How to Connect a Router to Wi-Fi and Use It as an Access Point: A Complete Guide

Have you purchased a second router to expand your Wi-Fi coverage but aren't sure how to properly connect it to your existing network? Or do you want to use your old router as an additional access point to boost the signal in remote rooms? This article will explain how. All methods for connecting a router to Wi-Fi and its settings in mode Access Point (AP) — without loss of speed and IP address conflicts.

Many people mistakenly believe that simply plugging a cable from the main router into the WAN port of the second one will work. In practice, this approach leads to double NAT, problems accessing local devices (such as printers or IP cameras), and speed drops. We'll show you the only correct connection diagram via a LAN port, as well as alternative options - including wireless connection (WDS) and bridged mode.

The instructions are suitable for popular models: TP-Link Archer/Deco, ASUS RT-AX, Keenetic, Xiaomi Mi Router, Zyxel Keenetic and others. Even if you have a budget router without AP mode, we'll tell you how to bypass this limitation manually.

What is the difference between access point (AP) mode and standard router mode?

Before we get into the setup, it's important to understand the key difference:

• 🔄 Router Mode: The device distributes its own IP addresses (DHCP), creates a separate subnet, and performs NAT functions. Suitable for the main router connected directly to the internet.
• 📡 Access Point ModeThe router acts as an "extension" of the existing network—it doesn't distribute IP addresses or filter traffic, but simply retransmits the signal. All devices remain on the same subnet.

If you connect the second router in mode Router Mode (via WAN port), you will receive:

• ⚠️ Double NAT: devices from different subnets will not see each other (for example, you won't be able to print to a printer connected to a different router).
• ⚠️ Problems with online games and IP telephony: some applications do not work behind two NATs.
• ⚠️ Speed ​​drop: each packet undergoes double processing.

In mode Access Point There are no such problems. The only caveat is DHCP setting should be disabled on an additional router, otherwise there will be a conflict with the main one.

Wi-Fi Router Connection Diagrams: Wired vs. Wireless

There are three main ways to connect a router to an existing Wi-Fi network and use it as an access point. The choice depends on your needs and the capabilities of your equipment:

Optimal for most home networks wired method — it guarantees maximum performance. Wireless options (WDS) should only be considered if cable installation is not possible.

⚠️ Note: If your router doesn't support AP or WDS mode, don't despair. In the "Manual Configuration" section, we'll show you how to bypass this limitation by disabling DHCP and binding it to your primary network.

Step-by-step instructions: connecting a router to Wi-Fi via cable (LAN-to-LAN)

This is the most reliable method. Follow the instructions carefully—the order is important!

Reset your router to factory settings (Reset button)

Connect the router to your PC/laptop via LAN port

Make sure your main router is distributing the Internet.

Prepare a patch cord to connect the routers-->

Step 1: Reset settings

If the router has been used before, reset it to factory settings. To do this:

1. Connect the router to the network.
2. Find the button on the back panel Reset (usually recessed into the body).
3. Press it with a paper clip for 10-15 seconds until the indicators flash.

Step 2: Connect to your PC and log in to the web interface

Connect the router to the computer via LAN port (not WAN!). Open your browser and enter the web interface address. For popular brands:

• 🌐 TP-Link, ASUS, D-Link: 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1
• 🌐 Keenetic: 192.168.1.1 or my.keenetic.net
• 🌐 Xiaomi: 192.168.31.1 or miwifi.com

The default login and password are usually admin/admin (indicated on the router sticker).

Step 3: Switch to Access Point (AP) mode

The router interfaces vary, but the logic is the same. Examples for popular models:

• 🔧 TP-Link: Go to Additional settings → Operating mode, select Access Point (AP) mode.
• 🔧 ASUS: Open Administration → Operating Mode, select Access Point Mode.
• 🔧 Keenetic: IN System Monitor → Mode select Access Point (Extender).
• 🔧 Xiaomi: IN Opening hours select Bridge Mode.

If your router does not have AP mode, proceed to manual setup.

