How can I reset a router to return to being an open network?
December 29, 2009 11:56 AM Subscribe
How to I return my home wifi network to being a totally open access network?
So my cousin visited over the holidays and he asked me for a key code from the bottom of my belkin wifi router to connect. I gave him the pin code, and that made only him capable of connecting to my wifi network (which is now not working at all). We tried to reverse the problem by resetting the router, but that didn't work either.
I'm not sure if this is important or not, but my internet is provided by Verizon (DSL).
When I first got the router I just plugged it in and it was an open wireless network for all to share. Now, the wifi is encrypted and unusable. I want the network just to go back to being an open network. How do I do this?
So my cousin visited over the holidays and he asked me for a key code from the bottom of my belkin wifi router to connect. I gave him the pin code, and that made only him capable of connecting to my wifi network (which is now not working at all). We tried to reverse the problem by resetting the router, but that didn't work either.
I'm not sure if this is important or not, but my internet is provided by Verizon (DSL).
When I first got the router I just plugged it in and it was an open wireless network for all to share. Now, the wifi is encrypted and unusable. I want the network just to go back to being an open network. How do I do this?
Best answer: This probably varies a bit model to model - but it's probably these instructions or something very much like them.
posted by kickingtheground at 12:02 PM on December 29, 2009
posted by kickingtheground at 12:02 PM on December 29, 2009
I'm not sure if other MeFites will agree with me, but I would have to say that commercial wireless routers simply suck. They are poorly designed and poorly supported.
Unless you feel like playing around with Tomato Router, it might be worth it to just buy a new router.
I've fooled around with different routers that mysteriously changed encryption settings etc in the past, and usually I just end up buying a new router. It saves a lot of time and stress. Unless you have a real aptitude and interest in screwing around with router settings, it's just a waste of time.*
However, other MeFites may not agree with this.
*I am not advocating getting rid of a router at the first sign of trouble, but in my experience the stupid things sometimes crap out for no reason at all.
posted by KokuRyu at 12:28 PM on December 29, 2009 [1 favorite]
Unless you feel like playing around with Tomato Router, it might be worth it to just buy a new router.
I've fooled around with different routers that mysteriously changed encryption settings etc in the past, and usually I just end up buying a new router. It saves a lot of time and stress. Unless you have a real aptitude and interest in screwing around with router settings, it's just a waste of time.*
However, other MeFites may not agree with this.
*I am not advocating getting rid of a router at the first sign of trouble, but in my experience the stupid things sometimes crap out for no reason at all.
posted by KokuRyu at 12:28 PM on December 29, 2009 [1 favorite]
The documentation for the specific make and model of your router will tell you how to configure it. This documentation is typically available online, but you will need that specific make and model info to find the exact steps. I agree with kindall that you probably don't want an open network. Configuring WPA or WPA2 encryption is typically pretty simple.
While I also agree with KokoRyu that consumer-grade wireless routers often do suck, they don't suck that badly that you need to replace them at the first sign of trouble.
posted by me & my monkey at 12:38 PM on December 29, 2009
While I also agree with KokoRyu that consumer-grade wireless routers often do suck, they don't suck that badly that you need to replace them at the first sign of trouble.
posted by me & my monkey at 12:38 PM on December 29, 2009
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I don't recommend this, however, as you can then be accused of all the violations of law undertaken by your neighbors and random passers-by.
posted by kindall at 12:01 PM on December 29, 2009