Setting Up an Edimax Router as an Access Point

An Edimax router can extend the reach of an existing home network when it is configured as an access point. In this arrangement, the primary router remains responsible for the internet connection, firewall, IP addresses and network management. The Edimax unit supplies extra Wi-Fi coverage and wired Ethernet ports in another part of the house.

This is useful when the main router supplied with an NBN service is located near the entry point, garage or study, while bedrooms, a home office or an outdoor entertaining area receive a weak signal. An Ethernet cable between the two devices usually provides a more stable connection than using the Edimax as a wireless repeater.

Access point mode also avoids the complications caused by two routers operating together. If both devices run separate DHCP services or network address translation, devices can end up on different subnets. That may affect printers, media servers, smart-home equipment and local file sharing.

The exact menu names vary between Edimax models and firmware versions. Some devices have a dedicated Access Point or AP mode, while others require the router’s address and DHCP settings to be changed manually. The general process remains similar, and the Edimax setup page is usually reached through a web browser on a device connected to it.

Why access point mode suits an existing network

A standard router performs several jobs at once. It connects to the NBN modem or termination device, receives the internet service from the provider, assigns local IP addresses and controls traffic between the home network and the internet. When another router is added behind it in ordinary router mode, both units may attempt to perform those same tasks.

Access point mode removes the routing functions from the second device. The existing router continues to hand out addresses, while the Edimax bridges its Ethernet and wireless connections to the established network. A phone connected to the Edimax should therefore communicate with a laptop connected to the primary router as though both were using the same Wi-Fi system.

This arrangement works well in Australian homes where an ISP-provided router is retained for telephone services, NBN authentication or provider support. It can also help in double-brick houses, older timber homes with long hallways, and larger suburban properties where a single router cannot provide consistent coverage from one end to the other.

The Edimax access point needs a network cable back to the main router. Wireless coverage can be extended across floors or rooms, but the access point itself should receive its connection through Ethernet whenever possible. A cable run to a hallway, central room or office generally gives better results than placing the second unit at the edge of the existing Wi-Fi signal.

Prepare the network and hardware

Before changing settings, identify the primary router’s local IP address and DHCP range. Common gateway addresses include 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.2.1, although an Australian ISP may use a different address. On a connected computer, the default gateway shown in the network details is usually the address to enter in a browser.

Record the Wi-Fi name and password currently used by the main router. Decide whether the Edimax should use the same wireless name and password or a separate name. Matching the details can make movement around the property more convenient, although client devices decide when to roam and may remain attached to a distant access point for longer than expected. A different name makes it easier to select the nearest unit manually.

Place the Edimax near power and within reach of an Ethernet cable from the primary router. For a multi-storey home in Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth, a central upstairs landing may be more useful than a room at the far end of the building. Avoid enclosing the unit in a cupboard, placing it behind a television, or positioning it directly beside cordless-phone bases and other sources of interference.

Use a computer connected to the Edimax during setup if possible. A wired connection reduces the chance of losing access when the wireless settings change. Disconnect the Edimax from the main router temporarily unless the model’s instructions specifically require both units to be connected during configuration. If the router has been used previously, hold its reset button for the period specified in the manual and allow it to restart before beginning.

Open the Edimax setup page

Connect the computer to an Edimax LAN port, not the Internet or WAN port, unless the manual identifies a different port for access point setup. Open a browser and enter the default address listed on the product label or documentation. Many Edimax models use 192.168.2.1, but this is not universal, so the model-specific address should take priority.

If the page does not load, check that the computer has received an address from the Edimax. Temporarily disabling mobile data on a phone or disconnecting from another Wi-Fi network can prevent the browser from using the wrong connection. A reset may be necessary if an old configuration has changed the default address. After the page opens, sign in with the credentials printed in the manual or on the unit’s label, then replace the default administrator password.

Look for a mode selector labelled Operation Mode, Working Mode, Network Mode or Internet Setup. Choose Access Point, AP or Bridge mode if it is available. The router may display a short explanation before restarting. Once this mode is enabled, settings for WAN routing, firewall rules and some parental controls may disappear because those functions remain with the primary router.

If no dedicated access point option exists, configure the unit manually. Give the Edimax a fixed LAN address within the main router’s subnet but outside the DHCP pool. For example, if the primary router is 192.168.1.1 and distributes addresses from 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.200, an Edimax address such as 192.168.1.2 may be suitable. Confirm that the chosen address is unused, and avoid assigning the same address to another device.

Disable the Edimax DHCP server in the manual setup process. The primary router should be the only device automatically assigning local IP addresses. Save the settings and wait for the unit to reboot. Its administration page may then move to the new address, so access it again using the address assigned during configuration.

