Wi-Fi to lan router. How To Add a Second Router to Your Wireless Network

Why Wi-Fi not working but ethernet is? Here’s how to fix it.

Wi-Fi problems can be quite serious, particularly if the Internet via Ethernet works just fine but not the Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is the favored connection for so many users, especially since it is done with modern portable devices like laptops and phones.

Connecting and configuring Wi-Fi is not a big deal. Be that as it may, even in a particularly perfect system, once in a while errors occur, because of which Wi-Fi stops working. The most well-known is a problem with connecting a Wi-Fi router.

Although here and much less often there are various errors and difficulties, such as the major case when the Internet of Wi-Fi doesn’t work but ethernet does great.

In such instances of Wi-Fi problems, the problem can be easily fixed on your own without resorting to the assistance of wizards. The main task is to accurately analyze the faulty network segment, and this article will tell you how to fix the issue.

Wi-Fi is Not Working But Ethernet is Working: Here’s the Solution to how to fix this problem.

The only fact that the LAN i.e Hardwired connection is fully functional indicates the settings of your PC or router. For this reason, I have made a list of potential solutions to help you fix this issue forever. In the event that you can connect with a LAN cable but Wi-Fi isn’t working, make sure to follow these steps.

Step 1: Check your router

To start with the router is the one causing Wi-Fi issues. The obvious way is to try to connect to the network and check using another device, like a smartphone, or another PC. If you can connect and Internet access is completely functional, proceed with the other step.

• Restart your Desktop/Laptop.
• Reboot your modem and router. Turn it off and stand by some time before turning it back on.
• Chech physical Wi-Fi switch. Every router has a dedicated Wi-Fi switch, so ensure sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
• Additionally, check your laptop for Wi-Fi switches. This applies to the function button(FN).
• Hard reset of router and modem. You can do this with the little physical button situated at the base or in your router settings.
• Connect your router and PC with an Ethernet Port through a cable and paste the specified IP address into the search bar of your browser. Paste in your credentials and search for the Factory Reset option in Settings.
• Updating the router’s firmware.

These are some of the more common troubleshooting steps that should resolve all issues related to the Wi-Fi router. Then again, we can’t avoid the possibility of a router failure, so there is that as well. Power surges, physical damage, or overheating can malfunction hardware, which certainly is a router.

Step 2: Windows troubleshooter

Now I’ve reached the conclusion that the connection issues are identified with the PC and nothing else (router or ISP issues), you should attempt to fix the issue with the Windows troubleshooter. The usefulness of this troubleshooting tool is too often overlooked.

To begin with, it will do whatever you can manually do (most things). Second, even if it can’t help you, it will give you a better understanding of the instigator of the problem.

So don’t hesitate to utilize the Windows troubleshooter for all network-related issues, including the one we’re solving today. Here are the steps by which to run it on Windows 10:

• Hold the button Windows I simultaneously to open Settings.
• Open the section of Update Security.
• Select Troubleshoot button from the list given on the left side.
• Highlight Internet Connection Troubleshooter and ‘Run the troubleshooter’.
• Wait for the troubleshooting to complete and ideally fix your Wi-Fi connection issue.
• You can likewise run the Incoming Connections troubleshooter.

Step 3: Flush DNS

DNS stands for Domain Name System is a vital naming system on the web. Its fundamental reason is to act as a translator between IP address and hostname, replacing the well-known “www.website.com” with an IP address and vice versa.

That being said, the DNS collects the cache, and as we all know, heaps of stored cache generally mean problems.

Presently it isn’t exactly simple to flush DNS and clear the corresponding cache. To do this, you should use the command line and several commands. Luckily, I’ve provided the following steps, so make sure to follow them:

• First, run the command prompt as the administrator by searching on the search bar.
• At the command prompt, enter the following commands and press Enter after each:

• ipconfig / release
• ipconfig / renew

• After this, close Command Prompt and try to connect to Wi-Fi again.

Step 4: Resetting Winsock and IP stacks

While we’re at the core Internet Protocols and Windows Embedded Applications. let’s enable Winshock and Internet Protocols (TCP / IP). Winsock is a key part of the system communication between your computer and the Internet, and like some other inherent Windows applications.

It cannot be reinstalled. You can simply dump it. The same goes for IP stacks (both IPv4 and its successor IPv6). Certainly, certain network stalls should permit this.

