How to Add More Ethernet Ports to Router & Best Ethernet Switch

Are you looking How to Add Ethernet Ports to Router? Well, you have landed on the right platform & here you will get all the details. The Ethernet port & router are the important components in a network setup. 

An Ethernet Port is a network device that allows one to connect to LAN or the internet using ethernet cables. Also, they ensure to creation of a fast, reliable, and secure wired connection. They use a connector such as RJ45. 

Whereas, the router connects multiple devices to the internet & devices with each other within a network. It allows the transfer of data between your local network & internet.

A router has four ethernet ports One WAN (Wide area network) port and three LAN (Local area network) ports. In some advanced routers, there are 8 to 12 ports. Moreover, you can add more ports to it. 

So, here in this article, we will discuss How to Add Ethernet Ports to Router. Therefore, read all the details carefully & in case of any query feel free to ask us in the comment section below. Now, read further. 

How to Add Ethernet Ports to Router 

Adding ethernet ports to routers is important in many ways. It helps to improve the network stability, enhances speed, and security, reduces latency, & improves the performance of the devices. There are various ways to Add Ethernet Ports & each method has its advantages. Such as:

• Using an Ethernet Switch.
• Using Wi-Fi Extender with Ethernet Ports.
• Using the Second Router as a Switch.

So, let’s discuss these different methods and explore How to Add Ethernet Ports to Router as follows:

Steps to connect Ethernet switch to Router

• First, you need to determine how many additional ports you need. Then, select an ethernet switch that fits your requirements. Also, buy ethernet cables. 
• Next, you need to check that the “Switch” is supporting the same speed as your router.
• After that, turn off the device (router) to connect it to the switch.
• Now, by making use of ethernet cable. You need to connect LAN ports on your router to any port on the Ethernet Switch.
• Then, power on the Switch & router.
• Next, connect your devices such as printers, computers, etc to the available ports on the Switch with the help of an ethernet cable.
• Note: Check all the devices are set to receive IP addresses from the router’s server.

So, by following the above steps you can easily add ethernet ports to routers.

Using a Wi-Fi Ethernet Port Extender 

Now one can also add more ports to the router using a Wifi Ethernet Port Extender. So, let’s proceed further and know the details step-wise. Thereafter, you can follow them accordingly. 

• First of all, choose a suitable ethernet port extender that has ethernet ports. 
• Next, ensure that it is compatible with your router.

• Now, after purchasing it. Place this extender at a place where it can receive a good signal from the router.
• Then, power on the Extender & use a smartphone or computer to connect to the extender’s wifi. {The password & name is written on the user manual}.
• Now, open a web browser & enter the IP address of the extender to access its configuration page. 
• After that, enter the login details & select the Wi-Fi network, and enter the Wi-Fi password. Then, connect the extender to your router.
• Note: Once the extender is connected to the Wi-Fi network. Then, one can use the Ethernet ports to connect to wired devices. 

Using the Second Router as a Switch

It is a great way to add more Ethernet ports to your router. So, if you want to know how to use a second router as a switch then read the giver instructions. Following these instructions will let you experience a hassle-free and seamless process. 

Here are the details as follows:

• First of all, reset the second router by clearing all the previous settings it has.
• Next, use an ethernet cable to connect your device to one of the LAN ports on the second router.
• Note: Do not use the Internet port for it.

• After that, open the web browser, and enter the IP address of the router to access its configuration page.
• Log in using the default username & password to access the router’s settings.
• Once logged in, Disable the router’s DHCP settings. 
• Now, change the IP address of the second router to avoid any conflict with the primary router.
• Then, using an ethernet cable connect one of the LAN ports on the primary router to the LAN ports of the second router.
• At last, connect the device to the second router’s LAN ports & ensure the internet is connected properly. 

What is the best Ethernet Switch to buy?

Choosing the best ethernet switch depends on the specific needs & requirements of the individual. Such as several devices they want to connect, budget, or manage capabilities. Here, we can recommend you one of the best ethernet switches.

However, it is totally up to you which one you need to buy. The details are as follows:

• If you looking for a Larger network: Your ideal choice can be a ” NETGEAR 48-Port Gigabit Ethernet unmanaged switch”.
• If you are looking for Affordable options. You can purchase “TP-LINK TL SG105.” It is a 5-port gigabit network switch. 
• For Small Offices: You can purchase NETGEAR GS108, which is an 8-port Gigabit unmanaged switch.
• Overall Best Choice is the Cisco CBS350-8MGP-2X. 

If you have specific requirements & you are unable to find the right choice. Then, feel free to ask us in the comment section below. We are happy to help.

How To Use Ethernet Splitter

First of all, you should know what is a splitter. As the name suggests it splits the network into more connections. So the major use of using Ethernet Splitter is to distribute the connection. And if you are looking for an efficient and strong connection then you must use a splitter. You can describe them as network splitters also. 

To use these you need an ethernet cable and ethernet ports. You will use multiple ethernet ports by ethernet cables and then send them to as many as ethernet ports you want to send.

Troubleshooting: Adding  Ethernet Port to Router

Now we know how to Add Ethernet ports to Router. Significantly it enhances your network performance. But sometimes users face the same issues while adding more ports to the router. Therefore, here in this paragraph, we are going to discuss these issues and how to resolve them. 

No Internet Connection

Sometimes users do not get an internet connection after adding more ports. So, here are the steps you need to follow to eliminate this trouble. 

• First of all, you will need to check out for the wiring or physical connections. Check if the connections are set properly. 
• Make sure that the ethernet cable is plugged into the switch securely. 
• Next, go to the router’s admin panel and check whether your newly added ports are enabled or not. If not then you will need to enable them. 

Device is not Recognised

If you are finding this problem. Then you will need to check if your connected device is enabled to get the automatic IP address option. 

Secondly, you can restart your router. You need to switch off the power supply and leave it for 2 minutes. Now restart the device again and wait for the lights to get stable on the router. Now check if your new ports are working or not. 

Slow-Internet Speed

After knowing How to Add ethernet ports to Router. One must know what to do if adding more ports slows the internet speed. 

If your internet speed gets slow then first you will need to check out for the ethernet cable. You will need to check if there is physical damage to the cable. 

Secondly, check out your router’s bandwidth. You will need to check if your router supports the required bandwidth or not. 

Final Words

Overall in this article, we learned How to Add Ethernet Ports to a Router. The process is quite simple & easy. You can easily add more ports to the router. All you need is to read the instructions given in this article carefully.

We have already discussed different methods to connect the ethernet switch to the router to add more ports. So, you can proceed with any of the methods. 

However, in case of any questions arising in your mind. You can drop a comment below. We will try to solve your query as soon as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions