It's quite common for someone to already have a cable from another router running into their apartment or office, but need to extend their wireless network's coverage. Users often ask if they can connect an internet cable to the LAN port so the device functions as an access point rather than the main router. This allows for a unified network where all devices can see each other, regardless of which router they're physically connected to.
Implementing this setup requires changing the default equipment settings, as most models, by default, expect a provider cable to be connected to the WAN port. Simply plugging the cable into the LAN port will result in an IP address conflict or double NAT, resulting in network inaccessibility. In this article, we'll walk you through a step-by-step process for turning any router into an effective network extender.
The essence of the LAN-to-LAN connection scheme
The standard home network architecture assumes that the primary router distributes addresses to devices via DHCP, while the second router, connected via the WAN, creates its own subnet. In this configuration, devices connected to different routers cannot see each other, making it difficult to use network printers, file storage, or smart home systems. Our goal is to ensure that the second router transparently forwards all requests to the first.
To do this, you need to disable routing functions on the second device and leave only the switch and access point functions. Physically, the cable from the main router will be inserted into the port. LAN the second device, bypassing the WAN interface. This turns the second router into a simple switch with antennas, where all devices are on the same logical subnet.
It is important to understand the difference between operating modes: In router mode, the device manages traffic between two networks, while in access point mode, it only broadcasts the signal. Many modern models Asus, Keenetic And Mikrotik have a software mode switch, but we will consider a universal method that works even on older firmware.
⚠️ Attention: Firmware interfaces are constantly updated. Menu locations may vary depending on the firmware version. If you don't find an exact match, look for similar sections in the LAN or Network settings.
Preparing equipment and resetting settings
Before starting setup, it's crucial to clear the second router's configuration of previous settings. This will prevent setting conflicts and unpredictable behavior. It's best to perform a full reset (hard reset) to factory settings. To do this, locate the button on the device's housing. Reset or Restore, often hidden in a recess.
Press and hold the button for about 10-15 seconds until the indicators flash simultaneously. The router will then reboot. Connect your computer to any LAN port of the device you're configuring using a patch cord. Don't connect the cable from the main router yet, as this may cause an address conflict if their ranges overlap.
Open your browser and enter the web interface address. This is usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1The exact address is indicated on the sticker on the bottom of the case. If the address doesn't open, check your PC's network card settings—they should be set to obtain an IP automatically.
☑️ Preparing for setup
Changing the IP address of a local network
The first step in configuration is to change the IP address of the router itself. By default, most devices have an address 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1There's a high probability that your main router is already using one of these addresses. If you leave the addresses the same, the network won't work due to a conflict.
You need to change the address of the second router so that it is in the same subnet as the main router, but not the same. For example, if the main router has the address 192.168.1.1, then the second one needs to be assigned 192.168.1.2 or 192.168.1.254This will allow you to easily find the device on the network for management in the future.
To do this, go to the section Network → LAN (or Local area network). In the field IP Address Enter the new address. After applying the settings, the router will ask you to reboot, and you will need to access it using the new address. Write down this address; you will need it for the final connection.
| Parameter | Main router (Example) | Second Router (Customizable) | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP address | 192.168.1.1 | 192.168.1.2 | Must be in the same subnet |
| Subnet mask | 255.255.255.0 | 255.255.255.0 | Same for all devices |
| DHCP Server | On | Turned off | Critical to LAN-to-LAN design |
| Wi-Fi channel | 1, 6 or 11 | Different from the main one | To avoid interference |
What happens if you don't change your IP address?
If the IP addresses of the primary and secondary routers match, an IP conflict will occur. Network devices will begin receiving incorrect routes, and the internet may disappear completely or become unstable with constant connection drops. Some operating systems may block the network interface until the conflict is resolved.
Disabling the DHCP server
The most important configuration step is disabling DHCP on the second router. In a network setup where the cable comes into the LAN, only one central node—the primary router—should handle address distribution. Leaving DHCP enabled on both devices will result in clients receiving random IP addresses from different sources, preventing internet access.
Find the section in the menu DHCP Server (often found in the category LAN or Network). Set the switch to the position Disable or uncheck the box EnableSave the settings. Now the second router will no longer distribute addresses and will function as a transparent bridge.
After this step, the computer connected to the second router may lose connection to the web interface, as there's no longer anything automatically assigning an address. This is normal. To further test the Wi-Fi settings, you may need to manually assign a static IP address to the computer or temporarily re-enable DHCP, but only until you physically reconnect the cable.
Setting up a wireless Wi-Fi network
Now you need to configure the radio module settings. You can create a new network with a unique name or clone the main router's settings to create seamless roaming (although full roaming requires support for the 802.11r/k/v protocols). To easily extend coverage, simply set the name (SSID) and password.
Go to the section Wireless or Wi-FiSet the network name (SSID). If you want devices to switch automatically, the name and password should match the main router, but the broadcast channels should be different to avoid interference.
Select a security mode WPA2-PSK (or WPA3, if the equipment is modern) and set a complex password. In the channel settings (Channel) It is recommended to select a fixed value (1, 6 or 11 for 2.4 GHz) rather than Autoto avoid frequency surges during reboot.
⚠️ Attention: When using the same network name (SSID) on two routers, older devices may become stuck on the weak signal of the far router and fail to switch to the near one. In such cases, manually reconnecting Wi-Fi on your smartphone can help.
Final connection and operation check
After saving all the settings (changing the IP, disabling DHCP, and configuring Wi-Fi), you can move on to the physical connection. Take the cable coming from the main router (from its LAN port) and plug it into any available port. LAN port On the configured second router. The WAN (Internet) port on the second device remains empty!
Wait about a minute for the interfaces to load. Now connect your smartphone or laptop to the new Wi-Fi network. The device should receive an IP address from the primary router, and internet access should be available. Test access to the second router's web interface using the new IP address you specified earlier.
Make sure devices connected to different routers can see each other. Try transferring a file over the local network or running a network printer. If everything works, then the circuit is working. LAN-to-LAN implemented correctly, and you receive a single network with extended coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to use the WAN port on the second router in this setup?
Technically, it's possible, but you'll need to configure the "Access Point" mode in your router's software, if it has one. In this case, the router will automatically disable DHCP and route traffic correctly. If this feature isn't available, using the WAN port will create a double NAT, which is bad for gaming and some network services.
Why did the internet disappear on connected devices after setup?
Most likely, you forgot to disable the DHCP server on the second router or specified the gateway incorrectly. Also, check that the second router's IP address is in the same subnet as the primary router, but not the same. Make sure the cable is intact and plugged into the LAN port.
Will IPTV work with this scheme?
Yes, with LAN-to-LAN multicast, traffic (used for IPTV) usually flows transparently, as the devices are in the same broadcast domain. However, if your provider uses MAC address binding, additional MAC address cloning settings may be required on the main router.
How to reset the router to its original state?
To do this, simply press and hold the Reset button on the device for 10-15 seconds until the indicators reset. All settings, including the Wi-Fi and admin passwords, will be reset to the factory defaults indicated on the sticker.