Now there are two different ways to reset these parts: by means of the command line and using a special utility. However, it isn’t noted if the tool supports Windows 10, so I will explain the procedure manually. To reset the Winsock and IP stacks, follow these given steps:

• First, again run the command prompt as the administrator by searching on the search bar.
• At the command prompt, enter the following command and press Enter:

• netsh winsock reset directory
• From that point onward, paste these commands to reset the IPv4 and IPv6 stacks and press enter after each:

• netsh int ipv4 reset reset.log
• netsh int ipv6 reset reset.log

In the event that the issue persists, continue with the steps below.

Step 5: Different frequency Band

The vast majority of the existing routers use dual-Band technology. This implies you can pick somewhere in the range of 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The previous is increasingly slow and mostly used by non-pc devices, but its reach is significantly greater and it supports older devices.

Then again, the 5GHz Band is much less saturated and faster, however, numerous legacy PCs will not have the option to get to it, and signal flow is effortlessly blocked by rigid obstructions like walls.

So be sure to switch between them and look for changes. On the other hand, you can choose an alternate Wi-Fi channel. The best channels to use are 1, 6, and 11. Here’s the way to choose one in the advanced adapter settings:

• Open the control panel by searching in the search bar and open the section of Network and Internet.
• Select Network and Sharing Center.
• Click ” Change adapter settings ” in the left list.
• Right-click on your Wi-Fi adapter and open Properties.
• Click Configure.
• Select the section Advanced tab in the menu.
• In the scrolling list, look for the term “WZC IBSS Numbers Channel”.
• Select channels 1, 6, or 11 starting from the drop menu on the right and confirm the changes.

Step 6: Reinstall the drivers

Drivers are another blameworthy part that is often neglected. While the generic drivers provided by Windows Update should work without issue, this isn’t generally the situation. Some of the time they will not meet the requirements and the wireless adapter will endure simultaneously.

Without genuine drivers, your device won’t associate properly or the network connection will be unstable.

Now, as should be obvious, there are 3 options regarding drivers. You can remove them and let the system update them automatically. Another way is to go to the OEM support site and download the proper driver. And the third alternative is to utilize TweakBit Driver Updater and allowed it to emphasize all the drivers on your system.

If you are a more advanced user, here are the steps you ought to follow to determine and resolve your network driver problems:

• Open the Device Manager and by right-clicking on the start.
• Expand the Network Adapters.
• Right-click on Wireless Adapter and update it and restart your computer.
• If that’s not enough, right-click your Wireless Network Adapter again and open Properties.
• Click the Details tab.
• Select Hardware Ids from the drop-down menu.
• Copy the first line and paste it into your browser.
• Find the official OEM support website accordingly and download the driver.
• Install the driver and restart your computer.

Step 7: Disabling IPv4 or IPv6

At last, you can have a go at disabling one of the web protocols and moving from that point. They generally function admirably when combined, however now and then an absence of synergy can cause issues. Obviously, you can disable the former or the latter, yet not both. Most older Wi-Fi cards should be easier with IPv4, so remember that.

Here are the steps by which you can disable IPv4 or IPv6 on Windows 10:

• Open the notification area of ​​the taskbar right-click the Wireless Network icon and then select Open Network and Internet Settings.
• Click on the Change adapter settings.
• Right-click on your Wi-Fi adapter and open Properties.
• Disable IPv6, confirm changes, and look for improvements.
• In the event that the problem still continues, re-enable IPv6 and disable IPv4.

Final Words

There’s nothing more to it. If none of the above-mentioned steps helped you connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi, we recommend that you contact your ISP’s tech support.

If the router is flawed and you need a replacement. Also, don’t forget to share your questions or suggestions with me. The Комментарии и мнения владельцев section is just below, and I appreciate your feedback on this.

If your problem of “Wi-Fi doesn’t work but ethernet does” is solved and the given steps worked then don’t forget to share.

How To Add a Second Router to Your Wireless Network

If you experience poor wireless network connections in your home or business, then you might want to add a second router to extend the range of your network.

Adding a second router to your wireless network can improve the reach of your Wi-Fi. By now, you probably already know the Wi-Fi blackout areas in your home. Placing the second router in those areas should get you the full coverage.

For the most part, it’s not that hard to add the second router to your Wi-Fi, but there are still a few things you need to know. This article explains each method in detail and offers some tips on which equipment works best.

Before You Start

The Wi-Fi router range depends on the standard it supports. For example, Wireless N routers (802.11n) offer better range compared to Wireless-G routers.

It is best to use two 802.11n routers, but a Wireless-G as the second router may work fine as well. Make sure you know the passkey and SSID for each router if you set up a wireless connection.

The position of the second router is also important. You can keep it next to the computer for configuration and then move it to the blackout area in your home.

