Introduction

The D-Link AC1200 Wi-Fi Router DIR-1260 is a high-performance router designed for small to medium-sized homes and offices. It offers dual-band wireless technology, providing speeds of up to 1200 Mbps, which is ideal for online gaming, 4K streaming, and other bandwidth-intensive tasks launching date of the product is not specified in the official D-Link website, but it is available for purchase in various online marketplaces.

Technical Specifications

Device Interfaces

• Wireless Interface (2.4 GHz): IEEE 802.11n/g/b
• Wireless Interface (5 GHz): IEEE 802.11 ac/n/a
• Four 10/100/1000 Mbps LAN ports
• One 10/100/1000 Mbps WAN port

Antenna Types

• Four external antennas

Standards

• IEEE 802.11ac1,2,3
• IEEE 802.11b
• IEEE 802.11n
• IEEE 802.11a
• IEEE 802.11g
• IEEE 802.3u
• IEEE 802.3ab
• IEEE 802.1p
• IEEE 802.1q

Security

• WPA/WPA2-Personal
• The latest Wi-Fi security with 128-bit encryption
• Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)

Power

• Input: 100 to 240 V AC, 50 / 60 Hz
• Output: 12 V, 1 A

Temperature

• Operating: 0 to 40 °C (32 to 104 °F)
• Storage: -20 to 65 °C (-4 to 149 °F)

Humidity

• Operating: 10% to 90% maximum, non-condensing
• Storage: 5% to 95% maximum, non-condensing

Certifications

• IC
• FCC
• CE
• NCC

Dimensions

• L x W x H: 238 x 156 x 31 mm (9.37 x 6.14 x 1.22 in)

Weight

• 328 g (0.72 lbs)

Product Overview

If any of the above items are missing or damaged, please contact your local reseller.
Note: Using a power supply with a different voltage rating than the one included with the router will cause damage and void the warranty for this product.

System Requirements

D-Link AC1200 Wi-Fi Router DIR-1260 Features

Need super-fast Wi-Fi for your wire-free, all-streaming house? With a powerful dual-core processor, the AC1200 Wi-Fi Gigabit Router packs in enough processing power to handle every networking task you throw at it. It’s a powerful, intelligent home router with integrated voice assistant compatibility for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant so you can control your network with voice commands.

• Handle More with a High-Power Processor
  With the DIR-1260, you’re not only enjoying buffer-free gaming and lightning fast surfing, you’re also enjoying features such as an optimizing QoS, an automatic firmware update system that ensures the latest features, and compatibility with voice assistants. All this is possible with the router’s 880 MHz dual-core high-power processor, 128 MB of flash memory and 128 MB of RAM. 
• Enhanced Quality of Service Features
  The built-in Quality of Service (QoS) engine allows you to prioritize important traffic to ensure that your favorite applications are receiving optimal bandwidth.
• Always Up-to-Date with the Latest Features
  The DIR-1260 will automatically check daily for updates to make sure that the device always has the latest features, and will install the update silently in the background. For an extra peace of mind, in the event of failure during the firmware update, the router will store a backup system image in the memory before proceeding with the update.
• Easy to Set Up and Manage
  Sharing your Internet connection doesn’t have to be a complicated process; just download the free D-Link Wi-Fi app for your mobile device and follow the on-screen step-by-step instructions to set up your DIR-1260. You also have the option to use a web browser to access the setup wizard and to manage your router. Support for industry-standard Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you create encrypted connections to new devices by pressing a button. 

Hardware Overview

LED Indicators

Back Panel

Description

The D-Link AC1200 Wi-Fi Router DIR-1260 is a sleek and compact router that blends well with any home or office decor. It has a matte black finish with glossy accents, giving it a modern and stylish look. The router is easy to set up and manage, with a user-friendly interface that allows you to customize your network settings. The DIR-1260 also has advanced security features, such as WPA/WPA2 encryption and a built-in firewall, to protect your network from unauthorized access and attacks. Its dual-band technology provides fast and reliable Wi-Fi connections, even in congested areas with multiple devices. Overall, the D-Link AC1200 Wi-Fi Router DIR-1260 is a high-quality and affordable router that offers fast and reliable Wi-Fi connections for small to medium-sized homes and offices.

Installation

This section will walk you through the installation of your DIR-1260.

Before you Begin

• Placement of the router is very important. Do not place the router in an enclosed area such as a closet, cabinet, attic, or garage.
• Configure the router with the computer that was last connected directly to your Internet connection. Verify that it is connected to the Internet before connecting additional devices.
• You can only use the Ethernet port on your modem. If you were using the USB connection before using the router, then you must turn off your modem, disconnect the USB cable and connect an Ethernet cable to the Internet port on the router, and then turn the modem back on. In some cases, you may need to call your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to change connection types (USB to Ethernet).
• If connecting to a DSL modem, make sure to have your DSL service information provided by your Internet Service Provider handy. This information is likely to include your DSL account's Username and Password. Your ISP may also supply you with additional WAN configuration settings which might be necessary to establish a connection.
• If you are connecting a considerable amount of networking equipment, it may be a good idea to take the time to label each cable or take a picture of your existing setup before making any changes.
• If you have DSL and are connecting via PPPoE, make sure you disable or uninstall any PPPoE software such as WinPoET, BroadJump, or EnterNet 300 from your computer or you will not be able to connect to the Internet.

