WRT54G wireless router is not broadcasting wirelessly

Reset Button

Note:

Resetting the router to the factory defaults will delete any changes you have made to the router, including any security settings. This should be used as a last resort.
The first method involves simply pressing a button located on the back of the router. The image below (courtesy of Linksys) shows where the button is located.

Linksys WRT54G Reset Button Location
To reset your router, use the following steps:

1. Press the reset button for 30 seconds.
The settings should now be returned to the factory default settings, meaning any changes you had made would be deleted.

2. Open up your Web browser and enter "192.168.1.1′ in the address bar.
3. For the login, leave a blank ID and enter "admin" as the password.

The router has now been reset. Follow the steps in Securing Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router to secure your router and create a good wireless network security.
Through the Web Administration PagesThe second method involves logging into the Web administration pages of the router. Use the following steps to reset the router using this method:

1. Open your Web browser and enter the IP address of your router. By default, the address is "192.168.1.1′.
2. Enter your user ID And password when prompted. Hopefully this has been changed, but if it hasn't, the default is no ID and "admin" as the password.
3. At the top of the Web page, click "Administration" and then "Factory Defaults".
4. Beside "Restore Factory Defaults", click "Yes".
5. Now click the "Save Settings" button at the bottom of the Web page.

Your WRT54G wireless router should now be reset to the factory defaults. Ensure you follow the steps outlined in Securing Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router to secure your router and maintain your wireless network security.
SummaryThis post has provided two methods you can use to reset your Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G router. If you are having problems with your router, try resetting the router to the factory defaults, and then make the changes again and see if the router starts working again.

SID broadcast allows computers to quickly locate a new network and connect to it. In wireless home networks computers often use only the home network, which makes SSID broadcast unnecessary. Disabling SSID broadcast adds a bit of security to your wireless network, because computers won't be able to see your network's SSID.
Log into the router.

1. Open your webbrowser and type http://192.168.1.1 in the address bar. This is the default IP address of the browser.
2. Type your login info in the login screen. Default: 'admin' (without quotes) in both fields.
3. Go to Wireless > Basic Wireless Settings 'wireless
4. Set SSID broadcast to 'disable'.
5. Click Save Settings.

On the next page you will set a router password to prevent unwanted visitors from accessing your router setup.

Here are some basic steps in setting up your Linksys router

Hope it helps!

Please follow the below instructions to protect your device:

1. Connect your computer to the router using a network cable, or you can connect to the router through a wireless connection. Note that your wireless card in your computer must be enabled.
2. Open your Web browser. Enter: http://192.168.1.1 in the address field. This is an internal IP address to access your router. Press the Enter Key.
3. When the password request appears leave the user name field blank. By default, the password is admin.
4. After logging in, you are not required to change the default administrative password. However, it's fully recommended that you change the default password by clicking on the Administration tab and Management. Enter a new password in the Password field and again in the Re-enter field to confirm.
5. I recommend setting the Remote Management item as Disable. It will be another layer of security for your router. With this configuration you can only access your router for programming using a standard Ethernet network cabling.
6. To save the new password, click Save Settings at the bottom of the page.
7. To avoid intruders accessing your wireless connection we'll start to work with the Wireless tab.
8. In the Basic Wireless Settings enter a name for your wireless network connection in the Wireless Network Name (SSID). Set the Wireless Broadcast to Disable.

   When wireless clients survey the local area for wireless networks to associate with, they will detect the SSID broadcast by the Router if the Broadcast is enabled. Do not broadcast the Router SSID. It must be Disabled.
   

   Note that your SSID should be set following similar rules for setting a password, e.g. at least 8 characters, a combination of letters, numbers and non consecutive characters.
   

   Disabling the SSID broadcast is not a strong security setting, but it can help prevent intruders from sharing your WLAN. Remember to save your settings.
   

look for a hole on the back or bottom of the router, usually will say "reset" above it. you will need a pin or toothpick to push the tiny button inside of that hole. hold it down for 20 seconds and then let go, and it should be reset.

According to cisco:
By default, the router broadcasts an unsecured network named linksys. To change your wireless settings, open your browser and go to "192.168.1.1", no username, password is admin, assuming everything is on default that is. Once you're in, click on the Wireless tab and you can change the wireless settings from there.

check your ip address for your default gateway, get to msdos, in the applications/accessories menu, then type ipconfig, the default gateway is the ip address for your router, type that in your address bar in internet explorer and you should get to your router, you may need a password to get in but default is just admin

you said that you can see the wireless network but it shows as unknown network
I think SSID broadcast on your wireless network must be disabled.
You will need to enable the SSID broadcast of your network.
Also try to change the wireless channel on the router.
WRT54G router's IP address will be 192.168.1.1. if you have not changed it.
Do you have any other computer connected to the router woth the ethernet cable ?
If you do not have the computer connected to the route then connect 1 computer to the rotuer with the ethernet cable.
Do not change any wireless setting on the wireless computer.
You will need to open the set up page of the router
Click Here for more info about how to change the wireless settings

If you have forgotten your password to log into the unit, you can get it back to the factory defaults by pressing and holding the reset button on the back of the unit for approximately 5 seconds

If you can log into the unit, you can reset it through the menus.

There's an online manual:
manual
The login to the router is: http://192.168.0.1 (factory default login):
User name is: admin
Password: [leave blank]
In case the password has been changed earlier you'll have to perform a default reset by pushing the reset button with a e.g. paperclip on the rear side for 10 seconds and then releasing it: After this the router will reboot to the default factory settings.

Check "Broadcast SSID" = radio signal:
See page 29: in the router select Advanced > Performance:
SSID Broadcast should be enabled: Apply to have settings saved.

Check broadcast SSID name and WEP security access:
See page 13: in the router select Home > Wireless.

1. can your laptop connect to other wireless networks? if not, the laptop's wireless may be the issue.
2. if yes, it's possible that the router has the wireless functions turned off, or is set to not broadcast it's SSID (network name). Check these settings, or just press and hold the reset button until the power led goes out. After resetting the router to factory settings, it should broadcast the name "Linksys'. If still no good, it's likely that you have a defective router.
   
3. As a last resort, plug an ethernet cable directly from your pc to the router and see if you get an ip address and can get to the web. If this works, log into the routers web interface by typing in 192.168.1.1 in the address field ofyour web browser and look at the wireless settings.
4. If nothing still, contact linksys......let me know if I can provide any other suggestions.