Can I use a normal router as a WiFi extender?

Breathe New Life into Your Old Router: Turning it into a WiFi Extender

That old router gathering dust in your closet might just be the solution to your WiFi woes. Instead of letting it languish, you can repurpose it as a WiFi extender, significantly boosting the reach of your existing wireless network and banishing those frustrating dead zones. While purpose-built WiFi extenders are readily available, utilizing a spare router is a cost-effective and surprisingly straightforward alternative.

Why Turn Your Router into a WiFi Extender?

Think of your WiFi signal like a pebble dropped in a pond. The ripples (your signal strength) diminish as they travel further from the source. Walls, furniture, and even appliances can further weaken the signal, creating areas where your devices struggle to connect or experience sluggish speeds. A WiFi extender acts as a relay, catching the signal from your main router and re-broadcasting it, effectively expanding the coverage area.

Using a spare router offers several advantages:

• Cost-Effective Solution: Avoid purchasing a new extender when you already own a perfectly capable device.
• Enhanced Control: You have more granular control over settings compared to some dedicated extenders.
• Potential for Better Performance: Depending on the specifications of your router, it might offer better performance than a cheaper, entry-level extender.

The Key to Success: Strategic Placement

The placement of your repurposed router is crucial. It needs to be within a strong signal range of your main router, ideally halfway between your main router and the area where you experience weak WiFi. Think of it as needing to hear the message clearly before it can effectively repeat it.

Consider these factors when selecting a location:

• Proximity to Main Router: Aim for a location where the signal strength from your main router is at least 50%. You can use a WiFi analyzer app on your smartphone or laptop to measure signal strength.
• Minimal Obstructions: Walls, especially those made of concrete or metal, significantly impede WiFi signals. Try to position the extender in a line of sight with the main router, or with as few obstructions as possible.
• Away from Interference: Keep the extender away from other electronic devices that could cause interference, such as microwaves, Bluetooth devices, and large metal objects.

How to Configure Your Router as a WiFi Extender (General Steps):

While the specific steps will vary depending on your router’s make and model, here’s a general overview:

1. Access the Router’s Settings: Connect your computer to the spare router using an Ethernet cable. Open a web browser and enter the router’s IP address (usually found on a sticker on the router itself, or in the router’s manual). You’ll be prompted to enter a username and password (again, often found on the router or in the manual).
2. Change the Router’s IP Address: To avoid conflicts with your main router, change the spare router’s IP address to one within the same subnet as your main router, but outside the DHCP range. For example, if your main router’s IP address is 192.168.1.1 and its DHCP range is 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.200, you could set the spare router’s IP address to 192.168.1.2.
3. Disable DHCP Server: Disable the DHCP server on the spare router. This prevents it from assigning IP addresses to devices, which is already handled by your main router.
4. Set the Wireless Mode to Bridge or Repeater: Many routers have a “Bridge” or “Repeater” mode. This mode allows the router to connect to your existing WiFi network and rebroadcast the signal. Look for this setting in the wireless configuration section.
5. Connect to Your Existing WiFi Network: In repeater mode, you’ll need to select your existing WiFi network and enter the password.
6. Set the Same SSID and Password (Optional): To create a seamless roaming experience, you can optionally set the SSID (network name) and password of the spare router to be the same as your main router. However, this can sometimes cause connection issues if not implemented correctly. A safer alternative is to create a separate SSID for the extender, allowing you to manually connect devices to the stronger signal.

Important Considerations:

• Router Compatibility: Not all routers are created equal. Older routers or those with limited features might not support bridge or repeater mode.
• Double-Check the Manual: Refer to your router’s manual for specific instructions and settings.
• Firmware Updates: Ensure your router’s firmware is up-to-date for optimal performance and security.

By following these steps and strategically positioning your spare router, you can effectively extend your WiFi network’s reach and enjoy a more reliable and consistent internet experience throughout your home or office. So, before you rush out to buy a new extender, dust off that old router and give it a new purpose!