How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire – Easy 3 Steps

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How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire?For those searching for an alternative to purchasing a mesh Wi-Fi system or extenders, a second wireless router may be able to provide the necessary coverage without breaking the bank. In order to extend your Wi-Fi range and connect to your original router wirelessly, the second router network will need to enable WDS (also known as “bridging” or “repeater mode” on certain platforms). This wikiHow article will show you how to connect a second wireless router to your current Wi-Fi network using the steps outlined above.

1-Before You Begin

How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire

Consider the advantages of a mesh Wi-Fi setup. Because mesh Wi-Fi (also known as “whole house Wi-Fi”) is becoming increasingly popular, adding a second wireless router to your home network is becoming less of a need. A mesh Wi-Fi system is comprised of a central wireless router and a number of wireless access points strategically deployed across the house or workplace. [1] When you purchase a mesh Wi-Fi system, you can be certain that all of your equipment is intended to function together. If you just purchase a second wireless router to add to your network, there is no assurance that your new router will be compatible with your old router in terms of wireless connectivity.

Read Also: How to Connect ADT Pulse to WiFi

  • Mesh systems generally run between $130 and $300 USD, but costs will vary depending on the number of units you’ll need to cover your space. You can find mesh systems at any major retailer.
  • Most mesh networks can be set up in minutes with a mobile app. This makes them a lot easier to configure and manage than adding a second router.
  • You could also try a wireless extender, which is a great way to boost Wi-Fi signal in larger spaces.
How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire

Check to see whether the second router is capable of bridging. For a wireless connection between two routers to operate without the use of a mesh network, the second router on your network must be able to “bridge” with the first router on the network. Unless your router’s documentation specifically states that it does not support WDS, that it has “bridge mode,” or that it is a “repeater,” you should be able to use it as a second Wi-Fi access point on your network.

  • If router you want to add to your network doesn’t support WDS, you can’t use it to expand your network wirelessly.
How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire

Purchase an ethernet cable for your computer. However, even though you will be setting up a wireless network, an ethernet connection will be required in order to setup your two routers from the computer you are using.

2-Configuring the Main Router

How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire

Connect your main router to the internet by plugging it into the wall. Make sure your primary router is operational before proceeding with the installation of a second router on your network. Your internet service provider will most likely supply you with the primary router. Some internet service providers will offer you with a single modem/router combo, but others may provide you with two different pieces of equipment.

  • If you have a modem that is separate from your wireless router, run an ethernet cable from the port on your modem to the WAN port on your router. Sometimes the WAN port is labeled “Internet.”
  • If your modem and router are a single unit, connect it to the wall port using an ethernet or coaxial cable as instructed by your internet provider.
How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire

With an ethernet wire, connect your computer to the network router. If you’ve been using this router as your wireless access point, you may connect to it wirelessly instead of over a wired network connection. As an alternative to doing so, just connect one end of the ethernet cable to one of the LAN ports on your router, and another end to one of the ethernet ports on your computer.

  • If your computer doesn’t have an ethernet port (it looks like a larger phone jack), you will need an adapter. Ethernet-to-USB and Ethernet-to-Thunderbolt are two common adapter types.
How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire

Find the router’s IP address. To configure your router, you’ll need to know the IP address. Here’s how to find it:

  • Windows:
  • Click the network icon near the clock on the taskbar. If you’re connected wirelessly, it’ll be several curved lines. Otherwise, it’ll usually look like a globe or a computer.
  • Click Network & Internet settings.
  • Click View hardware and connection properties.
  • The IP address is next to “Default Gateway.”
  • Mac:
  • Open your System Preferences and click the Network icon.
  • Click your current internet connection.
  • Click Advanced.
  • Click TCP/IP.
  • Find the router’s IP address next to “Router.”
How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire

Log in to the administration page for your router. Using the IP address you discovered in the previous step, you may go to the website. To log in, just browse to the specified IP address (for example, http://192.168.1.1) and sign in using the admin username and password (if applicable).

  • All routers come with preset passwords and usernames (sometimes no username is required) that are simple, such as “admin” and “password.” See https://routerslogin.com/all/default-router-list for a list of common router admin logins and passwords.
  • If you changed your router’s admin password and don’t remember what it is, you can always reset the router to its original settings by pressing its “reset” button
How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire

Check to verify that the DHCP server is operational. This service, which allocates IP addresses to devices on your network, should already be operating on your router, which should be configured to do so. However, to be certain, go to the Network configuration or LAN setup part of your router and check for a section with the word “DHCP” in the title. If the server is currently disabled, pick the option to make it operational.

