Networking guide
How to Reuse an Old Router as a Switch or Access Point
A router can stop being your main Wi-Fi system and still be useful. I demonstrated turning an old router into extra wired ports and explored other jobs it could take on around the house.
The main takeaway
Reuse the hardware for a specific job, rather than keeping it simply because it still powers on. Extra Ethernet ports or an access point can be worthwhile; unsupported security-critical roles deserve more caution.
Best for
Beginners setting up or troubleshooting the home network.
Before you start
This adapts my original video and test. Check current specifications, firmware support and prices before buying older equipment.
Original video
2025-06-28
Focus
reuse old Wi-Fi router
Article type
Practical guide
What helps
- Reuse existing wired ports
- A second access point may address a specific coverage gap
- A spare router can be useful for learning
What to know
- Old port speeds can become a bottleneck
- Two competing DHCP servers can cause problems
- Firmware support still matters
Start with the Ethernet ports you already own
My June 2025 demonstration starts with a common problem: a new mesh unit doesn't have enough wired ports for everything nearby. An old router may already have several unused LAN ports. In that situation it can sometimes take the place of a small switch. Check their speed first. Reusing a slow or unreliable device isn't a bargain if it limits the connection you're trying to improve.
The switch conversion I demonstrated
In my example I opened the old router's settings and disabled its DHCP server so the main router remained in charge of addressing the home network. I also disabled the old wireless radios for the switch-only role. The exact menus and which ports you should use depend on the model and its supported mode. Follow the instructions for that device rather than copying an IP address from the video into an unrelated network.
Using it as an access point instead
If you need Wi-Fi in another location and have an appropriate wired connection, a supported access-point mode can give the old router another job. In the video I discuss naming its network differently so I can tell which one I'm using. That isn't the same as adding a fully integrated mesh node: roaming and management may behave differently. Decide whether the goal is coverage in one fixed location or a seamless whole-house mesh.
Guest, media and learning roles
The video also explores possibilities such as connecting media devices, experimenting with VPN features, or keeping the router as a testing sandbox. Those are possibilities to check against the actual hardware, not functions every old router has. Third-party firmware needs explicit model support and can go wrong. For a learning project, keep the experiment separate from the dependable network the rest of the household needs.
When replacement is the better option
An old router's age, update support, reliability and port speeds can outweigh the benefit of reusing it. I wouldn't treat a separate network name as proof of guest isolation or rely on obsolete software for a sensitive role. If all you need is a few reliable Ethernet ports, compare the complexity and power use with a simple switch. The best reuse is one that solves a clear problem without making your network harder to manage.
Technical references
More networking guides and reviews
How to Set Up a Home Network: My Beginner WalkthroughHow to Secure Your Home Network: 7 Practical Steps5 Ways to Improve Your Wi-Fi Signal at HomeI Finally Understand My Home NetworkCommon questions
Can an old router work as a switch?
Sometimes. In my demonstration I disabled its DHCP server and wireless radios, leaving the main router in charge of addressing.
Does an old router automatically become a mesh satellite?
No. Mesh integration requires compatible equipment and supported software; access-point mode is a different arrangement.
Watch the full walkthrough