Receive an email a day with our articles:We are going to explain how to configure your new neutral router to improve the WiFi signal in your home.Unfortunately, the routers that carriers give you are not always very good, and you can often run into problems like unstable connections or insufficient coverage for your needs.For this reason, in this article we are going to try to explain everything you need to know if you have thought about buying a neutral router, which is what commercial routers that do not belong to operators are called.We are going to start by talking about the reasons why you may want to buy a neutral router, and then we will mention the main functions that you can find in them.As we always say in Xataka Basics, if you think that we have left out some basic explanation that could help users or that there is something that is done too differently with other router models, we invite you to leave us your proposals in the comments section. .Thus, the rest of the readers will be able to feed on the knowledge of our xatakeros.As we are going to explain later, the steps of the procedure to carry out this configuration of the neutral router may change depending on each manufacturer or model.We have used a humble TP-Link TL-WR940N, since we cannot put a step by step for each model and we have opted for an economical one.But there are options that may be different, most of the general steps should also be the same in the vast majority of routers.But before getting into the matter, why would you want to buy a neutral router?When you hire your optical fiber, your operator usually gives you a router.Or at least lend it to you, since if you end the contract with them you usually have to return it to them so they don't charge you.For most users, these routers are sufficient, but there can always be cases in which they fall short, since in the end they are not usually too powerful routers either.One of the main reasons may be to improve the coverage of your home network, since sometimes the routers of the operators are quite short in range.We have already told you several methods to improve the coverage of your WiFi, and using a neutral router is one more.You may also be interested in improving the stability and quality of your connection, especially if you make massive use of your connection.Sometimes, the router may not be able to handle everything you do with the Internet, and have some cuts or slowdowns, especially if it does not have technologies that allow it to handle it better.Because that is another, the technologies that the router can include.It may be that your operator's is not dual-band, it may not have enough RAM or CPU, it may lack ports or compatibility with cutting-edge technologies such as WiFi 6. There are also other technologies, such as an RGB system if you like the little lights, or optimization with services like GeForce Now.It may also be that the operator's router lacks a specific function, or that they have better applications.There are routers whose applications allow you to control latency to optimize online games, perfect if you are a gamer, or create special networks for guests.There are also those that have parental controls with warnings, or that allow you to create a list of devices in which you want to prioritize the quality of the connection.Sometimes, you may also want to change your router to improve the speed offered by the operator.This is now less likely, since normally they will always give you one with which to take advantage of the speed you have contracted, but cases can always occur.Although if we go back to talking about the point of technology, if you don't have dual band there can always be times when the connection inside is slower at some points in the house, and the same with coverage.And it may also be because you want to maximize security as much as possible, since these neutrals sometimes have better protocols when sending data, or they simply receive more updates to solve possible security gaps.So far, everything seems quite nice, however there is a problem: in most cases, at least unless you are willing to complicate your life a bit, you will have to keep the operator's router and connect the neutral to it .This is something that, in cases such as fiber optics, is due to a specific component, the ONT.This is the device that connects to the fiber optic cable in your home.When you install the fiber, this fiber cable is not always connected directly to the router, but must be connected to the ONT.The operator's routers usually have the ONT integrated, and hence even if you buy a neutral router, you will have to continue using the one provided by the company to fulfill this function.To this we must add that there is a serious problem in the event that you want to use a third-party ONT, because there are.And it is that the ONT will not only have to be compatible with the switchboard of the operator to which you connect, but you will have to have keys called GPON and SIP to be able to validate your connection.The operators will never openly give you these keys, and without them you will not be able to replace your router with another neutral one.Some specific operator may provide you with this information, but most do not.Here, therefore, you will have to see if the router interface of your operator provides you with those keys, and if not, you will have to open the router and make a series of connections on an internal chip in order to hack it and extract these keys.In many cases, obtaining these keys is going to be a complicated task, and even dangerous if you don't know what you're doing.Hence, for less advanced users, it is best to start by simply connecting the neutral router to the operator's so that the neutral acts as a router, and the other acts as a modem or ONT.Next, we are going to explain how to configure your neutral router, making your operator's router act as a modem.Here, the way to proceed depends on each manufacturer, so there may be some changes.We are going to use a router from the TP-Link company as a base, so the steps to take could change depending on the manufacturer, although in general there are several points in common.The first step is to turn off your operator's router, since it is best to first make all connections with both devices turned off and then turn them on.So, go