How Do I Clean The Wifi In My Verizon Router

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For years, my family had a bundled bundle with Verizon Fios that included cable, VOIP and cyberspace. Simply every bit my family'southward watching habits turned to streaming, it was rare when we turned on the cable box. At the aforementioned fourth dimension, Verizon's costs have continued to escalate, including the ridiculous fees they tacked on to our already high bill. So, we made the decision it was time to cutting the string and motion to an internet-only plan (we take been very happy with Verizon'due south internet service). However, when I called Verizon to motility to cyberspace-only, I institute that those plans would now include a new fee – a $12 a month router rental charge. That'southward an outrageous amount to "hire" a router, especially one I've already had for years.

Could I use my ain router? The Verizon cancellation department representative sounded surprised when I asked her and told me that if I used my ain router, they wouldn't be able to offer support if something went wrong. Given that I've never needed back up for a router – ever – that was a risk I was willing to take. Also, using my own router would enable me to upgrade to a newer mesh wireless organisation in my home for far less than it would have price me with Verizon equipment, so my kids' bedrooms would finally go a WiFi signal.

Not surprisingly, instructions from Verizon on how to employ your own router weren't bachelor on its principal support site. A quick search on Google, though, turned up helpful advice from Verizon's community forums and other sites confirming that using your own router with Verizon Fios is both possible and easy to do. Some of the steps are somewhat "technical," simply you don't need to be a techie to follow them. Note: using your own router is just viable for people who only utilize Fios for internet service. If you notwithstanding have TV or VOIP service with Fios, replacing the Verizon router is a more complex procedure, and you may lose some features of your Telly and VOIP.

Step 1 – Buy a new router to supplant your existing Fios router

If y'all already take an old router sitting around, you can use information technology, only this may be a good time to upgrade for faster WiFi speed and ameliorate security. Ideally, you lot will want a router that offers gigabit WiFi speeds (though 100 Mbps should exist fine for most people), and WPA2 encryption is a must – DO Not utilize an old router that only offers WEP encryption.

When buying a new router, any current router from a major manufacturer should exist fine. The TP-Link Archer A10 would exist a solid pick (around $120 on Amazon). And our friends at Tom's Guide recommend the TP-Link Archer A7 (around $65 on Amazon) if y'all're looking for a cheaper selection.

At that place's no shortage of WiFi mesh systems, either. I prepare my network up using Eero Pro with two mesh "beacons," which I had been provided for testing. Information technology works groovy, but is pricey (retails for $399) and is overkill for apartments or smaller homes. Eero has less expensive choices (starting at under $100 on Amazon), or yous could go with a organisation from Nest WiFi (starting nether $200 on Amazon). Each of these as well has the advantage of being relatively bonny, as far as WiFi equipment goes. In that location'south also the option to go with a WiFi range extender, which offers fewer features than a mesh system just comes in at a lower cost.

Yous volition also need an Ethernet cable to connect your new router to the Verizon ONT (Optical Network Terminal) in your business firm. Go an cheap 1 on Amazon or your local Best Buy. You will need a length advisable to reach from your ONT box to your router.

Connections on the back of Verizon Fios router

If your ONT is already connected to your router using Ethernet, yous'll just employ the existing cablevision and go on to Step 4.

Footstep 2 – Connect your existing Fios router to your ONT via Ethernet

Skip this footstep if your ONT is already continued to your router using Ethernet.

In a later on pace, we're going to switch the net output on your ONT from coax to Ethernet. To prepare for that, connect an Ethernet cable from the Ethernet output on your ONT to the WAN port on your Verizon router. The ONT box will look like one of these:

Verizon Fios ONT boxes

Verizon Fios ONT boxes from the left: Arris 100 GI4, Nokia 211, Tellabs 612

Leave the coax cablevision plugged in, for now, so you nonetheless have net on your router.

Step iii – Telephone call Verizon technical support to switch your ONT from coax to Ethernet

Skip this step if your ONT is already connected to your router using Ethernet.

Call Verizon's support number i-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966) and follow the prompts to go to internet technical support. Once you get a real person on the line, let them know that you desire to switch your ONT from coax to Ethernet and so you can use your own router. When I called, the agent knew exactly what I needed and completed the request chop-chop (it will take a few minutes for the switch to go through). Your router should automatically pick up the Ethernet bespeak. While you have the amanuensis on the line, verify this by unscrewing the coax cablevision from the router and make certain you even so have net admission by opening a website on a laptop or phone (in airplane way) connected to your WiFi network.

Pace 4 – Release the IP address on your Fios router

Releasing your IP accost from your existing Fios router allows the ONT box to assign the correct IP accost to your new router when you plug it in. According to the Fios technical support rep, this should happen automatically afterwards a short period of time, simply yous might besides do information technology manually just to make sure. To manually release your IP accost, follow these steps:

Log into your router settings either by typing https://192.168.one.1 or by going to myfiosgateway.com (method depends on what type of router yous have) and inbound your password. This data volition be in the sticker attached to your router.
Click on My Network at the top of the page, then Network Connections from the left carte.
Click where it says Broadband Connection (Ethernet/Coax)
On the Broadband Connections Properties page, click Settings at the bottom.
Scroll down and click Release under DHCP Lease. Then hit apply changes.

Step five - Manufacturing plant reset your Verizon Router

Your Fios router has diverse types of personal data saved on it – the proper name of your WiFi network, your WiFi network countersign info, the MAC addresses of each device that connected to the router, etc. You volition want to accident that abroad before returning it to Verizon by factory resetting the router.

There are 2 ways to reset your router. The easiest is to press and hold the blood-red Reset push on the back of your router for at to the lowest degree 3 seconds. The second way is in your router settings. Log into your router, as in a higher place, and go to Advanced > Save & Restore > Restore Options > Restore Factory Defaults and select "Out of Box settings" in the dropdown menu. Then click the Restore configuration button.

Verizon Fios router reset

One time the router has been successfully reset, the login page for the First Fourth dimension Piece of cake Setup Wizard volition display. You can now remove the Ethernet cable from your router, unplug information technology and pack it upwardly for return.

Step 6 – Connect and set up your new router

Take the Ethernet cablevision out of your Fios router and plug it into your new router'due south Ethernet input jack (could be labeled input, WAN, or something else that should be specified in the setup instructions), then plough on your router. The router should automatically observe the incoming signal from your ONT box and go along with the setup procedure. The process will vary past manufacturer and model, and by whether you accept a standalone router or a mesh WiFi arrangement, though it should be very straightforward. If all is adept, and so y'all can take that onetime router back to Verizon.

Step 7 – Return your equipment to Verizon

In one case you elect to become with your own router, you have 30 days to return your Fios router to Verizon, or they will charge yous a rental fee. Brand certain you return the power cord along with the router. And go a receipt from the shop confirming that your equipment has been returned.

How did the process go for you lot? Let me know in the comments, and if you're having any difficulties, we'll meet if nosotros can assistance out. And if you're having issues with getting decent WiFi in some areas of your home, read our tips for getting ameliorate WiFi and faster streaming.

[Image credit: Techlicious/Verizon]