If you are going out of town or are simply afraid of hackers, you may wonder how to turn WiFi off on a router. The best routers, after all, allow for plenty of adjustments, disabling WiFi among them. Why would you want to turn the WiFi off on a router and how to do it? Keep reading to find out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Consumers look to disable a WiFi router’s wireless function if they are going out of town or otherwise won’t be accessing their network.
- Some routers include a physical switch or button for this task so check the exterior of the device as your first step.
- Otherwise, head into the dedicated WiFi router settings page and look through these router settings for an option to disable the Wi-Fi. You may need the default router password to log in to the wireless router.
Why Disable WiFi on a Router?
The main reason consumers look to disable the WiFi on a router is when they are going out of town, as it is always advised to disable a router’s WiFi before leaving town for any period of time, leading many folks to learn how to turn off a router remotely. Another great reason to disable WiFi on a router is if you are using the Ethernet cable to access a wired Internet connection and have no need for a wireless connection.
Insider Tip
If you accidentally leave your wireless network on during a vacation, make sure to check the router for malware when you get back.
How to Disable WiFi on a Router
This process varies according to the make and model of your router, such as when you are learning how to block a MAC address on a router. With that in mind, we have kept these guidelines as universal as possible.
STEP 1
Some routers have a physical switch or button that disables the WiFi. Your first step is to check the exterior of your device for such a button. If it exists, press it or hold it down and skip the following steps.
STEP 2
Make sure your router is connected to your modem via Ethernet cable and that both devices are operating normally. Your next move is to access the admin control panel or settings page.
STEP 3
This is done in a variety of ways, though you can typically get it done by entering the router’s public IP address (static IP address) to a web browser’s address bar. Otherwise, open up dedicated firmware software or by accessing a mobile app created by the manufacturer.
STEP 4
Once you are able to access settings and various control functions, look for an option to disable the router’s wireless connection. This could be in the regular settings page or advanced settings. Click to disable and save your changes.
F.A.Q.S
When to turn off Wi-Fi access?
Look for a toggle switch on the outside of the router, which should disable the WiFi signal and all Internet access. Otherwise, check your wireless settings via a router web interface or by contacting your Internet provider.
How to turn off your WiFi router remotely with your phone?
You can do this by opening up a dedicated mobile app available to wireless devices or wired devices on any Wi-Fi network.
Where to find your model number?
To find the model number of your router model, check the exterior of the device or read the instructions. You can also contact your Internet service provider (ISP.)
STAT: Router manufacturer Linksys was founded in 1988 by the couple Victor and Janie Tsao, both Taiwanese immigrants to the United States. (source)
REFERENCES:
- https://support.eero.com/hc/en-us/articles/360016306072-How-do-I-disable-the-WiFi-on-my-existing-router-
- https://kb.netgear.com/24101/How-do-I-turn-my-NETGEAR-router-s-wireless-radios-on-and-off-using-the-router-web-interface
- https://support.plume.com/hc/en-us/articles/228724447-How-do-I-turn-off-the-parallel-network-r
- https://www.verizon.com/support/residential/internet/home-network/settings/turn-off-wifi-access
- https://files.dlink.com.au/Products/DSL-2750B/REV_T/SetupGuides/How_do_I_enable_or_disable_wireless_in_my_modem.pdf
