Can a router get a connection via Ethernet and also use a USB adapter?
Can a router get a connection via Ethernet and also use a USB adapter?
Hey there, friends. I've got an old Netgear Nighthawk R7000 that had an Ethernet surge a while ago, making it almost useless. Wireless and wired connections still work, but it can't connect through the incoming Ethernet port. I forgot about it until now and started thinking about solutions. A USB to Ethernet adapter seems like an option—since the router has a front USB 3.0 port, it might be possible, though I'm not sure if the router will recognize it. Anyone had a try? Thanks in advance!
Ugh, the router is pretty outdated now, so swapping it out isn’t an option. I already have another unit of the same brand, but I was hoping to repair this one just in case it’s needed.
You'll need a driver for the adapter to function on your PC. The router likely doesn't have one. However, you can try a solution by installing a custom Linux ROM like OpenWrt or DD-WRT, which may recognize your adapter. Some ROMs come with specific USB Ethernet support built-in.
You can upgrade with different firmware options like DD-WRT, TomatoWRT, or AdvancedTomato. Switch the WAN port to any of the four LAN ports, keeping three functional LAN connections. The R7000 remains a solid router even after five years or more, so consider using it if you find something useful.
Install OpenWRT on the device and then connect a USB-to-ethernet adapter without any issues.
Another option exists, utilizing one of the LAN ports as a virtual port, which is preferable to employing a dongle.
You might also attempt to repair it. If you're fortunate, the issue could be with the magnets in the isolation transformer behind the Ethernet port or some ESD/overvoltage protection diodes that are faulty. These parts can be swapped out if you have basic soldering skills.