Since the introduction of a new router to our home premises the previous one was lying around unused - it is TP-Link Archer C2 AC750 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router. I changed it to run as a Repeater, so that it can strengthen WiFi signal to the weak spots; Here is a note on how to do that.
TLDR: Since Archer C2 was running as a router earlier, I did a factory reset first. Then configured it in bridge mode connecting to the existing WiFi network and disabled DHCP mode.
![Archer C2 AC750 Router](/images/posts/archer-c2-repeater/archer-c2-750-router.jpg)
Steps to configure Archer C2 to run as a Repeater
1. Hard reset router to factory default settings
Click on WPS/Reset button for about 10 seconds until the top panel LEDs flash. Then release the button and wait the for the router to reboot.
![Reset Button](/images/posts/archer-c2-repeater/archer-c2-750-router-reset.jpg)
2. Access Router’s web interface
Once the router reboots you would be able to see C2’s network (TP-LINK_XXXX
format) in wireless networks list. SSID of the network along with Password/PIN is printed on the bottom panel of the router. Establish a connection with the new network and login to http://tplinkwifi.net with admin:admin
as credentials.
![Default Network Configuration](/images/posts/archer-c2-repeater/archer-c2-750-router-bottom.jpg)
3. Change IP address in LAN settings
From Network > LAN > LAN Settings
, change IP Address from 192.168.0.1
to 192.168.0.2
. It does a router auto reboot on save.
Assuming the network you want to connect to has IP address range192.168.0.x
, so this IP address value can takex
ranging from2-254
. Make sure this IP doesn't collide with existing manual DHCP list in your router settings
After reboot, the TP-Link admin panel would be available at http://192.168.0.2
4. Enable WDS bridging
WDS (Wireless Distribution System) is a system that enables the wireless interconnection of access points in a wireless network. Navigate to Wireless 2.4GHz > Basic Settings
and check enable WDS
, this will display more settings below the option.
![Archer C2 Web Interface - Enable WDS](/images/posts/archer-c2-repeater/archer-c2-750-router-wds.png)
Clicking on scan
button will list APs within the area. Connect to your router’s network which would autofill WDS SSID
& MAC address
; set the Channel
to be same as the chosen WiFi network and also enter the Password
. (Repeat the same process for Wireless 5GHz
as well)
5. Disable DHCP
Go to the page DHCP > DHCP Settings
and select disable
for DHCP Server.
(Optionally, You can also change repeater’s SSID:password
to be same as the router’s WiFi)
That’s all! Archer C2 has been switched from router to repeater mode 📶