Question about using Wifi router in repeater mode

Checkout device specific info on manufacturer website for explanation of operating modes, but seems to be an easy path to test with whats available to you at the moment

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Are you trying to use a bonded 2.4/5Ghz network with the same SSID?

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You will have to bear with me, despite my 70+ yo neighbors coming to me for WiFi help I have never had to do much more than plug-in WiFi routers and do basic setups so my internet distribution understanding is limited.

What I want to do is use the spare WiFi router in repeater mode (which seems easy enough to set up per the documentation) and use one of the ethernet outputs to connect to my device which seems to only like a wired connection stability-wise. The documentation says nothing about ethernet in repeater mode but it may be my use case is such an oddball nobody thought to include it. So at the end of the day I want an ethernet connection that receives its internet via Wifi from my main router.



It appears they make exactly what I need and I don't mind buying one but just curious if the router I have will work. I guess to some degree after finding these it is almost just an academic question that will only cost me 30-40 bucks if the answer is I can't do it with what I have.

What is the brand and model of your primary router? Mixing brands is a recipe for things not working. Even using the same brand but different models can generate bad news.

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If you want to use the Ethernet ports you'll want to use bridge mode.

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Yes- if there is “bridge” or “wireless bridge” mode in the router settings, you’re likely good to go. But as you said- their manual is either lacking mentioning of the feature, or the router doesn’t have the feature.

Sounds like you know enough to get to where “repeater mode” is in the router’s management interface already. If there is anything with the word ‘bridge’ as an option, fire it up, type in the wifi password and connect it to the wifi, then move that bad boy outside. You can try the same in repeater mode, but it is often going to disable the Ethernet ports.


Then, as you said, it’s more academic than anything. But if your model appears on this list, then you can actually download the DD-WRT firmware, flash it onto the router. Then when you manage the router (192.168.x.x) it will have different capabilities, including the mode you’re wanting which is seemingly their client mode.


Very fun tool if you want to play around. If this seems difficult or not interesting, it’s certainly not worth $40 of your time as you point out.

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Generally repeater mode turns it into a wifi repeater and disables the Ethernet ports.

If you want to use the Ethernet ports you'll want to use bridge mode.

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This was the answer. The extra router I have doesn't support a bridge mode (at least it is nowhere in the documentation I have). I pulled it out today and repeater mode works fine but the ethernet ports do seem to be disabled. I think I will try my luck with one of the wireless bridges. TP-Link seems to have several at different price points so I suppose that is the way I will go.

Thanks for the thoughts everyone.