How To Use A WiFi Router as A Range Extender on Windows : Bridging A Network

Do you happens to have extra wifi router lying around eating dust somewhere in your closet? If yes? then you can use this router as a range extender for your existing wifi network to enjoy long range connectivity, and it is really easy to set up. To achieve this all you need is a router, a Ethernet/network cable, a existing wifi router with Internet connection and a PC. All righty then, Let's get to it.

Creating A Bridge Connection

• First open command prompt by pressing "windows + R" and typing "cmd" in the run box and hit enter .
• In the command prompt type "ipconfig/all" and hit enter.
• Note down your IPv4 address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway and DHCP server addresses.

• Now you need to create a bridge connection with two routers.
• To create a bridge connection first go to "Network and Sharing center".
• There in the left panel you will see "Change adapter settings".

• Now you need to select two adapters (in my case I am bridging a wifi network with ethernet), after selecting the networks right click on any one of them and click on "Bridge connections".

• This will create a bridge connection between two networks.
• At this point you have successfully created a bridge between two networks but you may also have lost internet connectivity on the host machine (the one you are using to bridge network), But don't panic! Follow this guide to fix that.

 

Get Internet back on the Host Machine

• Right click on bridge connection adapter and click on "Properties".
• In the "Network Bridge properties" select the adapter (the one with the internet) and double click on "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)".

• Remember when I asked you to note down your ip, subnet and other things, well you are gonna use them now. You need to fill all those things and when you are done, click on OK.

• click OK again.
• And you are done. Congratulations you have successfully configured your bridge connection (Yes you can pet yourself on the back).

Bridging is not limited to just two networks you can add more by selecting the adapter and clicking on "Add to bridge".

Thank you guys for reading this article. See you until the next time.