How to set up your Wi-Fi after you move to a new home

When you move, you’ll either need to transfer existing internet service to your new home (if your provider is still available at your new address) or choose a new provider altogether. Once you do this, it’s time to set up your service. We’ve outlined the key steps to getting your internet service set up at your new address.

1. Choose or transfer your internet service

You have two options when it comes to setting up your internet when you move: Transfer your service or choose a new provider. 

If you want to transfer your existing internet service to your new address, you first need to ensure your internet provider is available at your new home. Internet providers’ service areas vary, so you may be out of luck if you are moving to a new state or region. Enter your new address and if your provider serves your new home, you can transfer your internet service easily. 

If your provider is not available at your new address, you’ll need to pick a new one. Enter your address to find a list of providers available at your new home and compare prices, connection types, speeds and features. Fiber internet provides the fastest and most reliable service, but cable and 5G home internet are great alternatives. Satellite internet is a solid option if you live in a rural area.  

2. Set up your equipment

Once you purchase or transfer your internet service, it’s time to set up your equipment. If you transferred your internet service to a new address, you can usually just bring your internet equipment with you.

If you signed up with a new provider, you can either use your ISP’s equipment for a monthly rental fee or buy your own modem, router or gateway. 

Learn about the pros and cons of buying vs. renting your modem and router.

Setting up your modem

Your modem is the device that brings the internet signal from your ISP into your home. You won’t be able to connect your devices to the internet without it. 

To connect your modem to your internet connection, find the main internet cable and connect it to your modem, then plug in the power cord into your wall outlet. If you have cable internet, this will be a coaxial cable. If you have fiber internet, your main internet line connects to an Optic Network Terminal (ONT). 

Once your modem is connected and plugged in, you can move on to your router. 

Setting up your router 

Your router is what enables you to connect your devices to your home Wi-Fi network wirelessly. 

To set up your router, first connect it directly to your modem with the Ethernet cable. Turn on your router, make sure your modem is connected to the internet, and set up your Wi-Fi network. Most ISPs have mobile apps you can use to set up your Wi-Fi network. 

From there, you can configure your router settings, choose your network name and password and even set up guest Wi-Fi. If you aren’t using your ISP’s app to manage your network, you can configure router settings by entering your router’s IP address into your web browser. 

Learn more about how to set up your modem and router.

3. Connect your devices

Once you have your equipment set up, you can now connect your devices to your Wi-Fi network and use the internet. 

Go to your device’s settings and click on your network name. Enter your network’s password – your ISP will set a default password that can be found on the back of your router, but you can change the password in your ISP’s mobile app.

Test your internet speed

Now that your internet connection is up and running, it’s time to test your internet speed to ensure you’re getting the speeds you’re paying for. Take our free speed test to find out what your download and upload speeds are. 

Importance of a reliable home network

A reliable home network ensures a seamless internet experience for you and others in your household. There are a few factors that play into establishing the most reliable home network: 

Choosing the right internet speed for your home 

Choosing the right internet speed is one of the most important things when it comes to setting up your internet connection. If you choose an internet plan that doesn’t have enough speed to accommodate the number of connected devices in your home or daily internet activities taking place, you will experience a slow and spotty connection. 

The internet speed you need depends on the amount of devices you’ll have connected to the internet and the types of internet activities taking place in your home. If it’s just you, you can get away with much less bandwidth than a family of five who each have multiple devices. Also, keep internet activities in mind. Gaming and streaming require more bandwidth than web browsing, so if you and others in your household are participating in bandwidth-heavy activities, opt for a faster plan. 

Understanding Wi-Fi speeds

Take a look at the image below outlining the internet speed required for common internet activities. Keep in mind that these speeds are reflective of one person doing one activity at a time, so if you have a family of four simultaneously using the internet at once, you need a plan that can support this. 

Choosing the right equipment 

Another factor to consider in establishing a reliable home network is choosing the right equipment. If you use your own equipment instead of renting from your provider, there are many options to pick from, just make sure the device you choose is compatible with your provider.

You can opt for a separate modem and router or a gateway, which is a combination of a modem and router. You also have options when it comes to your equipment’s capabilities. Some routers can handle much faster internet plans than others, so keep in mind that if you have a slower internet plan but buy a fast router, you’ll get the max allotted speeds of your plan, but if you have a fast internet plan but your router cannot handle those speeds, you’ll won’t be getting the speeds you pay for. 

You should also consider coverage. If you have a larger home, a long-range router or a mesh system may be a better option for you.

Explore the best routers of 2024.

How to set up Wi-Fi FAQs