Learn How To Turn Your Old Router Into A Repeater

Some of you might face the problem of weak Wi-Fi signals in specific rooms in your house. However, it may not be feasible to spend a ton of money on installing a mesh network to boost up the connectivity. In that case, you can solve this problem with the help of an old router, which you may have in the house. 

With the help of this old router, you can get good coverage of Wi-Fi signals all over your house. But, if you dont have any such device in your possession, you can buy any router within your budget price. 

One good thing is that the router you will select as a repeater, it does not have to be from the same company or model, as that of the main router. This post is all about how to turn your old router into a repeater.

The Procedure to Turn Your Old Router into a Repeater 

So, to set up your old router as a repeater, you need to follow the given steps:

Find The IP Address of Your Router

To make this setup, first, you have to find out the primary router’s IP address. Also, determine the security type, and the channel broadcasted by it. For finding this information, you have to follow the given steps:

  1. First, you have to open the “Settings” on your PC. Within “Settings”, click on the option “Network and Internet”.
  2. After that, click on the link “Network and sharing center”. Then select the settings of your adapter.
  3. Next, you have to right-click on Wi-Fi. After that, click “Status” and click on the button denoted as “Details”.
  4. Lastly, you have to write the gateway address, which is the default address of your main router. 

Establish Connection With the Main Router

Now, you have to type in the gateway IP address into your Internet browser’s URL and press enter. After that, a setup screen for your router will appear. Then, you might be asked to enter the user name and password. 

If you have this information, you can put it in. However, if you are not aware of these details, you may find them at the bottom of your router. Additionally, you can also find the default username and password for your router’s model on the web.

Check The Settings of Your Wi-Fi

You will see a ton of settings you can change on your router. However, you should not configure it but, just have to check the settings. So that you can repeat the same settings on the secondary router. 

  1. On the homepage of your router, you will be able to find the channel, security type, and the name of the router.
  2. You have to note down this information. Then Log out.

Reset your Router to Factory Settings

The first thing you need to do with your old router is to reset it to its factory settings. You can do this process by following the steps:

  1. First, you have to switch on your router. 
  2. After that, you have to insert a small object like a pin or a paper clip into the reset hole. It is located at the back panel of the router.
  3. You have to hold the paper clip or the pin into the hole for about 40 seconds.
  4. Then, you will see that all of the lights have gone off and came back again. The router is now reset into its factory settings.

Configuration of the Second Router

You have to connect your secondary router to a computer, which should not be in your network. The most appropriate way will be to switch off your primary router for some time, while you set up this secondary router. 

However, if you are having only one computer, you have to temporarily disconnect it from your current Wi-Fi network. After you have connected your computer to your secondary router, go back to the 1st step and follow it till you get the configuration page. 

Apply the Copied Settings

Now, you have to apply the settings of your primary router to the secondary router. 

  1. Don’t pay attention to any of the setup wizards.
  2. After that, you have to enter the Wi-Fi settings. 
  3. Then, you have to change the wireless connection to enable mode.
  4. Now, you need to rename the network to the name of your primary router. 
  5. After that, select a channel, which is being used by the primary router. 
  6. Next, you have to make the security type to match exactly.
  7. Lastly, you have to set the password the same as the primary router. 

Assign the Secondary Router a Permanent IP Address

Now, you have to give the secondary router a permanent IP address so it can work with the primary router. Hence, to execute this process, you have to follow the given steps:

  1. You have to enter the LAN setup page and then assign an IP address to the router. This IP address should be well within the range of the primary router. At the same time, it must be outside the DHCP address as well.
  2. After that, you need to uncheck the DHCP on the configuration page so that it is disabled. 
  3. Then, you have to apply a new address, which is outside the address range assigned by the router.
  4. Now, save the new settings. Lastly, wait until the reboot is completed.  

Connect The Routers

Now, the time has come to assemble it. The most appropriate and effective way to connect the routers is by using cheap powerline networking adapters.

The powerline networking adapters act as a networking cable. Also, it passes electricity by using the primary power cables on the floors and the walls.

By turning both of the routers on, you can test the strength of your network. Take your smartphone, laptop or tablet and check the strength when near any of them or far away. You will find that the reach of your signal strength have increased considerably.  

Wireless Connection

Your old router or the one you have purchased to be your secondary device may have the feature of increasing the Wi-Fi coverage. This feature will not require any powerline adaptors or network cables.

Almost all the famous brand routers have the feature of repeater mode. This feature is called “WDS” (Wireless Distribution System).

The name for this feature varies for different brands. However, the basic step to set it up is to locate the repeater mode within the configuration tool. Then, you have to enter the information regarding the network asked by the router. 

It is to be noted that this feature has a possibility of not working with routers from different brands. 

Conclusion

So, by following the steps discussed in the article, you can very easily turn your old router into a repeater. This is very useful if you want to increase your signal strength without spending a lot of money. 

Mario C. Morrissey
Mario C. Morrissey
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