How to Add a Mesh Network to an Existing Router
If you need to use your existing router, you can add a mesh network by putting it into bridge mode.
How to Add a Mesh Network to an Existing Router/Modem
If your modem has a router built into it, and you only want to use the modem part of it, you can instead turn off the router inside your modem and use the mesh network instead. If you do not see a configuration screen, bridge mode will be under your device’s app’s “advanced networking” tab. In Google Home, for example, it’s available under Wi-Fi > Settings > Advanced Networking > Network Mode.
Can You Add A Mesh Network to an Existing Router?
Adding mesh networks to an existing router is possible, but it may not be the best option. In most situations, you’re probably better off removing or disabling your current router, yet if you need to keep it, you can still use mesh networks.Traditional routers have an area of effectiveness; think of them like a radio station, where the further away you get, the weaker the signal becomes. This signal can be pushed further with Wi-Fi extenders, but it still has a range that fades.Mesh networks work by placing “nodes” around a space, with one node connected to your modem to serve as a router. As you go around your area, the nodes stay in contact with your device and each other, maintaining a signal at a higher strength. As long you place the nodes strategically, you’ll have a connection.When you combine the two, you risk “double NAT,” short for double Network Address Translation. Essentially, your mesh network and traditional router fight over who gets to direct your internet traffic. One of the two has to be disabled to prevent this from happening.
