Modern routers have their own configurator with a web interface for simple and convenient configuration. For Keenetic routers, this is implemented through the My Keenetic Net personal account. It has a quick setup wizard that simplifies the process of connecting the device. There are also various options and functions for managing your Internet connection and local network. Today Keenetic (kinetic) is an independent brand of network devices. In the past, this was a series of routers from Zyxel, a reliable manufacturer in the Internet technology market. And today these devices continue to set the bar for quality and ease of use.
How to log into your Keenetic account
To log into the My Keenetic Net web configurator, you first need to connect to the router. To do this, you need to connect it with a network cable to a computer or laptop. You can also establish a wireless connection via Wi-Fi - this is convenient when setting up from mobile devices. The data for connecting to the device’s network via Wi-Fi is written on the factory label on the back of the router.
When the connection to the router is established, you need to launch a browser on the connected device and type in the address bar: https://my.keenetic.net (this information is written on the router sticker). The login page for your personal account will open. You need to enter the login: admin, and leave the password field empty (for routers with older firmware versions, before KeeneticOS 3.1, you need to type: 1234).
Upon successful login to the administrator's account, you must change or set the password. The system will remind you of this with a pop-up message. Don't ignore creating a password, it is important for network security. Otherwise, you can control the router and other devices from any device connected to the network.
In addition to the web configurator, you can access the Keenetic router settings using the mobile application.
PC preparation
If you are setting up a router the old fashioned way - on a PC and via a cable, you need to check the network card settings. I’ll tell you how to do this using Windows 10 as an example:
- Through Start, go to “Windows Settings”.
- Go to the “Network and Internet” section.
- On the “Status” page, go to “Configure adapter settings”.
- Select an active network connection, right-click on it and go to “Properties”.
- Double click on “IPv4”.
- On the “Properties...” page, make sure that automatic IP and DNS acquisition is selected.
- Click "OK".
Now you can configure the Internet center. Let's start with something simple.
Keenetic application for phone
Setting up via the My Keenetic Net web account in the browser of a tablet or smartphone is not always convenient. Meanwhile, today many users do not have a computer or laptop, and configure routers from their phones. Manufacturers took care of this and created the Keenetic application for mobile devices.
It can be downloaded from all major stores: Google Play for Android, App Store for iOS and GetApps for Xiaomi equipment. To work in the Keenetic application, you need to create a user account. In terms of its functions and capabilities, the application is similar to the My Keenetic Net personal account with a web interface, but it is much more convenient.
For example, to connect to a router, you do not need to manually search for a network and enter a password. It is enough to scan the QR code from the router sticker with your smartphone camera in the corresponding section of the application, and it will appear in the list of devices. Then you need to enter and save your login information to the administrator’s account (admin and the created password). The application will allow you to save data about all your Internet devices in your account, and subsequently connect to them without entering a login and password. Thanks to cloud technology, you can manage Internet centers and routers not only from their local network, but also from anywhere in the world with Internet access.
You can download the application using the links on the official website in the section https://help.keenetic.com, or find and download directly from the application store of your device. For routers with a KeeneticOS version lower than 3.1, you must install the previous MyKeenetic application. Its capabilities are a little more modest, but, in general, similar to the new one. Manufacturers have left this application available in stores to support older devices, but updates and fixes for it are no longer released.
Firmware update
The company supports its devices and releases new versions of software even for devices that are already 2-3 years old. You can update the firmware using the keenetic router web interface. This is made very convenient - updates are checked automatically. This is how you can refresh your old Kinetic Light. Usually, after updating the firmware, some bugs and problems are eliminated.
Let's look at the example of newer models:
- On the main page, go to “System Monitor”.
- Select the “About the system” section.
- Click on the “Update available” link.
- Next we see “Updates and components”, where we were offered to install new software.
- Click “Install update”. We wait a few minutes.
- The system will reboot and start running on the new firmware.
Update available:
Installing the update:
How to set up a router
When you first configure the router via the web configurator or mobile application, after logging into your My Keenetic Net personal account, the quick setup wizard starts.
On this screen, you need to click the “Start Quick Setup” button, then read and accept the license agreement. On the next screen, the system will ask you to set an administrator password:
This password will be used to log into the configurator.
New versions of Keenetic device software do not allow you to skip setting a password. You must enter it for further configuration.
If the router supports several methods of connecting to the Internet, you need to select the required one:
If an Ethernet connection is selected, you need to enter the connection data in the appropriate fields according to the instructions:
- connection protocol: PPPoE, PPTP or L2TP (for PPTP and L2TP you will also need the VPN server address);
- username and password (if required);
- static IP address of the client, if available, or specify automatic receipt;
- subnet mask, default gateway and DNS servers.
All this information is usually specified in the agreement with the Internet provider. If the contract has not been saved, or there is no such data, you can clarify it with the technical support service.
When the data is entered, the router will attempt to access the Internet:
After successfully connecting to the Internet, the following window will appear:
You will then be prompted to change the network name and password to connect to Wi-Fi:
This completes the quick setup. In the future, you need to change connection parameters or configure the local network manually in the web configurator or application.
The following functions are available in the My Kinetic account:
- viewing information about the status of the router: model, software version, continuous operation time since the last shutdown, etc.;
- information about connected devices;
- set a speed limit or deny Internet access for individual clients;
- configure a guest network;
- add a network filter or firewall;
- You can also change other network parameters, which is important for advanced users.
