Hello fellow forum members! I’ve been seeing many newcomers asking questions like “Can I use my old router as a WiFi extender?” and “Can any router work as a repeater?” As someone who’s been active on these forums for years, today I’ll give you a detailed breakdown of this topic to help everyone avoid common pitfalls.

What is Router Repeater Mode?

Let’s clarify the concept first. Router repeater mode basically means having one router receive WiFi signals from another router and then retransmit them, thereby extending network coverage. It’s like a relay race – signals pass from the main router to the repeater router, then to your devices.Wireless bridging and wireless repeating are two ways to extend home networks, though they work slightly differently. Both aim to solve WiFi coverage issues. When wireless router signal coverage is limited or becomes extremely weak after passing through two walls, we can choose WiFi repeating or wireless bridging.

Reality Check: Not All Routers Are Up to the Task

Direct answer to the title question: Not all routers can be directly used as repeaters!This issue needs to be examined from several angles:

Hardware Support Capabilities

Ancient Legacy Routers: If you still have 802.11g or older routers from over a decade ago, you might as well give up. These devices not only use outdated WiFi standards but also lack processing power, making them poor repeater choices.Entry-Level Budget Routers: Many ultra-cheap routers on the market cut costs by eliminating repeater functionality. These products typically only offer basic routing features, requiring alternative solutions for extension.Mainstream Brand Routers: Most current mainstream brand routers support repeater mode, including TP-Link, Huawei, Xiaomi, Netgear, etc. These products have built-in firmware functionality for this purpose.

Firmware Function Support

This is a critical factor. Even with hardware support, without proper firmware functionality, repeating isn’t possible.OEM Firmware Support: Most modern router OEM firmware includes repeater/extender modes with relatively simple setup for average users.Third-Party Firmware Modifications: For routers lacking repeater support, you can flash third-party systems like DD-WRT, OpenWrt, or Merlin firmware to add this functionality. However, this requires technical knowledge – beginners beware.

Repeater Capability Analysis by Router Type

High-End Routers – The Ferraris of Repeating

AC1900+ specification high-end routers typically have comprehensive repeater functions, supporting not just basic signal forwarding but also intelligent channel selection and signal optimization. These products excel as repeaters but come at a premium price.Pros: Comprehensive features, strong performance, excellent stability Cons: Expensive, somewhat overkill for repeater use

Mid-Range Mainstream Routers – The Sweet Spot

AC1200-AC1750 specification routers are optimal repeater choices, offering adequate performance at reasonable prices. For most home network environments, this tier handles repeater duties perfectly.Pros: Great value, sufficient features, easy setup Cons: Potential performance bottlenecks under high loads

Entry-Level Routers – Barely Adequate

N300 or AC750 level entry products can function as repeaters but may deliver suboptimal results. Multi-device scenarios particularly risk disconnections or slow speeds.Pros: Cheap, basic functionality available Cons: Limited performance, questionable stability

Methods to Achieve Repeating

Method 1: OEM Firmware Setup

This is the simplest method for most users:

1. Log into router management interface
2. Find “Repeater Mode” or “Extender Mode” option
3. Scan and connect to main router WiFi
4. Enter main router WiFi password
5. Wait for successful connection, restart device

Method 2: Third-Party Firmware Modification

For older routers without repeater support, consider flashing third-party firmware:DD-WRT: Most comprehensive functionality, supports the widest range of router models, but setup is relatively complex.OpenWrt: Open-source system with high customizability, suitable for tinkering enthusiasts.Merlin Firmware: Primarily for ASUS routers, adding more features to OEM base.

Method 3: Wired Repeater Solutions

If wireless repeating proves inadequate, consider wired methods to extend WiFi coverage:

• Powerline adapters (PLC)
• Wired connection + AP mode
• Mesh networking solutions

Common Issues with Repeater Usage

Speed Halving Problem

Many discover reduced internet speeds after using router repeaters – this is normal. Because repeaters must simultaneously receive and transmit signals, theoretically losing half the bandwidth.Solutions:

• Choose dual-band routers: 5G receive, 2.4G transmit
• Use wired backhaul solutions
• Consider Mesh systems instead

Signal Quality vs Signal Strength

Some routers in wall-penetration mode show full signal bars but poor signal quality, resulting in “full bars but slow speed” situations. Don’t just look at signal bars – focus on actual network experience.

Compatibility Issues

Different router brands may have compatibility problems when repeating. Huawei routers as secondary routers with other brand router WiFi repeating requires special attention to setup details.

Selection Recommendations and Buying Guide

New Purchase Recommendations

For dedicated repeater purchases, consider:

1. Choose dual-band AC1200+ products
2. Prioritize routers with Mesh functionality
3. Focus on manufacturer technical support and firmware update frequency

Old Device Modification Recommendations

For utilizing spare routers:

1. First confirm device repeater support
2. Check WiFi standards – 802.11n and below not recommended
3. Consider third-party firmware for extended functionality

Practical Experience Tips

Based on years of experience, here are some tricks:Location Matters: Position repeaters halfway between main router and target coverage area – strong enough to receive signals while effectively covering target zones.Channel Selection: Avoid congested channels, especially 2.4G bands 1, 6, 11.Regular Reboots: Long-running repeaters prone to memory leaks – recommend periodic maintenance reboots.Firmware Updates: Stay current with firmware updates – new versions typically improve stability and compatibility.