How to Use an Edimax Router as a Wired Router Only
An Edimax router can operate as a dedicated wired gateway while its wireless radios remain disabled. In this arrangement, the device still performs the main router functions: it connects to the internet through its WAN port, assigns local IP addresses, applies network address translation, and provides basic firewall protection. Wi-Fi is simply removed from the setup.
This configuration is useful when wireless service is handled by a separate access point, mesh system, or another router. It can also suit offices, media rooms, and network cabinets where Ethernet connections are preferred and wireless transmission is unnecessary.
The exact names of Edimax menus vary by model and firmware version. You may see options such as Wireless, Basic Settings, Operation Mode, Internet Setup, LAN, DHCP, or Firewall. Before changing settings, connect a computer to the Edimax device with an Ethernet cable and note the current login address.
Check the network design before connecting cables
A wired-only router should normally sit between the modem or upstream gateway and the wired devices on your local network. The modem, optical network terminal, or internet provider gateway connects to the Edimax WAN or Internet port. Computers, printers, switches, televisions, and other clients connect to the numbered LAN ports.
The Edimax router should generally remain in Router mode rather than Access Point, Bridge, Repeater, or Wireless Extender mode. Router mode allows it to create a separate local network and manage DHCP, NAT, and firewall functions. Access Point mode is intended for extending an existing network and usually leaves routing tasks to another device.
Before installation, identify whether your internet equipment is a modem or a modem-router combination. If the upstream device already performs routing and DHCP, placing the Edimax router behind it may create double NAT. Double NAT does not always prevent ordinary web access, but it can complicate port forwarding, online gaming, remote access, VPN connections, and device discovery.
If possible, use bridge or modem-only mode on the provider gateway so the Edimax handles routing. If that is unavailable, connect the Edimax WAN port to the gateway and give the Edimax a different LAN subnet. For example, an upstream network using 192.168.1.x should not normally be duplicated on the Edimax LAN if the Edimax uses 192.168.1.1.
Connect to the Edimax setup page
Power off the modem or upstream gateway, the Edimax router, and the wired client devices. Connect the modem or gateway Ethernet cable to the Edimax WAN port. Then connect a computer to one of the Edimax LAN ports. Turn on the Edimax router first and wait several minutes for it to boot.
Open a browser on the wired computer and enter the setup address shown on the router label or in its manual. Common Edimax addresses include 192.168.2.1, 192.168.1.1, and the local address associated with edimax.setup. The address can differ between product families, so avoid assuming that one address applies to every Edimax model.
If the setup page does not appear, check that the computer has received an IP address automatically. A manually configured IP address from a previous network can prevent access. Temporarily set the computer’s Ethernet adapter to obtain an IP address and DNS server automatically, then reconnect the cable and try again.
Log in with the current administrator credentials. If the router is unused or has been reset, use the default details printed on the label or supplied documentation. Change the administrator password during setup. A strong management password protects the configuration even when wireless access is disabled, because anyone who reaches the wired LAN may otherwise attempt to administer the router.
Set the internet and local network parameters
Open the Internet, WAN, or Quick Setup area and select the connection type supplied by your internet provider. Dynamic IP, also called Automatic IP or DHCP, is common with cable services and many gateway devices. PPPoE requires an account name and password, which are usually provided by the internet provider. A static connection requires the assigned IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS values.
Save the WAN settings and allow the router to reconnect. The status page should show a valid WAN address, gateway, and DNS information. A private WAN address such as 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x often means the upstream device is still routing. That can be acceptable for basic connectivity, but it indicates that the Edimax is behind another router.
Next, review the LAN settings. The Edimax LAN IP address is the address used to manage the device from a connected computer. Its DHCP server should usually be enabled when the Edimax is the primary router for the local network. DHCP automatically gives wired clients an IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS settings.
Keep the LAN subnet separate from the WAN subnet. For example, if the WAN side receives 192.168.1.20 from an upstream gateway, the Edimax LAN could use 192.168.2.1 with a DHCP pool such as 192.168.2.100 through 192.168.2.200. If you change the LAN address, the setup page will stop responding at the old address, and you must reconnect using the new one.
Turn off wireless services
Go to the Wireless, Wi-Fi, or Wireless Basic Settings menu. Many Edimax routers provide separate controls for the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Disable each active band rather than changing only the network name or password. A hidden SSID is not the same as a disabled radio; it continues to transmit management and beacon traffic.
Some firmware versions include a single Wireless Radio switch, while others provide Enable Wireless, Wireless Schedule, or band-specific checkboxes. Turn off wireless scheduling if it could automatically reactivate the radios. If the interface offers separate guest Wi-Fi settings, disable the guest network as well.