Different Ways to Connect Routers

To put it simply, you can connect routers in two different ways, LAN to LAN or LAN to WAN. An LAN to LAN connection involves connecting two routers via Ethernet cable, although you make a LAN to WAN connection in a similar way, it performs differently.

Connecting Two Routers with an Ethernet Cable

There are a few different ways to connect routers, let’s start with the simplest method.

• Plug the Ethernet cable into any LAN port on the main router.
• Now, plug the other end of the cable into the WAN port, sometimes labeled Internet, of the second router.

We’re not quite done, we need to do some configuring.

Configuring the Second Router

• Now, login to the website of the second router. You can find all the necessary info on the bottom of the router.
• From here, set up the internet connection as DHCP. This just means an IP address will be assigned automatically.
• Set the Wi-Fi name and password.
• When ready, click Save and then Apply.

Connecting Two Routers Wirelessly

With this method, the second router functions as a switch.

• As mentioned above, start by plugging one end of an Ethernet cable into an LAN port on the main router and the other end into the WAN port of the second router.

Now that the simple part is out of the way, let’s get to configuring.

Configuring the Second Router

To increase the reach of your Wi-Fi signal, you can use the second router as a repeater. The entire procedure doesn’t take too much time and there are only a few steps.

Step 1

You need to determine the Subnet Mask and the IP address of your main router.

• Launch the Command Prompt on Windows and type “ipconfig/all”. The value you are looking for is under Default Gateway. Mac users should launch the Terminal app and type “ifconfig | grep inet”.

Copy and paste your IP address into a browser address bar. If you are using Internet Explorer, add http:// in front of the address to prevent error messages. Now you need to enter the username and password to access the settings.

Step 2

• Select Wireless Settings and write down the channel, Wireless mode, and the SSID. Make sure to note your passwords and security mode (WPA2, WPA, or WEP). At this point, you can proceed to configure the second router.
• Reset the second router to factory settings and connect it to the main router via Ethernet cable. Of course, the router needs to be turned on.

Step 3

• Launch your browser and type 192.168.1.1, which is usually the default IP address. D-Link and Netgear routers have 192.168.0.1 as the default IP address.
• Once inside Settings, change all the values to match your main router. These include the channel, the Wireless mode, and the security mode. The SSID can be different so it’s easier for you to distinguish between the two routers.

Step 4

• Navigate to Advanced Routing under Setup and switch to Router Mode. Some routers might have the mode labeled as NAT, and you have to disable it in that case.
• You also need to disable the DHCP Server because your main router assigns IP addresses to the connected devices.
• Afterward, you need to change the IP address of the second router to any free address. For example, if the IP address on your main router is 192.168.30.1, assign 192.168.30.2 to the second router.
• Don’t forget that the routers need to have the same Subnet mask. Once you are done, hit Save and exit the browser.

Benefits and Downsides of Connecting Routers

As said, the second router increases the wireless range, and you can even daisy-chain a few routers using the same method. But you should know that your internet speed might suffer, especially if you have only one outbound connection.

At the same time, two routers on the same network allow you to access all your shared files throughout the network. You can move, copy, and paste files, or play music, movies, and pictures on any computer or mobile device that’s connected.

However, file sharing comes with some security concerns. Anyone who has access to your wireless network can access the files as well. connected devices translate to more security risks, which is why it’s important to install antivirus software.

Extending the Wireless Range

You don’t have to be super tech-savvy to add a second router to your wireless network. Also, if you have an old router, you can always repurpose it to get a better Wi-Fi reach.

But remember that this affects the strength of your Wi-Fi signal. This shouldn’t be too much of a problem, though, unless you are using streaming services and other Wi-Fi intensive apps.

How to Extend a Home Network

Most people want to access the Internet from any room in the house/office and maybe even in the garden or summer house.

Although most people will want extended Wireless (Wi-Fi) access we will also look at how to extend both wired and wireless access.

If we start with a basic home network consisting of a single Wireless access point (WAP) that is part of the Wireless router as described in building a home network and shown below:

The home router is the hub of the network as it connects your home network to the Internet.

This basic configuration can be extended to provide both wired and Wireless access using a variety of methods and illustrated in the network diagram below:

Extending Wi-Fi Access

Before you go to the trouble of extending a network it is a good idea to try an get a better signal by relocating the router/Wireless access point if possible.

If we assume that the present WAP (Wireless Access Point) covers area 1 but not area 2 and our task is to extend the Wi-Fi network to cover area 2.

To extend the Wi-Fi coverage to area 2 we will need a second WAP (Wireless access point), and this second access point will need to connect to the WAP in Area 1.

