Can A Router Be Used As A WiFi Extender?

Yes, a router can work as a Wi-Fi extender by using access point, repeater, or mesh modes with the right setup.

Here’s the short take: you can press an old router into range-boosting duty in three ways—wire it as an access point, link it over Wi-Fi as a repeater, or fold it into a mesh. The access point route gives the best speeds when you can run Ethernet. Repeater mode adds coverage without cables, but single-radio gear will cut throughput on that band. Brand-matched mesh is the most seamless path when both routers support the same system.

Can A Router Be Used As A WiFi Extender? Setup Options That Work

Quick check: pick the method that matches the room layout and hardware you own. If a cable reach is possible, go access point. If not, try WDS or a vendor’s repeater mode. Mesh offers roaming polish when the models match.

If you’re wondering, can a router be used as a wifi extender?, the short answer is yes, and the best way is the access point path when you can run Ethernet. Repeater mode works too, but plan around lower peak rates on the linked band.

Method 1 — Access Point Over Ethernet (Best For Speed)

With an Ethernet backhaul, the second router broadcasts Wi-Fi while the main router keeps routing and DHCP. Many brands include a built-in Access Point mode that flips the unit into radio-only duty and disables NAT and firewall tasks. Netgear exposes this under Advanced > Advanced Setup > Wireless AP. Asus offers the same toggle under Operation Mode. TP-Link firmware often has an AP mode or lets you mimic it by turning off DHCP and wiring LAN-to-LAN. These routes keep one network, one NAT, and clean device discovery across the home.

Disable extra DHCP — Turn off the DHCP server on the second router or switch it to AP mode so only the main router hands out addresses.
Use LAN-to-LAN — Plug the Ethernet from the main router into a LAN port on the second unit, not the WAN port, unless the vendor’s AP mode says otherwise.
Pick channels smartly — On 2.4 GHz, separate channels by at least three steps (1/6/11). On 5 GHz, pick a clean channel away from DFS alarms if your clients drop on radar hits.
Match SSID or not — You can reuse the same SSID and password for smooth switching, or name it differently to force-connect a device to the nearer radio.
Give it a fixed IP — Assign the AP a static address inside the main subnet so you can reach its admin page later.

Method 2 — Wireless Repeater / WDS Bridge

When you can’t pull a cable, the old router can relay traffic over Wi-Fi. Vendors label this as Repeater, Range Extender, Universal Repeater, or WDS. The extender listens and rebroadcasts on the same or another band. With single-radio gear repeating on one band, available throughput on that band drops because the radio takes turns to receive and then send. Dual-band devices can link on one band and serve clients on the other to ease that hit.

Confirm support — Check the firmware for Repeater or WDS. Some models only link cleanly with same-brand gear or limit encryption options.
Mind WPA modes — WDS on older gear may not pair under WPA2 or WPA3. Many routers only do WPA2-PSK in WDS, and some pairs won’t link across brands.
Place at mid-signal — Set the repeater where it still sees a strong signal from the main router. A weak feed in equals weak Wi-Fi out.
Use separate SSID — A distinct name helps you steer devices to the extended zone and test easily.
Prefer Ethernet backhaul if possible — If the model supports it, plugging a cable to the repeater and switching it to AP mode restores full radio airtime.

Method 3 — Brand Mesh Pairing

Some routers can join a same-brand mesh that shares one SSID, one admin app, and fast roaming aids. Asus calls this AiMesh. Netgear and TP-Link ship similar systems. If your spare router supports the same mesh family as your main router, this path gives painless handoffs and band steering with less manual tuning.

Using A Router As A Wi-Fi Extender: Pros And Tradeoffs

Deeper fix: choose based on the bottleneck you face. If speed drops at distance, wired APs shine. If you just need a bar or two in a dead room and can live with lower peak rates, a repeater can tide you over. Mesh is friendly when the household wants one sign-in and less tinkering.

