Step 1: Install the Hard Drives
Slide out the drive trays (no screwdriver needed on most Synology models) Secure the hard drive in the tray using the included screws, typically 4 screws on the bottom and sides Slide the tray back into the bay until it clicks For a 2-bay NAS with RAID 1: install both drives.
For a 4-bay with expansion room: install 2 drives to start; you can add more later.
Step 2: Connect to Your Router
Connect the NAS to your router with the included Ethernet cable.
Use a wired connection, wireless is not recommended for a NAS because transfer speeds are lower and the connection is less reliable.
Plug in the power adapter and press the power button.
Wait 2-3 minutes for the NAS to complete its startup sequence.
The status LEDs indicate ready state.
Step 3: Find the NAS on Your Network
From a computer on the same network, go to find.synology.com (for Synology) in a web browser.
The browser-based setup tool will find the NAS on your network and guide you through installation.
Alternatively, use the Synology Assistant desktop application, which scans the network and opens the setup interface.
Step 4: Install DSM
The DSM installation wizard guides you through: Creating an adm in account with a strong password Configuring the storage pool and volume Choosing RAID level (SHR recommended for home users) Creating the initial shared folders
Step 5: Set a Static IP
Before creating any network drive mappings on your computers, assign the NAS a static IP in Control Panel > Network.
See NAS Not Accessible Fix for why this prevents future connection problems.
Step 6: Create Shared Folders and Users
In DSM Control Panel > Shared Folder: create folders for each major category (Photos, Videos, Backups, Documents).
Set permissions per user account.
Our picks
Products we recommend
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Best OverallSynology
2-bay NAS with Intel Celeron J4025 processor, 2GB RAM, and Synology DSM operating system.
- 2-bay drive enclosure
- Intel Celeron J4025 dual-core
- 2GB DDR4 ECC RAM (expandable to 6GB)
- Synology DSM 7 operating system
✓ Pros
- DSM software is the most polished NAS interface available, Plex, photo backup, and file sync apps are well-integrated
- Transcoding support handles 4K video playback without client-side processing
- Drive compatibility list is extensive, most major NAS-optimized hard drives are verified
✕ Cons
- Diskless, drives sold separately (add the cost of two WD Red or Seagate IronWolf drives)
UGREEN
Intel N100 handles Plex hardware transcoding
✓ Pros
- Intel N100 handles Plex hardware transcoding
- 2.5GbE port
- Two M.2 NVMe slots plus two drive bays
- Docker and VM support
✕ Cons
- Drives sold separately
- Software ecosystem younger than Synology's
- Only two drive bays
FAQ
Common questions
How long does NAS initial setup take?
Initial hardware setup (installing drives, connecting to the router) takes 15-30 minutes. The DSM operating system installation and initial configuration wizard takes another 20-30 minutes. Total first-time setup is typically under one hour. After setup, the NAS creates storage pools and volumes which may take additional time depending on drive size.
Do I need to format hard drives before putting them in a NAS?
The NAS operating system (DSM for Synology, QTS for QNAP) formats and partitions the drives during the initial setup process. Installing new, unformatted drives is the correct procedure. If you are reusing drives that have existing data, the setup will erase that data, back it up before installing.
What is the adm in password for a new Synology NAS?
New Synology NAS devices have no default adm in password, you create the adm in account and password during the initial DSM setup wizard. If you need to reset the adm in credentials on an existing device, use the physical reset button on the NAS (hold for 4 seconds) to reset the network settings and adm in account to factory defaults without erasing data.
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