to your operator's router or modem and turn it off, and if it has a battery, remove it while you make the changes.You should also unplug any devices from the carrier's router by unplugging the Ethernet cable connecting them.For example, the cable that connects the PC with the router.Next, you have to connect the new router to the operator's router with an Ethernet cable.To do this, connect the cable to the Internet input port of your neutral router, the one that you see is different and refers to the fact that it is to make the connection reach it.Put the other end in one of the outgoing ports of the operator's router, preferably the first one to maintain a certain order.Next, connect the router of your operator or the modem to which you have connected the neutral router, and wait a couple of minutes while it starts correctly.When you have all the lights on you can move on to the next step.Next, you have to plug in and connect the neutral router, which, as we told you a couple of steps ago, must already be connected by Ethernet cable to your operator's router.When you do, wait a few seconds until the indicator light on the router stays fixed or in the position that indicates that it is already working.Once you have the neutral router connected to the operator, and both devices turned on, it's time to start using this new router.For this you will have to configure it, and before that you will have to connect your computer to the new neutral router.To do this, use an Ethernet cable connected at one end to an output port of the neutral router, and at the other to the input of the computer.Once the computer is connected, you have to enter the configuration page of the neutral router, whose address is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.Here you must be careful, because it is possible that one of the addresses gives you access to the operator's router, and the other to the neutral.It is best to look at the manual of the neutral router to make sure of the exact address you have to enter.You will go to a configuration page, where you have to write the username and password that the manufacturer has preset.The username and password of the router configuration usually come at the bottom.So, pull up the router and look for Username and Password prompts.They are usually very easy names and passwords, so much so that they are dangerous.This means that later on you better change them.Technically your router will already be working from the first moment, and emitting the signal.However, it is recommended to do an initial configuration to optimize your new WiFi network a little from the first moment.Many models like the TP-Link ones we are using have *a quick setup process to make everything easier for you.There are routers that can work in different modes, they are called multimode.If this is the case, in the initial configuration you will have to choose the operating mode of your router.We are going to use the standard wireless router mode, which is the common one for the router to act as a router by emitting a WiFi signal.Then we will briefly explain the rest of the modes.In the configuration process you can change other things like if you use a dynamic or fixed IP, or if you need to clone the MAC address of the operator's router.This is the address that identifies a specific device, so it can be useful to do it in certain advanced network configurations, where the operator's router is connected by your Mac. However, for home use it is best to follow the options recommended, which may not appearHere's a subsection, these are the options offered by TP-Link, which is the router we use as a base.These options may not appear on other models from other manufacturers, or there may even be many more options in the initial setup.But one of the most important parts of the initial configuration, and if you do not see it, it is best to look for it later in the options, is to change the name and password of the WiFi network or WiFi networks that the neutral router emits. .The ones configured by default come under the router on a sticker, it is important to always change the name and password of your home WiFi to improve security.For you to locate it, the WiFi name is the SSID.A trick can be to use the same WiFi name and password that you had until now, and thus you will not have to change the connection settings of the devices that you had connected to the wireless network.Of course, as long as the default name and password of the Wi-Fi router of the operator were also changed.And we come to the last step.After doing this, the new Wi-Fi of your neutral router will be configuring with the Wi-Fi of the operator.To avoid confusion, especially if you used the same name, it may be advisable to disable the WiFi networks broadcast by the operator's router.For that you will have to enter its configuration and look for an option to deactivate the wireless frequency, an option that will have a different name or location depending on each router.Another thing you should know is that the routers of some operators can also have an ONT mode in their configuration, so that you can configure them so that they do not continue to act as a router, and limit themselves to sending the signal to the new router that you have bought.At this point, you will have finished your initial setup.As you can see, it is as easy as connecting everything and turning it on, although it is always recommended to do the initial configuration, or look for some basic configurations such as changing the name and password of the WiFi.From here, depending on your needs and knowledge, you can review the rest of the router's advanced options.Keep in mind that neutral routers usually have many more options than those of the operators, although they always depend on the model and manufacturer.As you have seen a little above, if you have a multimode router you will be able to configure different modes of operation and to connect with that of the operator.These modes are usually on your router's configuration page.We are going to tell you some of the most basic modes that you can choose from, although depending on the router or manufacturer you may have only some, none at all, or even more.Share How to configure a neutral router to improve your connectionMore Sites You'll LikeSee more articlesSee more videos