The second router in the LAN isn't connected to the internet.
The second router in the LAN isn't connected to the internet.
5 Ghz offers a clean setup. I rely on it when using that space. The issue lies not with the signal itself, as coverage remains strong throughout the house. What bothers me is the second router refusing to share the internet. It’s clear the connection is stable—TV connected via cable streams Netflix and YouTube in 4K continuously. I suspect the cable between routers is solid; I did my own routing and crimping, so it shouldn’t be faulty. Testing confirms signals and pings remain consistent in both directions. I’m considering a replacement router. I plan to swap it gradually: first move it to the second router’s location, then reassess. The ISP might be involved, but given this persistent problem, they probably won’t want to change it. I’ll update later if I find a solution, as it could take some time.
Updated status: Introduced a new second router and a more recent TPLink Archer C6. The AP mode feature simplifies configuration. The main issue remains consistent—TV connects to the second router, but Wi-Fi clients on the Archer C6 don’t work. I’m reconsidering my setup since the original second router seems fine. Noted something unusual in the C6’s status: both cables show 100 mbps full duplex, which should be Gigabit. Testing reveals all eight lights activate correctly. Next step: try a different cable farther away to investigate further. Any additional tips?
It might be due to an issue with the cable leading to routers negotiating at 100Mbps. You can attempt to swap it out. If the main concern persists after replacing the cable, consider using third-party firmware such as OpenWRT to check for software-related problems.
I had a couple of days off and spent several hours resolving this issue. It turned out the problem was with the cable. Once I switched to a new one, speeds between routers reached normal 1gbps and I was satisfied. The internet performance on the second router remained somewhat inconsistent. Eventually, I adjusted the configuration settings and set the second router’s IP to 192.168.1.240. It stayed within the main router’s DHCP range, but the gateway was configured to 1.1 (main router). For extra assurance, I added the second router to the DHCP reserved MAC list on the main one, using the same IP address. I experimented with different cables and setups around the house without issues. The real challenge came later. I carefully removed the old cable, installed the new one, crimped it securely, and powered everything back on. It worked perfectly. The second router now provides stable internet, delivering content to both the wired TV and wireless clients on both 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands. Plex on the TV connected reliably every time I tried, and other streaming apps functioned normally too. Pokémon Go also worked smoothly on the second router’s Wi-Fi. The old cable appeared intact—no visible damage or cuts—and it was a decent Cat5e model. It felt disappointing to see only four years of operation, but everything seemed fine. My cable tester confirmed full contact across all eight cables before I cut them for installation through the wall.
It's good that you resolved the issue. However, with Ethernet cables, visible problems aren't always apparent, especially after prolonged use. The fault might only become clear under mechanical stress. This highlights the importance of your approach: if you're handling it yourself, be patient and proceed methodically.