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The smart trick to improve your WiFi for FREE with an old device you already own

The clever trick to boost your WiFi for FREE with an old device you already own

  • Did you know that by modifying an old router you can make a DIY WiFi extender?

By Zeenia Naqvee

Updated:

Many people struggle with WiFi connectivity, especially those who work from home – but what many people don’t know is that you can repurpose a worn-out router into a WiFi extender.

Instead of investing in a new router, which one? tech support expert Tom Morgan says it’s worth resetting your old one first.

If you have a lot of space in your home, you may have considered purchasing a Wi-Fi extender to increase the range of your router.

Many people struggle with WiFi connectivity, especially those who work from home – but what many people don’t know is that you can repurpose a worn-out router into a WiFi extender (stock image)

All you need to do is adjust a few settings to save some money, then place your brand new router in an area of ​​your property with a weak signal.

If you find an Ethernet cable too inconvenient, he recommends using a powerline adapter as a convenient alternative to do the following.

How to repurpose your old router into a brand new one

Step 1: Factory reset the old router – this varies by model, but it should be clear in your device’s instructions – usually you hold the reset button for 30 seconds.

Step 2: EBe sure to write down the IP addresses of both your routers – the old one you’re repurposing and the one currently used in your home. TIP: You can find these on the back of most routers.

Step 3: Find an Ethernet cable that you can plug into one of the Ethernet/LAN ports on the old router and have the other end ready to plug into your computer.

Step 4: Use a search engine on your desktop to enter your old router’s IP address as a URL. It will ask you to enter details about your router’s identity, such as username and password.

Step 5: Once you are logged in to your account, find the LAN settings and then the DHCP settings.

Step 6: Disable the DHCP server on the original router to redirect the IP address from your main router.

Step 7: Go to IP address in settings and you can set a fixed IP address that matches the range of the router you are currently using.

Step 8: On your old router, find and update the network name or SSID and your password to match the current router. This ensures seamless integration of the two devices and ensures an automatic connection.

Step 9: Simply save these changes and unplug the Ethernet cable you previously connected to your computer. Now you can connect one end of the Ethernet cable to a LAN port on your old router and the other end to the matching cable on the main router.

Did you know this trick? Let us know in the comments below.

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