WiFi is a technology to turn wired internet into WiFi internet and used in every home and office. Wireless internet gives you the freedom to use the internet without sitting in a single place. It is also true that speed performance drop in Wi-fi due to weak signal or interference. Sometimes laying a physical wired connection in every room is not possible. So Wi-Fi range extender setup helps you to boost signal strength. Instead of buying a new range extender device use old wifi router as range extender mode to boost Wifi signal.

The easy method to boost Wi-fi signal coverage without using a range extender device is make wifi router as repeater mode which will extend signal. This post will help you turn old router as a range extender mode to improve wireless signals in the low signal areas.

Setup WiFi Router as Range extender Mode

To use the router as repeater mode need to access the settings page. To access the router login page use default IP Address router or Make factory reset if forget IP address.

• Connect Router LAN port to Desktop or Laptop LAN port.
• Use Static IP Address of the same series in LAN settings of Laptop/PC. Exp: if WiFi router login IP 192.168.1.1, use 192.168.1.10 in PC/Laptop LAN.
• Open Web browser and access router IP Address.
• Use default Login username password as mention in manual or Router sticker.

Change Operation Mode to Repeater Mode

Once you login to router, finds the Wireless tab.

• Wireless – Wireless Repeater
• Enable Repeater Mode (checkbox to enable)
• Click the Site Survey button to search the Host WiFi network.

Connect Range extender to Main Wi-Fi Router Wirelessly

Site survey will take 5-10 seconds to scan all wifi networks running nearby.

Select your main Wifi router from the list. Click the Next button.

Provide the Host WiFi password to allow connection from the main WiFi router.

You need to keep your main WiFi router password to allow connection from the range extender device. Always use an Alfa numeric strong combination password for main wifi network so no one can easily hack Wi-Fi.

Wireless Security Settings

Pre-Shared Key: Provide a password in this option and press the Next button.

Change Range Extender IP Address

The next step is to change the repeater device in the same network of main WiFi router.

IP Address: 192.168.0.10 (my main router default IP is 192.168.0.1 so I use 0.10)

Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

Click the Finish button and you will get confirmation to turn router into repeater mode. Press OK button accepts and the router will reboot.

After a few seconds routers will turn into a range extender mode which will get internet from the main WiFi modem router and broadcast the same with the extended network.  You can use any brand WiFi router as repeater mode using this user guide. Turning old WiFi router into range extender mode is the best and simple way to improve the low signal problem in the home. You can also use router WPS button to connect wifi without password from mobile.

Range Extender Router Placement

WiFi Range extender placement is most important to get high performances and proper signals of extending networks. There are some points to keep in mind while placing the wifi repeater device to boost the signal.

• Do not put repeater router inside box or cupboard.
• Keep external antenna straight in up direction so it can air signal in every direction.
• Do not install the extender router under the table.
• Always find a place where a range extender device can get at least a 40% signal of a main wifi router.
• Place repeater device in centralize location where no obstructed between main Wi-Fi router and repeater.

How to Use Old Router as Range Extender to Boost WiFi Signal has been discussed in this article. I hope you will now be able to configure old router as range extender without any confusion. However, if you face any confusion feel free to discuss in comment or contact me from Contact page. I will try my best to stay with you.