You can use an old router to extend Wi-Fi coverage by connecting it to your main router with Ethernet and configuring it as an access point (AP). The old router then broadcasts Wi-Fi from the wired connection. If it has no AP mode, a manual setup may work, but you must coordinate its LAN address and DHCP settings—and follow the instructions for that exact model.
Choose the right operating mode
For a spare router that will provide Wi-Fi in another area, a wired access point is usually the simplest option. TP-Link describes AP mode as turning a wired network connection into Wi-Fi, while ASUS describes connecting the secondary router to the main router over Ethernet to extend wireless coverage.
Other modes solve different problems. ASUS’s Media Bridge connects to the main router over Wi-Fi and provides Ethernet connectivity to client devices such as a computer, TV, or game console; it is not the same as an AP broadcasting Wi-Fi from a wired uplink. A repeater or range-extender mode retransmits a wireless connection where supported. Availability and behavior depend on the router model.
Check your router before setup
- Identify the exact model and hardware revision. Find the label on the router and check the manufacturer’s support page for instructions that match it. TP-Link directs users to select the correct hardware version; menu names and available features vary across models.
- Look for an AP mode. If the router offers one, use the manufacturer’s AP-mode instructions rather than improvising a manual configuration. In ASUS AP mode, NAT, firewall, and IP-sharing functions are disabled by default.
- Check the Ethernet port instructions. Do not assume every router uses the same port for the connection to the main router. Follow the model-specific directions for where to connect the cable.
- Prepare an Ethernet cable and note how you will manage the router. After changing its network settings, you may need to use a new management address or the vendor’s specified method to reach its configuration page.
Set up the old router in AP mode
When AP mode is available, use the router’s instructions for that model. The general arrangement is a wired connection from the main router to the old router, with the old router configured to provide Wi-Fi. The exact setup screens, cable port, and process for returning to the management interface vary by manufacturer and model.
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For example, TP-Link’s guide covers configuring a TP-Link router as an access point, and ASUS documents its AP operating mode and Ethernet connection method. NETGEAR notes that menu labels can differ by model, so match the instructions to your router rather than relying on a menu name from another device.
Configure a router manually if it has no AP mode
Manual configuration is more model-dependent. The key is to put the old router’s management address on the main router’s LAN subnet, keep that address outside the main router’s DHCP allocation range, and disable DHCP on the old router. Linksys documents these steps for its EA6700, while TP-Link provides manual LAN IP, wireless, and DHCP settings for models without an Operation Mode menu.
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- Find the main router’s LAN subnet and DHCP range. Use its administration interface or documentation. You need both values before choosing an address for the old router.
- Choose a free management address on that subnet, outside the DHCP range. Confirm that another device is not already using it. The address lets you return to the old router’s settings later.
- Set the old router’s LAN address to that free address. Use the instructions for the exact model; menus and field names differ.
- Disable the old router’s DHCP server. The main router should handle address assignment for the network.
- Configure the old router’s Wi-Fi and connect the routers as its manual specifies. Port choice and remaining settings are model-specific; do not assume the AP-mode cabling instructions apply to a manual setup.
- Save the settings and note the old router’s management address. After the change, use that address or the manufacturer’s recovery method to access it again. The exact recovery procedure depends on the router.
What to expect—and what not to assume
A wired AP adds a Wi-Fi access point connected to the existing network by Ethernet. The official setup guides explain how to configure that arrangement, but they do not establish a universal coverage radius, speed improvement, or seamless roaming behavior. Results depend on the hardware, placement, and home layout.
If you cannot run Ethernet, check whether your exact router supports a wireless repeater or another suitable wireless mode. Do not treat Media Bridge as interchangeable with a repeater or AP: in ASUS’s description, Media Bridge supplies wired connectivity to clients over a wireless link back to the main router.
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Manufacturer instructions
- TP-Link: How to Set Up a TP-Link Router as an Access Point (updated June 4, 2026).
- ASUS: Wireless Router—Introduction of Operation Mode (updated January 28, 2026).
- Linksys EA6700 User Guide (model-specific legacy manual).
- NETGEAR: How do I change my NETGEAR router to AP mode?
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