There are three methods available for connecting the Wireless Access Points ( WAPs) together. They are:

• Use a WAP connected to the hub on network 1 using an Ethernet cable.
• Use a WAP connected to the hub on network 1 using Homeplug adapters.
• Connect with Wi-Fi using a Wi-Fi range extender or repeater.

Using a Wireless Repeater or Range Extender

This is probably the quickest and easiest method and according to a recent survey used by over 20% of US households.

It is also the slowest and the most error prone method method.

Note You will hear the terms repeater,range extender and booster used but they are generally describing the same thing.

A Wireless Repeater takes a wireless signal and then re-broadcasts it.

This means that the repeater must be in range of the original Wireless signal.

It also usually means that the throughput is halved. However some repeaters using different bands i.e. they could use the 5Ghz Band for the connection to the WAP and the 2.5 Ghz Band for connecting to devices.

The repeater creates a second Wireless network which usually has a different SSID than the original network.

Because wireless devices on network 2 must go through two wireless hops this connection method is much slower than using an Ethernet extension cable or homeplug adaptors.

Extending a Wired Network

To extend a wired network you will need an Ethernet Switch.

You use a port on the Home router to connect to the remote switch using either:

This is illustrated in the main network diagram above.

Using an Ethernet Cable

You can purchase UTP connection cables of various lengths which means that you don’t need to create your own cables.

You should note that the maximum cable distance between network devices is 100m.

However you will need to run the cable between rooms which usually involves drilling holes etc.

Although this is a very low cost method it is usually not the easiest. It does however provide the fastest and most reliable connection.

Using Homeplug Adapters

Homeplug adaptors are the more flexible option than straight wiring as they can easily add network connectivity to any room that has a power outlet.

They work by using the home electrical wiring to carry the Ethernet signal between rooms.

Homeplug adapters can be used to extend both a wired and wireless network.

Generally they work in pairs but you can use more than 2 on a network. They plug into the mains socket and usually provide an Ethernet connection on each end.

You simply plug the Ethernet cables into the adapters at each end.

They can also come with built in wireless access points so that you don’t need an additional wireless access points to extend the wireless network.

Homeplug adapters with built in Wireless access points tend to be a little more expensive than standard Ethernet ones but are very convenient. Ref– Powerline networking guide

Network SSIDs (Network Name)

Regardless of how you extend the network you will likely end up with two or more wireless networks.

You can configure these networks to use the same broadcast SSID so that they appear to be a single network but this can cause problems with some devices.

On my network I use different SSIDs but the same password.

The Screen shot below shows my home network with multiple Access points and Network IDs.

Extending Ethernet Ports

If you are short of Ethernet ports in any location you can use a second Ethernet switch connected to the other Ethernet switch as shown in the diagram below.

Note: It isn’t important which port you use.

Extending Ethernet Cable

You can extend an Ethernet cable using an Ethernet coupler like the one below.

You can also get a cable with female connection as shown below

The connecting cable category (5,6,7) should match or be better than the existing cable female socket to match your cable.

Extending with an Ethernet Repeater

The maximum cable distance between networking devices on an Ethernet network is 100m.

However this can be extending to approx 300m by using an Ethernet repeater/extender. Most of the ones available today appear to be PoE repeaters.

With PoE devices you can connect remote devices like IP cameras without the need for installing a separate power supply. See PoE for beginners

Extending Using a Wireless Bridge

This is an ideal method of extending your network to an out building without having to run Ethernet cables.

It uses a line of site wireless link between two wireless bridges. At the remote end the bridge connects to the remote network.

Take a look at the TP-Link NE300 (affiliate link)

If you are worried whether or not it will work for you take a look at the reviews. I have taken a screen shot of a few below:

Wi-Fi Mesh Networks

These are also relatively new systems that aim to provide Wi-Fi access in larger homes.

They comprise 2 or more Wi-Fi nodes that work together to offer a single Wi-Fi network (same SSID).

Useful Devices

Wireless electrical power sockets are a new introduction to the market and function as wireless repeaters.

They are convenient because they don’t consume a electrical power socket. Here is a picture of a UK socket.

Q-Can I use an old Wi-Fi router to extend my network.?

A- Yes but it will need to function solely as an access point. This PCworld article describes how.

Personally I’m not keen on this as the setup is convoluted, easy to get wrong, and it is not possible on all routers. Wi-Fi access points are cheap it is easier to get a new access point.

Q-Can I extend my home network with another router?

