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This guide will show you how to add a second router to your home or small business network. If you need more ports to connect additional computers or devices but your existing router doesn’t support it, adding a second router can help. Besides expanding the network, a second router can also be placed in areas with weak Wi-Fi signal or no signal at all.
Steps
Set Up the First Router
Connect the modem to the first router. Use an Ethernet cable to connect the WAN port of the router to the WAN/Internet port of the high-speed modem. In this guide, the router connected to the modem will be referred to as 'Router 1'.
- Some routers come with built-in high-speed modem functions. If Router 1 has this feature, you can simply connect the device using an Ethernet cable.
- The WAN port is also known as the 'Internet' port.
Spike Baron
Network Engineer & Desktop Support
Network Engineer & Desktop Support
ISPs typically limit your internet speed. Therefore, connecting a second router may not help. First, you should check with your provider to determine if adding a second router would enhance your internet speed or if they could lift the speed cap for you.
Connect Router 1 to your computer. Use an Ethernet cable to link one of Router 1's LAN ports to your computer's Ethernet port.
- Alternatively, you can connect wirelessly by entering the Wi-Fi network name and password.
Turn on the modem and Router 1. Wait for both devices to fully power up before continuing.
Open a web browser. A web browser is needed to access the administrator interface of Router 1.
Enter Router 1's IP address in the address bar. Type the IP address of Router 1 in the address bar at the top of your web browser. The login page for the router's administrator account will appear. You may need to refer to the user manual or the manufacturer's website to find Router 1's default IP address.
- Here are some common default IP addresses for widely used routers:
- 2Wire: 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.254, 10.0.0.138
- Apple: 10.0.0.1
- Belkin: 192.168.1.1, 192.168.2.1, 10.0.0.2, 10.1.1.1
- Dlink: 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, 192.168.0.101, 192.168.0.30, 192.168.0.50, 192.168.15.1, 192.168.254.254, 192.168.1.254, 192.168.0.10, 192.168.15.1, 10.0.0.1, 10.0.0.2, 10.1.1.1, 10.90.90.90,
- Netgear: 192.168.0.1, 192.168.0.227
Log in with Router 1's username and password. This step will open Router 1's administrator interface. Refer to the user manual or the manufacturer's website for the default username and password for Router 1.
- Most routers use "admin" for the username and password. You can also try entering "Password" or "12345678" as the password. Some routers leave the username or password field blank.
- If you enter the correct password but still can't connect, check the user manual or the manufacturer's website for instructions on how to reset the router to its factory settings.
Enable DHCP on Router 1. This will allow Router 1 to assign IP addresses throughout your network system.
- These settings are typically found under “Network settings” or “LAN settings.” The administrator interface may vary depending on the manufacturer and model.
- In most cases, the DHCP server is enabled by default.
Check your network system and internet connection. Visit a website, such as https://www.Mytour.com, to verify if your internet connection is working. Make sure the network configuration still allows for an open LAN port on Router 1.
Disconnect Router 1 from the computer. Simply unplug the Ethernet cable connecting Router 1 to your computer, while keeping the remaining connections intact.
Set up the second router
Connect and power on the second router. Ensure that you have enough power outlets and your computer is near where you want to install the second router. Now, simply plug in and power on the device. This device is referred to as "Router 2" in this guide.
Connect the computer to Router 2. First, use an Ethernet cable to connect to the LAN port on Router 2. The next step is to plug the other end of the cable into the Ethernet port on your computer.
Enter the IP address of Router 2 into the browser's address bar. The screen will display the login page for the administrator account of Router 2.
- For most routers, the IP address will be 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1, or 10.0.0.1.
Log in with the username and password for Router 2. Use the default username and password to access the administrator interface of Router 2, just like you did for Router 1. You may need to check the user manual or the manufacturer's website for the default credentials.
- For most routers, the username and password are typically "admin".
Disable DHCP on Router 2. Since DHCP is enabled on Router 1, you need to turn off this connection on Router 2 to avoid IP conflicts. Simply locate the DHCP settings in the admin interface and slide the DHCP server toggle to 'Off'.
Assign a new IP address to Router 2. From now on, Router 1 and Router 2 might have the same IP address. To prevent IP conflicts, Router 2 needs a different IP address than Router 1.
- Find the 'LAN' or 'Local Network' option in the admin interface. You will see a field with the current IP address.
- Change the current IP address to a new one. The new IP address on Router 2 must be in the same subnet as Router 1, meaning the first three groups of numbers in both routers' IP addresses should be the same. Only change the number after the fourth dot to ensure it’s different from Router 1's address. This IP address should be different from the IP assigned to other devices.
Set up the Wi-Fi name and password for Router 2. This information should match that of Router 1.
- You'll find these settings under a menu like 'Wireless', 'Wi-Fi setup', or something similar.
- If you're unsure of the SSID and password for Router 1, try looking on the device itself.
- If Router 2 isn't a wireless router, you can skip this step.
Connect the internet to your system
Turn off Router 2. After Router 2 is set up, it's best to restart the device; however, at this point, simply power it off instead of restarting it right away.
Connect Router 1 to Router 2. Start by using an Ethernet cable to connect to the LAN port on Router 1. Then, plug the cable into the first LAN port on Router 2.
- Make sure you don’t connect the cable to the WAN port, as both ports look similar.
Plug in Router 2 and power it on. Once powered up, Router 2 will use the IP address you've set. As long as Router 1 is connected to the internet, Router 2 will also have internet access.
Restart the computer connected to Router 2. Whenever you connect a computer to a new network device, it's a good idea to restart the computer to ensure a smooth connection.
Connect additional computers and devices. You can connect wirelessly or use an Ethernet cable into an available LAN port on Router 2. Router 1’s DHCP server will automatically assign IP addresses to each device within the same subnet. Now, you can enjoy your expanded network setup!
Tips
- Don’t hesitate to ask for help. There are many forums offering useful information, and you can always contact your service provider for technical support.
- Write down the IP addresses of the gateway, router, and all connected computers. This will help you troubleshoot any connection issues.
- For added security, consider installing a third router (NAT). If you add the third router, connect an Ethernet cable from its WAN port to the LAN port on Router 1 or 2. Then, enable DHCP on Router 2 and set it to a different subnet than the devices in your network.
Warning
- If you allow strangers to access your Wi-Fi network, they could easily access the files on your connected computers.
