The basic connection: what goes where
Your modem and router are two separate devices that work together. The modem connects to your internet service provider's line (usually a cable or fiber line coming into your home). The router takes that internet connection and broadcasts it wirelessly to your devices. To get both working, you run an ethernet cable from the modem to the router — that's the entire physical setup.
Before you start, make sure you have an ethernet cable. This is a thin cable with rectangular plastic connectors on both ends, usually included with your router. If you don't have one, any ethernet cable from a hardware or electronics store works. The cable length doesn't matter for this connection — even a 25-foot cable works fine, though shorter is neater.
Power off both devices before you plug anything in. This takes 30 seconds and prevents connection errors that can be annoying to troubleshoot later.
Key Takeaways
- Connect an ethernet cable from the port labeled "Internet," "WAN," or "Modem" on the back of your router to any available port on the modem.
- Power on the modem first, wait for its lights to stabilize (usually 2 to 3 minutes), then power on the router.
- Your router's lights will blink while it boots up; wait 3 to 5 minutes before checking if you have internet.
- If you see no internet after 10 minutes, restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.
- You can connect devices to the router wirelessly or with ethernet cables — the modem-to-router cable is the only one that must be ethernet.
Step-by-step: connecting the cable
Step 1: Locate the correct port on your router. Look at the back of your router. You'll see several ports. One is labeled "Internet," "WAN," "Modem," or sometimes has a different color (often blue or yellow). This is the port you need. The other ports are for connecting devices directly to the router with ethernet cables, but you don't need those right now.
Step 2: Plug one end of the ethernet cable into that port. Push the cable connector in until you hear a small click. It should sit flush against the router.
Step 3: Plug the other end into any available port on the modem. The modem usually has 1 to 4 ports on the back. Any of them work — the modem doesn't care which one you use. Push the connector in until it clicks.
Step 4: Check that both connectors are fully seated. Gently tug on each end of the cable. If it slides out, it wasn't clicked in properly. Push it back in until you feel resistance.
Powering on: the right order matters
Always power on the modem first. Plug it in or flip its power switch. You'll see lights on the front start to blink. Wait 2 to 3 minutes for these lights to stop blinking rapidly and settle into a steady pattern. This means the modem has connected to your internet service provider's network.
Once the modem's lights are stable, plug in the router. You'll see its lights start blinking. This is normal — the router is booting up and connecting to the modem. Wait another 3 to 5 minutes. During this time, don't unplug anything or restart anything. Just wait.
After 5 minutes, look at your router's lights. You should see a solid light (not blinking) that indicates internet connection. On most routers, this light is labeled "Internet," "WAN," or "Online." If you see this light, your connection is working.
Testing your connection
Once both devices have finished booting, open a web browser on any device connected to your router's WiFi. Try visiting a website like google.com. If the page loads, your modem and router are connected correctly and working.
If the page doesn't load, wait another 2 to 3 minutes. Sometimes the connection takes longer to fully establish. Then try again.
If you still see no internet after 10 minutes total, restart the router. Unplug it from power, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait another 5 minutes for it to boot. This fixes most connection problems.
What those lights mean
Your modem and router have lights on the front. These lights tell you what's happening. A solid light means that connection is working. A blinking light means data is moving through that connection right now — this is normal and expected when you're using the internet. A light that's off means that connection isn't active.
On your modem, look for lights labeled "Power," "Online," "Internet," or "Downstream." On your router, look for "Power," "Internet," "WAN," or "WiFi." If the modem's internet light is off, the modem isn't connected to your service provider yet — wait longer or restart it. If the router's internet light is off, the cable between the modem and router isn't connected properly — check that both ends are clicked in.
Don't worry if you have lights you don't recognize. Most routers have extra lights for things you won't need right now. Focus only on the ones labeled "Internet" or "WAN."
Connecting your devices to the router
Once the modem and router are connected and working, you can connect your phone, laptop, tablet, or other devices. These devices connect wirelessly to the router — you don't need ethernet cables for them.
On your device, look for WiFi settings. You should see your router's network name (called an SSID) in the list of available networks. It's usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of your router. Select it, enter the password (also on the sticker), and you're connected.
If you want to connect a device with an ethernet cable instead, you can plug it into any of the other ports on the router (not the Internet/WAN port). This gives you a faster, more stable connection, but it's not necessary for most people.
Troubleshooting: what to do if it doesn't work
If you've waited 10 minutes and still have no internet, try these steps in order. Do one, wait 2 minutes, then check if you have internet. If not, move to the next one.
Restart the router: Unplug it from power, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in. Wait 5 minutes for it to fully boot.
Restart the modem: Unplug it from power, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in. Wait 2 to 3 minutes for it to connect. Then wait another 5 minutes for the router to reconnect to it.
Check the cable: Unplug both ends of the ethernet cable and look at the connectors. They should be clean and not bent. Plug them back in firmly until you hear a click.
Check the ports: Make sure the cable is plugged into the Internet/WAN port on the router, not one of the other ports. Look at the labels on the back of your router to be sure.
If none of these work, contact your internet service provider. The problem may be on their end, not with your equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate modem and router, or can I use one device?
Some internet service providers offer a combined modem-router device. If you have one of these, you don't need to connect anything — it's already one unit. But if your provider gave you two separate boxes, you need to connect them as described here.
Can I use WiFi instead of an ethernet cable between the modem and router?
No. The modem and router must be connected with an ethernet cable. WiFi is only for connecting your devices (phones, laptops, tablets) to the router. The modem-to-router connection must be wired.
What if my router doesn't have an Internet or WAN port?
Some older or very basic routers label ports differently. Check the manual that came with your router or look up the model number online. If you can't find the manual, try plugging the cable into each port one at a time and wait 5 minutes after each attempt to see if you get internet.
How far apart can the modem and router be?
The ethernet cable can be up to 300 feet long, though most people use much shorter cables. However, keeping them reasonably close (within 10 feet) usually gives better WiFi signal throughout your home. If you need them far apart, a longer ethernet cable works fine.
Do I need to do anything else after connecting them?
Once you have internet, you may want to change your router's WiFi password from the default one printed on the sticker. You can do this by logging into your router's settings page, but this is optional and not necessary for the connection to work.