How to Use Your Router as a Repeater or Access Point

Using an Old Router as a Repeater or Access Point

If you have a spare router, you can repurpose it to extend your WiFi coverage instead of buying a range extender. There are two main approaches: wireless repeater mode and wired access point mode.

Option 1: Wired Access Point (Recommended)

The best option if you can run an Ethernet cable. The old router acts as an access point — a WiFi node that extends your network over a wired backhaul. Performance is excellent with no speed penalty.

1. Connect the old router to your main router via an Ethernet cable (LAN port on main router → LAN port on old router — not the WAN/Internet port).
2. Log into the old router's admin panel and set its IP to something outside your main router's DHCP range (e.g., 192.168.1.2 if your main router is 192.168.1.1 and DHCP starts at .100).
3. Disable DHCP on the old router (your main router will handle IP assignment for all devices).
4. Set the old router's WiFi SSID and password to match your main router's for seamless roaming, or use a different name if you prefer separate networks.

Option 2: Wireless Repeater Mode

If you cannot run a cable, most routers support a wireless repeater, extender, or WDS mode. Log into the old router and look for 'Wireless Repeater', 'Client Mode', 'Bridge Mode', or 'WDS' in the wireless settings. Select your main network, enter the password, and save. The old router will relay traffic wirelessly. Note that wireless repeaters roughly halve your bandwidth on the extended network.

Which Mode Is Better?

Wired access point mode is always preferable — full speed, stable connection, seamless roaming. Only use wireless repeater mode if running an Ethernet cable is not practical. For whole-home coverage, mesh WiFi systems (Eero, Orbi, Deco) are purpose-built and easier to configure than repurposed routers.