How To Convert a Wireless Router to an Access Point?

Imagine rediscovering a hidden gem right within your home, something with the potential to significantly upgrade your digital life. We're talking about your old wireless router, quietly lying in a corner, gathering dust. In today's ever-connected world, where every corner of our homes demands an uninterrupted Wi-Fi signal for work, entertainment, and smart devices, extending your network efficiently has become essential. But here's a plot twist - your retired router, once reconfigured as a router as an access point, can be the unsung hero in this scenario. Are you curious about how this transformation works? By transforming it into a powerful home Wi-Fi access point, it can give a fresh lease of life to your digital connectivity, seamlessly extending the reach of your home network.

Before diving into the nitty-gritty, let's clarify why setting a router as an access point is a game-changer. By repurposing your old router, you extend your home Wi-Fi coverage and make a cost-effective and eco-friendly choice. This process involves configuring your old router to function solely as an access point, allowing it to bridge the connectivity gap in areas your main router's signal can't reach effectively. So, how do we accomplish this digital makeover? Let’s walk through the detailed steps.

How to Set a Router as an Access Point?

Preparation is Key: Before anything else, ensure your main router and the old router are powered off. It’s also a good time to reset your old router to factory settings to avoid any previous configuration conflicts.

1. Check Compatibility and Update Firmware

• First off, verify if your router supports operation in a bridge or AP mode, essential for converting it into a router as an access point. Consult the user manual or the manufacturer's website for this information.

• Update your router's firmware to the latest version through its admin interface to ensure smooth operation and compatibility.

2. Backup Current Settings

• Access the router’s web-based setup page, typically by entering addresses like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into your browser.

• Look for and utilize the Backup or Save Settings option to secure your current configuration, an essential step when setting a router as an access point.

3. Disconnect Devices

• For the router you plan to convert, disconnect it from any computers, modems, or other routers, making sure only the power cable remains connected.

4. Assign a Static IP Address

• Reattach a computer to the router to be converted into an access point.

• Re-enter the admin interface to find the LAN (Local Area Network) setup page.

• Critical step: disable the DHCP server, since your main router will manage DHCP assignments in this home Wi-Fi access point setup.

• Set a static IP address for your newly converted AP that's within the same subnet as your main router but outside its DHCP scope to prevent IP conflicts. For example, if your main router has the IP 192.168.1.1 with a DHCP range of 192.168.1.100-199, an appropriate IP for your AP would be 192.168.1.2.

• Implement these changes to progress in setting your router as an access point.

5. Modify Wireless Settings

• Access the wireless settings via the router’s admin interface.

• You may choose to keep the SSID and password the same as your main network for easier roaming or alter them as desired.

• It’s crucial to match the security settings, like WPA2 or WPA3, with those of your main router when configuring a router as an access point.

• Apply and save your modifications.

6. Connect the Routers

• Using an Ethernet cable, connect a LAN port on your main router to a LAN port on the router you're converting. Do not use the WAN (Internet) port on the router-turned-AP.

• This connection will allow the AP to communicate with your main router and the rest of your network.

7. Power Cycle and Test

• Power cycle both routers by disconnecting them, waiting briefly, and reconnecting them to test your home Wi-Fi access point.

• Verify the operational status of your setup by connecting a device wirelessly to the AP, ensuring internet access and network communication are intact.

8. Additional Adjustments

• Fine-tune settings like the AP's channel to decrease interference with your main router or nearby wireless networks, optimizing your router as an access point.

• Employ a WiFi analyzer tool to identify the most effective channel.

Tips:

• Always document any changes you make, including IP addresses and settings, for future reference.

• If your router turns the access point and the main router is on different channels, it can help reduce wireless interference.

• Consider the placement of your access point for optimal coverage and performance across your network area.

• By following these steps, you can successfully convert a wireless router into an access point, enhancing your network's reach and capability.