How to Connect to Linksys Router in Bridge Mode?

Connect to Linksys Router in Bridge Mode:

If you have two routers in your office, then the best thing that you can do is to use them as wireless extenders to improve the signal strength of your wireless network. When you use the routers in the bridge mode, one router gets connected to the main network source and the other one gets connected to the first router. You can link the routers in the repeater mode for extending the wireless signal even if the router products are manufactured by two different brands for example Linksys and Netgear.

For Setting up Your Linksys Router in Bridge Mode, These are the Steps that You need to Execute:

Step 1 : The foremost thing that you need to do is to connect both your routers to the electrical outlet. Also, join your Linksys router to the modem using an ethernet wire. Take another ethernet wire and use it for connecting your Linksys router to the PC.

Step 2 : Turn on your computer system and launch an internet browser and enter the IP address 192.168.1.1 in the location bar of your browser and then click on the search icon. After that, you will be redirected to the configuration page where you will have to enter the username and password of your router.

Step 3 : To connect to Linksys router in bridge mode, go to the category of wireless settings and set the security key, security setting, transmission mode, and wireless network’s name. Take a screenshot of the settings page after you are done as you will be entering the same information in your Linksys router’s settings.

Step 4 : Go to the advanced section on the configuration menu and select the link of “wireless repeating function”. Check the box that is placed right next to the “Enable wireless repeating function” and then choose the option of the wireless base station.

Step 5 : Enter the Mac Address of your Linksys router inside the repeater Mac address 1. This address is written on the base of your Linksys router. The address has a string of characters that is labeled as Mac address.

Step 6 : Unplug the ethernet wire from your computer and connect it to your Linksys router to connect Linksys router in bridge mode. Take another ethernet wire for connecting your Netgear router to the Linksys router.

Step 7 : Now, open the internet browser and enter the IP address 192.168.1.1 again in the URL section. Go to the configuration menu and enter the username and password. Go to the menu of “wireless” and set the settings. These settings should be identical to the one in Linksys router.

Step 8 : Go to the button of connectivity under the section of router settings and launch the tab of internet settings. Choose IPv4v option. After that, go to the drop-down menu and select “type of internet connection”. Now, click on the link of “Obtain an IPv4 address automatically and hit OK for saving the settings.

So, these are the steps that you need to perform to connect to Linksys router bridge mode.

Step-by-step Guide for Setting up Your Linksys Smart WiFi Router to Bridge Mode

A Bridge mode is a term in networking, in simple words, it can be defined as the deactivation of a  NAT function of a router. It is essentially required to turn on bridge mode on your router if you are expanding your network by adding a second router to your existing network.

The bridge mode in your Lynksis smart router is disabled by default. You will be required to turn on the Bridge mode in your Router if you want to upgrade your network or want to add another WiFi mesh or router to your existing network. You can turn it on easily at any time. There are a few requirements that must be fulfilled before turning on bridge mode on your router.

Pre-requisite to Lynksys bridge mode setup:

Below requirements must be fulfilled before setting up Bridge mode on your Linksys router:

Step 1: You must have a primary or main router that is connected to your network.

Step 2: An internet connectivity.

Step 3: You need two to three Ethernet wires to connect the routers/ You are required to have 3 ethernet cables for your router connection.

Step 4: You are also required to have an access to  Lynksys router which supports Bridge mode.

Procedure for Setting up your Linksys Smart WiFi router to Bridge Mode:

We advise you to create a backup file before setting up your router for Bridge Mode so that your prior default settings can be restored if something goes wrong in the process of configuration. Adhere to the below-explained procedure for Setting up your Linksys Smart WiFi router to Bridge Mode using your Linksys cloud account.

Note: The  explained steps can be  varied depending upon the model number of your router:

Step 1: At first you must attach the ethernet wire of your computer to any of the spare ethernet ports. Remember: you are advised not to connect or plug anything for the time being.

Step 2: Before going further you need to attach your router to the adaptor wire, Be assured that your router power light is on or lit up along with the adaptor. 

Step 3: Navigate to your web browser and launch it, You can either search for "https://myrouter.local"  in the address bar of the browser or you can type the default IP address 192.165. ***.**. of your router in the search bar. After doing any of the two alternatives tap enter.

Step 4: Once you are done with the above step, a window will be prompted asking you to type the default password of your Router type it and  tap sign in.

Step 5: Tap "Connectivity" under "Router Settings"

Step 6: Under the Internet settings tab from the above 3 rows select "Edit"

Step 7: Now you will be asked to choose the internet connection, From the drop- down list that appeared, under "Connection type", Tap "Bridge mode".

Step 8: Now obtain and set IP address by choosing one of the below two options."Obtain an IPv4 address automatically (DHCP)" option and "Specify an IPv4 address" option.

Tip:

Remember while Choosing from these two options,

Obtain an IPv4 address automatically (DHCP) Option –  You can choose it if you want your modem-router to provide you with IP address of your Linksys router.

Specify an IPv4 address Option –  You can tap it if you are willing to use a permanent IP address for your Linksys router. In order to do so you must enter your Internet IPV4 address along with your  DNS settings, Default gateway and Subnet mask (All this information will be given by your ISP and you can find it in your modem-router settings).

Step 9: Tap "Apply" and save the changes done by you.

Step 10: A warning message will be displayed showing "Your Router is in Bridge Mode now",  On the displayed warning Tap "Yes" and after that select OK.

Step 11: Now attach another ethernet cable, attach one end on your modem-router (Gateway) and another end on the internet Port of your Linksys Router.

Step 12: If internet access is detected by your router then a message "Internet restored" will be displayed, Tap "Yes". If your router does not detect internet access then try rebooting your device.

Step 13: Your web browser will be opened redirecting you to www.LinksysSmartwifi.com asking for your e-mail id and Password. If you have access to your Linksys cloud account, Then fill in the required credentials and enter your E-mail ID and Password, and Tap Login.

Final Words:

Once you set your router to bridge mode it will work as a switch for other routers.  While Setting up your Linksys Smart WiFi router to Bridge Mode, the Guest Access function of your router will be disabled.

Hence if you are thinking to upgrade your network by expanding the number of routers don't forget to set up Bridge mode to your Linksys WiFi router in order to easily switch to another router in your list while preventing unauthorized guest access.