Mesh systems generally run between $130 and $300 USD, but costs will vary depending on the number of units you’ll need to cover your space. You can find mesh systems at any major retailer. Most mesh networks can be set up in minutes with a mobile app. This makes them a lot easier to configure and manage than adding a second router. You could also try a wireless extender, which is a great way to boost Wi-Fi signal in larger spaces.

If router you want to add to your network doesn’t support WDS, you can’t use it to expand your network wirelessly.

If you have a modem that is separate from your wireless router, run an ethernet cable from the port on your modem to the WAN port on your router. Sometimes the WAN port is labeled “Internet. " If your modem and router are a single unit, connect it to the wall port using an ethernet or coaxial cable as instructed by your internet provider.

If your computer doesn’t have an ethernet port (it looks like a larger phone jack), you will need an adapter. Ethernet-to-USB and Ethernet-to-Thunderbolt are two common adapter types.

Windows: Click the network icon near the clock on the taskbar. If you’re connected wirelessly, it’ll be several curved lines. Otherwise, it’ll usually look like a globe or a computer. Click Network & Internet settings. Click View hardware and connection properties. The IP address is next to “Default Gateway. " Mac: Open your System Preferences and click the Network icon. Click your current internet connection. Click Advanced. Click TCP/IP. Find the router’s IP address next to “Router. "

Click the network icon near the clock on the taskbar. If you’re connected wirelessly, it’ll be several curved lines. Otherwise, it’ll usually look like a globe or a computer. Click Network & Internet settings. Click View hardware and connection properties. The IP address is next to “Default Gateway. "

Open your System Preferences and click the Network icon. Click your current internet connection. Click Advanced. Click TCP/IP. Find the router’s IP address next to “Router. "

In the DHCP section of your router settings, look for the range of addresses used by the server. You may see something like “Starting IP address,” “DHCP range,” or “IP Address Range. " You’ll want to write down the first and last addresses in this range (e. g. , 192. 168. 1. 0 to 192. 168. 1. 254). Go to the Wireless or Wi-Fi settings and write down the SSID (the name of the wireless network) and password. Write down the security mode (usually WPA2-PSK AES) and the band frequency (e. g. , 2. 4GHz or 5GHz). Write down the IP address (this is the same address you navigated to to open the admin site) and subnet mask (e. g. , 255. 255. 255. 0). Depending on your secondary, you may need to write down the router’s MAC address. If both of your routers are TP-Link or Linksys routers, you can skip this step.

If your computer has Wi-Fi enabled, disconnect it now—you’ll need to make sure you’re not accidentally connecting to the first router when you’re trying to set up the new one.

Bridging mode may also be called “WDS Bridging,” “Wireless Repeater,” or similar. If you have a Netgear router, navigate to Advanced > Advanced Setup > Router/AP/Bridge/Repeating Mode, choose Enable Wireless Repeating Function, and then select Wireless Repeater. If you have a TP Link router, go to Advanced > System Tools > System Parameters and choose Enable WDS Bridging. [2] X Research source

Enter the first router’s SSID and wireless password so this router can connect to it. Type the primary router’s IP address (the one you wrote down earlier) into the “Default Gateway” field. Give this router an IP address on the same subnet as the primary router. The IP address must be different than the main router’s IP address but on the same subnet. So, if the main router’s IP address is 192. 168. 0. 1 and the subnet mask is 255. 255. 255. 0, you might want to make this router’s IP address 192. 168. 0. 2. If prompted, enter the MAC address for the original router.

Give this router an SSID (network name) that’s similar to, but slightly different from, the original router’s SSID. For example, if your main router is called MyWi-Fi is downstairs and this router will be upstairs, you might name this router MyWi-FiUpstairs. Assign this router the same password as the first router and choose the same security method. Select the same band/frequency as the original router.

Whether you’re using 2. 4 GHz or 5 GHz, the second router should be within 200 ft for most routers. The closer the routers are together, the better the wireless performance. [5] X Research source Walls, ceilings, and large furniture can interfere with your connection. If there is no way to eliminate physical barriers between the routers, place both modems as high up as possible (such as on top of bookshelves).