A- Yes but a router is the wrong choice on a home network unless you want two separate networks. A network switch is the better choice and the easiest. Using a router would involve setup that would require a very good knowledge of networking, and sub netting in particular. See 2 Routers on a home network

Case Studies

I often get asked questions via the ask Steve page and thought it would be useful if I included the questions and answers here as they might be applicable to your situation. I have removed names to protect the identity.

Case Study 1 – Bad Wi-Fi

Question- Hi Steve, I have just moved into an old house in a rural location. Because of very poor Wi-Fi over the land line and poor router signal coverage in the house (thick walls etc), the previous owner installed an EE SIMM based router linked by CAT5 to a ceiling mounted EnGenius EAP150. Apparently this has improved things (download speeds of 15 MBPS and 3.3 MBPS for uploads when close to the EAP), but the the signal does not go very far and dropped connections and lack of connection are a frequent pain. Using Netflix and a couple of mobile phones seems to cause loss of signal very easily, I guess this is a capacity issue? Can you make any suggestions on how to address these problems please? E.G Can I use signal boosters around the house to strengthen the EAP signal? Do I need a better WAP/EAP device? Are there other alternatives?

Answer – I would try using homeplug adapters you can get them with Wi-Fi access points. Get a pair and put one next to your router and move the other Wi-Fi homeplug around the rooms to make sure it works as there could potentially be wiring problems. If that works ok you can always add additional adapters.

Reply – Many thanks for your suggestion. I bought some TP-Link power-line adapters and they work really well.

Related Tutorials and Useful Resources:

Комментарии и мнения владельцев

Hey Steve, hoping you can help answer my questions. I just moved into a new house, the wiring is a bit odd and there’s a multitude of coax internet connections, but no Ethernet connection wired into the walls. The previous owner used T-Mobile wireless internet, but it has crap coverage in this area and wasn’t working for my working from home upload speed needs, so I had to switch to broadband a fiber connected service. There’s only one router/modem connection, and that’s upstairs. I hooked it up and it’s working but when I go down a level it drops connection bars. I wanted to work in the basement which is down a level even further. There are no working coax cable connections or Ethernet connections down there. What are all my options to extend the Wi-Fi connection from the location point on the top floor down to the basement?

I would try using homeplug adapters with a Wi-Fi homeplug in the basement https://stevessmarthomeguide.com/powerline-networking/ rgds Steve

I was a caretaker of the school with 100mbps Internet connection and I found out that it is over enough to the consumption needed the reason why I want to connect to it for my house which is 150 meters away from the school. Can you please give me advice or diagram on how to do it? Thank you very much in advance!

I just moved into a basement suite with good Wi-Fi, but I also need Ethernet for my pc. There is a Coaxial cable but no router, extender, or Ethernet. The house is with Shaw. I’m just wondering what I should get to give my pc internet? Also would it be a monthly fee or can I feed off of my landlord’s router somehow?

Hello, and thanks for this guide it is really helpful. I am looking at networking options for a home office which is in my garden. I will shortly have a mobile/cellular service to provide internet access to my home which will have a wireless router in the main house. From this I had intended to route cables to a network switch in the garden office however it appears that it may be better to run cables to another wireless router? I was intending on having a wired connection to IT equipment in the garden office (which might not be necessary?) but will also need wireless for mobile devices and Smart TV etc – what installation would you recommend for this? Thanks!

Provided you go with the cable to the office then you will need a Wireless Access point in the Office. This will feed your wireless devices and they usually come with 4 Ethernet ports which you can expand by adding another switch. You don’t need a second router and you should avoid this see https://stevessmarthomeguide.com/two-routers-on-a-home-network/ Wireless access point are quite cheap around £30 just make sure they support GByte Ethernet. Rgds Steve

Hi sorry I’m a bit of a novice when it comes to this but want to get it right. We are building an external garage from the house and want to put an office in here. I am looking at running an Ethernet cable from my router in the house externally to the garage. From here I was planning on buying a five port Ethernet box to hardwire some Ethernet sockets. I however would like to have Wi-Fi in the garage as well. Is there a product that would be a multiple port and Give me Wi-Fi? Additionally would this have a different Wi-Fi password or would it use the Wi-Fi from the original router. Sorry if this is basic stuff but it can be quite confusing Many thanks Andy

Yes most Wireless access points will have multiple ethernet ports https://www.amazon.co.uk/NETGEAR-Wireless-Access-Business-WAC104-100UKS/dp/B01LWUJU8H/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Wireless%2BAccess%2BPointsqid=1660758489s=computerssr=1-4th=1 The thing to look out for is that some of the cheaper ones only have 100Mbit/s ports and not 1Gbit/s. connect router to a port on the ethernet switch and then a port on the ethernet switch to the WAP. Or connect the router to a port on the WAP and use the ethernet ports on the WAP for the devices in the garage. It all depends on how many Ethernet ports you need in the garage. BYW the link is illustration only I don’t necessarily recommend it as I haven’t used it but reviews are good. I tend to stick with tplink and I would recommend you stay with whatever brand you use if possible. Rgds Steve

