There are many reasons someone would want to set up a mesh WiFi system using their original router. For example, some people have a router with beneficial features, and others have a router that acts as a modem, making it impossible to use without the router. So, is it possible to use a mesh WiFi system with your original router?
It’s possible to set up a mesh WiFi system using your existing modem-router combo. To do this, you will need to put your router into Bridge Mode, so the signal passes through the router to the mesh system rather than the modem’s router.
It is also possible to put the mesh WiFi nodes into bridge mode instead of the router to make this system work. Let’s go through this concept in much more detail to help you get your mesh WiFi system working.
Is a Mesh WiFi Router Compatible with an Existing Router?
A standard WiFi system at home has one singular router that broadcasts an internet signal in your home. In contrast, a mesh WiFi system has multiple nodes in your home from which the WiFi is broadcast.
Traditional routers work within an area of effectiveness. Essentially, the signal from your router gets weaker the further you get from it. A mesh network sets several “nodes” around your space so that once you get further from one node, the next node picks up the slack.
This means a mesh WiFi system can cover much more ground than a standard WiFi system. But what if you’re interested in mesh WiFi and already have a traditional router? Is it possible to set up a mesh WiFi system using your traditional router?
Traditionally, when you set up a mesh WiFi system, you replace your old router. However, it is still possible to set up a mesh WiFi system using a traditional WiFi router.
Who Should Buy a Mesh WiFi Router?
The target audience for the mesh WiFi router is people with large homes. By large homes, we mean those with at least 3,000 square feet. A mesh WiFi router is intended to help your WiFi connection cover more space, so it is mainly relevant for those with a large amount of space.
Traditional routers only work within a particular area of effect, meaning that the further you get from the router, the worse your signal will be. So if your home constantly has dead zones or areas of the house that don’t get WiFi, your house is likely a good candidate for an upgrade from a traditional WiFi system to a Mesh WiFi system.
Another thing that can cause these dead zones in your home is thick concrete or brick walls. These thick walls are so dense that it is difficult for radio waves to penetrate them. The walls are so thick that the internet signal can’t pass through them.
A mesh WiFi system can get around these problems. If your space is too big, a mesh WiFi system will expand your WiFi connection to cover the entire space. If your space has too many walls, a mesh WiFi system can be set up to go around the walls rather than through them.
When to Stick with a Traditional Router
So if you’re thinking about setting up a mesh WiFi system, you’re probably wondering whether you should get a mesh WiFi router or stick with a traditional router for your mesh system. Let’s go through a few reasons that may make you want to keep your old router.
Your ISP Requires You to Use Your Old Router
If you have a gateway router, a modem and a router combined, it may not be possible to set up a mesh system without using your old router. Because the modem that brings the internet signal into your house and the router are combined, you will need to use the router built into the modem to set up your mesh system.
Another case where you may be forced to use your old router is if your account requires the MAC address of the hardware they gave you. In this case, you would need to use the hardware provided to you by your ISP to authorize your internet access. You won’t get any internet signal if you don’t use the router.
You Want the Features of Your Old Router
This common issue causes many people to set up a mesh system. Sometimes, people buy premium routers that have unique features and would like these special features to remain on their mesh system.
For example, special routers include a VPN built into the router. The VPN allows you to browse the internet with your IP protected. You need to connect your VPN router to your mesh WiFi system to keep this VPN active.
You Live in a Small Space
If you live in a small space, you should likely avoid mesh WiFi altogether. Mesh WiFi is meant to extend your WiFi over longer distances. If you don’t have a long distance to cover, mesh WiFi is likely pointless and may slow down your internet speed.
Your Living Situation is Temporary
If you’re living in a temporary living arrangement, there’s likely no point in setting up a mesh WiFi system. Mesh WiFi systems cost money to set up, and if you’re not going to be living there long term, you would likely be better off just dealing with the dead zones in your WiFi for a little bit.
How to Add a Mesh Router with an Existing Router
As we said before, setting up a mesh network is possible using your existing router. However, there are two different ways to accomplish this. Let’s go through both to help you set up your mesh system.
Putting Your Router in Bridge Mode
This option is perfect for people that have a gateway router. By putting your router into bridge mode, you are essentially making your gateway router into just a modem, allowing it to be used in a mesh system.
To do this, access the configuration panel of your gateway router (if this isn’t an option, you may need to call your ISP). On the configuration panel, you need to search for and activate a setting called “Bridge Mode.” In some cases, it may also be called “Passthrough Mode.”
After this is turned on, double-check that turning on Bridge Mode turned off your WiFi radios (some models do this automatically, and some don’t). After this, you’ll use your gateway router like a modem and set up your mesh system normally.
Putting Your Mesh System in Bridge Mode
On the opposite side of the spectrum, you can also put your mesh system into bridge mode to support your router rather than the other way around. This is a good option if you want to retain any special features your router may have.
How to do this will depend on what mesh system you have. For example, Amazon’s Eero Mesh system will still function like a mesh network when set into bridge mode, making this one of your best options.
On the other hand, some mesh systems like Google Nest WiFi will only let you set one node into bridge mode at a time. So be sure to check if bridge mode works with your mesh system before attempting this method.