Guide to Connecting Two Routers into a Single Home Network

Are you seeking guide to connecting two routers together into one home network?  With increasing smart devices at home, the need for a stronger internet connection is very much required. Smartphones, laptops, smart TVs, and many other devices require Wi-Fi connectivity, and all at the same time. Well, too many connected devices also mean there is a need for better coverage and a stronger network. But the question is one router enough? 

In situations like these, one router isn’t sufficient to build a strong and extended network all across the house, providing high-quality Wi-Fi coverage to all the connected devices. Moreover, if you have a bigger house then there is quite a possibility that some areas inside might be beyond the Wi-Fi coverage. In this situation, the most common way out is to install additional equipment to extend the network coverage across the whole house. And the best add-on equipment is a second router, the easiest and most convenient way to extend the network. However, this doesn’t mean installing two routers with a different connection; rather you can easily connect two routers into one home network. 

So, if you’re wondering how to connect two routers, then we have sketched out the process of doing it here. Read through this article to understand the process of connecting two routers. 

Guide to Connecting Two Routers

Connecting two routers is possible in two ways, both being a simple process; you can decide the one as per your convenience. One way to connect is by laying cables from one router to another, and the second way by Wi-Fi. So, let’s delve a bit more into these two steps.

Guide to Connecting Two Router by Cables 

If you want to place the two routers not far apart, then connecting it by cables can be a smart idea. Even though connecting the routers via cables is not always convenient but it is more stable and reliable than the Wi-Fi connection. This connection ensures a steady operating network that offers high speed to various paired devices. 

Besides, connecting two routers through cables can be done via 2 ways – first by LAN-to-LAN connection and second by LAN/WAN connection. 

• LAN/LAN connection- Here, the primary router is one that receives the Internet connection cable. So, from the LAN port of the primary router to the LAN port of the other router, join a cable. Once attached, do check with DHCP settings of both the router to establish the connection. For the main router, the DHCP server should be enabled and for the secondary, router, disable the DHCP server. Also, don’t forget to change the IP address of both the routers, which you can from the Network/LAN settings, and also reboot to ensure both are on the same network. With this, the LAN/LAN connection gets established. 
• LAN/WAN connection– In case of LAN/WAN connection, join the LAN port of the main router and the WAN port of the secondary router via a network cable. Let the DHCP server remain enabled for the primary router and secondary router, and set the connection type as Dynamic IP from the Network/WAN settings. Also, don’t forget to change the IP address of the second router so that it’s always in the main sub-network. 

Needless to say, these two ways of connecting two routers via network cables are capable of providing a high-speed, reliable connection. Also, we recommend it’s best to place the routers on the same floor, especially in adjacent rooms for a stronger connection.

Guide to Connecting Two Routers through Wi-Fi

Unlike the connection via cables, connecting two routers using Wi-Fi is much easy and less time-consuming. So, for connecting two routers through Wi-Fi, you can just follow these steps chronologically. 

• Configure the primary router before setting up the second one. That means the primary router must have an active Internet connection. Also, change the channel to static from the ‘Channel’ section in the ‘Wireless’ tab present in the ‘network settings’ of the main router.
• Next, you need to configure the second router (in WDS mode) and you can start by changing the IP address. Go to the ‘Network/LAN’, and change the last digit of the IP address. Just make sure that the IP address of the main and secondary router differs only by the last digit; so that the second router remains in the main sub-network. 
• Once you’re done with the IP address changes and configuration, go to the Wireless/ Basic settings, and give a specific name to the second wireless network. Also, in the Channel section give the same channel number, which you had set for the main router. 
• Also, you need to click on the ‘Enable WDS’ check box and then on ‘Scan’. With this, your screen redirects to the next page, wherein you have to select the network from where the main router gets the Internet connection. After you select, click on connect, and also assign a password to the main router.
• Lastly, reboot and check whether the second router’s connection is formed or not. Also, don’t forget to disable the DHCP server of the secondary router. On completing this, you’ll find that the two routers are connected by Wi-Fi within the same network. 

Above all, when connecting two routers through Wi-Fi, you need to keep in mind the placement of the routers. This means that the secondary router needs to be in a place that falls within the coverage area of the primary router, as this will build a stronger network. 

As we wrap up the details on how to connect two routers, we hope you gained a clear stance about the setup process. Also, we suggest when connecting two routers, do check with location and other requirements as well, so that you don’t face any lags with the Internet speed and connection.

Hope the guide to connecting two routers will help you.

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