How to Setup your ZTE MF286C LTE router

• If you’ve just received your new ZTE LTE router and Sim card, but you need a little help getting it set up then this is the guide for you.

  This is a comprehensive guide and depending on your comfort level you might want to skip over some parts so we’ve broken it into the following sections.
  

  • Unboxing and Router Info
  • Plugging In and Connecting to your Router
  • Router Setup Wizard
  • Additional Settings
• Unboxing and Router Info
  

  Follow these steps to familiarize yourself with your new router.

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  Step 1 of 5

  Unboxing your Router

  In the Box you will find:

  1. The MF286C LTE Router
  2. AC Power Adaptor
  3. Short Ethernet Cable
  4. LTE Sim card
  5. Quick Start Guide

  Front Panel Lights

  Familiarise yourself with the lights on the front panel.

  You should see the following:

  1. Power
  2. WiFi
  3. Phone
  4. 3G/4G
  5. LTE Signal Strength

  Ports and Connectors

  On the back panel, you should see the following :

  1. External Antenna Connectors (Optional Extra)
  2. Backup Battery Housing (Optional Extra)
  3. USB Port
  4. Network Ports 1-4
  5. Power Connector
  6. Power Switch

  Sim Card Insertion

  The Sim card slot is located on the right side of the router.

  Carefully pop the full Sim card out of the plastic card. (The card inside the first set of perforations.)

  Insert the Sim card, cut-corner up, into the slot. It will click into place.

  Underside Sticker

  The sticker on the underside of the router contains vital information for Wifi access and configuration:

  1. 2.4GHz Wifi Network Name
  2. 5GHZ Wifi Network Name
  3. Default Wifi Password
  4. Router Admin URL
  5. Router Admin Password
  6. IMEI and Serial Number (sometimes needed for technical support)

• Take a photo of the Info sticker with your cellphone before plugging in the router.

• Plugging In and Connecting to your Router
  

  Follow these steps if you need assistance plugging in and connecting to your new router:

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  Step 1 of 3

  Plug in the Power

  Plug the Routers’ power supply cable into the wall socket.

  Plug the power supply into the small round power socket on the back of the Router.

  Switch the power on at the wall socket and then make sure that the power switch is flicked to the on position.

  Check the lights on the front panel to ensure the Router has power.

  Connecting your desktop/laptop via Ethernet

  If you have a desktop or laptop device with an ethernet port:

  Plug one end of the ethernet cable into one of the four LAN ports on the back of the router.

  Plug the other end of the ethernet cable into the ethernet port of your desktop or laptop.

  Connecting Via Wifi

  If you do not have access to an ethernet port on your device (usually Mac users) you can simply connect to the default Wifi network.

  Refer to the sticker and connect your device to the preferred wifi network using the default password.
• Connect to 5Ghz for faster speeds and 2.4Ghz if you’re further from the router.
• Router Setup Wizard
  

  Follow these steps for help completing the setup Wizard on your new router.
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  Step 1 of 6

  Login using the Web Browser

  Open your web browser, e.g. Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, etc.

  Type the following address in your address bar: 192.168.0.1.

  When the login screen appears, sign in using the password admin.

  Privacy Policy

  If this is your first time connecting to the Router you will be presented with the privacy notice.

  Click Agree to Continue.

  Change the admin Password

  For added security, it is recommended to change the admin password to access the Router settings.

  Remember to make a note of your new admin password and Wifi settings.
  

  When you are done, click on Apply and scroll down to the next section.

  Change the Wifi Network name and password

  For security reasons, we recommend that you change the Wifi Network name (the SSID) and password from those supplied with the Router.

  This will protect your Wifi network from others.

  Change these to something that you know and will remember, e.g. Wifi network name = My House and password = combine letters, characters and numbers into a password that you will remember.

  These details then become your Wifi network, which you can share with those you choose to.

  When you are done click on Apply.

  Reconnect to the Wifi

  If you are Connected to the Router via the default Wifi network, you will be disconnected when you apply this change, and you will have to reconnect to the new Wifi network you have just created.

  Click on Yes to confirm the changes.

  If something goes wrong and you can no longer access the Router, use the factory reset button, which will restore the default Wifi settings.

  Check the Internet Connection

  Once you have completed the wizard (and reconnected to the Router if you lost your WiFi Connection), check the network status on the home screen to ensure that your LTE Connection is up and running.

  To do that, go to the Home screen to see if you are Connected to the Internet.

  You can also check the Router front panel. The LTE signal strength indicator should be lit up, showing the quality of the LTE Connection.
• Manual Wifi Setup

  Follow the steps in this section for more advanced Wifi settings:
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  Step 1 of 3

  Open Wifi Settings

  From the Router Home screen Click on the Green Wi-Fi Settings button.

  Turn Wifi on/off

  You can use the Wi-Fi Switch toggle to completely disable the WiFi capability of the Router

  Do not do this unless you are connected with a LAN cable!

  Setup 5Ghz Network

  You can switch through the tabs to configure more advanced WiFi Options and also configure the 5Ghz wifi network (recommended), which is not included in the setup wizard.

  When you are done with each section Click Apply to save your changes.
• Manually Configuring the LTE Network

  In most cases, your Router will come pre-configured with the correct LTE Access Point (APN settings). However, if you need to edit the APN settings on your ZTE MF286C Router, follow the steps below:

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  Step 1 of 5

  Open the Connection Settings Screen

  From the status screen click on the Settings button in the My Router Section

  Connection Settings

  When the connection Settings Menu Opens, Select APN

  Change to Manual

  Change the mode from Auto to Manual. You should see the default settings for the MTN Fixed LTE Service, which this Router is provided with.

  To add an additional APN, click on Add New.

  New APN Details

  Give your new Profile a name and capture only the APN name, which you can find by referring to this guide.
  Once you have captured the new Profile, click on Apply.

  Set Default APN

  Finally, select the new Profile you’ve created and click on

  Set as Default.