You have new equipment that can be connected to Wi-Fi? In most cases, entering the password is a tedious procedure. And it would be enough to press the inconspicuous WPS button on the router.
What is this WPS?
WPS, or Wi-Fi Protected Setup, was created to simplify the connection of devices to the network. Nobody likes to rewrite passwords with capital and lowercase letters, numbers and special signs. Especially on devices without a normal keyboard.
The WPS button can be found on virtually every modern router – This is usually a small button with a characteristic symbol of two intertwined arrows. Sometimes it is simply signed “WPS”. Most often it is on the back or side of the device, next to other buttons.
How does it really work?
Let's take an example from life. You bought a new Wi-Fi printer. Instead of bothering to rewrite the password, you can:
- Connect the printer to the power supply and turn it on
- Press the WPS button on the router – the indicator will start flashing
- In two minutes find a similar button on the printer (or WPS option in the menu) and press it
- Wait a dozen or so seconds until the devices are pairing
And that's it. The printer will connect to the network itself, and you don't even have to know the Wi-Fi password. The router and printer will replace all the needed among themselves information.
What does it actually work with?
We use WPS most often for equipment that do not have a comfortable keyboard:
- Printers
- TV sets
- Game consoles
- Monitoring cameras
- Wireless speakers
- Wi-Fi repeaters (signal amplifiers)
- Household appliances such as washing machines or coffee machines with Wi-Fi
Where can problems arise?
WPS also has its limitations. First of all, the function must be enabled in the router – some turn it off for safety. Secondly, many old devices do not support it. There is also a matter of range – the device must be close to the router to “catch” its signal. Therefore, at the first connection, it is worth bringing equipment closer to the router, if possible.
The WPS button itself is quite safe – After all, you must have physical access to the router to press it. Worse with WPS PIN function, which some devices offer as an alternative. It allows you to connect by entering a special code, but this method is susceptible to hacker attacks.
How to check if my equipment is handling it?
In newer devices (up to 5-6 years back) WPS is actually a standard. In smartphones, look for this option in advanced Wi-Fi settings. In TVs, it often appears as one of the methods of connecting to the network. If you see the symbol of two crazy arrows somewhere – your equipment is supported by WPS.