How To Self-Install or Connect Xfinity Internet

One significant reason to choose Xfinity over other Internet Service Providers is the choice you get when it comes to its services. For instance, you can select between self-installation and professional installation to set up Xfinity Internet at home.

The best part? You don’t have to be an IT professional. Instead, you can check out the steps I have covered in this article to connect to Xfinity Internet with ease.

Using Self-Install Kit to Set Up Xfinity Internet

Once you receive the self-install kit from Xfinity, you can begin setting it up by connecting the XPI gateway to the power source and the coaxial cable. After booting up the device, the Xfinity app will help you activate your service and connect it to your account.

Professional Installation vs. Self-Installation

As I said, you can choose either self-installation or professional installation when you get an Xfinity internet connection.

The professional installation is a convenient option because you don’t have to make a single move. Still, you’ll have to schedule an appointment according to availability and pay an installation fee of $89.99.

If you don’t want to do these things, you can opt for the self-installation option, which provides access to the Xfinity self-install kit. This kit will be shipped to your address for a $15 shipping fee.

While there are some challenges to consider, such as the availability of connections and other infrastructure, the installation process is almost straightforward, and you can complete it within a few minutes.

What is the Xfinity Self-Install Kit

It has thus become a popular option among first-time Xfinity Internet customers. Let’s first take a look at the contents of the Xfinity Self-Install Kit.

• Xfinity xFi Wireless Gateway: This is a modem-router combo device that creates a Wi-Fi network at your home by connecting to the Xfinity network.
• Coaxial Cable: This cable must be used to connect the Wireless Gateway to the coaxial port. In some cases, you may receive a fiber cable as well.
• Power Cable: You can use this cable to power the xFi Wireless Gateway. You must connect this to the power socket.
• Ethernet Cable: The Xfinity Self-Install Kit comes with an Ethernet cable as well. You can use this to establish a wired internet connection or set up a secondary modem.

You will also find a self-installation instruction document in the box. If you have purchased bundled services from Xfinity—such as voice or TV—you may need a splitter cable as well.

When you receive the self-install kit, make sure that the kit consists of all this equipment. If you have ordered something else, such as a Wi-Fi extension port, you might have to set that up as well.

Set Up Xfinity Internet with xFi Gateway

Without further ado, I will tell you how you can set up Xfinity Internet with xFi Gateway. You need two major steps to set up the internet connection and a few sub-steps in each.

Setting Up Xfinity xFi Gateway

In this step, we have to connect and set up the necessary hardware for Xfinity Internet.

Unbox and place the xFi Gateway

Make sure you properly unbox the self-installation kit and separate all the content. Take the xFi Gateway and choose an appropriate location for it. You must place the device in a central space so that your devices will have reliable coverage.

By the way, you can extend the coverage using Wi-Fi extension pods.

At this point, it’s a good idea to capture a photo of the bottom side of the xFi Gateway. This portion should contain a QR code that lets you connect to the Wi-Fi network. Alternatively, you can find the Wi-Fi SSID, PW, MAC address, etc.

Connect Cables (Coaxial Cable and Power Cord)

Now that you have found the perfect place for the xFi Gateway, you can set it up by connecting the coaxial cable and the power cord. First, plug one end of the coaxial cable into the Coax port on the xFi Gateway. Now, connect the other end to the coaxial port on your wall.

Take the power cord and connect the power jack to the back portion of the xFi Gateway. You can now plug the adaptor into the wall socket. Make sure that both these connections are finger-tight. Loose connections may prevent internet access or affect the overall speed.

Power On the Gateway and Wait for it to Initialize

Now, turn on the power socket and wait for the xFi Gateway to turn on. During the first bootup, the process may take up to a few minutes; you don’t have to worry.

The lights on top of the xFi Gateway may blink for up to five minutes.

Once you see that the lights are stable for at least one minute, it means your device has been connected to Xfinity. However, you need to set up the Xfinity app to get the most out of the internet connection.

