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First check what the setup screen asks for: if it asks for the router’s PIN, enter that PIN on the device you’re connecting; if the device displays a PIN for you to enter, submit it in the router’s WPS settings. These are two different Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) flows, and using the wrong PIN in the wrong place won’t connect the device.
Which WPS PIN does your setup screen need?
Read the prompt before entering anything. It will usually either ask for the router’s WPS PIN or show a PIN that needs to be entered on the router.
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| WPS flow | Where the PIN comes from | Where you enter it |
|---|---|---|
| Router PIN | The router label or its WPS settings | The connected device’s WPS setup screen |
| Client-device PIN | The screen of the device you want to connect | The router’s WPS page or wizard |
Do not assume one PIN works in both directions. The prompt tells you which flow to follow.
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- Open the Wi-Fi or network setup on the device you want to connect and choose its WPS PIN option, if available.
- When prompted for the router’s PIN, look for it on the router’s label or in the router’s WPS settings. Some models may not display or provide a router PIN.
- Enter the router PIN on the device and follow its prompts to finish connecting.
The PIN’s location and availability depend on the router model. Linksys and TP-Link document router-specific WPS flows; check the manual for your exact model if you cannot find the PIN (Linksys WPS instructions; TP-Link WPS instructions).
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Enter a device’s PIN in the router
- On the device you want to connect, open its WPS setup and choose the PIN method. Note the PIN it displays.
- Sign in to the router’s administration interface and open its WPS settings or WPS wizard.
- Select the option to connect a device using a PIN, enter the PIN shown on the device, and start the connection.
- Complete the connection on the device when prompted. NETGEAR says to finish on the client within two minutes when using its Nighthawk WPS Wizard.
Menu labels vary by model and firmware. For example, TP-Link documents Advanced > Wireless > WPS, while the NETGEAR Nighthawk instructions use ADVANCED > WPS Wizard. These paths apply to the named product lines, not every router. See the TP-Link steps or NETGEAR Nighthawk instructions for their respective interfaces.
If the WPS PIN option is missing or setup fails
- Confirm WPS support. The router and the device you are connecting must support WPS PIN setup. Some devices offer no WPS option.
- Check that WPS is enabled. Look in the router’s WPS settings; its availability and controls depend on the model.
- Check the wireless security mode. TP-Link says WPS will not work when wireless encryption is WEP. Consult the router manual for compatibility details.
- Use the correct PIN direction. A router PIN belongs on the client device; a client-generated PIN belongs in the router’s WPS page or wizard.
- Follow the model-specific instructions. If the PIN is rejected or the connection times out, restart the WPS process and follow the manual for both the router and the connecting device.
Microsoft’s Windows guidance notes that some routers support WPS and recommends WPA3 when both the router and PC support it. That is a separate Wi-Fi security choice; it does not change which device should receive the WPS PIN (Microsoft: Setting up a wireless network in Windows).
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Consider whether to use WPS at all
WPS is optional. If you can connect with the network password instead, you do not need to use a WPS PIN. CISA recommends turning WPS off as part of strengthening router configuration. If you choose not to use it, disable WPS in the router settings if your model provides that control (CISA advisory).
Quick Recap
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