Many Internet Service Providers, including AT&T and CenturyLink, use Arris routers for their cable and fiber-based Internet connections. Like other popular Wi-Fi routers in the market, Arris routers are also equipped with WPS functionality, which enables convenient connections. But if you are new to these routers, you may have trouble finding and using the WPS button.
In this article, you will find a complete guide to setting up and using WPS.
What Is a WPS Button?
The WPS button is a button that allows you to use the Wi-Fi Protected Setup feature. If you don’t know, WPS will enable you to connect to a Wi-Fi network without entering the password. Instead, you can use the button or enter the PIN. Either way, WPS is a convenient way to connect to a wireless network.
Popular routers, such as the ones from Arris, offer WPS support. So, if you have another WPS-compatible device, setting up a wireless connection doesn’t take more than a few seconds.
Is WPS the Same as Wi-Fi?
As I said earlier, WPS stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup. It is one of the many methods to connect to a wireless network.
Wi-Fi, on the other hand, is the wireless network itself. It is older than WPS, which was introduced in 2007. So, to answer the question, WPS is not the same as Wi-Fi.
These days, however, most Wi-Fi routers offer WPS support, at least through the push button method. Also, if you see a WPS button/symbol on a device, you can be sure of its Wi-Fi support. Therefore, while there are differences between Wi-Fi and WPS, both are related to wireless connectivity.
How to Check If Your Router Has WPS
As I said earlier, most Wi-Fi routers support WPS these days. However, it makes sense to check whether your Wi-Fi router has WPS before you attempt a connection. If the convenient connection is a priority, you must check the router for WPS connectivity before buying it.
You can check if your router has WPS through two methods:
First, you should check the user manual of the Wi-Fi router to see if WPS/Wi-Fi Protected Setup is mentioned in the document. Most Arris routers will have a section dedicated to WPS setup since many legacy devices make use of WPS.
Second, you can check the front/rear panels of the router for the WPS symbol. You can look for the exact symbol or a variation of the symbol to check whether the Wi-Fi router supports WPS.
How to Find WPS Button on Arris Router
Now that you have an Arris router, I will tell you the process of finding the WPS button on the Arris router.
We will take the case of ARRIS NVG448 first. You can find the WPS button on the device’s front panel. It will be placed below the status LED lights. You can press this WPS button to initiate connections via WPS.
However, on models like Arris SBG6782 Advanced Wi-Fi Modem, you can spot the WPS button on the top of the modem. These buttons are easy to locate and use.
Some router models may also place the WPS button on the rear panel. So, it is a good idea to check there if you cannot find the WPS button on the front panel or top of the router.
The most effective method here is to check the router user manual. You will find an image highlighting all the buttons and ports on the router.
How to Connect Device using WPS
I will now tell you how to connect devices using WPS.
There are two ways to connect a device to your Arris router using WPS:
- Push-button Configuration
- PIN method
Considering the security issues with the PIN method, I always recommend using the push-button method to connect a device to a Wi-Fi network. There are a few steps to using the push-button configuration method.
- First, you need to open the default router IP address and access the Arris router control panel. Once you navigate to Settings > Wi-Fi > WPS, where you can turn on the option. Modern router firmware will allow you to enable only the PIN method.
- Now, to connect a device using WPS, you can press the WPS button on the Arris router to enable the pairing mode. Then, you need to press the WPS button on the device that you want to connect to the network, such as a printer, scanner, or Wi-Fi extender.
- You can check the status light to see if the connection is successful. If the WPS connection fails, you can always retry.
If everything is done correctly, a WPS connection will not take more than a minute or two. Things remain the same for your Arris Wi-Fi router as well.
Conclusion
As you probably know by now, finding the WPS button and setting it up is easier than you thought. You don’t need more than a few minutes to connect a WPS-enabled device to the Arris router.