Configure Wi-Fi for reliable coverage

Set the wireless network name, security method and password on the Edimax. WPA2-Personal with AES remains a practical choice for older equipment, while WPA3 or WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode may be available on newer models. Use a strong password that is different from the administration password. Avoid relying on the factory wireless key printed on the router.

Using the same SSID and password as the primary router can provide a more seamless household experience. This is useful when walking between rooms with a phone, tablet or laptop. The Edimax and the main router should use different fixed radio channels where manual channel selection is available. For 2.4 GHz, channels 1, 6 and 11 are generally preferred because they do not overlap each other.

The 5 GHz band usually offers higher speeds and less congestion, but its signal weakens more quickly through walls and floors. A 2.4 GHz network can reach further across a Queenslander or a large brick home, while 5 GHz may perform better in the nearby home office. Separate names such as Home-2G and Home-5G can help with testing, although a single name is often simpler for everyday use.

Australian Wi-Fi equipment must operate within local radio rules, so leave the country or region set to Australia. Do not select another region to unlock channels or transmission settings. Automatic channel selection is suitable for many homes, especially in apartment buildings in Sydney or Melbourne where neighbouring networks can be numerous. If performance changes during the day, a Wi-Fi scanner can help identify a less crowded channel.

Save the wireless configuration and allow the Edimax to restart. Reconnect to the new network if the SSID has changed. If the device offers an option to turn off its old wireless network during a mode change, accept it so that the computer does not connect to an obsolete profile.

Connect the devices and verify the network

After configuring the Edimax, run an Ethernet cable from a LAN port on the primary router to the LAN or uplink port identified for access point mode on the Edimax. Some models accept any LAN port, while others mark one port as LAN/WAN or AP uplink. Follow the model’s diagram rather than assuming every port behaves identically.

Avoid using the Edimax WAN port when the unit is in a manual access point configuration unless the instructions explicitly say to do so. A LAN-to-LAN connection keeps both devices on the same local network. Once connected, the Edimax should show a link light, and a device joining its Wi-Fi should receive an address from the primary router.

Test the arrangement from several locations. Check that a phone connected near the Edimax can browse the web, then test a printer or shared computer connected to the main router. Open the primary router’s client list and confirm that devices connected through the Edimax appear there. The Edimax management address should also open in a browser without affecting internet access.

Run a speed test near the Edimax and compare it with a test beside the primary router. A lower result in the distant room may be caused by the Ethernet cable, the client device, interference or the building materials rather than the access point itself. Test at different times, since busy apartment blocks and dense suburban areas can have changing wireless conditions.

If a device has no internet access, first check whether it has received a valid local address. An address beginning with 169.254 usually indicates that DHCP has failed. Confirm that the Edimax DHCP service is disabled only when the primary router’s service is active, and inspect the Ethernet cable and port lights. If the Edimax’s setup page is unreachable, connect directly to it and try its new fixed address.

Some devices retain old network information after the change. Restart the phone, laptop, smart television or printer, or forget and rejoin the Wi-Fi network. For a printer installed in a home office, check that it has not been given a static address that conflicts with the Edimax’s management address.

Maintain and secure the access point

Once the Edimax is working, update its firmware if a suitable release is available from the manufacturer. Download firmware for the exact model and hardware revision. An incorrect file can make the device unusable, so avoid interrupting power during an update. Keep a note of the access point address, administrator password and cable location for future troubleshooting.

The primary router remains the central point for security settings. Change its administrator password, use current wireless encryption and review the connected-device list regularly. The Edimax access point should have its own strong administrator password even when it shares the primary router’s wireless name. Disable remote administration from the internet unless it is genuinely required.

If the home uses an NBN provider modem-router, changing the main unit’s wireless channel or DHCP range may affect the Edimax address. A fixed address outside the DHCP pool helps, but the address should still match the primary router’s subnet. If the ISP replaces the router, review the access point settings before reconnecting it permanently.

Performance can often be improved by moving the Edimax only a few metres. Keep it in an open position at roughly desk height, away from large metal objects and thick concrete walls. In a long Adelaide bungalow or a two-storey Canberra home, placing it near the coverage boundary is less effective than placing it centrally with a proper Ethernet backhaul.

An Edimax router configured as an access point should provide one connected local network, a clear wireless signal and predictable device access. The primary router handles the internet connection and address assignment, while the Edimax fills the coverage gap. The practical checklist is simple: use AP mode where available, connect LAN to LAN, keep one DHCP server, select Australian regional settings, and test both internet access and local devices before putting the equipment into regular use.