Setting Up Xfinity App Activation

Now that you have set up the hardware for Xfinity Internet, you have to activate the network using an official app from the internet service provider. Here are the steps.

Download the Xfinity app.

First, you need to download the Xfinity app on your smartphone. It is available for Android and iOS and will help you set up the entire thing. You can set it up using the web portal, but the Xfinity app is definitely more convenient.

Follow the Prompts to Activate the Gateway.

Open the Xfinity app and follow the on-screen instructions to activate the wireless gateway. You will have to create an Xfinity account and choose the option to Activate xFi Gateway or Modem from the Account menu.

The Xfinity app will ask you to scan the QR code at the bottom of the xFi Gateway hardware. You also have the option to enter the CM-MAC address manually. You can find this address on the bottom label as well.

Once the app has successfully scanned the QR code or verified the CM-MAC address, you will see a green tick mark on the screen. It means you have successfully activated the xFi Gateway and connected the same to your Xfinity account.

Troubleshooting Common Issues During Setup.

Ideally, there won’t be any issues with the setup. However, in some cases, you may have to reboot the xFi Gateway after connecting to the app. After the reboot, everything should be fine.

Xfinity Wi-Fi Setup

At this point, you would have enabled internet access through the xFi Gateway, but you still need to set up Wi-Fi on your own. Fortunately, you can do it using the Xfinity app itself.

Setting Up Wi-Fi Network:

By default, your Xfinity xFi Gateway ships with a Wi-Fi network. You can find the details of this network on a label underneath the device. However, continuing to use the network is not a wise choice. Therefore, you’d have to create a new one.

Xfinity app will ask you to enter a new name for the Wi-Fi network and a password. Make sure that you pick a strong password that no one can guess. Once you tap Next, the Xfinity app may need a few minutes to set everything up.

Your xFi Gateway will reboot once you have made these changes. Once it is back online, you can see the new network details available nearby. You can now connect your devices to this network and enjoy access to the internet.

Managing Your Wi-Fi

You can use the Xfinity app or the web-based control panel to manage your Wi-Fi connection. In most cases, you wouldn’t need these features, but I recommend setting up some additional network features. You may want to set up some security options, for instance.

You can use the Xfinity app to manage all aspects of the Wi-Fi connection. For instance, you can monitor the list of connected devices and traffic. The app would also offer some tips to improve the Wi-Fi signal across your home.

Security Settings:

You might also want to enable some security features while setting up the Xfinity X5 gateway. For instance, many devices and applications might require you to allow WPA3 to secure your Wi-Fi connection. By default, it may be using WPA2, and it makes sense to change it to WPA3 whenever necessary.

Similarly, you may want to set up parental controls and a guest network for the Xfinity Wi-Fi network at your home. This will allow you to control what your kids can search and view on the web. The guest network will be beneficial when you have visitors, as it allows you to restrict their access to the entire network.

Fortunately, you can manage all these options from the single interface on the Xfinity app.

My Take on Xfinity Self-Installation

I have had to use Xfinity internet 2-3 times, especially when I was moving around the country. Every time I had to set it up, it was impractical to pay around $90 each time, so I have always used the self-install kit. As I mentioned in the article, the process is very straightforward, and you don’t have to worry about anything at all.

The gateways and the Xfinity app are so well-connected that you just have to tap the “next” button occasionally. Unless there are issues with the infrastructure, such as a faulty cable or a problem with the signal, you can set up everything and have the internet connection functioning in just a few minutes.

While the professional installation option does offer some advantages, I wouldn’t choose those advantages by spending $90 when you can achieve the same outcome in 15-20 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

I hope this guide helped you clear your doubts about the self-install process for Xfinity Internet. When I had to use the self-install kit the first time, I could not find helpful resources on the internet. I hope this guide can bridge that gap.

Rest assured, even when you go for the self-installation option, you can seek support from Xfinity via Live Chat or a phone call. So, even if things go wrong in the worst-case scenario, you can get some helpful advice. And Xfinity support has always been a great choice compared to support systems from other ISPs.