Wireless Installation Considerations

The D-Link wireless router lets you access your network using a wireless connection from virtually anywhere within the operating range of your wireless network. Keep in mind that the number, thickness and location of walls, ceilings, or other objects that the wireless signals must pass through may limit the range. Typical ranges vary depending on the types of materials and background RF (radio frequency) noise in your home or business. The key to maximizing wireless range is to follow these basic guidelines:

1. Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the D-Link router and other network devices to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce your adapter’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) Position your devices so that the number of walls or ceilings is minimized.
2. Be aware of the direct line between network devices. A wall that is 1.5 feet thick (0.5 meters), at a 45-degree angle appears to be almost 3 feet (1 meter) thick. At a 2-degree angle it looks over 42 feet (14 meters) thick. Position devices so that the signal will travel straight through a wall or ceiling (instead of at an angle) for better reception.
3. Building materials make a difference. A solid metal door or aluminum studs may have a negative effect on range. Try to position access points, wireless routers, and computers so that the signal passes through drywall or open doorways. Materials and objects such as glass, steel, metal, walls with insulation, water (fish tanks), mirrors, file cabinets, brick, and concrete will degrade your wireless signal.
4. Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical devices or appliances that generate RF noise.
5. If you are using 2.4 GHz cordless phones, your wireless connection may degrade dramatically or drop completely. Make sure your 2.4 GHz phone base is as far away from your wireless devices as possible. The base transmits a signal even if the phone is not in use.

Setup

There are several different ways you can configure your router to connect to the Internet

• D-Link Wi-Fi App
  Use your compatible Android or iOS device to install and configure your router. 
• Hardware Setup
  This section explains how to setup your DIR-1260. 
• D-Link Setup Wizard
  This wizard will launch when you log into the router by using your PC for the first time. 
• Manual Setup
  Log in to the router to manually configure your router. 

D-Link Wi-Fi App Setup

The D-Link Wi-Fi app allows you to install and configure your DIR-1260 from your compatible Android or iOS device.
Note: The screenshots may be different depending on your mobile device’s OS version. The following steps show the iOS interface of the D-Link Wi-Fi app. If you are using an Android device, the appearance may be different from that of the screenshots, but the process is the same.

• Step 1
  Search and install the free D-Link Wi-Fi app available on the App Store or on Google Play. You can also scan the QR code on the right, which will take you to the respective D-Link Wi-Fi app store page.

  

• Step 2
  Launch the D-Link Wi-Fi app from the home screen of your device.

  

• Step 3
  Tap on the Install New Device button at the middle of the screen.

  

• Step 4
  Tap Scan the QR code to scan the setup QR code located in the Quick Installation Card and proceed to step 6. Alternatively, you can tap Continue without scanning to proceed to step 5.

  

• Step 5
  Select Router and select DIR-1260 from the list of available devices. Tap Next to continue.

• Step 6
  You will now be guided through a step-by-step process for setting up your router. Simply follow the on-screen instructions to continue the installation and the configuration process.

  

Hardware Setup

1. Step 1
   Position your DIR-1260 near your Internet-connected modem. Place it in an open area for better wireless coverage.

   

2. Step 2
   Turn off and unplug the power to your cable or DSL broadband modem. This is required. In some cases, you may need to turn it off for up to five minutes.

   

3. Step 3
   Use the Ethernet cable to connect your modem to the port labelled INTERNET on the router.

   

4. Step 4
   Plug in and turn your modem back on and wait approximately one minute before proceeding..

   

5. Step 5
   Connect the supplied power adapter to the router and a power outlet, press the power button, and wait approximately one minute until the LED indicator on the front of the device changes from orange to solid white.

   

6. Step 6
   If you are configuring the router wirelessly from a PC, connect to the Wi-Fi network printed on the label attached to the bottom of your router or in the Quick Installation Card.

   

   If you are configuring the router from a PC with a wired Ethernet connection, plug one end of an Ethernet cable into the port labeled 1 on the back of the router, and the other end into the Ethernet port on your computer.

7. Step 7
   If you are connecting to a broadband service that uses a dynamic connection (not PPPoE), you may be online already. Try opening a web browser and connecting to a website. If the website does not load, proceed to Setup Wizard.

   

Setup Wizard

The setup wizard is designed to guide you through a step-by-step process to configure your new DIR-1260 and connect to the Internet via a wireless setup process.

