Installation checklist
- Photograph existing modem and cable connections.
- Connect modem/ONT to the router WAN port.
- Power devices in the provider-recommended order.
- Create a unique administrator password.
- Set Wi-Fi name and WPA2/WPA3 password.
- Check for official firmware updates.
- Test wired and wireless internet.
- Save backup settings if the router supports it.
Protect the recovery path
Router Setup Checklist can affect the entire network, so record ISP details, SSIDs, reservations, port forwards and special policies before making a disruptive change. Match firmware to the exact model, region and hardware revision, and avoid interrupting a write.
Post-change verification
After the router returns, test the WAN, one Ethernet client and each wireless band separately. Confirm critical services such as voice, VPN, port forwarding or mesh nodes before assuming the maintenance task is complete.
Final verification step
A checklist is most useful when it records evidence, not just completed actions. Note the WAN status, gateway address, wired result, affected devices and the last configuration change. That record makes escalation to an ISP or manufacturer far more productive and reduces repeated troubleshooting.
Keep a record
Keep the completed checklist with the router model and firmware version so future changes can be compared against a known working configuration.