Can I Use A Router As An Extender?

If you’re looking to improve your Wi-Fi coverage without spending too much money, you may be wondering if you can use your router as an extender. The good news is that it’s possible- and it’s easier than you might think! In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of using a router as an extender, including the benefits and drawbacks of doing so. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the information you need to decide whether using a router as an extender is right for you.

Can a Router Be Used as an Extender?

Yes, a router can be used as an extender to improve the Wi-Fi coverage in your home or office. However, not all routers have this functionality, so it’s important to check if your router supports wireless repeater mode before attempting to use it as an extender.

Wireless repeater mode allows a router to receive and rebroadcast signals from another wireless network. This means that you can use your existing router as an extender by placing it in a location where the Wi-Fi signal is weak and configuring it to connect to your main network.

To check if your router supports wireless repeater mode, you can refer to the user manual or visit the manufacturer’s website for more information. Some routers may have this feature listed under different names such as “range extender” or “bridge mode.”

Once you have confirmed that your router supports wireless repeater mode, you can configure it to work as an extender. This involves accessing the router’s settings through a web browser and setting up the appropriate wireless network settings.

Another option for extending Wi-Fi range with a router is using an Ethernet cable. This involves connecting the secondary router to the primary one via Ethernet cable and configuring it as an access point. This method provides a more stable connection but requires running cables between routers.

Using a router as an extender has its benefits and limitations. On one hand, it allows you to extend your Wi-Fi coverage without having to purchase additional hardware. On the other hand, it may not provide optimal performance compared to dedicated Wi-Fi extenders that are specifically designed for this purpose.

In general, using a router as an extender is recommended only if you already have a spare router available and want to save money on additional hardware. If you’re looking for optimal performance and ease of use, consider purchasing a dedicated Wi-Fi extender instead.

Benefits and Limitations of Using a Router as an Extender

Using a router as an extender can have its benefits and limitations. One of the advantages is that it can save you money since you don’t need to purchase an additional device. Additionally, using a router as an extender can be helpful if you have an old router lying around that you no longer use. By repurposing it as an extender, you can extend your Wi-Fi signal without spending any extra money.

Another benefit of using a router as an extender is that it can provide better coverage for your home or office. Since routers are designed to cover larger areas than extenders, they can potentially provide more coverage when used in this capacity. This means that by using a router as an extender, you may be able to get better Wi-Fi coverage throughout your space.

However, there are also some limitations to using a router as an extender. One of the biggest limitations is that not all routers support this functionality. Before attempting to use a router as an extender, it’s important to check if your specific model supports wireless repeater mode.

Another limitation is that configuring your router to work as an extender can be complicated and time-consuming. You’ll need to access your router’s settings and make various changes in order for it to function properly as an extender. If you’re not comfortable with making these kinds of changes or don’t have the technical know-how, using a dedicated Wi-Fi extender may be a better option.

Finally, when using a router as an extender, you’ll need to keep in mind that it will still be limited by the capabilities of the original router. This means that if your original router has slow speeds or poor coverage, extending its signal with another device may not provide significant improvements.

How to Use a Router as an Extender?

Using a router as an extender can be a great way to extend the range of your Wi-Fi network. However, it is important to note that not all routers are capable of performing this function. In this section, we will guide you through the steps on how to use a router as an extender.

Method 1: Check if Your Router Supports Bridge Mode

To use a router as an extender, the first step is to check if your router supports bridge mode. Bridge mode allows your router to connect wirelessly to another network and extend its range. Not all routers support this feature, so it’s important to check before attempting to use it as an extender.

To check if your router supports bridge mode, you can consult the user manual or search online for the model number and “bridge mode.” If your router does not support bridge mode, you will not be able to use it as an extender.

If your router does support bridge mode, the next step is to connect it to your existing network. This can typically be done by accessing the router’s settings and selecting the option for “bridge” or “repeater” mode. Once in this mode, you can configure the settings for the new extended network.

It’s worth noting that using a router as an extender may not always provide optimal performance compared to other options such as Wi-Fi range extenders or mesh Wi-Fi systems. However, it can be a cost-effective solution if you already have a spare router on hand.

Overall, checking if your router supports bridge mode is crucial before attempting to use it as an extender. Without this feature, you will not be able to extend your network’s range wirelessly with a second router.

Method 2: Connect Your Router to Your Existing Network

To use a router as an extender, you need to connect it to your existing network. This process involves a few steps that are outlined below.

Step 1: Ensure that your router supports bridge mode Before you begin, you need to check if your router supports bridge mode. Bridge mode allows the router to act as an access point (AP) instead of a router. This means that it will receive its IP address from the primary router and extend the wireless signal.

Step 2: Connect your router to your existing network Once you have confirmed that your router supports bridge mode, you can proceed with connecting it to your existing network. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Turn off both the primary router and the secondary (extender) router.
2. Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the LAN ports on the primary router to one of the LAN ports on the secondary (extender) router.
3. Power on both routers.

The secondary (extender) router should now be connected to the primary network.

Step 3: Configure your router’s settings After connecting your secondary (extender) router, you need to configure its settings. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Access the web-based configuration page of the secondary (extender) router by typing its IP address into a web browser.
2. Navigate to the wireless settings and change them according to your preferences.
3. Disable DHCP on the secondary (extender) router so that it does not assign IP addresses to devices on its own.
4. Save all changes made.

Your secondary (extender) router is now configured and ready for use.

It is important to note that using a secondary (extender) router may cause interference with other devices in your home due to overlapping signals. This can result in slower speeds or dropped connections.

Connecting a second router as an extender can be a cost-effective solution to extend your Wi-Fi signal. However, it is important to ensure that your router supports bridge mode and to configure it correctly to avoid any issues. Alternatively, you may consider using Wi-Fi range extenders or mesh Wi-Fi systems as alternatives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, using a router as an extender can be a convenient and cost-effective solution to extend your Wi-Fi range. However, it’s important to understand the basics of routers and extenders, check if your router supports wireless repeater mode, and properly configure it to work as an extender.