How do I enable WPA-PSK on my NETGEAR router or access point? (2024)

FAQs

How do I enable WPA-PSK on my NETGEAR router or access point? ›

Select Wireless Settings from the left side navigation bar. Under Security Options, select WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key). In Security Encryption (WPA-PSK) > Passphrase, enter a passphrase. The passphrase must be 8 to 63 characters long.

Go to the Wireless or Wireless Settings menu, then click on Security. Select WPA2-PSK from the encryption options. If unavailable, update your router's firmware as needed. Create a strong password with a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols, ensuring it is at least eight characters long.

Press the (WPS) button on your router. WPS activates for two minutes. Within two minutes, on your WiFi device, press its WPS button or follow its instructions for WPS connections. Your WiFi device connects to your WiFi network.

Wi-Fi protected access pre-shared key (WPA-PSK) refers to a mode of Wi-Fi security which is commonly used in home networks and small businesses without enterprise-level equipment. It's designed to provide more robust security than WEP, the original Wi-Fi protection protocol.

WPA and WPA2 are easier to use and more secure than WEP, so use WEP only be used when necessary, such as allowing access to a legacy wireless device that does not support WPA, or when creating a wireless bridge. Currently, WPA2 is the best way to secure a wireless network.

If your router doesn't have a physical WPS button, you can still enable WPS functionality through the router's web interface. Access the router's settings by typing the router's IP address into a web browser. Look for the WPS settings and follow the instructions to activate it.

How do I know if my router is in WPS mode? ›

Is WPS enabled on your router? Check the WPS settings in the Wireless Setup area of your modem's user interface. Reboot your modem and try again. If you can't get WPS to work after a few attempts, try connecting to the WiFi network using the network sign-in information printed on the modem label.

Press the WPS button on the router to establish a connection. Depending on the router and the home configuration, it may take a few minutes to connect. NOTES: Most routers have a light that flashes while the connection is established. Once a successful connection is made, select OK.

WPA is designed for use with an 802.1X authentication server that distributes different keys to each user. However, it can also be used in a less secure "Pre-Shared Key (PSK)" mode. PSK is designed for home and small office networks where every user has the same passphrase. WPA-PSK is also called WPA-Personal.

Is a WPA2 password different from a Wi-Fi password? No, a WPA2 password is essentially the same thing as a Wi-Fi password and is considered one of the safest forms of Wi-Fi protection. You create a password of your choice to keep unauthorized users from getting into your computer network.

In your router's settings, look for a "security" or "wireless security" tab. Open this tab, and the WPA key should be displayed.

WPA-PSK, the predecessor to WPA2-PSK, uses Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) for encryption, which has been found to have several vulnerabilities. On the other hand, WPA2-PSK employs Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which is a more robust and secure encryption method. Secure your wireless networks today.

Router. Most routers come with the network key written on the back or bottom of the router. It's usually labeled with a different name, such as passcode, password, wireless password, or simply security key. The underside of a router showing the Wi-Fi password (network security key).

A WPA key is a password that you use to connect to a wireless network. You can get the WPA password from whoever runs the network. In some cases, a default WPA passphrase or password may be printed on a wireless router.