No matter how old or modern your Wi-Fi router is, you’ll come across the WPS button on a router. Have you ever wondered why your router has this button in the first place? I mean, not many people talk about WPS as much as they talk about other features, right?
Well, in this guide, we will talk about what the WPS button is on a router and how you can use it.
What Is WPS?
In the context of Wi-Fi routers and wireless networking, WPS stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup. It is a wireless network security standard, but we consider it a way to connect to the wireless network in question. WPS is designed to allow Wi-Fi devices to connect to a Wi-Fi router without entering the network password.
It can be configured in different ways based on your convenience and security requirements. Because WPS does not involve the use of passwords, it uses dedicated buttons on Wi-Fi-enabled devices. They are called the WPS button and allow you to establish a Wi-Fi connection in a bit.
History and Evolution of WPS
Before I explain how WPS works and the ways to use it, let’s take a trip down memory lane.
Wi-Fi Protected Setup had its debut in 2006 when the Wi-Fi Alliance introduced it as an easier way to set up a Wi-Fi connection. At this point, Wi-Fi adoption grew, and devices like printers and scanners also had this connectivity option. Because these devices could not enter an alphanumeric password, connecting them was a cumbersome task.
The feature became a success soon enough, and it witnessed widespread adoption in the following decade. By the half of the 2010s, WPS had become a staple feature on Wi-Fi routers. Even today, you will find that almost all routers in the world offer support for WPS. However, I must add that WPS has not had an entirely happy run.
A critical point was in December 2011 when a security flaw within WPS was found. This vulnerability allowed hackers to manipulate the PIN entry method of WPS to gain unauthorized access to Wi-Fi routers. Most of these attacks were brute force and affected networks that used WPA/WPA2. As a result, Wi-Fi routers have turned off some WPS features.
For instance, most Wi-Fi routers have turned off the PIN method for WPS connection by default. Some Wi-Fi routers may stop you from turning on the PIN method as well. However, I must say that the Wi-Fi Alliance has not shown much motivation to improve WPS by any means.
It is one of the few Wi-Fi-based features that have been stagnant since its early years.
How WPS Works and the Security Risks of WPS
I will try to explain how WPS works without getting too technical. To use the WPS function, your router and the end device must have WPS support. The exact working process will vary based on the connection method you have chosen.
Push Button Configuration (PBC)
Push button configuration (PBC) works great when you have a device that lacks a convenient method to type the Wi-Fi password.
Both these devices must also have the WPS button for push button configuration (PBC). In this method, you need to press the WPS button on your Wi-Fi router and the other device. The devices will scan for available WPS-enabled devices in the vicinity and connect to them. If the device cannot find a suitable WPS device in the area within two minutes or so, it will quickly exit WPS pairing mode.
PIN Method
WPS supports a PIN method as well, but it is so vulnerable that routers turn off the option by default. When it was available, you could press the WPS button on the router and enter an 8-digit PIN on the other device. It was a convenient option for computers as well as printers with a numeric keypad. However, I recommend staying far away from this option if possible.
Near Field Communication (NFC)
Some routers also allow you to use Near Field Communication (NFC) to establish a connection via WPS. That is, instead of pressing a button, you can bring your device closer to the router or tap an area where the NFC chip is placed. While convenient, there are security concerns here as well. Therefore, this method of setting up WPS is not the most popular one.
As it happens, you can choose between three methods to set up a Wi-Fi connection via WPS. One common thing here is that all these modes enter a WPS pairing mode, which stays on for a minute or two. You must press the WPS button on the other device to pair the two devices.
Steps to Connect Using WPS
I will now share the steps to connect a device to your Wi-Fi router using WPS.
If you want the convenience of WPS, you must stick to Push Button Configuration. PIN and NFC methods are prone to attacks, and I won’t recommend them even if you are tech-savvy. So, as long as you rely on the PBC method, you can follow the steps given below.
- Check whether your Wi-Fi router and the device you want to connect have WPS support. On routers, you can check for a dedicated WPS button on the back. Other devices like printers or Wi-Fi extenders may have either a WPS button or an option through the Settings menu.
- To start the process, press (or press and hold) the WPS button on your Wi-Fi router. I would ask you to check the router manual to see the LED light color for WPS status. So, once you press the button, the LED color should appear.
- On most routers I have seen, the WPS light would start flashing when it searches for devices nearby.
- Now, press (or press and hold) the WPS button on the device you want to connect. It may also show you a flashing light as the status. Be patient as these devices try to pair.
- Once the connection is successful, the LED light will stop flashing. It means the device has connected to the Wi-Fi router and you should have network/Internet access.
If the router cannot locate the nearby WPS device, it may exit the WPS pairing mode. At this point, you’ll be able to try again.
WPS vs. Traditional WiFi Setup
Now that you know how WPS works and the methods to set it up, let’s talk about some essential differences between WPS and traditional Wi-Fi setups.
- Ease of Use: Compared to a traditional Wi-Fi setup, WPS is easier to use. You don’t have to enter a complex Wi-Fi password on small screens; you can press the WPS buttons on both devices.
- Speed of Connection: Connection speeds with WPS are quicker compared to that of traditional Wi-Fi setups. Yet, the actual browsing/downloading speed does not change whether or not you use WPS over a conventional setup.
- Security Differences: Conventional Wi-Fi security offers advanced security compared to WPS. In most cases, you can find WPA2 and WPA3 security for conventional Wi-Fi setups, making them safe from a variety of threats.
- Security Risks of WPS: WPS is more prone to security risks, such as brute-force attacks. It means threat actors can gain authorized access to your WPS-enabled device, including routers.
- Physical Access Requirement: Whether you use the PBC/PIN method, you must have physical access to the router if you want to use WPS.
As you can see, WPS is prone to multiple security issues. However, you can rely on a few ways to mitigate a lot of these issues. For instance, you should turn off WPS when you don’t plan to use the feature for a long period. In the same way, you should check whether you can enforce the WPA2/WPA3 authentication for the network.
Devices That Support WPS
The following types of devices have support for WPS these days:
- Routers: Routers have WPS support as it allows other WPS-enabled devices to connect to Wi-Fi.
- Laptops and Computers: Some laptops and desktops also have WPS support as a part of the wireless networking module.
- Smartphones and Tablets: Smartphones and tablets may also offer WPS support, allowing you to set up a connection without entering a password.
- Smart Home Devices: Most smart home devices, like smart plugs, are likely to have WPS support and a WPS button. Because these devices cannot enter the full password, a WPS button makes sense.
If you want to confirm, you should check the device’s user manual. By the way, I have seen that Android TVs these days are skipping WPS connectivity altogether—for good.
Should You Use WPS?
Let me answer this question as quickly as I can.
You should use WPS if you want an easy way to connect to a Wi-Fi network without entering the password. It is your only option when a device does not have the interface to type the password. However, when you are using this option, be careful about how you do it.
I recommend turning on the WPS function, connecting the device, and turning it back on. Leaving the WPS function on at all times can cause more harm than convenience.
Conclusion
While convenient, WPS is not the safest option out there. That is no reason to avoid the option altogether, either. Meanwhile, let’s hope the Wi-Fi Alliance launches an improved version of WPS with better-quality encryption and authentication.
