your Wi-Fi settings should normally remain unchanged, though backing up or exporting the router configuration is a good precaution. If the living room doesn’t have an active service outlet, you may need your provider to activate one or run a new line.
You’ll need to move all of the connections: the provider’s cable or fiber line goes to the modem, and an Ethernet cable runs from the modem to the router. The power adapters are moved as well. You shouldn’t need to change router settings unless something is misconfigured or the router is unusually old.
When you say it’s mostly plug-and-play, do you mean I only need to reconnect the power cables, or do the cable and Ethernet connections need to be moved too?