Step 4: Setting up a Wi-Fi network

In AP mode, the router should relay the same network as the main one. Specify:

• 📶 Network name (SSID): same as main router (or add a suffix, eg. MyWiFi_AP).
• 🔐 Password: identical to the main one.
• 📡 Channel: Select the same channel as your main router (or automatic).

Step 5: Disable DHCP and connect to the main network

This is a critical step! In AP mode, the router should not distribute IP addresses. Find this in the settings:

• 🔌 Network → DHCP: Disable the DHCP server.
• 🔗 Local Network → IP Address: Assign a static IP address to the router from the main router's subnet. For example, if the main router has an IP address 192.168.1.1, specify for the access point 192.168.1.2.

Step 6. Connecting the routers to each other

Now disconnect the cable from your PC and connect it like this:

1. Insert one end of the patch cord into LAN port of the main router.
2. The other end is in LAN port of an additional router (NOT in WAN!).

Done! The second router now functions as an access point. Devices will automatically switch between them depending on signal strength.

Manually configure the router as an access point (if there is no AP mode)

Not all routers have built-in AP mode, especially budget models. In this case, you'll have to configure it manually. Here's the gist of the method:

1. Disable DHCP on the additional router.
2. Assign it a static IP from the main router's subnet.
3. Connect routers via LAN ports.

Instructions for TP-Link (using Archer C20 as an example):

1. Connect the router to your PC and log in to the web interface (192.168.0.1).
2. Go to Network → LAN:
• Change the IP address from 192.168.0.1 on 192.168.1.2 (if the main router has an IP 192.168.1.1).
• Save the settings (the router will reboot).

After reboot, log in using the new IP (192.168.1.2).

Go to DHCP → DHCP Settings And disable the DHCP server.

IN Wireless → Wi-Fi Settings please specify:

• Network name (SSID) is the same as the main router.
• The channel is the same as the main one.
• The password is identical.
• Connect the routers via LAN ports (as described in the previous section).

Instructions for ASUS (using RT-N12 as an example):

1. Log in to the web interface (192.168.1.1).
2. Go to Local Network → IP Address and change it to 192.168.1.2.
3. IN Local Network → DHCP Server Disable DHCP.
4. IN Wireless Network → General Set up Wi-Fi (SSID and password must match the main router).
5. Connect the routers via LAN ports.

⚠️ Note: If the devices don't connect to Wi-Fi after setup, check if there are any channel conflicts between the primary and secondary routers. Use utilities like Wi-Fi Analyzer (Android) or NetSpot (Windows/macOS) for broadcast analysis.

Setting up a wireless access point (WDS)

If laying a cable is not possible, you can connect the routers over the air via WDS (Wireless Distribution System)This method does not work on all models and reduces speed by 30-50%, but sometimes it is the only option.

Requirements for WDS:

• ✅ Both routers must support WDS (check the specifications).
• ✅ The main router must be configured to a static channel (not "Auto").
• ✅ It is advisable to use the same Wi-Fi standard (for example, 802.11n or 802.11ac).

Step-by-step WDS setup on TP-Link:

1. Log in to the web interface of the additional router.
2. Go to Wireless Mode → WDS Settings.
3. Click Search and select the main router network.
4. In the field Encryption type Please specify the same type as on the main router (WPA2-PSK).
5. Enter the password for the main Wi-Fi network.
6. In the section Wireless network settings please specify:
• SSID: same as main router (or add a suffix, e.g. MyWiFi_WDS).
• Channel: the same as on the main router.
• Disable DHCP (as in previous instructions).
• Save the settings and reboot the router.

Setting up WDS on ASUS:

1. Log in to the web interface (192.168.1.1).
2. Go to Wireless Network → Bridge.
3. Turn on Turn on the bridge and press Search.
4. Select the main router network and enter the password.
5. IN DHCP settings Disable the DHCP server.
6. Save the settings.

⚠️ Note: In WDS mode, connection speed drops by approximately half due to packet retransmission. If your main router operates at 300 Mbps, you'll get no more than 150 Mbps via WDS.

Why is WDS slower than a wired connection?

