A WiFi router is an electronic device that acts as a wireless access point. It receives data from an internet cable, converts the data stream to radio signals which are accessible by WiFi-enabled gadgets like Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops, Smart TVs, and similar devices.
If you’re using the Netgear router and you are wondering what and where the WPS button is, this post is for you. This post covers everything you need to know about the WPS button on your Netgear router. That includes where to find the button on your router, how to enable the WPS feature, what happens when you activate it, and should the WPS be on or off on your router.
What is WPS On Netgear Router? (What Does The WPS Button Do?)
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) is designed to make the process of connecting to a wireless network secure and seamless. Before now, routers are secured with a password that you enter to activate security. The password comes in the form of random numbers, letters, and symbols which are found at the back of the router.
The WPS button is an upgrade from using a PIN. When you turn on WPS on a Netgear router, it automatically searches for compatible devices within range and pairs up with the device. You don’t need a PIN to secure the router. The WPS stops searching for a device after two minutes, which makes it more secure.
The WPS technology doesn’t support all devices. Devices made before WPS aren’t supported by WPS technology. WPS only works on devices that use a password that is encrypted with the WPA 1 or WPA 2 Personal Security Protocols. WPS is not supported by wireless networks with Deprecated WEP security. One way to check if your phone or device supports WPS, check for the ‘Connect via WPS’ option when connecting to wireless internet.
Does My Netgear Router Have A WPS Button?
Yes. Most new Netgear routers have the WPS feature. This allows devices to connect to the router’s wireless internet without a password. One sure way to know if your Netgear router has the WPS feature is to check for the WPS button on the router. We will show you how to find the button on your router in the latter part of this post.
How To Enable WPS On Netgear Router?
The WPS feature is automatically activated in some Netgear routers, but for some, you have to manually activate the WPS feature. Follow the steps below to activate WPS on your Netgear router.
Step 1. Connect your mobile device or computer to your Netgear router’s network.
Step 2. Launch a web browser and type in http://routerlogin.net in the address bar.
Step 3. Enter the router’s password and username in the given space. For first-time users, the password is ‘password’ and the username is ‘admin’.
Step 4. On the Home Page menu, Click on ‘Advanced’ and WPS Wizard’.
Step 5. Click on the ‘Next’ option and select ‘Setup Method’. There are two setup options:’ Push Button’ and ‘PIN Number’. Click on ‘Push Button’ and click on ‘WPS’.
Step 6. Press and hold the WPS button on your router for a couple of seconds to activate the button. Allow the WPS to automatically set up a network password and allow your device to connect to the wireless network.
How Do I Turn Off The WPS Button On My Router?
The WPS feature is automatically turned on in some Netgear routers. If you don’t want to use this feature you can turn off the WPS feature. You can press and hold the WPS button to turn off the feature. You can also turn off the feature from the router’s admin page. Follow the steps below to complete the process.
Step 1. Connect your mobile device or computer to your Netgear router’s network.
Step 2. Launch a web browser and type in http://routerlogin.net in the address bar.
Step 3. Enter the router’s password and username in the given space. For first-time users, the password is ‘password’ and the username is ‘admin’.
Step 4. On the Home Page menu, Click on ‘Advanced’ and WPS Wizard’.
Step 5. Click on the ‘Next’ option and select ‘Setup Method’. There are two setup options ’ Push Button’ and ‘PIN Number’. Click on ‘PIN Number’ to switch to PIN security.
Where Is The WPS Button On A Netgear Router?
The location of the WPS button on your Netgear router depends on the product you are using. For most Netgear routers, the WPS button is located on the front panel or at the back of the Netgear Nighthawk router.
Should WPS Be On Or Off?
Whether your router’s WPS should be on or off is a personal decision you make. But you need to understand how the WPS works and its importance to help you make your decision. There are two ways to secure your Router.
a. Push-Button-Connect:
This is where the WPS button comes to play. The WPS is more secure because devices only have a limited amount of time to connect to it after pressing the button. After that, the WPS automatically turns off. This limits the time needed for a hacking system to generate a password to hack the router. This makes it more secure than a PIN which is always active.
b. PIN:
This method of WiFi protected setup involves using a PIN, usually an eight-digit PIN to protect your router. When you enter the PIN, the router checks just the first four digits or code. This makes the PIN vulnerable to hacks because there are only 11,000 possible four-digits codes. So brute force software can easily run through the 11,000 possible four-digit codes to get the correct password.
When it comes to security, the WPS feature is more secure than a PIN. So, it’s left to you to decide to turn it on or off.
What Happens When I Press The WPS Button On My Router?
When you press the WPS button on your router, it automatically searches to discover new compatible devices. When you select the network on your device, it automatically connects to the wireless network without the network password.
For other devices like cameras and wireless printers that have the WPS button too. You have to press the WPS buttons on both the router and the device to connect to the network without a password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Netgear c3000 Have WPS Button?
Yes. The Netgear c3000 supports the WPS feature and also comes with a WPS button to activate the feature. You can either press the onscreen WPS button or the WPS on the button of the device.