I hope i get a reply here and via email. I am trying to set a network as follows. 50 yards to my southwest is a starlink dish and a TP-Link AC750 archer C20 router. From the dish, are one to its south and one to its North two wireless access points using cat6 cable. I am getting decent internet in my house. About 60 yards to the south of me is an office that picks up the internet from the main router and the North Wireless Access Point but the North WAP is stronger. What I am wanting to do is set up a booster/extender in the office to get Wi-Fi deeper into the building. My question is do I use a static IP address of the North Wireless Access Point, or the default gateways IP. It seems that when i set up the booster things go south. I have been getting iffy Wi-Fi and crashes until just recently. A fix was when I started using address reservations for the IP addresses of each of the WAP’s on the north and south. On each of the North and south WAPs I did a reservation for the IP address and MAC address of the 2.4G, the 5G, and the WAN MAC address, so 3 for each WAP and things mellowed out it seems. Or, can a booster/extender not be connected to a WAP. I hope this makes sense and i hope you have an answer. Thanks

Not sure about the reservations as you should only have a single IP address for the WAP. The extender uses an existing wireless network and the IP address is only for management. The extender can be connected to any existing Wi-Fi access point. Does that make sense? Rgds Steve

Oops, the LAN has an IP address and the 2.4G and the 5G each have a Bssid that have a unique MAC address associated with each. Those are what i gave address reservations to. Thank you for the reply.

Are you ok with the reply that you can add an extender to any existing wi_fi access point. You do not require an IP address as such to add it as the IP address used is only for management and can be dynamic. Using a fixed IP makes it easier to manage. Rgds Steve

I need more ethernet ports for things like TV and cameras. If I understand this correctly, I can buy a switch, which acts like a hub. I would insert an ethernet cable into my router and then to the switch. After that has been done, I could then plug in any of those things (like TV and cameras) to the other unused ports in the switch. Question: Does it matter which ports I plug these items into? I have a Netgear S350 switch. The ports are simply labeled 1-8 (nothing else). If I’m right about this stuff…I think the thing is broken – cuz nothing works!

Yes you are correct it should work. Check the configuration on the switch it may have been configured with VLANs if it is a Smart switch. Rgds Steve

How to Setup a Second Router on Your Home Network

People will continue to work from home and attend classes from home in great numbers. That means more connected devices in more places in your home. It also means more people are sharing the internet connection.

Also, it may mean you need a wired or wireless network in parts of your home that you previously didn’t. We’ll show you a few ways to connect two routers to make your home network more robust.

Why Would I Set Up a Second Router?

There are several ways to add a second wireless router to your home network. You could use it as an access point or repeater to extend wireless coverage. You could set up a separate network for guests to use. Or you could use the second router as a switch to add more Ethernet ports to your network.

Requirements for Setting Up a Second Router at Home

Not every Wi-Fi router can be set up as a second router for extending wireless range or as an access point (AP). Here’s what you need:

• Administrator access to your primary and secondary router
• To set up as an AP or switch, an Ethernet cable to connect the two routers

If your second router isn’t capable of being used in these different modes because it’s older, look for a firmware update. The update may expand its capabilities.

For this tutorial, we’re using an Asus RT-N300 as our second Wi-Fi router. Your routers are likely different. However, the same concepts apply whether it’s a D-Link, tp-Link, Linksys, Netgear, or any of the many good router models available.

How to Setup a Second Wi-Fi Router as a Wireless Access Point

If your home is wired for Ethernet and you want excellent wireless coverage and internet access everywhere in your home network, consider using the second router as an access point (AP). You’ll get great Wi-Fi coverage with a fast, stable Ethernet connection between your secondary router to your primary router.

• On the second router, log in and go to Administration Operation Mode and select Access Point Mode. then Save.
• At this point, let the router set the LAN IP and connect to the Domain Name Server (DNS) automatically. Then select Next to continue.
• In Wireless Setting. leave the default of Yes selected for Do you want to use the previous wireless security settings? This lets you connect to the AP with the same SSID and password as the main router, making for a seamless transition between the two when moving around.

If you want to make a guest network with a different SSID and password, select No and then change the values as needed. The guest network wouldn’t be completely separate from your personal network; it would just mean you don’t have to share your personal password. Select Apply to continue.

