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You can improve Wi‑Fi coverage without buying new networking equipment. An old router can become a wired access point, a wireless repeater, or an 802.11s mesh node; a Raspberry Pi or spare Linux PC can run a configurable hotspot. The best choice depends on whether you can run Ethernet, which wireless modes your hardware supports, and how much configuration you are willing to maintain.
Choose the upgrade by backhaul and hardware support
The backhaul is the connection carrying traffic between the added node and your main router. Ethernet is dedicated and predictable. Wireless repeaters use radio capacity for the uplink, while mesh systems coordinate that wireless path according to their supported architecture. None of these options guarantees a particular Mbps increase: walls, interference, channel congestion, client radios and backhaul quality determine the result.
| Upgrade | Backhaul | What you must verify | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old router in access-point mode | Ethernet | AP/bridge mode, or configurable LAN and DHCP settings | A fixed room reached by network cable |
| Old router as repeater | Wireless | Compatible firmware, radios and uplink mode | A room where Ethernet is impractical |
| 802.11s mesh node | Wireless mesh link | Explicit 802.11s support on both routers | A compatible multi-node wireless design |
| Raspberry Pi hotspot | Its network connection, with Wi‑Fi provided by the Pi or adapter | NetworkManager support and a Wi‑Fi board or adapter that supports the required band | A configurable, small hotspot |
| Spare Linux PC access point | Its network connection, with Wi‑Fi provided by an AP-capable adapter | Driver and adapter support for AP mode | Testing, temporary coverage or a flexible secondary node |
Before deploying any old device, check its exact hardware revision and firmware support. Do not make an obsolete router your primary internet gateway if it no longer receives security updates.
1. Turn an old router into a wired access point
This is usually the simplest and most reliable upgrade when Ethernet can reach the weak-coverage room. The second router uses a wired backhaul, so it does not spend wireless airtime relaying traffic to the main router.
#1 Best Overall
- Dual-band Wi-Fi with 5 GHz speeds up to 867 Mbps and 2.4 GHz speeds up to 300 Mbps, delivering 1200 Mbps of total bandwidth¹. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- Covers up to 1,000 sq. ft. with four external antennas for stable wireless connections and optimal coverage.
- Supports IGMP Proxy/Snooping, Bridge and Tag VLAN to optimize IPTV streaming
- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
- Advanced Security with WPA3 - The latest Wi-Fi security protocol, WPA3, brings new capabilities to improve cybersecurity in personal networks
Using the router’s AP or bridge mode
- Open the old router’s administration interface and select its access-point or bridge mode, if available.
- Connect an Ethernet cable from a LAN port on the main router to the LAN port specified by the old router’s AP instructions.
- Configure the Wi‑Fi name and security. Matching the main router’s SSID and encryption can allow client devices to roam, although roaming behavior depends on the client and access-point implementations.
- Save the settings, reboot if requested, and test from the target room.
Fallback when there is no dedicated AP mode
- Give the old router a LAN address inside the main router’s subnet, choosing an address that does not conflict with the main router or its DHCP pool.
- Disable the old router’s DHCP server so the main router remains the only device assigning addresses.
- Leave the old router’s WAN port unused and connect the Ethernet cable LAN-to-LAN.
- Configure Wi‑Fi credentials, then reconnect to the new access point and confirm that devices receive addresses from the main router.
If clients cannot reach the internet after this fallback setup, check the LAN address, DHCP setting and cable port first. A cable accidentally connected to the old router’s WAN port creates a different, routed arrangement.
2. Reuse the router as a wireless repeater
A repeater is useful when you cannot run Ethernet, but its wireless uplink competes with local Wi‑Fi capacity. OpenWrt’s relayd configuration uses one radio or interface as a wireless client uplink and another radio or interface as the local access point.
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- NIGHTHAWK WIFI 6 ROUTER FOR YOUR WHOLE HOME: Delivers fast, reliable WiFi across every room of your apartment or small home for streaming, gaming, video calls, and smart home devices, all running at the same time without slowing each other down.
- WORKS WITH YOUR EXISTING INTERNET SERVICE: Pairs with your existing modem or gateway via ethernet. Compatible with most cable, fiber, DSL, and satellite providers. Some gateways and modem router combos may require bridge mode. No coax needed.
- SET UP AND MANAGE YOUR NETWORK WITH THE NIGHTHAWK APP: Download the free Nighthawk app on iOS or Android for guided setup. Manage WiFi, run speed tests, pause devices, and set up guest networks from anywhere. Active internet required.
- READY FOR THE DEVICES YOU ALREADY OWN: Your phones, laptops, and TVs work right out of the box. WiFi 6 delivers speeds up to 1.8 Gbps across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Backward compatible with WiFi 5 and earlier.
- COVERAGE IN EVERY ROOM: Covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. for up to 20 connected devices. Walls, floors, and interference can reduce range. Larger or multi-story homes may benefit from a NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi system.
Configure the wireless link
- Confirm that the spare router’s firmware supports a repeater or relay configuration and that its radios can operate in the required client and access-point roles.
- Set the uplink interface to join the main router’s Wi‑Fi, entering the correct SSID, encryption type and password.
- Configure the local access point on the spare router. You can use the same SSID and encryption as the main router for a single-name network, or separate credentials while testing and troubleshooting.
- Apply the configuration and place the repeater where it still receives a solid signal from the main router, rather than at the dead zone’s far edge.
OpenWrt describes relayd as a fallback when preferred WDS or 802.11s support is unavailable. Compatibility is device- and network-dependent, so a configuration that works on one router revision may fail on another. If clients connect but cannot reach local resources or the internet, revisit the relay mode, address assignment and upstream compatibility instead of assuming that a stronger antenna will solve it.
