Three Things to Watch Out for When Setting Up a New Router

Getting a new router can be exciting. Maybe you're upgrading to enjoy faster internet speeds, better connectivity, or improved coverage in your home. However, moving to a new router often brings a few unexpected challenges. To make the process smooth and easy, here are three key things to watch out for when setting up your new router.

1. Reconfiguring Your Wireless Printer

One of the most common headaches with a new router is reconnecting your wireless printer.  Once you have setup a new router the settings from the old router will usually not work on your printer, even if you keep the SSID and password the same as printers can be picky. Printers are notorious for having finicky Wi-Fi setup processes, and a new router with a different network name (SSID) or password means you'll need to update the printer’s settings.

How to fix it:

• Refer to your printer’s manual or online documentation for specific instructions on resetting or reconfiguring its Wi-Fi connection. Many printers allow you to enter the password on the printer itself, directly.
• Access the printer’s setup menu and search for the option to connect to a new network – this may be a “add printer wizard” or something similar.
• Enter your new router’s SSID and password precisely. If you encounter issues, restarting the printer and router can sometimes help. It is important to get the password and SSID exactly right including upper or lower case.

By the way, even though wireless printing is convenient it’s never as reliable as a USB cable. So if you have the printer next to your laptop or computer, it is best to use a USB cable.

2. Connecting Your Smart TV to the New Wi-Fi

Your smart TV is another device that will need to be reconnected to your new Wi-Fi router. Without an internet connection, you won’t be able to stream your favourite TV shows apps like Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+.

Steps to reconnect your TV:

• Navigate to the network settings on your smart TV. This is usually found under "Settings" > "Network" or something similar on most Sony Bravia and Samsung TVs.
• Look for available Wi-Fi networks and select your new router's SSID.
• Enter the password and test the connection. If the TV struggles to find your network, ensure the router is broadcasting on the correct frequency band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, depending on your TV model as some devices will not recognise 2.4GHz or 5GHz).

3. Updating Smart Home Devices

Smart home gadgets like smart bulbs, thermostats, cameras, and voice assistants (e.g., Alexa or Google Home etc) are easy to overlook when setting up a new router. These devices rely heavily on a stable Wi-Fi connection, and you’ll need to update each one with the new network information.

What to do:

• Check the companion app for each smart device. Most apps have an option to update Wi-Fi settings.
• For some gadgets, you might need to perform a factory reset if they cannot detect or reconnect to the new network automatically.
• Ensure your router’s settings are compatible with the devices. For instance, some older smart devices only work on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, so make sure your router supports dual-band broadcasting.

Bonus Tip: Keep Your SSID and Password the Same

If you want to save yourself a lot of time and hassle, consider setting your new router to use the same SSID (network name) and password as your previous one. Many devices will reconnect automatically without needing to update their settings. However, this might not work in every situation, especially if the new router has different default security protocols or network configurations. Also, be aware that for security reasons, it’s a good idea to change your Wi-Fi password from time to time and getting a new router is as good a time as any.

Final Thoughts

Switching to a new router doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. By planning ahead and addressing these common issues, you can ensure that your devices reconnect seamlessly. Remember, a little troubleshooting during the setup phase can save you hours of frustration later. Happy surfing!

If you need help with setting up your new router, or you are having trouble with your internet and wonder if you need a new router (you may not), then please call...

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For further information, here's some other reading

https://www.chnz.co.nz/blogs/buying-wireless-router

https://www.chnz.co.nz/blogs/wifi-routers-computer