The router applies the settings.

• Connect the WAN port of router 2 to a LAN port on router 1, either directly or through the wired home network. Now you have an AP.

How to Setup a Second Wi-Fi Router to Extend the Range

Often the wireless router is set up on one end of the house, where services come into the home. Then the far end of the home has poor or no Wi-Fi signal. Setting up a second Wi-Fi router as a Wi-Fi range extender somewhere near the middle of your house will give you wireless connection anywhere in your home, without a wired Ethernet connection to the first router.

Fortunately, many new routers have a wizard process to set it up as a wireless range extender. For example, the Asus RT-N300 provides a simple repeater mode option on initial setup. To estimate where to place the second wireless router, use an app to measure the wireless signal strength and find where it starts to drop. Go back a few feet into better signal strength and that’s a good spot to put it.

Note the link to a Device Discovery Utility. That link is dead, however we found a new link to the Device Discovery Utility. There is also an Asus Device Discovery app for iOS for iPhones and iPads. The Device Discovery Utility makes it simpler and easier to find the router’s IP address after it’s set up as a wireless repeater.

• The wizard scans nearby wireless signals and shows their networks. Select yours from the list. Enter the password used to connect to your Wi-Fi network, then select Connect.
• The wizard sets a static IP address and collects the local network’s subnet mask and default gateway. These settings are fine, leave them as they are and select Next.
• The Wireless Setting defaults are fine for most people as well. Leave them as they are and select Apply. This makes it so that your wireless password will connect you to your home network through either router.

The router now connects to the main Wi-Fi router. When this is complete, it doesn’t return to the router management page, because the second router’s IP address has changed. This is where you need the Device Discovery Utility.

• Open the Device Discovery Utility downloaded in Step 1 to get the new IP address of your second router. Enter that IP address into your web browser to get to the router management site and log in.
• Go to Advanced Settings Wireless and switch Roaming assistant from Disable to Enable. The default RSSI setting of.70 dBm is good for most situations. That means that when the second router sees a device with a signal strength less than.70 dBm it will disconnect from it. The device can now try to connect to your primary router, giving a seamless transition between the two. It’s similar to how your cellphone call gets passed from tower to tower as you’re driving.Select Apply.

It can take a few minutes to finish. You now have wireless coverage around your second router.

How to Setup a Second Router to Act as a Switch

Most home networks have a combination modem/router with 4 or 5 Ethernet ports on the back for wired connections. Once those ports are full, and you still want wired connections, what do you do? Use your router as a switch. You can also use an Ethernet router for this.

• Connect router 1 to router 2 with an Ethernet cable. One end is plugged into a LAN port or the first router and the other to a LAN port on the router. Ignore the WAN port. Use another Ethernet cable to connect the second router to your computer.
• Log in to the first router and take note of the IP range it covers. In this example, the subnet is 192.168.2.0/24 and the range of IP addresses that can be given is from 192.168.2.10 to 192.168.2.254. IP addresses ending in 1 to 9 aren’t available to the DHCP server so they can be given as static IP addresses and not cause an IP conflict in the network.
• Connect to the second router’s management page and navigate to Advanced Settings LAN LAN IP To make it easier to find and connect to the router again, give the router a static IP that’s different from your first router, but in the same subnet. We’re using 192.168.2.2. Make sure the subnet mask matches the first router’s subnet mask. Select Apply. You’ll need to enter 192.168.2.2 in the browser’s location bar to reconnect.

• Move to the DHCP Server tab and disable DHCP. Only router 1 should act as a DHCP server and assign IP addresses.
• If possible, turn off wireless access. Go to Wireless Professional and set Enable Radio to No. If your router doesn’t have that option, secure the wireless access as much as possible by hiding the Service Set Identifier (SSID) also known as the name of your Wi-Fi, and setting ridiculously strong access passwords. This prevents anyone from connecting to it as a wireless device, accidentally or on purpose. Now you can connect more devices via Ethernet to your home network by plugging them into the remaining LAN ports.

Get Connected

Now you have a use for at least one thing in your electronics doom pile and your home network is even better. Do you have any other ideas for using a second router? Let us know.

Network Woes: Ethernet Troubles with a Working Wi-Fi

You can connect your device, like a computer or Smart TV, to the internet in two ways. You can connect your device via a cable or wirelessly. Both methods are effective and reliable. But what if your wired connection (Ethernet) isn’t working yet your wireless connection (Wi-Fi) is?