With wireless data sharing (WDS), data is transmitted twice: first from the primary router to the secondary router, then from the secondary router to the device. This increases latency and reduces throughput. Furthermore, Wi-Fi operates in half-duplex mode (it cannot simultaneously receive and transmit data), further slowing down the connection.

Solving common problems when setting up an access point

Even if you follow the instructions exactly, problems may arise. Let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Devices do not connect to the Wi-Fi hotspot

• 🔍 Check that the network name (SSID) and password on the secondary router match the primary one.
• 🔍 Make sure DHCP is disabled on the secondary router.
• 🔍 Try disabling encryption (temporarily) - if the devices connect, the problem is with the password.

Problem 2: There is Internet, but there is no access to local devices

• 🔍 Make sure both routers are on the same subnet (e.g. 192.168.1.X).
• 🔍 Make sure the routers are connected via LAN ports, not WAN.
• 🔍 Disable the firewall on your main router (temporarily) to test.

Problem 3: Slow speed when connecting to an access point

• 🔍 If you use WDS, the speed will always be lower - this is normal.
• 🔍 Check that both routers are working in wireless mode 802.11n or 802.11ac.
• 🔍 Change your Wi-Fi channel to a less busy one (use Wi-Fi Analyzer).
• 🔍 If the routers are far away, try swapping them.

Additional settings to optimize performance

To ensure your access point works stably and quickly, please configure these settings:

• 📶 Wi-Fi channel: Select the least loaded channel (use Wi-Fi Analyzer for analysis). For 2.4 GHz, channels 1, 6, or 11 are recommended (they do not overlap).
• 🔄 Roaming Assist: If both routers support it, enable this feature to seamlessly switch devices between points.
• 🔒 Security: Use only WPA2-PSK or WPA3Give up WEP And WPA - They are unsafe.
• 📡 Transmission power: If your router is overheating, reduce the signal strength to 75-80%.

Setting up Roaming Assist (using ASUS as an example):

1. Log in to the web interface of the main router.
2. Go to Wireless Network → Professional.
3. Find the parameter Roaming Assistant and turn it on.
4. Set the signal threshold (eg. -70 dBm), in which the devices will switch to another point.

Setting up a Wi-Fi channel (using TP-Link as an example):

1. Log in to the web interface.
2. Go to Wireless Mode → Settings.
3. In the section Channel select manual mode and specify the channel (for example, 6).
4. Save the settings.

For maximum stability it is recommended disable automatic channel selection - this will prevent accidental breaks when switching.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about setting up an access point

Is it possible to use a router as an access point without disabling DHCP?

No, this will lead to an IP address conflict. There should only be one DHCP server on a single network (on the primary router). Leaving DHCP enabled on the secondary router may cause devices to receive incorrect network settings, which will cause connection issues.

Which router is best for an access point?

Any router will work as an access point, but it's best to choose models with:

• Support 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) or 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) for high speed.
• Availability of AP mode (simplifies setup).
• A good antenna (for example, TP-Link Archer C6 or ASUS RT-AX55).

If the router will work in WDS mode, pay attention to models with support MU-MIMO (For example, Keenetic Ultra) - they cope better with signal retransmission.

Is it possible to connect devices to the access point via cable?

Yes, all LAN ports on the secondary router remain active in AP mode. You can connect PCs, Smart TVs, game consoles, and other devices to them via cable—they will be on the same network as your Wi-Fi clients.

Why did my internet speed drop after setting up an access point?

Possible reasons:

• If you use WDS, the speed will always be lower due to retransmission.
• If the routers are connected by a cable, check its quality (use Cat 5e or higher).
• Problems with the Wi-Fi channel - try changing to a less crowded channel.

To diagnose the issue, connect the device directly to the main router and check the speed. If it's normal, the problem is with the access point configuration.

How do I reset my router if I forgot my password?

All routers have a reset button (Reset). To reset the settings:

1. Connect the router to the network.
2. Find the button Reset (usually on the back panel).
3. Press it with a paper clip or toothpick for 10-15 seconds until the indicators flash.

After the reset, the router will return to factory settings. The login and password for logging in will be the default ones (usually admin/admin, see the sticker on the body).