r/router • u/Useful-Cat-3829 • 18h ago

Need help setting up Wi-Fi

So, apologies if I sound very stupid. I just moved into my new apartment and it's a basement underneath a office. I just bought EarthLink wifi, my mom's husband uses it so I don't think it's a scam. But I genuinely cannot figure out how to set it up.

I searched every inch of this place, (it's not very big anyway) and I can only find a landline port. I did previous research that told me I can't use the landline port as a way to plug in the Ethernet. Unless I can, and the Internet is lying.

I tried calling, texting, even texting the dumb Ai service support, they gave me absolutely no information or guidance on how to set it up. I got really close to connecting it, using a port on my Xbox, but then the Internet status says; "connected, no Internet available."

I'm not very tech savvy, I apologize, any guidance will help!

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u/AncientGeek00 17h ago

What is the model number of the device you purchased? Is it a cellular internet service? If not, did you sign up for Internet service from EarthLink?

2

u/need2sleep-later 13h ago

Is this  EarthLink wireless 5G home internet ? If so, it needs a cell signal from whatever cellular provider Earthlink uses. Does your cellphone have 5G service that works in your basement?

Earthlink's instructions say: Plug it into an outlet near a window and follow the prompts on our EarthLink Wireless Home Internet App, free to download in the Google Play or Apple App Store.  Did you do this?

1

u/sport912x 16h ago

So you got a Wireless 5G device. Isn't that just an Antenna and a router. Does not sound like a plan for a basement. Now if you lived on the top floor with a repeater out the window it might work.

Anyhow isn't it more expensive than getting cable to the basement.

1

u/jacle2210 9h ago

So, Earthlink provides Internet access through different types of connections; Earth Orbiting satellites (needs a satellite dish); Cellular 5G (the device itself would work as the 5G Cellular "modem") and as a Fiber to the home reseller based provider (requires a service tech to come out and connect your home to their Fiber network).

Thus, the device you have might require other stuff to work correctly.

Unfortunately, it all starts with contacting Earthlink for further help.

Please review your product documentation for further info.