How do I set up my wifi router for my Android device?

I have a wireless network set up with a Sweex LC000070 router, WEP encryption and while my HTC Hero can connect to the network, internet doesn't seem to work.

Is there any setting on the router I have to change in order for Android devices to connect?

Topic networking wi-fi android

Category Android


Apparently WEP support is thoroughly broked in Android 2.0.1 and above.

http://answerguy.com/2009/12/11/android-2-0-1-update-breaks-droid-wi-fi-wep-encryption/

http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid-general-discussions/1253-wifi-problem.html (also includes a possible fix for WEP by disabling/enabling the router firewall, though I haven't tried it and ain't gonna...)

http://www.draconos.com/blog/2009/11/19/wifi-on-the-droid

http://www.611connect.com/howto/merben_how-to-enable-wi-fi-on-the-motorola-droid (comments) (also suggests that, if you initially upgrade to WPA to get it working, you can later drop back to WEP and it will continue to work...)

http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/android/thread?tid=130d8d289ec5c8f2&hl=en

That said, WPA is a better choice all around anyway.


This kind of thing is real problem with non-computer devices. Upgrading to WPA (especially WPA2) will fix the phone but could break other devices (old laptops, TiVo's etc). Another solution is to give up on encryption, especially since WEP isn't really encryption. Almost all routers support MAC filtering, and most support "internet-only" connections, This way you can let any device on your wireless that you know about, and let polite people know they shouldn't connect. Hackers and jerks (not always the same people) can still spoof MAC addresses but that is what "internet-only" is for: you are not exposing your local network over wireless.

Obviously this setup won't work for everyone but it has worked for me in the past, and I might do it again if I get even one more device that can't talk WPA2

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