How To Hook Up Centurylink Modem?
Connecting Your CenturyLink Modem
Setting up your CenturyLink Internet begins with properly connecting your new modem. The setup process is not very complex; however, making the right connections between cables and wires can be a bit tricky. This guide will take you through some of the basic steps, which relate to the initial setup of your CenturyLink modem.
What You Need
- CenturyLink modem
- This power cable is for the modem.
- Ethernet cable, which came with the modem.
- Phone cable (optional)
- Coaxial cable (optional)
Finding the Right Spot There are several things to consider when it comes to choosing the location for your new CenturyLink modem Let’s begin with the most obvious one, avoid placing your modem in a cramped space surrounded by a lot of items and electronic devices. The modems themselves produce heat at a moderate level and therefore require proper ventilation.
Second, the modem should also be installed in a centrally located area in your home. This will ensure you get the best signal for your WiFi around your various rooms in the house. It should not be placed in basements, attics, or any other distant areas of the house unless it is mandatory.
Learn About The Different Ports and Cables As you look at the back of your CenturyLink modem, you will be able to see four different ports, each of which has its unique function. They only come with one port for power, one port for connecting the computer to the router via Ethernet, and possibly the port for telephone line and coaxial cable line.
The power port plugs into the power cord that you received together with your modem. In the absence of power, your modem cannot switch on.
The Ethernet port is also relevant as it is the port that connects your modem to your WiFi router, thus making internet connection reach your home network. An Ethernet cable which should be provided with the modem connects to this port.
A phone port is an outlet that enables you to use your home telephone service through your CenturyLink modem instead of having to use a different phone line. This would use CenturyLink’s phone service instead of another one. This conclusion is supported by the following prediction:
Last but not least, a coaxial port can create a line that directly links your modem to whichever cable outlet that you desire to deliver internet signals from. This is especially helpful if your Internet connection enters your house through the coaxial cables.
Here is a simple guide on how to connect power and ethernet cables. As you have aligned your modem correctly for good airflow and coverage for your CenturyLink WiFi, the next step is to connect the modem physically.
First, using the power cable that came with the modem, connect one end of it to the electrical wall outlet that is nearest to the modem. Connect the other end of the power cable to the power jack on the back of the modem. You will probably observe several LED lights on the front of the modem that confirm that the modem has power now.
After that, you should plug the Ethernet cable that has been given into the Ethernet port of the modem; in addition, if you have a separate WiFi router, connect the other end of this cable to any of the available LAN ports of the router. This singular Ethernet cable helps to transfer your modem internet signal to your router and other parts of your home network. In case you do not have a separate router, the Ethernet cable can be connected to the computer.
Speaking Of The Phone And Coaxial Ports For the CenturyLink modem, the phone port, and coaxial port are not necessary to be connected as discussed above. Now if you also took home phone service from CenturyLink aside from internet service, take your active home phone line and connect it to the phone jack on the modem.
Likewise, if your incoming internet signal gets to your house through the coaxial wall outlets through a cable line, find whichever of the nearby coaxial outlets you prefer to draw the internet from. Connect that outlet to the coaxial port on the modem using a coaxial cable.
Powering On The Modem Once all the essential cables are plugged correctly into the respective ports at the back of the modem, switch on the modem by turning the power switch if it is provided or connect the power cord again to start up your CenturyLink modem for the first time. Let it warm up for another couple of minutes while observing those lights on the front panel.
After it has been switched on, you should be able to identify several lights blinking or being steady on the face of the modem. For instance, check for proper indicator lights close to or marked “DS”, “Online”, “US”, and “Ethernet”. If there is movement around these lights, your devices should now be able to identify the new WiFi network that was established by your modem.
With these steps followed, one is now ready to join the right WiFi network. Your new CenturyLink modem is physically connected and turned on, which immediately broadcasts a wireless network for your home. Thus, on your computer, smartphone, or any other device capable of connecting to WiFi, go to the list of available wireless networks. The network name, or SSID, of your modem, is usually located somewhere on the modem, and they typically go by a name like “CenturyLink”.
Choose and connect to the correct network name that you find on the label or sticker of your CenturyLink modem and list it as SSID. On the initial connection, one may be required to input the unique network password often found printed right on the modem next to the SSID. After typing the correct credentials, your device will then indicate that you are connected to the modem’s WiFi. When you open your browser or app, there should be an indication that an Internet connection has been made.
Completing The Setup Once all the devices are connected to the newly established wireless network emitted by the modem, the physical configuration is largely done. You should be surfing the web in no time. Do not forget to write down the name of your newly created SSID, as well as the password that you have set for further connections.
The final one includes the correct registration of the new modem in your account for CenturyLink which is necessary to use the ISP internet service. The modem probably came with some basic starting instructions such as where to get online or how to activate online or even by phone. Therefore, please ensure to adhere to whichever activation process is prescribed depending on the chosen CenturyLink plan.
Optional Modem Personalization In case you wish to modify the pre-set SSID or password provided on your device for connecting to your CenturyLink modem, you can perform some extent of personalization when online. In other words, practically all of the modem models on the market today provide an opportunity to access the admin settings via a browser.
Enter the IP address dedicated to your modem model to unlock settings for changing the network name, and WiFi password, managing the wireless frequency bands, renaming devices connected to the network, prioritizing devices, setting up restrictions for children, tweaking firewall and security settings, and much more for fine-tuning your home WiFi connection.
Once you are done entering the name and password of the WiFi and connecting all the devices to the CenturyLink modem signal, you should be good to go. Browse the internet, watch movies online, play games, and be happy using a new fast internet connection all over your home. In case of any other issues or queries related to the CenturyLink services then do not hesitate to contact the friendly CenturyLink customer support.