topic Re: WiFi extension router setup in Tech Help - Software/Hardware etc

WiFi extension router setup

Pip7 — Mon, 25 May 2026 09:47:15 GMT

I have FTTP (Full Fibre) and I have a mesh WiFi (Orbi) for the house connected to a Plusnet Hub Two router connected to the fibre box. I want to set up a separate WiFi network in the garage. I have run a cable from the house Plusnet Hub Two router to a network switch in the garage and the wired Ethernet is working fine. Can I now connect a Plusnet Hub One router to the garage LAN to run WiFi in the garage? Currently it says it’s not connected to the internet and I’m stuck on how to set it up as a standalone WiFi router (similar to the Orbi in the house). Any recommendations on how to set up the Hub One router?

Re: WiFi extension router setup

MisterW — Mon, 25 May 2026 09:55:42 GMT

@Pip7

change its IP address to 192.168.1.1 (assuming the Hub 2 is still on defaults and the Orbi doesnt use that address) , disable its DHCP server and connect it via a LAN port (not the WAN port).

The only problem is it will constantly flash orange , just put some tape over the led

Re: WiFi extension router setup

Dan_the_Van — Mon, 25 May 2026 11:22:28 GMT

@Pip7

Can I now connect a Plusnet Hub One router to the garage LAN to run WiFi in the garage?

To save me time I have used AI to generate the instructions. Hopefully they are correct, any issues let me know, I can check on my old Hub One.

Step 1: Prep and Connect

Disconnect the Hub One from any broadband lines (the grey broadband port should be empty).
Connect a computer or laptop directly to one of the Hub One's yellow LAN ports using an Ethernet cable.
Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.254 into the address bar to open the Hub One settings page.

Step 2: Disable the Firewall

Go to Advanced Settings > Firewall.
Set the Firewall to Disabled or Disabled/Off. Since your main router is already protecting your network, leaving the Hub One's firewall on can cause performance issues or block local traffic.
Click Apply.

Step 3: Configure the Wi-Fi (Optional)

If you want seamless roaming around your house:

Go to Advanced Settings > Wireless.
Set the SSID (Network Name) and Wi-Fi Password to be exactly the same as your main router.
Make sure the Hub One is using a different wireless channel than your main router to avoid interference (e.g., if your main router uses Channel 1 for 2.4GHz, set the Hub One to Channel 6 or 11).
Click Apply.

Step 4: Turn Off UPnP

Go to Advanced Settings > Home Network.
Click on the UPnP tab at the top.
Set Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) to No (or Disabled).
Click Apply.

Step 5: Change the IP Address and Disable DHCP

Because your main router is already managing your network, you need to give the Hub One a unique IP address on that same network and stop it from handing out competing IP addresses.

On the same Home Network page, click on the IP Addresses tab.
Change the IP Address: Change the default 192.168.1.254 to an address that matches your main router's subnet but doesn't conflict with other devices.

Example: If your main router is 192.168.1.1, change the Hub One to 192.168.1.2 or 192.168.1.250. (Make sure this address is outside your main router's DHCP pool if possible).

Disable DHCP Server: Look for the DHCP Server setting on this same page and switch it to No (or Disabled).
Click Apply.

Note: As soon as you click Apply here, you will lose connection to the Hub One interface. This is completely normal because its IP address has just changed and DHCP is now off.

Step 6: Connect to Your Main Network

Unplug the Ethernet cable from your computer.
Take that same Ethernet cable and plug one end into a yellow LAN port on the Hub One, and the other end into a LAN port on your main router.

Crucial: Do not use the red WAN port or the grey broadband port on the Hub One. It must be connected LAN-to-LAN.

Re: WiFi extension router setup

Baldrick1 — Mon, 25 May 2026 11:26:49 GMT

@Pip7 wrote:
I have FTTP (Full Fibre) and I have a mesh WiFi (Orbi) for the house connected to a Plusnet Hub Two router connected to the fibre box.

Why? You don’t need the Hub 2. Connect the Orbi directly to the Openreach ONT and add your log in details to the Orbi. It will save you about £20 per year in wasted electricity.

Re: WiFi extension router setup

Baldrick1 — Mon, 25 May 2026 11:40:31 GMT

Comments on AI generated answer:

Step 1.3 If the computer used also has a wireless port, either switch it off or switch your main Hub 2 off. If you don’t the chances are that the computer will connect to the wrong device.