You can fix it by making sure your Ethernet cable is connected to s working Ethernet port on your router or PC. Most router or modem comes with multiple Ethernet ports; some get damaged before others. Make sure to use the working one.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to troubleshoot your Ethernet connection. There can be many things that are interfering with your Ethernet connection. But first, let’s briefly discuss the most common issue that occurs in Ethernet connections:

Quick Virus Scan

It might be a virus that is causing the issue. You should use anti-virus software to prevent any virus.

There are a lot of anti-virus programs on the market, but the best is Windows Defender. You can scan your PC for viruses by simply going to the settings and starting the scan.

This will scan all the files in the computer and remove the virus. Anti-virus software should be updated on a regular basis to have the latest knowledge of viruses to prevent them.

Update your Windows and Windows Defender by simply typing “Check for Updates” in the Windows search bar.

Windows Troubleshooter

Now that I’ve come to the conclusion that the connection problems are only related to the PC and not the router or Internet service provider, you should try using the Windows troubleshooter to resolve the problem. Too frequently, the value of this diagnostic tool is disregarded.

The first thing it will do is anything you can perform manually (most things). Second, even if it’s unable to assist you, it will help you comprehend the root of the issue.

Therefore, feel free to use the Windows troubleshooter to resolve any network-related problems, including the one we’re dealing with right now. The procedures to execute it on Windows 10 are as follows:

• To launch Settings, press and hold the Windows I buttons at the same time.
• Open the Update Security section.
• The Troubleshoot button can be chosen from the list on the left.
• To run the troubleshooter, select Internet Connection Troubleshooter and highlight it.
• Wait for the troubleshooting to be finished, then try to resolve the Wi-Fi connection problem.
• The Incoming Connections troubleshooter can also be used.

Ethernet Driver

Drivers are known as the software that makes hardware recognize and run in a proper way. Sometimes, drivers aren’t correctly installed, or driver files could be corrupted somehow.

It’s easy to reinstall or update your Ethernet drivers, though. Follow the given steps to do so:

• Press the Windows key and type device manager, and press enter.
• Now locate “Network adapters” and double-click on it to expand the list.
• Now find the word “Ethernet” and then double-click on it.
• A small window will appear, and you’ll see a button named “Driver”. Click on it.
• Now press “Update Driver” and then select Browse from the internet and let It be finished.

It can fix your driver issue, but if your Ethernet is still not working, move on to the next step.

Damaged LAN Wire

A damaged LAN wire could be causing the problem, it might be the LAN connector or a physically damaged wire.

You can physically inspect the wire that can be damaged by some kind of tearing or stretching by simply inspecting the connectors, known as RJ-45 connectors.

If any one of them looks damaged or not proper, then buy a new cable and repair the existing one.

Router’s Ethernet Port

It might be possible that your router‘s Ethernet port is faulty.

A typical router contains multiple Ethernet ports for multiple devices to communicate, and a simple fix just switches the Ethernet port.

Try connecting the wire to another port on the back of the router. For more information, read my other article on this link for fixing router.

If this doesn’t fix your problem, then your router’s port is not faulty, and you can now move on to the next troubleshooting step through this video.

Other FAQs

Why would the Ethernet stop working?

The Local Area Network makes computers connect through LAN wires. If your ethernet suddenly stops, there might be a problem with your LAN wires or network drivers. Monitor your wires and drivers to avoid this problem.

How to reset my Ethernet?

Go to your Start Button; this is on the left side of your keyboard. Then look for Settings, Network, and Internet and after that, you will be redirected to an Advanced Network window. From there, choose the Network Rest and click yes to confirm.

Are you perhaps curious if there’s an Ethernet Port on the Fire TV Cube? Follow this link.

How much does a USB-to-Ethernet adapter cost?

A better quality USB-to-Ethernet adapter costs around 15 to 20. But you can also go with a Wi-Fi adapter; it’s more convenient and relatively cheaper than an Ethernet adapter.

Is ISP responsible for this problem?

No, an ISP isn’t responsible for any hardware or software problem. They’re only accountable for the services they offer, like stable internet, low latency, and proper speed.

Conclusion

Internet connectivity is the basic thing in a device like a computer or Smart TV; there are only two ways to connect your device to the internet: a wired connection and a wireless connection.

Broken or torn LAN wires sometimes cause problems. If any one of them looks damaged or not proper, then buy a new cable and repair the existing one.

It might be possible that your router‘s Ethernet port is faulty. Sometimes, you have a device in which the ethernet isn’t working, but the Wi-Fi is.

Sometimes Ethernet driver can be the cause of the malfunction. And most probably, something is wrong between the router and your device. It might be your LAN wire, your Ethernet port of the router or your computer.