Can You Have Two Wireless Routers in One House on Different Networks?

It’s not something that happens often, but you are more than capable of running two routers on two different networks in your home if you so wish.

I have spent a multitude of years dealing with a range of different internet setups. That lengthy experience, combined with ample additional research, enabled me to understand the ins and outs of using two routers at the same time.

To expand on that point, the following guide will cover how multiple routers interact, the best way to run two at once, as well as the pros and cons of different setups. 

Key Takeaways

  • As long as you make sure the networks don’t interfere with each other, anyone can run two routers on two networks in the same building.
  • There are many ways, including both wired and wireless, to hook up two routers in a single house.
  • Two routers, while more expensive and a bit tricky to work with than one, provide you with more coverage and a better signal overall. 

Running Two Networks on Two Routers

Routers are useful devices that play a key role in making your internet run properly. However, despite all of their benefits, one is not always enough. 

Sometimes some users need to add another to their home, and sometimes it’s not always on the same network.

Anyone can create a dual-network household through two different routers. It’s not something that occurs a lot, mainly because it’s typically more affordable to get an extender or access point, but it’s definitely possible.

For the most part, when people get a second router it’s to increase their internet productivity and reduce the load on their current model. In such scenarios, those routers are on the same network. Creating another network takes a few different steps.

How to Set up Two Routers

Knowing you want two routers is one thing, but actually getting them up and running is something else entirely. The process is pretty simple, but there are still a few things you need to keep in mind when putting together multiple networks.

The first, and most obvious, step is to get two routers. Once you know what you want and understand your requirements, you want to connect the first router to the first network and the second router to the second network. That process is easy through the rules of your ISP.

From there, configure the LAN interface of each router and set up the DHCP server on both. Configure the SSID for each one (making sure the names are different) and then connect your devices. From there, you should be ready to go.

Just be aware that for that to work the WAN port on the second router has to be connected to a LAN port on the first one. The first router’s IP address needs to be set as the default gateway of the second one.

Do your best to reduce interference too. One of the best ways to go about that is to set your first router’s channel to 1 or 6 and your second’s to 11. You must hardwire the second router with an Ethernet cable as well.

Running Two Routers: Pros and Cons

Having two WiFi routers is something many people shy away from, but it’s a simple process that doesn’t take much to get going. That being said, adding a second one to your home does come with both advantages and disadvantages. You should be aware of both.

One of the best reasons to have two routers is to increase coverage and make your devices work much more smoothly. A second model can greatly increase your home’s WiFi capacity, and cut down on patchy connections or annoying dead zones.

Coverage is one of the biggest issues many modern routers face, especially in larger houses. A second model will likely do away with that concern and make any weak signal places, including garages and outside areas, much more reliable.

Another benefit is that you will be able to connect many more devices to your network. You won’t have to worry about your router going past capacity, nor will you have to worry about your first router buckling under a heavy workload. Everything will be simple and smooth.

Of course, it’s not all pros. Using two routers can lead to signal interference and a loss of connection if you move between the two. That’s why so many people prefer to use WiFi extenders to get more range rather than a second router.

Logging into both as you move around can be annoying too. Even if you are logged in, there could be some signal loss. Those are two aspects to be aware of if you plan on going the above route.

FAQS

The following section answers some top questions about owning two wireless routers.

How Far Apart Should My WiFi Routers Be?

There’s no one set range for how far apart you should place your routers, but it’s typically best to put them both roughly forty feet (and 10 feet at a minimum) away from each other.

Can I Plug In Two Routers?

Yes. Just as you can plug in a single router with an ethernet cable, you should have no problem plugging in a second one. Just make sure you have the available ports.

Should Two WiFi Routers Have the Same SSID Name?

No. They need to have different SSID names so it’s easy to understand which router you’re connected to. It creates too much confusion otherwise.

Final Words

A two-router setup comes with many advantages, including versatility. The ability to increase a single network’s range or run two different networks goes a long way in any modern WiFi configuration. As long as you know the steps, it should be easy to get going.

Have you ever used multiple routers on multiple networks? Why did you need two, and what were the results? Let us know below!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *