Extend wifi with second router wirelessly

Step 3: Set Wireless Network Mode to match your router. This might require some research on your part, though Mixed is fairly universal. We used Potcasting-Repeat , but you can use whatever name you like. Under the Physical Interface section, make sure the settings exactly match those of your primary router. Step With all of this done, go back to every page you configured and make sure all of the settings are correct.

Connect to it, and verify that your internet is working by heading to the Digital Trends website or any other. If it works, you now have a wireless repeater! Ideally, the repeater should be placed near the dead zone, but close enough to the router to still get a decent signal.

Both the Nighthawk and the Asus apps allow you to set up compatible routers as repeaters. Again, the router has be on and signaling to work, but an Ethernet connection is not required. For the Nighthawk app, you will want to select the router you use as a repeater, then enter the Nighthawk app and let it detect the router once you are connected.

Both apps should have options to continue setup as a repeater. However, this usually only works if your router app natively supports switching to a repeater, and the apps may play better with some routers than others. The wireless routers don't have to be the same; however, you do have to be able to configure these routers.

And because every wireless router has a different firmware i. Please make sure your router has a security password associated with the SSID. If you can log in to the wireless without a password, that must change. Make sure you use WPA2 as the encryption type. If your router doesn't have a password, this will be set up in the same administration console in which the SSID was configured the password will vary, depending upon which router you have. By default, this will be On.

Once you have your original router set up, and you know the SSID and the security password, it's time to hook up the second router. Before you connect the two routers, you need to log in to the second router and configure it. To do this, connect the second router to your computer via Cat5 ethernet cable and log in to the administration console the same way you logged into the first one. Once you're there, this is what you need to do:.

You're ready to connect the routers. Resist the urge to drop this router in the recycling bin, because you still have a chance to bend it to your will. You can check support for your exact router here:. I then jumped into the regular web interface for the Archer C7—by typing in the typical I did that, and I clicked the drop-down box and If you find yourself in this boat, you still have options.

This tutorial , though extensive, should be able to get your old router set up as a wifi extender. Every little bit helps. If a wireless connection is the only route forward, then check the documentation for your older router or rummage around the menus and look for a wireless bridge, extender or repeater mode. Again, router manufacturers play fast and loose with the names for this feature. Two routers can have the same name for a feature, but only one actually works as a way to extend another router.

Alternatively, they can have two different names for the same function. The only way to be sure is either to try each option or consult the manual for a description of the feature in question. The correct option will include a section where you can choose the SSID of the primary router and enter its password. Some routers might ask for the MAC address of the primary router or other more technical info. If the old router is a budget model, it may not have the ability at all.

There are several brands of custom third-party router firmware that add new functions to routers not included by the manufacturer. Often different models of routers will have the same hardware capability, but are artificially limited by the manufacturer. Custom firmware will give you full control. The performance of the connection using this method is usually not great. It can be acceptable for low-bandwidth applications such as browsing the web or checking emails, but not for HD video streaming or file transfers.