You can also change the operating mode of the device (if it supports several modes):
- router;
- adapter;
- amplifier/repeater;
- access point/repeater.
The process of setting up a Keenetic router can be seen in the video:
Blog about modems, routers and gpon ont terminals.
Back in 2006, I bought a Zyxel P660 ADSL modem, which had a funny cardboard animal in the box with NetFriend written on it. Back then it was nothing more than a publicity stunt. But now, on modern Keenetic WiFi routers, there is a step-by-step wizard built into the device for the initial setup of the Internet center, which was inherited here from Zixel. And it’s called exactly the same – NetFriend. Quickly setting up a router through this wizard, in my opinion, is the most convenient solution for those who first picked up a wireless router.
What to do if you can’t enter equipment settings
In the case of new equipment, usually no problems arise. But if you need to change the settings of a router already working on the network or a previously configured and disabled router, difficulties may arise. Some of them can be resolved conservatively, while some will require a complete reset of the router. Several categories of problems can be distinguished.
Cannot connect to the device's Wi-Fi network
If the data for the Wi-Fi connection has been changed on the router (network name and password for access) and they are unknown, you can use a cable connection to a PC or laptop. Through the web configurator you can view the network ID and change the password.
Cannot connect to device via cable
First, you need to check the integrity of the patch cord: are the connectors “loose”, are there any damaged sections along the length of the cable. Secondly, you need to make sure that when connecting, the router “sees” the computer: the light on it for the corresponding port into which the patch cord is inserted should be lit.
If everything is physically fine, you need to check the network connection settings on your PC or laptop. Often a static IP address and/or DNS server are registered there. You need to change both items to automatically received.
Login page does not open
First of all, it is recommended to carefully check whether the personal account address is entered correctly. Are there any typos or errors, is my.keenetic.net exactly entered (and, for example, not my.kinetic.net, or www.my.keenetic.net), or 192.168.1.1. It is important that the router's IP address may be different if this is not the initial setting. It is preferable to type the text option, since when the IP changes, the router remembers this information and redirects the request to the desired address.
The credentials to log into the interface are not suitable
If when you enter the pair “admin - 1234” or just “admin” without a password, the system does not let you through, and there is no way to find out the current credentials, you need to reset the device and then perform the initial setup.
The reset is performed by long pressing (about 10 seconds) on the corresponding Reset button on the device body with a needle or pin. Confirmation of a successful reset will be the blinking lights on the front side of the router. After the reset, the router will be configured from scratch, like new, so all information for connection and login must be taken from the sticker. Reverting to factory settings can also be useful when during setup some parameters were accidentally or mistakenly changed and the router began to work incorrectly.
Keenetic routers and Internet centers are convenient and easy to set up even for novice users. The intuitive My Keenetic Net web interface or the Keenetic application with a quick setup wizard will help you connect your device to the Internet and configure basic network settings. The extensive capabilities of the My Kinetic administrator account will be useful for more advanced users with network administration skills.
A short review
I will describe the basic device in more detail and tell you whether there are differences between the Lite 2 and 3 models. I’ll start with the technical characteristics:
- Connection via all standard protocols: PPPoE, PPPTP, L2TP, IEEE1X (including VLAN-based connectivity).
- Support for Link Duo technology – the ability to simultaneously connect to the Internet and local resources of the provider’s network.
- IPTV support.
- Additional protection against attacks through traffic inspection (SPI).
Wi-Fi Specifications:
- The maximum speed “over the air” is 150, for Lite 2 and 3 – up to 300 Mbit/s.
- Wi-Fi protocols – 802.11b/g/n.
- Frequency range – 2.4 GHz.
- Possibility of fast secure connection via WPS.
- Wi-Fi Multimedia support – the mode determines the priorities of wireless network maintenance.
- Wi-Fi protection – WEP/WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK.
How do the versions of the model differ from each other? The basic unit is white and has 1 detachable antenna with 5dBi gain. Lite 2 and 3 are black, with two omnidirectional antennas: 2 are located on the back, 3 are mounted on the sides.
Otherwise, the models are identical and the average user will not notice any difference between them. Setting up the Zyxel Keenetic Lite router is common to all devices in this line.
Watch the video review of version 3 here:
Additional features
I will describe some more sections of the web interface that may be useful:
- Home network. As you know, devices can be connected to a local network. This will allow you to access files from a PC, for example, from a smartphone. To organize a local network, go to the “Home Network” menu, then to “Network Organization”. There you need to fill in the necessary values (see the example in the picture). In the same section you can change the router address.
- Routing parameters. Creating rules and tables will be useful if you need access to provider resources via VPN. This can be done through the “Internet” menu, “Routes” section. Here I recommend calling your home Internet operator to fill out the required items correctly.
- Parental control. The function is used for its intended purpose, as well as in offices - creating a schedule for local network users. You can add a new rule in the “System” menu, “Schedules” tab (in the old design the section was called “Operating mode”).
We can finish here. I would like to point out that on Lite 2 and 3 models the web configurator menu may be slightly different. But in general terms, my instructions are suitable for all Internet centers of the Zyxel Keenetic Lite line.
If you need help setting up, be sure to write in the comments. Subscribe to our portal to be the first to read new topics and news from the Internet and Wi-Fi. Bye!
