Yes, you can connect a router to a router, and it's a common way to extend your network

You can plug a second router into your first one, and it will work. The second router becomes what's called an access point or range extender — it takes the internet signal from the first router and broadcasts it to reach dead zones in your home or office. The setup takes about 10 minutes and requires only an ethernet cable.

The catch is that the second router needs to be configured differently than it would be if it were your main router. If you plug it in without changing its settings, it will try to act like a main router and create conflicts with the first one. The good news is that most routers have a straightforward switch or setting to put them into access point mode, which handles the configuration automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Connect the second router to the first using an ethernet cable plugged into a regular LAN port (not the WAN or internet port) on the second router.
  • Put the second router into access point mode or bridge mode using its settings menu or a physical switch on the back of the unit.
  • Turn off DHCP (the service that assigns IP addresses) on the second router so it doesn't conflict with the first one.
  • Both routers will broadcast the same network name and password, so your devices will automatically switch between them as you move around.
  • If your routers are far apart, use a wireless connection instead of ethernet, though the signal will be weaker than a wired setup.

The physical connection: where the cable goes

Look at the back of your second router. You'll see several ports labeled LAN (usually numbered 1, 2, 3, 4) and one labeled WAN or Internet. The WAN port is where internet comes in from your modem. When you're connecting router to router, you use a LAN port instead.

Take an ethernet cable and plug one end into any LAN port on your second router. Plug the other end into any LAN port on your first router. That's the physical part — the internet will flow from your modem to the first router, then through the cable to the second router, and out to your devices.

If the routers are far apart and you can't run a cable between them, you can set up a wireless connection instead. This is slower but works when running ethernet isn't practical. Your second router will connect to the first router's WiFi signal rather than through a cable.

Switching the second router to access point mode

Before you plug anything in, check whether your second router has a physical switch on the back or bottom. Some routers have a switch labeled "Router / AP" or "Router / Access Point" — flip it to the AP side. This automatically disables the features that would conflict with your main router.

If there's no physical switch, you'll need to log into the router's settings menu. Open a web browser on a computer connected to that router and type the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — check the sticker on the back). Log in with the username and password printed on the router or in its manual.

Once you're in the settings, look for a section called "Operating Mode," "Router Mode," "Network Mode," or "Wireless Settings." Select "Access Point" or "Bridge Mode" from the dropdown menu. Save the settings and the router will restart. This tells the second router to stop trying to manage your network and just extend it instead.

Turning off DHCP on the second router

DHCP is the service that assigns IP addresses to your devices when they connect. Your first router is already doing this job. If the second router is also trying to assign addresses, the two will conflict and devices may drop off the network or connect slowly.

In the second router's settings menu, find the DHCP section (usually under "LAN Settings" or "Network Settings"). Look for a toggle or checkbox that says "DHCP Server" and turn it off. Save the settings. Now only your first router will hand out addresses, and the second router will straightforward pass traffic through.

If you put the router into access point mode using a physical switch, DHCP is usually disabled automatically. Check the manual or the settings menu to confirm, but most modern routers handle this for you.

What happens to your WiFi network name and password

Once the second router is set up as an access point, you have two choices: give it the same network name (SSID) and password as the first router, or give it a different name.

If you use the same name and password, your devices will see one network and automatically switch between the two routers as you move around your home. This is seamless but means you can't tell which router you're connected to. Most people prefer this setup because it feels like one network.

If you give the second router a different name, you'll see two networks in your device list and have to manually switch between them. This is useful if you want to test coverage or if you have devices that work better on one router than the other, but it's more work day-to-day.

Using a wireless connection between routers instead of ethernet

If you can't run an ethernet cable between the routers, you can connect them wirelessly. The second router will join your first router's WiFi network, then broadcast its own signal to extend coverage.

In the second router's settings, look for "Wireless Bridge," "WDS," or "Repeater Mode" — the exact name varies by brand. Select your first router's network name from the list and enter its password. The second router will connect wirelessly and relay the signal to areas that don't reach the first one.

Wireless connections are slower than ethernet because the second router has to receive and transmit on the same frequency at the same time, which cuts bandwidth roughly in half. If you have the choice, run a cable. But if you don't, wireless bridging still works and is better than no coverage at all.

Troubleshooting when the second router won't connect

If devices can't find the second router's network, or if they connect but have no internet, the most common cause is that you plugged the cable into the WAN port instead of a LAN port. Unplug it, move it to a LAN port, and wait 30 seconds for the router to restart.

If the router is still not working, log into its settings and confirm that access point mode is on and DHCP is off. If you see "DHCP Server: Enabled," turn it off and save. Restart the router by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in.

If the second router still won't connect to the first, try restarting both routers. Unplug the first router, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in and wait for it to fully boot (usually 2 to 3 minutes). Then unplug the second router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This clears any temporary connection problems.

When to call a professional

Most router-to-router setups work with just the steps above. But if you've tried restarting both routers and the second one still won't connect, or if devices connect but drop off frequently, the issue may be with the routers themselves or with interference from other devices.

If you're not comfortable logging into the router's settings menu, or if the manual for your specific router doesn't match the steps here, contact the router manufacturer's support line. They can walk you through the settings for your exact model. Your internet service provider can also help if the problem seems to be with the connection from the modem to the first router.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the same brand of router for both?

No. You can connect routers from different manufacturers. The second router just needs to support access point mode or bridge mode, which nearly all modern routers do. Check the manual or the manufacturer's website if you're unsure whether your specific model supports it.

Will using two routers slow down my internet?

A wired connection between routers (ethernet cable) will not slow your internet. A wireless connection between them will cut bandwidth roughly in half because the second router has to receive and transmit at the same time. Your internet speed from the modem stays the same either way.

Can I use the second router as a regular router instead of an access point?

Technically yes, but it will create two separate networks with different names and passwords, and devices won't automatically switch between them. You'll also have two DHCP servers trying to assign addresses, which causes problems. Access point mode is the right way to extend your network.

What if the second router is too far away to reach with an ethernet cable?

Use wireless bridge mode instead. The second router will connect to the first one's WiFi and relay the signal. It's slower than ethernet but works when a cable isn't practical. Place the second router halfway between the first router and the dead zone for the best coverage.

Do I need to change my password after setting up the second router?

No. If you give both routers the same network name and password, your devices will use the same login for both. If you want to change the password later, change it on the first router and then update it on the second router's settings to keep them in sync.