Setup Router logo in white Setup router name logo in white
Get Software

Setup WiFi on the Actiontec PK5000

Thumbnail image of Setup Router Staff
Setup Router Staff
(Last Updated: ) | Reading Time: 5 minutes

The Actiontec PK5000 router is considered a wireless router because it offers WiFi connectivity. WiFi, or simply wireless, allows you to connect various devices to your router, such as wireless printers, smart televisions, and WiFi enabled smartphones.

Use a VPN Instead

Have you considered using a VPN instead of forwarding a port? For most users, a VPN is a much simpler and more secure choice than forwarding a port.

We use and recommend NordVPN because not only is it the fastest VPN, it includes a new feature called Meshnet that makes forwarding a port no longer necessary for most applications. With NordVPN Meshnet, you can connect to your devices from anywhere in the world, completely secure, over a highly encrypted VPN tunnel.

When shopping for a VPN, make sure that they meet the following criteria:

  • Your VPN provider should have a no-logs policy. This means that they do not keep any logs of any kind.
  • Make sure that your VPN provider has lots of exit nodes all around the world.
  • Check that your VPN will not affect your speed.
  • Verify that your VPN provider uses WireGuard as the underlying protocol.
  • Many people prefer a VPN provider that is not based in the United States.

This is the list of requirements that we used when we were shopping around for a VPN provider. There are lots of free, shady VPN providers out there that we looked at and dismissed.

Based in Panama, using diskless servers, and with over 6,100 servers in 61 countries, we can safely say that NordVPN satisfies all of these requirements.

NordVPN is the fastest VPN!

Once you've set up your NordVPN account on multiple computers and enabled Meshnet, you can seamlessly access all of your devices as if they were on the same network. You don't even have to log in to your router. It's very simple.

Every time you click on one of our affiliate links, such as NordVPN, we get a little kickback for introducing you to the service. Think of us as your VPN wingman.

Other Actiontec PK5000 Guides

This is the wifi guide for the Actiontec PK5000 Qwest. We also have the following guides for the same router:

WiFi Terms

Before we get started there is a little bit of background info that you should be familiar with.

Don't forget to sign up for NordVPN's promo deal before it's gone.

NordVPN faster than ever deal!

You might notice that most of our site doesn't have ads on it. This is because we use partnerships with companies like NordVPN to keep the site running. Thank you for supporting us by using our referral links.

Wireless Name

Your wireless network needs to have a name to uniquely identify it from other wireless networks. If you are not sure what this means we have a guide explaining what a wireless name is that you can read for more information.

Wireless Password

An important part of securing your wireless network is choosing a strong password.

Wireless Channel

Picking a WiFi channel is not always a simple task. Be sure to read about WiFi channels before making the choice.

Encryption

You should almost definitely pick WPA2 for your networks encryption. If you are unsure, be sure to read our WEP vs WPA guide first.

Login To The Actiontec PK5000

To get started configuring the Actiontec PK5000 WiFi settings you need to login to your router. If you are already logged in you can skip this step.

To login to the Actiontec PK5000, follow our Actiontec PK5000 Login Guide.

Find the WiFi Settings on the Actiontec PK5000

If you followed our login guide above then you should see this screen.

router status mac address internet IP
This is the status page from your Actiontec PK5000 router.

You begin on the Home page of the Actiontec PK5000 Qwest router. To configure your WiFi settings, click the choice in the middle of the page labeled Wireless Setup. Then be sure that Basic Settings is highlighted in the left sidebar.

Change the WiFi Settings on the Actiontec PK5000

wifi wireless
This is the wifi setup page from your Actiontec PK5000 router.

You should now be on the page you see above.

  1. Turn Wireless ON. Be sure that this is On.
  2. Change the SSID setting to any name or code you want. This is the name that sets your network apart from those around you. Be creative but don't add any personal information in your name. For more information on the SSIDs, check out our guide called wireless names.
  3. Select Key/Passphrase type below. Tick the radio button labeled Use Custom Security Key/Passphrase. Then in the box available enter a strong and random password. This password is what you will use to access your network. Don't use any personal information. Don't use any word you can find in a dictionary, no matter the language. If you need to use a word make sure and misspell it. Do use some symbols, numbers, and capital letters. For more help creating a strong yet memorable password check out our guide titled how to choose a strong password.
  4. When you are finished, be sure to click the Apply button.

Next, on the left side of the page click WPA/WPA2

wireless protected setup
This is the wifi wps page from your Actiontec PK5000 router.

You should now be on the correct page to change your security protocols.

  1. Select SSID from the pull down menu. Use this drop down menu to choose the SSID you have just created on the previous page.
  2. Set the WPA state. This needs to be Enabled.
  3. Select WPA Type. WPA and WPA2 are security protocols. Choose WPA2 Only from the drop down menu. WPA2 is the strongest security available today. For more information on this subject, check out our guide titled WEP vs. WPA.
  4. Select a scurity key type or select Enterprise Network to use 802.1x. Tick the radio button labeled Use Custom Secruity Key/Passphrase. Then below that in the box enter that same password that you entered on the previous page.
  5. When you are finished on this page, click the Apply button.

Next, click the option in the left sidebar labeled Channel.

router Wi-Fi channel ssid mode
This is the wifi channel page from your Actiontec PK5000 router.
  1. Select Channel. In the United States you are only allowed to use channels 1-11. Of these channels the only ones that don't overlap if everyone were to use them are channels 1,6, and channel 11. Go ahead and choose from channel 1,6, or 11. For more information on why you should only use these three channels, check out our guide on WiFi channels.

That's it, you did it!

Possible Problems when Changing your WiFi Settings

After making these changes to your router you will almost definitely have to reconnect any previously connected devices. This is usually done at the device itself and not at your computer.

Other Actiontec PK5000 Info

Don't forget about our other Actiontec PK5000 info that you might be interested in.

This is the wifi guide for the Actiontec PK5000 Qwest. We also have the following guides for the same router: