Connecting to your network

Here are some helpful tips and tricks for hooking up your Slingbox to your home network.

Your Slingbox needs to connect to your home network. That's so it can bridge the divide between your home TV and the Internet. There are different ways to do this. And - as always - there are ways to do it that are good, there are ways that are better, and there are ways that are best. Let's start with the best way.

The BEST way to hook your Slingbox up to your home network is to just plug it directly in to your home router. If you have cable Internet access, this method is usually for you, because often your cable modem is also near your TV.
If you can't do that, the BETTER way to do it is to use a pair of SlingLinks to turn your home's electrical wiring into a home network. These things work great and there is no configuration. Just plug them in and you are on.

Lastly, there are some wireless options that you can try, such as wireless gaming adapters. We don't recommend them because you can't get the sustained throughput with a wireless connection that you can get with a wired one. This is critical, especially if your Slingbox is capable of letting you view HD content ... and you'd like to use it for that.

General info about troubleshooting

What's a network?
Let's talk about networks. You might be asking yourself, "How do I know if I have a network in my home?" Good question!

What's a router?
It's a question you shouldn't feel embarrassed to ask! Many folks with home networks aren't sure, either.

What's an Ethernet bridge?
Want to know what a bridge is?

Networking tips and tricks

The Network light on my Slingbox is blinking. What does this mean?
Do the lights on the front of your Slingbox keep blinking? If so, that usually means there is a problem. Below are a few tips and tricks to help you get back up and running.

How to reset your Slingbox to factory settings
How to zap your Slingbox back to its "out-of-the-box" settings. You may have to do this if you have forgotten the Administrator password, or if you get a new network router.