How To Use Own Router With Verizon Fios

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For years, my family had a bundled package with Verizon Fios that included cable, VOIP and internet. Merely as my family unit's watching habits turned to streaming, information technology was rare when nosotros turned on the cable box. At the aforementioned time, Verizon'south costs have continued to escalate, including the ridiculous fees they tacked on to our already high bill. And so, nosotros made the conclusion information technology was time to cutting the cord and move to an internet-merely plan (we have been very happy with Verizon's internet service). However, when I called Verizon to move to net-only, I constitute that those plans would now include a new fee – a $12 a month router rental charge. That'due south an outrageous amount to "rent" a router, especially one I've already had for years.

Could I use my own router? The Verizon counterfoil department representative sounded surprised when I asked her and told me that if I used my ain router, they wouldn't be able to offer back up if something went wrong. Given that I've never needed back up for a router – ever – that was a take chances I was willing to take. As well, using my own router would enable me to upgrade to a newer mesh wireless system in my home for far less than it would take price me with Verizon equipment, so my kids' bedrooms would finally get a WiFi signal.

Not surprisingly, instructions from Verizon on how to utilise your own router weren't available on its principal support site. A quick search on Google, though, turned up helpful communication from Verizon's community forums and other sites confirming that using your ain router with Verizon Fios is both possible and like shooting fish in a barrel to do. Some of the steps are somewhat "technical," simply you don't need to be a techie to follow them. Note: using your own router is only feasible for people who only use Fios for internet service. If you still accept Telly or VOIP service with Fios, replacing the Verizon router is a more complex procedure, and you lot may lose some features of your TV and VOIP.

Step 1 – Buy a new router to replace your existing Fios router

If yous already have an old router sitting around, you can use it, but this may be a good time to upgrade for faster WiFi speed and better security. Ideally, you will want a router that offers gigabit WiFi speeds (though 100 Mbps should be fine for most people), and WPA2 encryption is a must – DO NOT employ an old router that only offers WEP encryption.

When buying a new router, any current router from a major manufacturer should be fine. The TP-Link Archer A10 would be a solid choice (around $120 on Amazon). And our friends at Tom's Guide recommend the TP-Link Archer A7 (around $65 on Amazon) if you're looking for a cheaper option.

There'southward no shortage of WiFi mesh systems, either. I ready my network up using Eero Pro with 2 mesh "beacons," which I had been provided for testing. It works nifty, just is pricey (retails for $399) and is overkill for apartments or smaller homes. Eero has less expensive choices (starting at under $100 on Amazon), or you could get with a system from Nest WiFi (starting nether $200 on Amazon). Each of these also has the advantage of being relatively attractive, every bit far as WiFi equipment goes. There's also the choice to go with a WiFi range extender, which offers fewer features than a mesh system but comes in at a lower cost.

You volition also need an Ethernet cablevision to connect your new router to the Verizon ONT (Optical Network Terminal) in your firm. Get an cheap one on Amazon or your local Best Buy. Yous will demand a length appropriate to attain from your ONT box to your router.

Connections on the back of Verizon Fios router

If your ONT is already connected to your router using Ethernet, you'll simply utilize the existing cable and proceed to Step 4.

Footstep two – Connect your existing Fios router to your ONT via Ethernet

Skip this stride if your ONT is already connected to your router using Ethernet.

In a later step, nosotros're going to switch the internet output on your ONT from coax to Ethernet. To prepare for that, connect an Ethernet cable from the Ethernet output on your ONT to the WAN port on your Verizon router. The ONT box will look like one of these:

Verizon Fios ONT boxes

Verizon Fios ONT boxes from the left: Arris 100 GI4, Nokia 211, Tellabs 612

Leave the coax cable plugged in, for now, so you still have internet on your router.

Step 3 – Phone call Verizon technical support to switch your ONT from coax to Ethernet

Skip this step if your ONT is already connected to your router using Ethernet.

Call Verizon's back up number 1-800-VERIZON (ane-800-837-4966) and follow the prompts to get to internet technical support. Once you get a real person on the line, let them know that yous desire to switch your ONT from coax to Ethernet so you can use your own router. When I called, the agent knew exactly what I needed and completed the asking quickly (it will take a few minutes for the switch to go through). Your router should automatically pick up the Ethernet bespeak. While you accept the amanuensis on the line, verify this by unscrewing the coax cable from the router and make certain you still take internet access by opening a website on a laptop or phone (in plane mode) connected to your WiFi network.

Step 4 – Release the IP accost on your Fios router

Releasing your IP address from your existing Fios router allows the ONT box to assign the correct IP address to your new router when you lot plug it in. Co-ordinate to the Fios technical support rep, this should happen automatically after a short flow of fourth dimension, only you might as well exercise information technology manually just to make sure. To manually release your IP address, follow these steps:

Log into your router settings either by typing https://192.168.i.i or by going to myfiosgateway.com (method depends on what blazon of router you have) and inbound your password. This data will be in the sticker attached to your router.
Click on My Network at the top of the folio, then Network Connections from the left menu.
Click where information technology says Broadband Connectedness (Ethernet/Coax)
On the Broadband Connections Backdrop page, click Settings at the bottom.
Whorl down and click Release under DHCP Lease. So hit apply changes.

Step v - Factory reset your Verizon Router

Your Fios router has various types of personal information saved on it – the proper name of your WiFi network, your WiFi network password info, the MAC addresses of each device that continued to the router, etc. You lot will want to blow that away before returning it to Verizon by manufacturing plant resetting the router.

At that place are two ways to reset your router. The easiest is to printing and hold the red Reset button on the dorsum of your router for at least 3 seconds. The 2d way is in your router settings. Log into your router, as above, and go to Avant-garde > Salve & Restore > Restore Options > Restore Manufacturing plant Defaults and select "Out of Box settings" in the dropdown menu. So click the Restore configuration button.

Verizon Fios router reset

Once the router has been successfully reset, the login page for the First Time Easy Setup Wizard will display. You lot can now remove the Ethernet cable from your router, unplug it and pack it up for return.

Pace 6 – Connect and prepare your new router

Take the Ethernet cable out of your Fios router and plug it into your new router'due south Ethernet input jack (could exist labeled input, WAN, or something else that should be specified in the setup instructions), and then turn on your router. The router should automatically discover the incoming signal from your ONT box and continue with the setup process. The procedure will vary by manufacturer and model, and past whether yous have a standalone router or a mesh WiFi system, though it should be very straightforward. If all is good, then y'all can take that sometime router back to Verizon.

Step 7 – Return your equipment to Verizon

Once you lot elect to get with your own router, yous have 30 days to return your Fios router to Verizon, or they will charge you a rental fee. Make sure you render the power cord along with the router. And get a receipt from the shop confirming that your equipment has been returned.

How did the process go for yous? Let me know in the comments, and if you're having any difficulties, nosotros'll see if we can help out. And if yous're having bug with getting decent WiFi in some areas of your home, read our tips for getting improve WiFi and faster streaming.

[Image credit: Techlicious/Verizon]