How To Install Xfinity Cable Box And Internet

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I had been an avid user of AT&T's internet services for the past seven years.

Recently, my family and I moved to a new city. Much to my disappointment, the neighborhood only supported Xfinity.

That meant I had to bid farewell to my old ISP and figure out how to go about getting another one.

With the help of many how-to posts and manuals on the Internet and some advice from the neighbors, I set off to hook up the Xfinity cable box and Internet.

The process was quite hassle-free. Nevertheless, I thought I'd put together a comprehensive guide on hooking up the Xfinity Cable box and Internet.

You can hook up the Xfinity Cable Box and Internet by connecting the xFi Gateway to the wall socket using a coaxial cable and twisting it clockwise at both ends.

Also, connect the xFi Gateway to a power outlet using a power cable. The last step is to activate your Xfinity Internet Sevice either online, through a phone call, Xfinity TV, or the Xfinity xFi Mobile App,

Order your Xfinity self-install kit

If you plan on installing it yourself, you'll need the self-installation kit. If you have already ordered Xfinity Internet and have the kit ready, well and good.

Otherwise, you can place a request with your Xfinity sales agent while ordering over the phone or opt for a kit if you're ordering online.

What's in the self-installation kit?

I've made a checklist for you to tick off once you've ensured that each item is present and intact.

xFi Wireless Gateway (this is your modem-router combo)
Power cable
Coaxial cable
Ethernet cable
Getting Started guide/setup instructions
Xfinity documentation (privacy policy, terms and conditions, etc.)
Instructions and prepaid labels if you ever need to return anything

All set to get your hands dirty? Let's begin.

Self-installing Xfinity Internet

Don't worry; it's not as difficult as it sounds. Follow along to set up your Xfinity Internet:

Pick up the coaxial cable and connect one of the ends to your wall socket. Twist in the clockwise direction until it's tight.
Find the coaxial input on your xFi Wireless Gateway Plug, and to it, plug in the other end of the coaxial cable. Again, twist in the clockwise direction until you feel it's tight.
Now, connect one end of the power cable to the xFi Gateway and the other end to a power outlet.
If your Gateway doesn't seem to power on automatically, try pressing the power button.
Wait for a connection light that looks like a globe. This could take around 20 minutes to show up.

Now, you're good to go!

Activating your Xfinity Internet service

Your next task is activating the Xfinity Internet service. There are four different methods to go about it:

Online: Check out Xfinity's activation page. You'll be asked to verify your Xfinity account. Ensure that your plan matches your requirements, so you won't find that your upload speed is too slow, Once that's done, follow their instructions to complete the activation process.
Phone: Dial 1-855-652-3446. You should reach Xfinity's activation service. Follow the prompts to finish activation.
TV: If you have plans to install the Xfinity TV service as well, you can use your TV to complete activation by following the steps on your TV screen.
Xfinity xFi mobile app (Android or iOS): Download the app from the Playstore or App Store.
You'll be asked to sign and complete a few steps. Make sure you have the Gateway make and model information ready. You'll find it at the bottom of the device. I'd snagged myself the highest-speed and bandwidth plan as a part of Xfinity Blast, and I activated my plan to start taking advantage of it ASAP.

Professional installation vs. Self-installation

For those who are still caught in this dilemma, I've drawn a comparison between the two to help you choose.

Method	Professional Installation	Self Installation
Pros	Your device is in the safe hands of a tech expert	Simple and quick. Set up at your convenience. Spend only $15 to cover shipping charges.
Cons	You have to spend around $90. The hassle of making appointments.	Having to set aside time to set up your Internet.

The bottom line is if you're unsure about your tech skills or your house isn't wired to set up the Xfinity service, I recommend professional installation.

For those willing to put in some time and effort, especially if your house is already wired for Xfinity service, self-installation would be satisfying and easy on the wallet.

Xfinity Internet equipment: Buy or rent?

This question makes it to the list of FAQs on every Xfinity Internet-related post. So once again, here's a pros and cons list to help you decide which one is best for you.

Method	Buying	Renting
Pros	Great investment. You get to choose your device.	Free replacements. Unlimited tech support. No hunting for compatible devices.
Cons	No replacements/ tech support from Xfinity (they'll always blame your router). Research before making the choice.	Spend $14 a month forever. No freedom to choose devices and features.

You could be planning to stick with the Xfinity Internet service for some time and would rather have a say in choosing your device than worry about replacements.

If this is the case, I would suggest getting an Xfinity router and/or Xfinity modem of your own and stop paying Comcast rent. It'll be worth it.

Xfinity Wi-Fi setup

On the final leg, here's what you need to do to manually set up your Xfinity Wi-Fi:

On the bottom of your Gateway, you will spot the default network name and password for your Xfinity Wi-Fi network.
Navigate to the list of available devices for Wi-Fi on your device.
Select the network name given on the Gateway and type in the password.

You should be able to connect now. Alternatively, you can also use the Xfinity mobile app.

Scan the QR code at the bottom of the Gateway using the device you wish to connect.

The app can also help you personalize settings, like changing the network name or password.

If you are unhappy with the coverage that the Wi-Fi offers, consider investing in xFi Pods.

They come at $119 for one or $199 for two units and essentially act as Wi-Fi extenders. Follow these instructions to set it up:

Install the Xfinity mobile app.
Connect the xFi Pod to an outlet within a certain radius from the Gateway. The signals will be stronger for areas within this radius.
Turn on Bluetooth on the device on which the Xfinity app has been installed.
Tap the Account icon and choose to Activate xFi Pods.
Tap on Get Started to start activating.
Soon, you'll be asked to keep the device within six inches of the xFi Pod.
To complete the process, name the Pod to easily identify its location.

If your xFi Gateway is offline, you can try restarting it.

Connect the Xfinity Cable Box so You can Connect to the Internet

Setting up the Xfinity Internet service should be child's play for those well versed with tech.

Even if you're not, this post is more than enough to guide you through it. In case something goes wrong and you want to seek professional help, you'll find it here. If the Xfinity Cable Box isn't working, try restarting it, or resetting your Comcast Signal.

Being a monopoly provider in my area, there is always someone who has faced the same issue before me.

So, finding help is quite easy. Not having to check regularly for firmware updates is the icing on the cake.

Safe to say that my switch to Xfinity has been a smooth ride so far. If change your mind about the whole thing, make sure to go through the return procedure to avoid paying the cancellation fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Comcast TV and Internet use the same cable?

Yes, both of them use the same coaxial cable.

Can two TVs use one cable box?

Yes, that is possible. Here's how:

Connect the main cable line to a coaxial splitter. Use a two-way splitter if you wish to connect two TVs and multi-way for more.
Use a coaxial cable to connect each output port of the splitter to a cable receiver.
Now, connect the receiver to a TV.

How can I watch Comcast without a cable box?

You can use the Xfinity Stream app to browse channels and stream movies without renting a cable box.

Does a smart TV need a cable box?

No, smart TVs don't need a cable box to access the Internet. You can stream shows and movies using any app that you may download.

Some of these may be free, while others need a monthly subscription.