How to use an old router as a Wi-Fi extender
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Your old router can widen your home network with a few easy tweaks. If you find that your Wi-Fi or wired internet connection doesn’t spread out wide enough, a single router can take your signal and spread that out even further. This could help a ton, especially if you want to utilize internet-hungry devices like theDell XPS 17 9710. What else were you going to use the old router for anyway? Here’s how to use an old router as a Wi-Fi extender.
How to prepare your old router
How to use your old router as a Wi-Fi extender
With these settings in place, your old router will successfully take the Wi-Fi signal from your new router and spread it out where it’s located. Unlike a mesh router network, you will have to manually connect to the old and new router separately. But even so, it’s a great way to use both an old piece of technology and give you more coverage in areas your Wi-Fi wouldn’t otherwise reach.
Our top equipment picks
A cheap, reliable router that provides solid internet speeds
The TP-Link Archer A7 is a good, cheap router that you might already have or could afford to use as a Wi-Fi extender. It’s one of the easiest routers to set up as an extender and will spread your signal wide.
The TP-Link Archer A7 is a great router to use as a Wi-Fi extender. Whether you already own one or can afford one, it offers an incredibly simple process for setting it up as an extender. If it’s an upgrade to your current router, it would also be a great option to extend your connection out from.
OpenWrt is the top pick for custom router firmware
OpenWrt is an alternative option if your router doesn’t have easy settings for turning it into an extender.
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Tyler Colp is a freelance writer for Windows Central. He’s written about tech, games, and the culture around them across the internet. Ask him anything about Dark Souls or just follow him onTwitter.
