Many users face the problem of weak Wi-Fi signal in certain rooms or areas of the house. But instead of buying new equipment, you can use an old router, turning it into a signal amplifier. This was told by technical experts of the Which? , providing simple step-by-step instructions.
First of all, you need to reset your old router to factory settings. To do this, you usually need to hold down the reset button on the back of the device for 30 seconds. It is also worth writing down the IP addresses of both routers - the main one and the old one. This information is usually indicated on the stickers on the device case.
Next are the basic setup steps:
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Connect the old router to your computer via an Ethernet cable.
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Open a browser and enter the IP address of the old router, log in to its system.
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Disable the DHCP server in your local network settings - this will prevent IP address conflicts.
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Assign a static IP address to the old router - it must be in the same subnet as the main one (for example, 192.168.1.2, if the main one is 192.168.1.1).
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Set the same Wi-Fi SSID and password as your main router. This will allow devices to automatically switch between access points.
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Save the changes, and then connect both routers via LAN ports with an Ethernet cable.
You can then place your old router in an area with weak signal. It will act as an access point, boosting the signal while providing additional ports for connecting devices via cable.
Experts remind that such a configuration not only improves Wi-Fi coverage, but also allows you to use the LAN ports of the old router to connect TVs, computers, or consoles.
By the way, it's worth remembering that in 2025, many legacy devices, including some smartphones, laptops, and routers, will no longer receive updates. This could leave them vulnerable to attacks or even completely inoperable. Before reusing old equipment, check to see if it's still supported.