Step 5.2 Change the IP address to one in the range 192.168.1.2-63, For example 192.168.1.13.

Save each step when prompted.

Re: WiFi extension router setup

Pip7 — Mon, 25 May 2026 11:42:11 GMT

Thanks for all replies. Very helpful. I think they all work to an extent. The issue was that when I got the hub one connected, I could only access the Hub Two as admin - for some reason the Hub One had the same Default Gateway IP address. So, I had no ability to admin the garage network. I couldn’t even find the Hub One on the Hub Two list of Devices - even though it appeared as a WiFi network and connects to internet fine. Next, I will try connecting Orbi direct to the ONT and run the Ethernet cable from the Orbi router to the garage and have the Hub Two in the Garage. But I need a break from this now!

Re: WiFi extension router setup

Baldrick1 — Mon, 25 May 2026 11:48:19 GMT

@Pip7

That’s because you haven’t changed the IP address. Onc you do this the hub 1 becomes a dumb switch. All admin and IP address allocation is handled by the main router. There is an added complication with your current set up unless you have configured the Orbi in Access Point mode.

Re: WiFi extension router setup

Dan_the_Van — Mon, 25 May 2026 15:21:40 GMT

@Pip7

Neither the Hub One or Two will act as a DHCP client, as a result you need to change it's IP Address manually.

For them to connect to a working network steps are required to prevent clashes with the internet facing router, examples being to switch off DHCP server, Firewall,UPnp. Importantly to give it a valid unique IP Address for the subnet being used

The instruction I posted earlier are close enough for a Hub One, I have correct the AI version now if you need them. Although the menu's on the Hub two are different hopefully you can work out the changes, if not instructions can be provided.

@Baldrick1

I think you mean the Hub One becomes a dumb Access Point. (Wired and Wireless)

The outside DHCP pool IP addresses are 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.63

Re: WiFi extension router setup

Baldrick1 — Mon, 25 May 2026 15:25:16 GMT

@Dan_the_Van

Thanks for the correction.

Re: WiFi extension router setup

Baldrick1 — Mon, 25 May 2026 15:31:23 GMT

@Dan_the_Van

I am still pondering the Orbi, which I'm assuming includes a router, unless @Pip7 has also configured that as an access point?

Re: WiFi extension router setup

Dan_the_Van — Mon, 25 May 2026 15:35:06 GMT

@Baldrick1

Exactly, has been added as router using DHCP to connect to the Hub two, we know what that means, double NAT.

Knowing the exact model number and current setup would be of benifit.

Re: WiFi extension router setup

Baldrick1 — Mon, 25 May 2026 15:46:19 GMT

@Dan_the_Van

This is where I get confused. If it is in double NAT mode, does the Hub 1 AP need to be a member of the Hub 2, Orbi, or either pool of addresses? My inclination is the Orbi.

Re: WiFi extension router setup

Dan_the_Van — Mon, 25 May 2026 16:55:13 GMT

@Baldrick1

In an assumed setup with double NAT, then yes connect the Hub One to the Orbi, then all devices are on the same subnet/network so printers and NAS drives are shared to all.

Connecting the Hub One to the Hub Two directly gives the household two separate subnets

If the Orbi is in Access Point then everything is on the same subnet.

Re: WiFi extension router setup

Pip7 — Mon, 25 May 2026 19:30:47 GMT

Thanks for the advice - impressed by the knowledge on this forum. The Orbi is an RBR850 router with one wireless mesh satellite in the house. It sounds like it would be simpler to have the Orbi as the internet-facing router and the Hub Two as the subnet router in the garage. When I had FTTP installed, I just plugged in my existing network (which needed the Hub Two to connect to DSL) but it sounds like I can simplify and use the Hub Two as the only subnet router. Is the Plusnet service going to mind an non-Plusnet internet-router? A further simplification would then be to add another Orbi satellite connected by Ethernet cable and remove the subnet router altogether. But that would be more costly than using the existing Hub Two but would mean I could administer from one app.

Re: WiFi extension router setup

Dan_the_Van — Tue, 26 May 2026 08:11:47 GMT

@Pip7

You would need the RBR850 to be in 'Router mode'

The Internet connection (WAN port) would need to be set to PPPoE, the username and password would be in the following format.

Broadband username or login name - yourusername@plusdsl.net
Password - The password you use for the members centre.
NO VLAN is required.

WAN port should connect to the Openreach ONT.