Save or apply the changes and wait for the router to restart the wireless service. Confirm that the Edimax network name no longer appears on a nearby phone or laptop. A wireless scanner may still detect another access point in the area, so identify the Edimax SSID before treating that as a problem.
Disabling Wi-Fi does not disable Ethernet routing. Wired clients should continue to obtain addresses from the DHCP server, reach the Edimax management page, and access the internet through the WAN connection. If the model has a physical Wi-Fi button, do not rely on it alone unless the manual states that it disables both radios and their related wireless functions.
Choose the right operating mode
Edimax firmware may offer a mode selector during Quick Setup or under Operation Mode. Select Router, Gateway, or Router Mode when the device is responsible for the WAN connection, NAT, DHCP, and firewall. This is the correct mode for a wired gateway with no wireless service.
Access Point mode is different. It normally disables or bypasses routing functions and uses the Edimax to provide network access through an existing router. Although the Ethernet ports may still work in Access Point mode, the Edimax will not be the primary wired router. Its LAN address may also be assigned by the upstream DHCP server, making administration less predictable.
Bridge, Repeater, and Extender modes are designed for specialized connections and may depend on wireless backhaul. They are not appropriate when the goal is a conventional Ethernet-only network. A mode named WISP or Wireless ISP can also route traffic through a wireless upstream connection, which does not match a wired WAN design.
The table below summarizes the practical differences between the common modes.
| Operating mode | WAN routing and NAT | DHCP on Edimax | Wireless role | Suitable for a wired-only router |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Router or Gateway | Enabled | Usually enabled | Can be disabled | Yes |
| Access Point | Usually disabled | Usually disabled | Provides local Wi-Fi | No |
| Bridge | Bypassed | Usually disabled | Depends on model | No |
| Repeater or Extender | Not used as a normal WAN gateway | Usually disabled | Extends Wi-Fi | No |
| WISP | Routes through wireless uplink | Usually enabled | Uses wireless upstream | No |
Verify wired access and security
After saving the configuration, restart the Edimax router and the upstream modem or gateway if necessary. Connect one computer to a LAN port and check its network details. It should receive an address from the Edimax LAN range, use the Edimax LAN IP as its default gateway, and receive working DNS settings.
Test the network in stages. First, open the Edimax administration page. Next, ping or otherwise reach the local gateway if your operating system provides that tool. Then open an internet website and test a second wired device. Testing in this order helps distinguish a local Ethernet problem from a WAN or DNS problem.
If a client receives an address beginning with 169.254, it did not receive a DHCP lease. Check the Ethernet cable, LAN port, adapter status, DHCP setting, and subnet configuration. If the client has a valid local address but cannot browse, review the WAN connection type, provider credentials, DNS settings, and upstream gateway status.
Wireless security settings remain relevant if the router’s radios are disabled only temporarily. Use WPA2 or WPA3 where supported, disable WPS, and remove unused guest networks. Turning off WPS is especially sensible because it eliminates an extra wireless onboarding function that has no purpose in a wired-only installation.
Manage the router after installation
Once the Edimax is working, record its LAN management address, administrator username, firmware version, WAN connection type, and any provider credentials stored elsewhere. Keep this information in a secure location. If the LAN address is set to automatic or the device is placed behind another gateway, check the client list on the upstream router to find its current address.
Update the firmware only through the model-specific Edimax support process. Firmware updates can improve stability and security, but installing software for a similar-looking model can make the router unusable. Save a configuration backup when the firmware provides that feature, especially after setting DHCP reservations, port forwarding, DNS options, or custom firewall rules.
Use Ethernet switches when the router does not have enough LAN ports. Connect the switch to an Edimax LAN port, not the WAN port. Devices connected to the switch should receive addresses from the same Edimax DHCP pool and communicate as members of the same local network.
If you later add a separate Wi-Fi access point, connect it to an Edimax LAN port and configure it in Access Point mode. The access point should use a fixed or reserved management address outside the DHCP pool, or receive a predictable reservation from the Edimax. Keep DHCP enabled on only one device on that LAN.
Recommended final checks
- Confirm that the modem or upstream gateway connects to the Edimax WAN port.
- Verify that all wired clients receive addresses from the Edimax LAN subnet.
- Check that both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios are disabled.
- Ensure Router or Gateway mode, DHCP, NAT, and the firewall match the intended network design.
- Record the new management address and replace default administrator credentials.
A wired-only Edimax router should now provide a stable Ethernet gateway without broadcasting its own Wi-Fi network. Its WAN connection handles internet access, its LAN ports serve local devices, and its routing services keep the network organized. If a separate access point is added later, it can provide wireless coverage without taking over the Edimax routing role.
Complete the setup by testing every important wired device, checking the router’s status page, and storing a backup of the working configuration. This gives you a dependable reference point for future troubleshooting, firmware maintenance, or changes to the home or office network.