Many users are familiar with the situation where a wireless network signal fails to reach remote areas of an apartment or house. Walls, ceilings, and household appliances create interference, causing internet speeds to drop and connections to constantly disconnect. The solution is often to install a second router, which receives the signal from the primary device and distributes it further, creating a single, seamless network.
A wired connection between devices isn't always possible due to building architectural features or the desire to avoid running cables across the entire room. Fortunately, modern technology allows for communication between two routers entirely over the air. This requires properly configuring operating modes, such as WDS bridge, Client mode or Repeater, which turns the second device into a powerful signal repeater.
In this article, we'll walk you through all the steps involved in connecting one router to another via Wi-Fi. You'll also learn about the differences in firmware from different manufacturers, such as TP-Link, Asus And MikroTikYou'll also understand how to avoid common mistakes when configuring IP addresses and channels. Properly setting up such a network will allow you to enjoy stable internet access anywhere in the room.
Selecting equipment and checking compatibility
The first step to creating a wireless network is to assess your existing equipment. Not all routers support Wi-Fi network extension, although most modern models do. You'll need a primary router, already configured and distributing internet, and a second router, which will act as a receiver or repeater.
It's important to understand that for stable operation, it's advisable to use devices from the same manufacturer or at least those that support the same encryption standards and protocols. If you plan to use the technology WDS (Wireless Distribution System), make sure both devices support it, as it is the most versatile, but sometimes finicky, method of pairing.
Pay attention to the frequency range. Dual-band routers operating in the standards 2.4 GHz And 5 GHz, provide more flexibility. You can use one band for backhaul communication between routers and another for distributing internet to clients, significantly increasing overall speed.
β οΈ Note: Older router models may not support WPA2-PSK/AES encryption in bridge mode, and may only support legacy WEP or WPA. This creates a security vulnerability in your network, so check the specifications on the manufacturer's website before purchasing a second device.
It's also worth considering that the speed on a client network will be lower than with a direct cable connection due to the overhead of wireless data transmission. However, for watching HD video, surfing the web, and working with documents, the speed loss is generally unnoticeable.
Preparing for setup: resetting and entering the interface
Before configuring, the second router (the one that will receive the signal) must be reset to its factory defaults. This will prevent IP address conflicts and old configurations that could interfere with the proper operation of the new setup. Resetting is typically accomplished by holding down the reset button. Reset on the device body for 10-15 seconds.
After the reset, connect to the second router from a computer or smartphone via a cable or an open Wi-Fi network. To access the web interface, use the default IP address found on the sticker on the bottom of the router; this is most often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Enter the default login and password (usually admin/admin).
A critical step is to change the local IP address of the second router so that it does not match the address of the main router. If both devices have the same address 192.168.0.1, a conflict will occur and the network will stop working. Change the address to 192.168.0.2 or any other on the same subnet but outside the DHCP range.
βοΈ Preparing the router
After changing the IP address, the router will reboot, and you will need to re-login to the control panel using the new address. Make sure your computer's network card settings are set to obtain an IP address automatically (DHCP) so that the device is correctly identified on the network.
Setting up the main router to distribute the signal
Now let's move on to setting up the main device, which is already connected to the ISP and is distributing the internet. Your task is to ensure that the wireless network is configured correctly and is ready to connect external devices. Go to the wireless settings section (Wireless or Wi-Fi).
Remember or write down the following parameters, they will be needed to configure the second router: network name (SSID), password, and, most importantly, the wireless network channel. For stable bridge operation, it is recommended to manually set a static channel (e.g., 1, 6, or 11 for 2.4 GHz), rather than leaving the default value Auto.
In some router models, especially from TP-Link And D-Link, you need to activate the function WDS or "Bridge". If you are using the repeater mode on modern systems like Keenetic or Asus (AiMesh), on the main router you may only need to enable the WPS function or add a node through the menu.
| Parameter | Meaning | Where to find | Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSID (Network Name) | Home_WiFi | Basic Wi-Fi settings | High |
| Channel | 6 (fixed) | Wireless settings | Critical |
| Type of protection | WPA2-PSK | Wi-Fi Security | High |
| Password | Wi-Fi Security | Critical | |
| MAC address | AA:BB:CC:11:22:33 | Device / LAN Status | Average |
Don't forget to save the main router's settings. If you changed the channel from automatic to fixed, the device may reboot the wireless module.
WDS Bridge Mode: Classic Connection
Mode WDS (Wireless Distribution System) Allows you to combine multiple wireless segments into a single network. This is a universal method that works on most routers, even from different manufacturers, although compatibility isn't always 100% guaranteed. In the second router's menu, find the "Operating Mode" or "Wireless Mode" section and select "Bridge (WDS)" or "WDS Repeater."
After enabling WDS mode, a "Search" or "Scan" button often appears. Click it to have the router search for available networks. Select your primary network from the list. The system will automatically fill in the MAC address and SSID of the primary router. All you need to do is select the encryption type (it must match the primary one, usually WPA2-PSK) and enter the password.
What to do if WDS is not working?
If you still can't connect to the internet after setting up WDS, try disabling the DHCP server on the second router. In bridged mode, only the primary router should distribute addresses. Also, make sure the channels on both devices are exactly the same.
An important detail is to disable the DHCP server on the second router. In a WDS connection, only one device should distribute IP addresses to clients. Find the section DHCP Server and select "Disable" or "Off".
After applying the settings, the second router will reboot. If everything is done correctly, the Wi-Fi indicator on it should light up or change its blinking pattern, indicating a successful connection. Computers and phones connected to the second router should receive IP addresses from the main device and have internet access.
Using Client and Access Point Mode
An alternative to WDS is a combination of "Client" and "Access Point" modes. In this scenario, the second router connects to the main router's Wi-Fi network as a regular device (like a laptop or phone) and distributes the received internet via its own air or cable. This method is often more stable than WDS and is better suited for devices. Asus And MikroTik.
In the wireless settings, select "Client." Start a network scan, select your primary access point, and enter the password. Unlike WDS, channel matching isn't always required, as the client automatically switches to the appropriate channel. Once connected, the connection speed and signal strength should be displayed in the status bar.
Next, you need to configure the local network. If you want devices connected to the second router to see devices on the main network (printers, NAS storage), leave DHCP enabled, but ensure its address pool doesn't overlap with the main router, or configure static routes. However, the easiest way is to also disable DHCP in client mode and use the second router as a wireless card with antennas.
β οΈ Note: In "Client" mode, some routers stop distributing Wi-Fi by default, operating only through LAN ports. Make sure the "Wireless Radio On" option is enabled after setting up the client if you need a wireless access point.
The advantage of this method is that it often allows you to use different frequency bands for receiving and transmitting if your router is dual-band. For example, you can receive 5 GHz from your ISP and distribute 2.4 GHz to older devices.
Optimization and troubleshooting
After setting up your network, it's important to ensure its stability. If the speed is low or the connection is constantly dropping, check the signal strength between the routers. They shouldn't be too far apart; the second router should be able to receive the first router's signal at a level no worse than -70 dBm.
Use Wi-Fi analyzer apps on your smartphone (e.g. WiFi Analyzer) to find the least congested channel. If neighboring networks are using the same channel, interference will occur. Change channels on both routers to clearer ones.
Make sure the firmware on both devices is updated to the latest versions. Manufacturers often fix WDS and wireless driver bugs in software updates. Also, check if power saving is enabled on the wireless module, which can reduce signal strength.