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You can join a Wi-Fi network with a WPS PIN only when both the router or access point and the device you’re connecting support WPS PIN enrollment. Depending on the model, you’ll either enter a PIN shown by the device into the router, or enter the router’s PIN on the device. After setup, turn WPS off if you don’t need it: PIN-based WPS has a known security weakness.
Before you start: check support and identify the PIN
Look up the model-specific instructions for both the router and the device you want to connect. Confirm that each supports WPS and that PIN enrollment—not only push-button setup—is available. Also check that the router’s current wireless security mode is compatible with WPS on those models; supported modes vary by manufacturer.
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There are two PIN directions, and the right one depends on the setup prompt:
- Device PIN: The printer or other client displays a PIN. Enter it in the router or access point’s WPS controls to register that device.
- Router PIN: The router displays or prints a PIN. Enter it on the client device when its WPS setup asks for the access point’s PIN.
Do not assume the router PIN and device PIN are interchangeable. For example, Linksys documents separate router-PIN and device-PIN procedures, while Brother describes submitting a printer-generated PIN to the router. Follow the instructions for your exact models: Linksys WPS instructions and Brother’s WPS PIN instructions.
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How to connect using a WPS PIN
- Open the router’s WPS settings or start WPS setup on the client. The menu label and path depend on the manufacturer. Consult the router and device manuals rather than relying on a universal button sequence.
- Read the prompt and determine which device supplies the PIN. Use the PIN displayed by the client if the router asks you to register a device PIN. Use the router’s PIN if the client asks for the access point’s PIN.
- Enter the PIN on the other device while WPS enrollment is active. Some manufacturers specify a limited enrollment window; start the process on both ends as directed by the model-specific instructions.
- Wait for the connection confirmation. If the PIN is rejected or the option is missing, see the troubleshooting section below instead of repeatedly guessing PINs.
- Disable WPS if you no longer need it. Use the router’s manual or administration interface to find its WPS setting.
These steps describe the general process, not identical menus for every router. ASUS, for instance, documents client-PIN and physical or interface button methods; available choices differ by product. See ASUS’s WPS instructions.
WPS PIN versus other ways to connect
| Method | What you do | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|
| WPS PIN | Enter the PIN supplied by the router or client on the other device. | Both devices must support PIN enrollment, and compatibility depends on the models and network settings. |
| WPS push-button setup | Start enrollment with the router’s WPS control and the client’s WPS option, following their instructions. | Both devices need a compatible push-button method; the exact procedure varies. |
| Standard Wi-Fi setup | Choose the network name (SSID) in the device’s wireless settings and enter the Wi-Fi password. | The device must support the network’s security mode. This option does not require WPS. |
WPS is not required for Wi-Fi access. If the client lacks WPS, use its normal wireless setup with the SSID and password, provided it supports the network’s security settings. Microsoft explains how to connect a Windows device to Wi-Fi in Connect to a Wi-Fi network in Windows.
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Compatibility limits depend on the equipment
WPS behavior is not the same across brands, devices, or router configurations. For example, TP-Link says WPS is not supported on iOS devices and that its documented WPS feature does not work when wireless encryption is set to WEP. ASUS documents support for Open System, WPA-Personal, and WPA2-Personal in its described configuration, while excluding several enterprise and legacy modes. These are vendor-specific limits, not universal rules. Check the documentation for your router, client, band, and authentication mode: TP-Link’s WPS guidance and ASUS’s WPS instructions.
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Why WPS PIN can be a security risk
PIN-based WPS has a design weakness: as CISA explains, the protocol can reveal whether the first half of an eight-digit PIN is correct, reducing the effort needed to brute-force it. CISA also notes that many routers lack an adequate lockout policy. Its home-network guidance recommends: “Disable Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS).” The CISA guidance on securing wireless networks and the FTC’s home Wi-Fi security advice both advise turning WPS off.
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Microsoft recommends using WPA3 for a home network when the router and computer support it; that recommendation concerns Wi-Fi security, not WPS enrollment. See Microsoft’s Wi-Fi and home network guidance. WPS PIN is a connection method, not a security upgrade.
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Troubleshoot a missing or rejected WPS PIN
- No WPS option appears: Check that both the router and client support WPS, and verify whether PIN mode is supported. A device may offer another setup method, such as push-button enrollment, without offering PIN enrollment.
- The router does not accept the PIN: Confirm which device is supposed to supply the PIN, then follow that model’s directions. Make sure WPS enrollment is active when you submit it; some models impose a short setup window.
- The device cannot join despite a valid PIN: Check the router’s WPS setting and whether its configured authentication mode is compatible with both devices. Manufacturer support pages explain model-specific restrictions.
- The client does not support WPS or the router’s settings are incompatible: Connect through the device’s standard Wi-Fi setup using the network name and password, if its supported security mode matches the router.
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