How to Extend Home Wi‑Fi Coverage by Adding a Second Router

When a single router cannot cover a large house or villa, adding a second router can extend Wi‑Fi coverage. The article presents three methods: using the second router as a secondary router (access point), converting it into a switch, and wireless bridging. It focuses on the first two methods.

Method 1: Secondary Router (Access Point)

Connect the primary router (Router 1) LAN port to the WAN port of Router 2 using an Ethernet cable.

In Router 2’s web interface, go to Internet Settings → WAN Settings → WAN Connection Type and select Automatic IP (DHCP) , then save.

Set Router 2’s LAN IP to a different subnet, e.g., 192.168.2.1, via LAN Settings → IP Address → Manual , and save (router will reboot).

Disable Router 2’s DHCP server: DHCP Server → DHCP Service → Off , then save.

After these steps, Router 2 will act as an access point on the same network, providing Wi‑Fi in areas where the primary router’s signal is weak.

Method 2: Convert the Second Router into a Switch

Change Router 2’s LAN IP to stay in the same subnet as Router 1 (e.g., 192.168.1.X where 2 < X < 254).

Disable Router 2’s DHCP server as described above.

Connect a LAN port of Router 1 to a LAN port of Router 2 with an Ethernet cable (do not use the WAN port).

This configuration turns Router 2 into a simple Ethernet switch that also provides wireless access, without creating a separate network segment.

Key Points and Caveats

The primary router must already have internet connectivity; otherwise, the secondary router cannot provide access.

When using the secondary router as an access point, ensure its LAN IP does not conflict with the primary router’s IP.

All configuration changes are made on Router 2; the primary router does not need to be altered.

By following the three‑step process—connect the routers, configure the WAN side, then adjust the LAN side and DHCP—you can successfully extend Wi‑Fi coverage throughout a large home.