It’s easy to do if you simply follow these steps:
Did you just get a new tablet or other device and can’t figure out how to connect it to your home’s Wi-Fi network? Or are you wondering how to use the Wi-Fi network in a public place or the home of a friend or family member? You’re not alone.
RTC Networks receives many calls from our customers with questions related to connecting devices to Wi-Fi. So we’re sharing these step-by-step instructions to help you understand the process. You may want to keep this article handy for future reference.
1. Make sure the Wi-Fi connection for your device is on.
Regardless of the device — laptop, tablet, or smartphone — it’s possible to turn off Wi-Fi. Some devices have a physical switch that turns Wi-Fi on or off, while others provide the ability to toggle Wi-Fi on the software settings. Make sure your device does not have the Wi-Fi capability turned off before proceeding.
2. Access your device’s settings.
Navigate to your device’s “Settings” and open them. Then navigate to “Network Settings,” followed by “Wi-Fi.” You can also click on the Wi-Fi icon on a computer’s toolbar to open up a dropdown menu, which will list the names of the Wi-Fi networks in the area.
3. Find the name of the Wi-Fi network you want.
When you see the names of the Wi-Fi networks in the area, find your home network’s name and select it. If you’re somewhere other than home, look for the name of the network at that location, such as “Susie’s Coffee Shop Wi-Fi” and select it.
Here’s a tip: If your home network’s name is not easy to remember, perhaps because it contains random letters and numbers, make sure you have the name (and password) written down somewhere. That way, when guests at your home ask about Wi-Fi access, you’ll be ready!
4. Enter the password for the Wi-Fi network.
For security reasons, many private and public Wi-Fi networks require passwords to gain access. If the network you’re trying to connect to has a password, you’ll be prompted to enter that password before you can access the internet. When at a hotel, restaurant, or other public location, you may need to ask an employee for the current password. In some cases, the password will be displayed on a counter or other prominent spot for the convenience of guests.
5. Test out your internet connection.
Once you think you’ve connected your device to the Wi-Fi network, open up a page in your web browser to make sure it loads. If it does, you’re ready to go. If it doesn’t, proceed to the next step.
6. Troubleshoot if your device won’t connect to the Wi-Fi network.
There are a variety of reasons why a device may not be able to connect to a particular Wi-Fi network. Here are a few of the most common problems and their solutions:
- Some older computers are unable to connect to the internet wirelessly. You may need an Ethernet cable to get online.
- If the internet is slow or won’t connect, you may be out of range of the wireless router. Try moving closer to the source.
- You may have entered the password incorrectly. Double check that you were given the correct password and try entering it again.
As a cooperative, one of RTC Networks’ values is “Focus on the Customer.” We’re always happy to help you use and enjoy the communications technology available today. Please stop by your local RTC office or call us at (888) 862-3115 if you need assistance.