How To Connect Two Routers Wirelessly to Extend Range (Explained)

Wireless routers can be a convenient way to connect your devices to the internet, but their range can be limited.

If you find that your wireless signal doesn’t reach certain areas of your home or office, you may want to consider extending the range of your network by connecting two routers wirelessly.

This process, known as “wireless bridging,” can be a useful solution for boosting your wireless signal and extending the coverage of your network.

Introduction to Wireless Bridging

Wireless bridging is the process of connecting two wireless routers together to extend the range of a network.

By using a wireless bridge, you can connect one router to another and effectively double the coverage area of your network.

This can be especially useful in large homes or office buildings where a single wireless router may not provide sufficient coverage.

Setting Up a Wireless Bridge

To set up a wireless bridge, you’ll need two wireless routers. One of these routers will be connected to your internet provider’s modem, and will be referred to as the “main” or “primary” router.

The other router, which will be connected to the primary router wirelessly, is called the “secondary” or “remote” router.

1. Start by placing the primary router in a central location, ideally in the same room as your internet provider’s modem. This will ensure that the primary router receives a strong and stable internet connection.
2. Next, connect the primary router to your internet provider’s modem using an Ethernet cable. This will allow the router to access the internet and broadcast a wireless signal.
3. Once the primary router is connected to the internet, configure its wireless settings. This typically involves giving the router a unique name (also known as an SSID) and setting a password to protect your network. Make sure to write down the name and password, as you’ll need them to connect the secondary router to the network.
4. Place the secondary router in the location where you want to extend the range of your network. This could be at the other end of your home, in a different room, or even in a separate building.
5. Connect the secondary router to a power source, and then turn it on.
6. On the secondary router, look for a setting called “wireless bridging” or “repeater mode.” This setting will allow the router to connect to the primary router wirelessly and extend the range of your network.
7. Follow the instructions provided by your router’s manufacturer to configure the wireless bridging settings. This typically involves entering the name and password of the primary router, as well as any other required settings.
8. Once the secondary router is successfully connected to the primary router, it should begin broadcasting its own wireless signal. You can then connect your devices to the extended network using the same name and password that you used for the primary router.

Benefits of Wireless Bridging

Wireless bridging can provide a number of benefits, including:

• Extending the range of your wireless network: By connecting two routers wirelessly, you can effectively double the coverage area of your network. This can be especially useful in large homes or office buildings where a single router may not provide sufficient coverage.
• Improved signal strength: In addition to extending the range of your network, wireless bridging can also improve the strength of your wireless signal. This can be especially helpful if you live in a multi-story home or if there are walls or other obstacles that can weaken the signal.
• Increased number of available connections: By connecting two routers together, you can also increase the number of devices that can connect to your network at the same time.

Is It Safe To Connect Two Routers?

In general, it is safe to connect two routers together.

This process, known as “wireless bridging,” can provide a number of benefits, such as extending the range of your network and improving the strength of your wireless signal.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that your network remains secure.

First, make sure to properly configure the security settings on both of your routers.

This typically involves setting a unique name (also known as an SSID) and password for your network. This will help to prevent unauthorized access to your network.

Next, consider using encryption to protect your wireless data. Most modern routers support a type of encryption called WPA2, which is considered to be secure. Enabling encryption will help to prevent others from intercepting your data as it is transmitted over the network.

Finally, keep in mind that connecting two routers together can increase the number of devices that can connect to your network at the same time.

This can be useful, but it also means that there are more potential points of entry for attackers.

Make sure to keep your routers and connected devices up to date with the latest security patches and firmware updates to reduce the risk of security vulnerabilities.

In summary, connecting two routers together is generally safe as long as you properly configure the security settings and keep your network and devices up to date.

How Much Range Can You Get With Two Routers?

The range of your network can be extended by connecting two routers together wirelessly, a process known as “wireless bridging.”

However, the exact range that you can achieve will depend on a number of factors, including the specific routers that you are using, their placement and configuration, and the environment in which they are used.

In general, you can expect to extend the range of your network by up to two times when using wireless bridging.

For example, if a single router has a range of 100 feet, you can expect the combined range of two routers to be approximately 200 feet. However, this is just a rough estimate, and your actual range may vary.

It’s important to note that the range of a wireless network is also affected by factors such as the number of devices connected to the network, the presence of obstacles or interference, and the wireless technology used by the routers.

For best results, experiment with the placement and configuration of your routers to find the optimal setup for your specific environment.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, connecting two routers together wirelessly can be a useful way to extend the range of your network and improve the strength of your wireless signal.

This process, known as “wireless bridging,” involves setting up one router as the primary router, which is connected to your internet provider’s modem, and a second router as the secondary router, which is connected to the primary router wirelessly.

By configuring the wireless bridging settings on the secondary router, you can extend the range of your network and connect your devices to the extended network using the same name and password as the primary router.

While setting up a wireless bridge can provide many benefits, it’s important to properly configure the security settings on both of your routers to prevent unauthorized access to your network.

Additionally, consider using encryption to protect your wireless data and keep your routers and connected devices up to date with the latest security patches and firmware updates.

With these steps, you can safely and effectively extend the range of your wireless network.