How to Block and Limit WiFi Users on PLDT Router

If you're a PLDT Internet user, you can actually block and limit the number of WiFi users on your router. Read on to find out how. 

How Do Others Find Your WiFi? 

But first, how do other users exactly find your WiFi and connect to it? 

The WiFi name (or SSID) is normally visible to any device capable of scanning WiFi connections. For PLDT, there's a default device (modem/router) SSID and password. The WiFi's name is usually indicated by the Internet service type followed by the last 5 digits on the router's MAC Address, i.e. PLDTHOMEDSL12345 or PLDTHOMEFIBR12345. The latter may have a 5G after FIBR to indicate that it's the 5G capable bandwidth. 

These WiFi names are often printed at the back of the router, including the corresponding default password. If anyone gains access to those information (I can only assume or imagine how they do so), then they can obviously connect to the web using your home network. 

Those who are technologically challenged and have asked assistance to setup their WiFI are most likely those who may fall into this trap. It could also be a family member willingly sharing the WiFi info to everyone they know. 

If this is the case, it will help to change the WiFi name and password. 

Related post:

How to Change PLDT Home DSL WiFi Name and Password

How Many Devices are Connected to my WiFi?

Before we move on to blocking other users, first, let's find out how many are connected to your network. 

You probably won't be able to monitor activity on a 24/7 basis but you can expect uninvited guests to be sharing the Net when the router is obviously on. A noticeable slow connection when there's only one (or a few devices) connected on with a good speed test result can be a sign as well. 

To confirm how many devices are connected to your WiFi, you need to access the router's interface. To do so, type its URL on a browser address bar and login using the modem admin credentials. Note that these are not the same as the WiFi name and password. 

There is also a default admin username and password for the router's page depending on the model you're using. In most cases, the address is simply 192.168.1.1 and the login credentials are username: admin, password: 1234. Quickly check the back of the router to confirm if this is correct. 

You can also use the ipconfig command to find the default gateway address. How the command is executed is different based on your computer's operating system (i.e. Windows or Mac etc.) so you will need to make a quick web search on how this is done. 

In the event that the logins don't work, search the web too for useful articles listing all possible combinations. It is known that PLDT constantly updates their system so the admin logins may change without notice. 

With that taken cared of, login to the router, click the Setup tab on the header menu, then WLAN followed by Basic on the left side menu. Next, click the Show Active Clients tab at the bottom. 

This will open a popup window listing all active devices connected to your network. It won't indicate which devices are associated with a specific MAC address but you will get an idea how many are actually connected versus the number of users you are aware of.

It will be tricky to find out the MAC addresses for each of the gadgets you own at home but there will be a specific way to do so. Google is your best friend!

How to Block WiFi Users in PLDT

Once the MAC addresses are identified, you can block specific devices through MAC Filtering, by adding their MAC address on the Access Control List. This is found at Setup on top, then WLAN on the left. You can choose to disable, deny or allow the listed MAC address. Make sure to click on Apply Changes after. 

How to Limit Number of Wifi Users in PLDT

There's also an option to limit the number of devices allowed to connect to the network. Just go to Advanced at the top, then Others on the left, then Client Limit. Enable the Client Limit Capability feature and enter the maximum number of devices. Make sure to hit Apply Changes afterwards. 

How to Block and Limit the Number on WiFi Users on PLDT Router Video

I apologize for the quality of the images, they were taken from this video below:

You can also watch the vid to see the steps above in action. 

If you have any questions, feel free to post them through the comment section below.