• If this is your first time installing the router, open your web browser and enter http://dlinkrouter.local./ in the address bar. Alternatively, enter the IP address of the router (default: http://192.168.0.1). 

  

• If this is your first time logging in to the page and no connection has been established, then log in with the password shown on the device label or Quick Install Guide.

  

• Agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy before proceeding.

  

• Follow the on-screen instructions to configure your new D-Link router and connect to the Internet.
  Click Next to continue. 

  

• Please wait while your router detects your Internet connection type. 

  

• If the router does not detect a valid Internet connection, a list of connection types to choose from will be displayed. Select your Internet connection type (this information can be obtained from your Internet Service Provider).
  Click Next to continue.

  

• If the router detected or you selected PPPoE, enter your PPPoE username and password. If you do not have this information, please contact your ISP.
  Click Next to continue.

  

  Note: Make sure to remove all other existing PPPoE software from your computer. The software is no longer needed and will not work through a router.

• If the router detected or you selected Static, enter the IP and DNS settings supplied by your ISP. If you do not have this information, please contact your ISP.
  Click Next to continue.

  

• Type in a Wi-Fi Network Name and Wi-Fi Password to setup your Wi-Fi network. Your wireless clients will need to have this passphrase to be able to connect to your wireless network.
  Click Next to continue.

  

  Note: The router's Smart Connect feature presents a single wireless network. When connecting clients to an extension network, they will be automatically added to the best band, either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. To disable the Smart Connect feature and individually configure 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks,

• In order to better protect the router's configuration access, please enter a password. You will be prompted for this password every time you want to use the router’s web configuration utility.
  Click Next to continue.

  

• Select your time zone from the drop-down menu. 
  Click Next to continue.

  

• Keeping your router's firmware up-to-date provides you with the latest features over the air. Choose whether to keep your device up-to-date automatically or to manage the device updates by yourself.
  Click Next to continue.

  

• You will be presented with a summary of your settings. 
  Click Next to finalize the settings or Back to make changes.

  

• Please wait while the device settings are saved. 
  Do not turn off or unplug your router during this time.

  

• Your new settings have been saved and your router is now configured. 
  Click OK to close the Setup Wizard.
  Congratulations, your device has been successfully configured!
  You can log in to the configuration utility by inputting the Admin Password.

  

Troubleshooting

This chapter provides solutions to problems that can occur during the installation and operation of the router. Read the following descriptions if you are having problems.

Why can’t I access the web-based configuration utility?
When entering the IP address of the D-Link router (192.168.0.1 for example), you are not connecting to a website, nor do you have to be connected to the Internet. The device has the utility built-in to a ROM chip in the device itself. Your computer must be on the same IP subnet to connect to the web-based utility. 

• Make sure you have an updated Java-enabled web browser. We recommend the following:
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 or higher
  • Mozilla Firefox 28 or higher
  • Google Chrome 28 or higher
  • Apple Safari 6 or higher
• Verify physical connectivity by checking for solid link lights on the device. If you do not get a solid link light, try using a different cable, or connect to a different port on the device if possible. If the computer is turned off, the link light may not be on.
• Disable any Internet security software running on the computer. Software firewalls such as ZoneAlarm, BlackICE, Sygate, and Norton Personal Firewall may block access to the configuration pages. Check the help files included with your firewall software for more information on disabling or configuring it.
• Configure your Internet settings:
• Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel. Double-click the Internet Options Icon. From the Security tab, click the button to restore the settings to their defaults.
• Click the Connection tab and set the dial-up option to Never Dial a Connection. Click the LAN Settings button. Make sure nothing is checked. Click OK.
• Go to the Advanced tab and click the button to restore these settings to their defaults. Click OK three times.
• Close your web browser (if open) and open it.
• Access the web management. Open your web browser and enter the IP address of your D-Link router in the address bar. This should open the login page for your web management.
• If you still cannot access the configuration, unplug the power to the router for 10 seconds and plug back in. Wait about 30 seconds and try accessing the configuration. If you have multiple computers, try connecting using a different computer.

What can I do if I forgot my password?
If you forgot your password, you must reset your router. This process will change all your settings back to the factory defaults.
To reset the router, locate the reset button (hole) on the rear panel of the unit. With the router powered on, use a paperclip to hold the recessed button down for 10 seconds. Release the button and the router will go through its reboot process. Wait about 30 seconds to access the router. The default IP address is 192.168.0.1. When logging in, leave the password box empty.

D-Link AC1200 Wi-Fi Router DIR-1260 Pros & Cons

• Pros:
  • Dual-band technology for fast and reliable Wi-Fi connections
  • Affordable price
  • User-friendly interface
  • Advanced security features
  • Sleek and compact design
• Cons:
  • May not be suitable for larger homes or offices with more than 15 devices
  • Only one USB port
  • No link aggregation feature