What is the first action to take when setting up a new router?

The first action to take when setting up a new router is to plug in the power cable. Ensuring that the router has power is essential before any other actions can be taken. Without power, the router cannot perform its basic functions, such as transmitting signals, accessing configuration settings, or connecting to the Internet modem.

Once the power is connected and the router is operational, the setup process can continue with connecting to the modem and configuring the router's settings. This order is critical as each step depends on the previous one being completed successfully.

While connecting to the modem is an important step in the setup process, it cannot be done until the router has power and is ready to function. Thus, ensuring that the router is powered on is the logical and necessary first step.