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  • Question

    Set up a wireless connection

    • Answer

    • To set up a wireless connection with Sky Broadband you will need the Sky wireless router and a wireless-enabled computer. If you want to set up a connection using wires, please read our instructions on 
      how to set up a wired connection with Sky Broadband      . 

      Your SSID (a unique identifier for your wireless network) and Network Key (a password which keeps your wireless connection secure) are printed on a label on your router.

       

      First you will need to unpack and start up your Sky Broadband Wireless router. You can find help and advice on doing this in our Setting up your Sky Broadband router guide.

       

      Don't forget to check your Sky Broadband activation date - you will not be able to set up your wireless connection if your Sky Broadband has not been activated yet. You should have received this in a letter from Sky or you can check online.

       

      Once you have set up your router, watch the relevant instructional video or follow the step-by-step guide below. Please note that the router in the videos may be different from your router at home, but the principle of connecting to the internet is exactly the same.


      Wireless Network logoSTEP 1

      Firstly, ensure you can see a wireless symbol on your computer similar to one of the examples in the picture.

       

      If you can't see a symbol like this, or you know that your computer is not wireless-enabled, you can buy an adaptor from Sky Customer Services. See our Contact Us page to find out how to get in touch.


      STEP 2

      You'll need your SSID and Network Key codes. These ensure that only you can access your internet connection. They are printed on the bottom of your Sky wireless router.


      STEP 3

      Different versions of Windows may have slightly different ways of accessing your wireless network settings. There may be a sticker telling you which operating system you're using, but if you're not sure, use the Start key or menu button, select Run, type'winver' in the text field and select OK. 


      A pop-up window will display information about your operating system, including the version of Windows you are using. If you are using Linux, Mac OSX or another operating system, you should find that while the menus and buttons may have different names, the process is similar.


      STEP 4

      Right-click the wireless network icon. The exact icon may vary, depending on your brand of computer, but this will commonly feature the connectivity bars, as shown in our examples from Windows XP and Vista and may appear in the lower right corner of your screen.

      STEP 5
      You need to see a list of the wireless networks that are in range of your computer, so look for an option that will give you this. If you're using Windows XP, for example, select View Available Wireless Networks. If you're using Windows Vista, choose Connect to a Network. Other operating systems may have different wording.
       
      STEP 6

      When the Wireless Network Connection window appears, select the connection labelled with your Sky SSID and choose Connect. The SSID will appear as written on the bottom of your router and on the 'Keep me handy' card.

       

      If you don't see your network at first, try refreshing network list. The list of available networks looks similar in Windows XP (top image) and Windows Vista (bottom image).


      STEP 7

      Enter your network key when prompted. It's case sensitive and doesn’t contain any numbers, so there are no zeros, only Os.

      STEP 8
      Once you've followed these steps, you should be able to connect to the internet wirelessly. If the yellow ethernet cable is still connected to your computer, remove it. You'll notice that the ethernet lights on your router will go out when you do this. Wait a minute to give your wireless connection time to connect, then open your web browser and start enjoying the web without wires. 



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    • View Answer at http://www.sky.com/helpcentre/broadband/set-up/set-up-wireless/
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