Getting a new Verizon Fios connection can be great, thanks to its speed and performance. However, setting up the Verizon router and connecting to the network may seem a little complex. Though you have an option to request professional installation, it may end up being too expensive. But with the right steps, you can set up the connection in less than an hour. In this guide, I have covered everything you’d want to know.
Unboxing and Preparing for Installation
Given that you have chosen self-installation for the Verizon connection, you should receive a complete install package from Verizon. Depending on whether you have selected a bundle, you may have quite a few devices in the package. So, first, you need to prepare everything for installation.
#1 Verify Package Contents
The first step is verifying the package contents. Make sure that the package contains everything you need to setup the Verizon router. Ideally, you should have the router, Ethernet cables, and power cables. If you have a router-modem combo device, there will only be a single Ethernet cable.
#2 Choose an Optimal Location
After you verify what is in the package, you must choose an optimal location for the router. You need to be strategic here so that you don’t end up with Wi-Fi dead spots. I’d recommend going for a central location if you have a single-story house. On the other hand, multi-story buildings may require additional setup. It may also be a good idea to get a Wi-Fi extender if you think the current setup cannot cover your entire space.
Setting Up Physical Connections
Once you have decided where the router stays, you can start with the initial phase: setting up all necessary physical connections.
#1 Connecting the Coaxial Cable
First, you need to connect the coaxial cable to the Coax port on the back of the Verizon router. You can find this port on the bottom-left side of the panel. However, if you have a Verizon Fios router, you may need to connect a cable from the ONT.
#2 Connecting the Ethernet Cable
If you are wondering, Verizon routers are designed to offer Wi-Fi connection from the get-go. However, I’d always recommend using an Ethernet cable for initial setup. It will also help you test the maximum speed of the connection.
#3 Powering Up the Router
Now that you have connected both the coaxial and Ethernet cables, you can power up the router. You need to plug the power adaptor into an outlet to proceed with this task. In a few seconds, you will see the LED(s) blinking on your Verizon router.
Basic Network Setup
At this point, you need to start with the basic network setup. This part will ensure seamless connectivity to the devices at your place.
#1 Wired Connection Setup
As I said, a wired connection is the easiest to set up on a Verizon router. These routers are preconfigured to work with the Verizon network as soon as you plug in the Coaxial/Fiber cables. So, you can start the process by connecting the Ethernet cable to your computer’s Ethernet port.
#2 Wi-Fi Connection Setup
I recommend having a wired connection while setting up a wireless connection. However, if you want to stay cable-free, you can connect to the default Wi-Fi network using the information you can find on the router label. Enter these details to access the default network.
#3 Activating Your Service
Regardless of the type of connection you have set up, you need to activate the Verizon Internet service to access the internet. However, this process is easy and will start when you open a website through a browser.
The browser will lead you to a setup wizard from Verizon, where you can enter the account details to set up the connection.
At this point, your router will have Internet access. That is, all devices connected to the router via Wi-Fi or Ethernet can access the Internet without any issues.
Configuring Router Settings
Even though you now have a working Internet connection via Ethernet and Wi-Fi, you should complete some additional router configuration steps. The steps are here:
#1 Accessing the Router’s Admin Interface
First, you must access the Verizon router’s admin interface, which you can do by going to the default router IP address. Alternatively, you can type myfiosgateway.com into a web browser, and you will be redirected with ease. Once you see the admin login page, you need to log in by entering the credentials.
#2 Changing Wi-Fi Name (SSID) and Password
After logging into the router management dashboard, you must change the Wi-Fi name and password. Sure, your Verizon router has a unique SSID/password combination, but anyone who has access to the router label can access the network. More importantly, these username-password combinations are difficult to keep in mind.
I mean, My Sweet Home is always better than something like Verizon_B57DH, right?
So, navigate to Network > Wireless settings and change the Wi-Fi name (SSID) and password. The process is going to take only a few minutes. Once you save the settings, you should restart the router, and you can connect using the new credentials.
#3 Enabling or Disabling Self-Organizing Network (SON)
A Self-Organizing Network (SON) on a Verizon router can make or break your Wi-Fi experience.
This feature, also called band steering, shows you a single Wi-Fi network instead of a 2.4GHz and a 5GHz one. The router will intelligently assign devices based on range and performance needs. In most Verizon Wi-Fi routers, this feature is turned on by default. For most people, it may be convenient as well.
However, sometimes, you may need better control over how your Wi-Fi network works. For instance, you’d want to dedicate the 5GHz band to your gaming rig or streaming devices. In that case, you can turn off SON by navigating to the router control panel.
I have always had mixed opinions about the SON feature, though. It does not always make the best choice when choosing a frequency band for a device. So, if you prefer a custom experience, you might want to turn it off.
Advanced Network Features
At this point, we have completed the basic network setup in addition to some extra setup. However, if you want to make the best out of the Verizon network, you should also use some advanced network features.
#1 Setting Up Guest Wi-Fi Network
A Guest Wi-Fi network is a secure and convenient way to offer Wi-Fi access to people who visit your home often or once in a while. You can enable this option from the Verizon router dashboard.
#2 Configuring Parental Controls
Parental controls could be another point of interest. Depending on the router model, Verizon may offer a baseline or advanced parental control experience, including multiple profiles.
#3 Port Forwarding and Advanced Filtering
Do you plan on using your router for gaming or hosting a Minecraft server? In that case, you may want to set up port forwarding and some filtering that uses a firewall. I’d also recommend checking out the MAC filtering option.
Conclusion
From essential unboxing to advanced network setup, many points are included in this guide to connect and set up your new Verizon router. Though I have provided the screenshots and steps for the Verizon Fios router Model G3100, the core steps remain the same for all Verizon routers. So you wouldn’t have trouble dealing with the setup or maintenance.