3. Build an 802.11s mesh node
802.11s is a mesh architecture, not simply a repeater setting. It is appropriate only when both the main router and the spare router explicitly support 802.11s.
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- 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕: Powered by Wi-Fi 7 technology, enjoy faster speeds with Multi-Link Operation, increased reliability with Multi-RUs, and more data capacity with 4K-QAM, delivering enhanced performance for all your devices.
- 𝐁𝐄𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫: Delivers up to 2882 Mbps (5 GHz), and 688 Mbps (2.4 GHz) speeds for 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming & more. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance, and obstacles like walls.
- 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐆𝐢𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝟐.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟑×𝟏𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬: Maximize Gigabitplus internet with one 2.5G WAN/LAN port, one 2.5 Gbps LAN port, plus three additional 1 Gbps LAN ports. Break the 1G barrier for seamless, high-speed connectivity from the internet to multiple LAN devices for enhanced performance.
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- 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫 - Covers up to 2,000 sq. ft. for up to 60 devices at a time. 4 internal antennas and beamforming technology focus Wi-Fi signals toward hard-to-reach areas. Seamlessly connect phones, TVs, and gaming consoles.
Verify before changing firmware
- Check support for 802.11s on both exact router models and hardware revisions.
- Confirm that the mesh implementation supports the radio bands and security settings you plan to use.
- Back up the current configuration and keep a wired recovery path available before flashing or changing network roles.
After configuring the mesh mode described by the router’s firmware, add the second router as a node, set the network security consistently, and test coverage while moving between rooms. Mesh support does not remove the effects of walls, interference or limited radio capacity; it simply uses a different wireless architecture than a basic relay.
4. Use a Raspberry Pi as a hotspot
A Raspberry Pi can provide a small, configurable hotspot through NetworkManager. The official workflow uses this command:
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- 𝐖𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Get up to 2,400 sq. ft. max coverage for up to 90 devices at a time. 6x high performance antennas and Beamforming technology, ensures reliable connections for remote workers, gamers, students, and more.
- 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚-𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝟐.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 - 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port, 1x 2.5 Gbps LAN port and 3x 1 Gbps LAN ports offer high-speed data transmissions.³ Integrate with a multi-gig modem for gigplus internet.
- 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
sudo nmcli device wifi hotspot ssid <example-network-name> password <example-password>Set it up
- Connect the Pi to the network that will provide upstream access, using Ethernet or another supported connection.
- Run the NetworkManager hotspot command with your chosen network name and a strong password.
- Connect a phone or laptop to the new SSID and test both internet access and access to any local services you need.
- Inspect the exact Pi board and wireless adapter specifications before expecting 5 GHz operation. Some boards and adapters do not support 5 GHz.
A Pi is attractive when you need scripting, custom firewall rules or a temporary access point. It is not automatically dual-band, and its capabilities depend on the board, adapter and driver rather than the command alone.
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5. Make a spare Linux PC a secondary access point
An old Linux laptop or mini-PC can perform the same hotspot role when its Wi‑Fi adapter and driver support access-point mode. If the built-in adapter cannot do that, a compatible USB Wi‑Fi adapter may solve the problem.
Best Value
- Dual band router upgrades to 1200 Mbps high speed internet (300mbps for 2.4GHz plus 900Mbps for 5GHz), reducing buffering and ideal for 4K stream
- Full Gigabit Ports - Gigabit Router with 4 Gigabit LAN ports, ideal for any internet plan and allow you to directly connect your wired devices
- Boosted Coverage - Four external antennas equipped with Beamforming technology extend and concentrate the Wi-Fi signals
- MU-MIMO technology - (5GHz band) allows high speeds for multiple devices simultaneously
- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
Use it as a temporary or experimental node
- Verify AP-mode support for the exact adapter and Linux driver before planning the installation.
- Connect the PC to the upstream network, then create a hotspot with the system’s NetworkManager tools or distribution-specific network settings.
- Test client connectivity, DNS and local-network access from the intended room.
- Account for power draw and heat if an older desktop will run continuously; a laptop or mini-PC may be more practical for a node that stays on.
This approach offers flexibility but generally requires more maintenance than a purpose-built router. Treat it as a useful experiment, temporary node or specialized hotspot unless you are prepared to maintain its operating system and wireless drivers.
Roaming, security and troubleshooting
One SSID or two?
Matching the main router’s SSID, encryption and password can let clients roam between access points. It does not guarantee seamless handoff because the client device and access-point implementations decide when to move. Separate credentials make it easier to identify which node a device is using while you test placement and coverage.
Quick Recap
Common failure checks
- No internet through a wired AP: verify LAN-to-LAN cabling, disable the secondary DHCP server and confirm the old router’s LAN address is in the main subnet.
- Repeater connects but performance is poor: move it closer to the main router and check for channel congestion; the wireless uplink shares radio capacity with clients.
- Mesh setup will not join: confirm 802.11s support on both devices and match the required security and band settings.
- Pi or PC hotspot cannot start: check NetworkManager status, adapter drivers and AP-mode support; a different USB adapter may be required.
- Devices keep selecting the wrong node: temporarily use separate SSIDs to measure each location, then decide whether a shared SSID is worthwhile.
Which option should you choose?
- Use a wired access point when you can run Ethernet. It offers the most predictable backhaul and usually the least complicated setup.
- Use a wireless repeater only when the spare router’s firmware and radios support the required mode.
- Choose 802.11s mesh when both routers explicitly support it and you want a mesh architecture rather than a basic relay.
- Use a Raspberry Pi when you want a compact, configurable hotspot and have compatible Wi‑Fi hardware.
- Use a spare PC for a flexible experiment or temporary node, provided its adapter supports AP mode and its power use is acceptable.
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