How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire


Write down the necessary information from your router.
 When it’s time to add your new router to the network, you’ll need some information from the main router to make them work together:

  • In the DHCP section of your router settings, look for the range of addresses used by the server. You may see something like “Starting IP address,” “DHCP range,” or “IP Address Range.” You’ll want to write down the first and last addresses in this range (e.g., 192.168.1.0 to 192.168.1.254).
  • Go to the Wireless or Wi-Fi settings and write down the SSID (the name of the wireless network) and password.
  • Write down the security mode (usually WPA2-PSK AES) and the band frequency (e.g., 2.4GHz or 5GHz).
  • Write down the IP address (this is the same address you navigated to to open the admin site) and subnet mask (e.g., 255.255.255.0).
  • Depending on your secondary, you may need to write down the router’s MAC address. If both of your routers are TP-Link or Linksys routers, you can skip this step
How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire

Remove yourself from the router. If you make any changes to the router while logged in (for example, turning on the DHCP server), save those changes first—doing so will also cause the router to restart itself. Then, unplug your computer from the network by removing the ethernet wire that was attached to it (or by disconnecting from the Wi-Fi network).

3-Bridging the Second Router

How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire

Connect your PC to the second router via a network cable. Following the collection of information from the main router, you will have everything necessary to set up the second router in its place. To connect to this router, use the same kind of ethernet cable that you used to connect to the previous router.

  • If your computer has Wi-Fi enabled, disconnect it now—you’ll need to make sure you’re not accidentally connecting to the first router when you’re trying to set up the new one.
How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire

Go to the second router’s admin website. The steps to do this are the same as when you logged in to the first router—locate its IP address, type that into a web browser, and then log in with the default admin password.

How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire

Switch on the bridging mode. Because this second router will act as a “bridge” between the first router and the rest of the network, you must activate bridging mode on it. The Network mode or Connection type option is normally found under a section titled “Advanced,” and then under the headings “Network mode” or “Connection type.”

  • Bridging mode may also be called “WDS Bridging,” “Wireless Repeater,” or similar.
  • If you have a Netgear router, navigate to Advanced > Advanced Setup > Router/AP/Bridge/Repeating Mode, choose Enable Wireless Repeating Function, and then select Wireless Repeater.
  • If you have a TP Link router, go to Advanced > System Tools > System Parameters and choose Enable WDS Bridging
How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire


Enter the details you gathered from the first router.
 In the same area in which you turned on bridging or WDS, you should see the option to add the information you gathered from the first router:

  • Enter the first router’s SSID and wireless password so this router can connect to it.
  • Type the primary router’s IP address (the one you wrote down earlier) into the “Default Gateway” field.
  • Give this router an IP address on the same subnet as the primary router. The IP address must be different than the main router’s IP address but on the same subnet. So, if the main router’s IP address is 192.168.0.1 and the subnet mask is 255.255.255.0, you might want to make this router’s IP address 192.168.0.2.
  • If prompted, enter the MAC address for the original router.
How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire

Configure the Wi-Fi on this router. After you’ve completed the bridging configuration, you’ll need to ensure that this router is ready to receive wireless connections.

  • Assign this router an SSID (network name) that is similar to, but somewhat different from, the SSID assigned to the original router in the previous step. For example, if your primary router is named MyWi-Fi and is located downstairs, and this router will be located upstairs, you may name this router WiFi Upstairs to distinguish it from the original router.
  • Create a new router with the same password as the first router and use the same security approach as the first router.
  • Ensure that you are using the same band/frequency as the original router.
How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire

Turn off the DHCP server if it is running. When you enable bridging mode on this router, the DHCP server on this router should be immediately disabled. As only the primary router should be assigning IP addresses, you’ll want to double-check your configuration. Enter the router’s Network configuration or LAN setup area and search for a section with the word “DHCP” in the title. If DHCP is enabled, turn it off by pressing the “DHCP” button.

How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire

Connect the bridge router to the main router. If both routers have WPS buttons (most do these days), you can press that button on both routers to connect them wirelessly.If not, there should be an option to connect in the bridging section of your settings.

How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire

Save your changes and disconnect from the router. When the new configuration is applied, the router will reboot. At that point, it will have a new IP address (the one you assigned it) so if you need to connect to its admin website again, use that IP address instead.

How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire


Position the bridge router.
 The second router on your network will need to be within range of the original router, but also far enough away that it can extend your network beyond the original router’s reach.

  • Whether you’re using 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, the second router should be within 200 ft for most routers. The closer the routers are together, the better the wireless performance.
  • Walls, ceilings, and large furniture can interfere with your connection. If there is no way to eliminate physical barriers between the routers, place both modems as high up as possible (such as on top of bookshelves).
How To Connect WiFi Router To Another WiFi Router Without Wire

Connect any computer, phone, or tablet to the new router using the included Ethernet cable. After installing two routers on your network, you can disconnect any device from the original router and connect it to the new router instead.

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Franklin Lee
Franklin Lee
Articles: 88

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