Method	Setup Effort	What You Get
Access Point (Ethernet)	Run cable; flip AP mode or disable DHCP	Best speeds, one subnet, simple management
Wireless Repeater / WDS	Firmware pairing; careful placement	Wider reach without cables; lower throughput on linked band
Same-Brand Mesh	App-guided pairing	Single SSID, roaming polish, vendor features

Step-By-Step: Turn An Old Router Into An Access Point

Update both firmwares — Install the latest stable firmware on the main router and the old unit to fix bugs and add modes.
Pick an IP plan — Note your main router’s LAN, then pick an unused address for the AP in the same subnet.
Disable the AP’s DHCP — In AP mode this is automatic; if not, turn off the DHCP server so the main router is the only lease source.
Wire LAN-to-LAN — Connect a cable from a LAN port on the main router to a LAN port on the AP. Leave the WAN port unused unless the vendor’s AP wizard asks for it.
Set SSID and channels — Reuse the same SSID and password for both bands if you like, and space channels to limit overlap.
Test roam and speed — Walk the house with a phone, watch the signal and speed tests, and tweak placement or channels.

Step-By-Step: Try Repeater Or WDS Mode

Check for Repeater/WDS — Look in wireless settings or operation mode for Repeater, Range Extender, Universal Repeater, or WDS.
Match SSID security — Copy the main network’s SSID, band, and password format. Many WDS links only work with WPA2-PSK.
Choose link band — If the unit is dual-band, bind the backhaul on 5 GHz and serve clients on 2.4 GHz to keep airtime free.
Place at 50–70% signal — Set the extender roughly halfway between the dead zone and the main router’s sweet spot.
Watch throughput — Run a speed test near the extender and compare with a wired test at the main router to see the hit from repeating.

Can A Router Be Used As A WiFi Extender? Common Pitfalls And Fixes

Double NAT — If clients can’t see printers or consoles can’t open ports, the second router may still be routing. Switch to AP mode or wire LAN-to-LAN.
IP conflicts — Two DHCP servers on one subnet fight. Turn off the extra one or move to AP mode.
WDS encryption mismatch — Some brands won’t link with WPA2-Enterprise or WPA3 in WDS. Drop to WPA2-PSK if the vendor lists that as the only option.
Mismatched channels — Auto channel on both radios can cause flapping. Lock channels after surveying your area with a scanner app.
Weak backhaul — If the repeater sits in a low-signal spot, everything slows. Move it closer or pull a cable.

Mesh Vs Access Point Vs Repeater: Picking The Right Path

All three paths extend range, but they feel different to live with. A wired access point keeps full airtime for clients and is easy to manage once you set the IP and SSIDs. A repeater can fill a tough corner without pulling cable, yet single-radio gear shares airtime, so peak rates fall. Mesh pairs offer clean roaming and vendor tools, and they shine when both units share the same system. If your spare router supports a mesh family with your main router, that’s an easy win. Many readers ask, can a router be used as a wifi extender?, and the mesh route is a clean pick when both units share the same family.

Tip: if Ethernet is out of reach, try MoCA over coax or a pair of Powerline adapters to feed the access point with a steadier link.

Fast Placement And Setup Tips

Place radios smartly — Keep routers off the floor, away from big metal, and clear of thick walls.
Use wired backhaul when you can — Even a flat Ethernet along a baseboard or MoCA/Powerline link can feed an AP with steadier rates.
Name 2.4 and 5 GHz well — If you split SSIDs, append “-2G” and “-5G” so you can steer sticky devices.
Reserve channels — On 2.4 GHz pick 1, 6, or 11. On 5 GHz avoid crowded DFS ranges if your clients get kicked by radar events.
Keep firmware current — Old builds may hide AP or WDS modes or break WPA links. Update before you judge the setup.

Sources And Further Reading

Brand guides and tech notes on AP, repeater, WDS, and mesh modes:

One more note: single-radio repeaters share airtime and can halve usable throughput on the linked band; a wired AP or a dual-band backhaul avoids that drop. WDS links may be picky about brand and encryption, so always confirm support in the manual before you start.