With a wireless router, it is straightforward for any device to connect to the Internet. However, if too many devices are connected to the WiFi router, your Internet connection will likely become very slow. So, if you wonder how to know how many devices are connected to my WiFi router, we have the answer.
If there are devices connected to your router that do not belong to you or your family, it may be the reason for your slow connection. Once you identify the unknown devices attached to your WiFi router, you can take the necessary steps to block them. This will also restore your network’s speed.
How to Know How Many Devices Are Connected to My WiFi Router
If you want to know what devices are connected to your WiFi network, you can try out two methods:
- The first one is to check the settings on your WiFi router.
- The second method uses Network Scanning software to identify the attached devices to your WiFi router.
How to Find the Device Attached to a WiFi Router
Examine your wireless router
The best course of action is to examine your wireless router. You do not need to download any other apps to check; it only takes a few minutes. You will need your wireless router’s IP address before you can proceed.
You must use a browser to log into the web interface on any devices linked to your router. Next, open a new browser tab and enter your router’s IP address into the address box.
Once you have your IP address, enter it into a new browser tab. You can access the router’s login page by doing this. On certain routers, the default login information is admin and password.
Alternatively, you can locate the information along with the IP address on the back of your router. If you previously modified that, enter your updated information to log in. You must scroll to the list of linked devices after logging in.
Use the Network Scanning method
Use a network scanning program if you find the web interface for your router to be too complicated. Administrators can assess the security and health of a network using a scanner.
Popular scanners include Angry IP Scanner, SoftPerfect for Mac and Windows, and LanScan for Mac. They can be an excellent tool to monitor your devices and ensure your network is reliable and safe.
Read more: What Is A Hidden Network?
Identifying the Connected Devices
Because some devices may have utterly ambiguous device names that don’t even remotely describe what they are or who they belong to. When this information is first displayed, it can all seem a little nonsensical, especially to non-technical users. Or it could be classified as an unknown device, which isn’t very helpful.
As a result, browsing a list of linked devices may be an excellent method to better organize gadgets by assigning them names that are easily recognizable and making it simpler to determine which item belongs to whom.
You should be able to alter the names of each linked device to something more recognized on the attached devices tab of most routers. Near each device, look for a button that says Edit or Change Name/Change Hostname.
Advantages of Checking What Devices Are Connected to Your WiFi Router
Knowing which types and how many devices are using your WiFi could appear like a complicated task. However, this is information that you should be aware of if you manage a small network. Knowing this information will provide you with the following benefits.
Also read: How Many Devices Can a Router Handle
Security
Your small network’s security is crucially important. You do not want thieves, hackers, or other bad guys on your system. Criminal activity, credit card fraud, bank account fraud, and other cybercrimes may affect you or others connected to your WiFi.
Hackers may steal secret or private information if your network is utilized for business purposes. You must ensure that no data is stolen. You can prevent unauthorized people from using your network by checking what may be connected to your WiFi.
Performance
Performance problems can result from having too many devices connected to your network. It might become sluggish, lose signal, and possibly start dropping connections. This is not good if you use your internet connection for business, online gaming, data transfers, or video communications. If your router has two bands, count the number of devices on each and distribute them between the two so that neither band is overloaded.
Performance problems could also be brought by intruders who steal your WiFi to connect to the Internet. Knowing how many devices are regularly connected to your system will aid your ability to detect whether something or someone connects without your knowledge.
Maintenance
You must keep track of the devices that join, identify when there are too many, and then eliminate any that are unnecessary to ensure your network is operating efficiently. Routine maintenance will keep everything operating efficiently, securely, and dependably.
Using these statistics for routine maintenance will also alert you to system overgrowth. If your WiFi router is an older model, you might need to update to a better router or add another one. If you do not keep things under control, your network may get clogged, slow, and even lose connections.
Block users
It is time to safeguard your network if you are concerned about someone using your WiFi. One way to protect your WiFi from thieves is to block them once you discover who they are. Doing this will prevent unauthorized users from abusing your internet connection, and because they are blocked, they cannot attach themselves to your WiFi router again.
Also read: How to Block YouTube on Router
Conclusion
If you wondered how to know how many devices are connected to my WiFi router, now you have the answer. It is crucial always to be aware of who is using your internet connection.
You do not want your neighbors taking advantage of you while you keep paying enormous Internet bills every month. This way, once you find out what devices are connected to your WiFi router, you can block them from your network.