Use your Old Router as a WiFi Repeater (No cables required)

Introduction

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to repurpose your old router as a WiFi repeater using the WDS Bridge feature. This method allows you to extend your existing WiFi network without the need for any cables, enhancing coverage in your home or office. We'll demonstrate the process using a TP-Link TL-WR841N as the primary router and a Tenda F300 as the secondary router.

Step 1: Prepare Your Routers

• Gather your equipment: Ensure you have both your primary router (TP-Link TL-WR841N) and your old router (Tenda F300).
• Reset the secondary router: To avoid any configuration conflicts, reset the Tenda F300 to factory settings. This can usually be done by pressing and holding the reset button for about 10 seconds.
• Connect to the primary router: Make sure the TP-Link router is functioning and that you can connect to its WiFi network.

Step 2: Access the Primary Router Settings

• Open a web browser: On a device connected to the TP-Link router, open your preferred web browser.
• Enter the router's IP address: Type 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 into the address bar and hit Enter. This will take you to the router's login page.
• Log in: Enter the default username and password (usually both are "admin") to access the settings.

Step 3: Enable WDS on the Primary Router

• Navigate to Wireless Settings: Look for the "Wireless" or "Wireless Settings" section in the menu.
• Find WDS Settings: Look for an option labeled "WDS" or "WDS Bridging".
• Enable WDS: Check the box to enable WDS and start scanning for available networks.
• Select the Secondary Router: Once the scan is complete, select your Tenda F300 from the list of detected networks.

Step 4: Configure the Secondary Router

• Connect to the Tenda F300: You may need to connect to the Tenda router using an Ethernet cable or wirelessly, depending on its current settings.
• Access its settings: Open a web browser and enter the Tenda router's IP address (often 192.168.0.1).
• Log in: Use the default credentials to access the settings.
• Enable WDS: Similar to the primary router, navigate to the wireless settings and enable WDS.
• Input the primary router's settings: Enter the SSID and MAC address of the TP-Link router.

Step 5: Finalize the Configuration

• Set the same WiFi password: Ensure that the WiFi password for the secondary router matches that of the primary router for seamless connectivity.
• Save settings and reboot: Save your configurations on both routers and reboot them to apply the changes.
• Test the connection: Connect your device to the Tenda router’s WiFi and check if you can access the internet and the primary network.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can successfully use your old router as a WiFi repeater, extending your network's range without any cables. This setup is especially useful for eliminating dead zones in your home. If you encounter any issues, double-check the WDS settings and ensure both routers are compatible with WDS bridging. Happy networking!