Like many popular Wi-Fi routers in the market, NETGEAR routers also ship with WPS support. Used with care, WPS can simplify how you connect devices to the Wi-Fi network. But you first need to locate the WPS button and set it up. How do you do that?
In this guide, I have covered how to use the WPS button on a NETGEAR router.
Why Do We Need the NETGEAR Router WPS Button?
You need the NETGEAR router WPS button to set up a Wi-Fi connection through Wi-Fi Protected Setup. It is a method that does not require you to enter the Wi-Fi password. Instead, you can press the Wi-Fi button or use a PIN, depending on the configuration.
So, if you want this additional convenience of connecting devices to the network, you will need the NETGEAR router WPS button.
How Does the WPS Button Work?
If you have already set up WPS on your NETGEAR router, the process is simple. The push-button WPS process for the NETGEAR router requires another Wi-Fi-enabled device with WPS support. Let’s say that you have a printer or scanner.
If these devices are nearby, you can turn on the WPS Pairing Mode on the NETGEAR router. You might then have to press the WPS button on the other device. However, if you want to use WPS with a smartphone or a PC, you can press the WPS button when you are asked to enter the password.
In both cases, the WPS button will securely exchange credentials between your NETGEAR router and other devices.
Note: You can also use a PIN-based method to set up WPS connections. However, because they are four or six-digit PINs, they are prone to brute-force attacks. Therefore, if you must use WPS on NETGEAR routers, you should stick to the WPS button method.
How to Find WPS Button on Netgear Router
Now that you know how the WPS button on a NETGEAR router works, I will tell you how you can find it on a NETGEAR router.
Location of WPS Button on NETGEAR Router
Most NETGEAR routers have the WPS button on the rear panel. You can find it next to the Ethernet/Internet ports. The best practice is to look for the WPS symbol. In some cases, you can see the word WPS next to the symbol (icon).
Here’s an example from one of the popular routers from NETGEAR.
How to Use WPS Button on Netgear Router for Setup
Before you use the WPS button on NETGEAR routers to set up a connection, you need to activate it.
Activating the WPS Function on Your Router
Your NETGEAR Wi-Fi router may not have the WPS function activated by default. In this case, pressing the WPS button wouldn’t do anything.
So, first, you need to log in to the NETGEAR router dashboard, navigate to Wi-Fi, and enable Wi-Fi Protected Setup. You may have to restart the router after this step.
Connecting Devices Using the WPS Button
Once this is done, you can proceed to connect devices using the WPS button. As I said earlier, make sure that both devices are in WPS pairing mode.
You should also check the WPS status light on the Wi-Fi router. In most cases, it will rapidly blink once the Wi-Fi router is in pairing mode. You need to press the WPS button on the other device at the same time.
You will see a solid LED status light once the connection is complete.
Verifying a Successful WPS Connection
Depending on the NETGEAR router model, different LED lights indicate the status of the WPS connection. In most cases, you should look for a stable light on the WPS LED.
However, I always recommend checking the user manual for the specific model. If you have a router with a single status light, you should pay attention to the color of the LED as well.
Using WPS to Connect Devices
Here are a few things you should know about using WPS to connect devices
- Most Wi-Fi-enabled devices support Wi-Fi Protected Setup, which means that you can use the WPS button to set up a connection.
- Even if your device doesn’t have a WPS button, you can press the WPS button on the NETGEAR router when the network asks for a password.
Benefits of Using the WPS Button
Here are the significant advantages of using the WPS button instead of entering the Wi-Fi network password.
- Pressing the WPS button instead of entering the password is a more convenient way to connect to a Wi-Fi network.
- Because it doesn’t involve typing the password, you don’t have to share the actual password. It makes WPS connections safer in many instances.
- The WPS button also lets you connect devices that do not let you enter the password. For example, we have printers and scanners with no input options.
Common WPS Issues
Let’s also look at some common WPS issues that you may encounter.
- WPS connections are relatively insecure, especially compared to the current security standards. So, you might want to avoid these connections in enterprise scenarios.
- Legacy support for WPS may also cause some issues, especially when using PIN mode. However, you can solve the problem by choosing the WPS button entry mode.
- Sometimes, firmware issues with the router may cause issues with the WPS lights on your NETGEAR router. You can avoid this scenario by thoroughly checking the user manual.
Rest assured, as long as you keep the router firmware updated, you need not worry about many WPS button issues on your NETGEAR router.
Conclusion
I hope this guide helped you set up WPS and locate the WPS button on your NETGEAR router. The steps I’ve covered should work for most Wi-Fi routers from NETGEAR, thanks to their uniform design.
