Keeping your phone and laptop connected to your own WiFi network is one of the best things in life. Relying on someone else’s network or even on a public one can be a dangerous game to play, as thus, your device might be infected with malware or even become exposed to curious minds.
Although Charter Spectrum is one of the most popular ISPs in the US, using their router will require you to pay a monthly fee. However, the router itself is free of charge, although you need to pay $5 per month to keep it going.
Therefore, learning how to replace that Spectrum router with one of your own can be very beneficial.
How to turn off the internal router
You obviously need to disable the internal router from the modem/router combo that you got from Spectrum. Having two routers running against one another is a bad idea, as you’ve probably already guessed.
To enable Bridge Mode, which will allow you to use a separate router alongside your existing Spectrum modem/router combo, you need to follow these simple steps:
- Connect the new router to the gateway’s Ethernet port.
- Ensure the new device is powered on.
- Access the gateway’s configuration page by entering its address in your browser (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
- Log in using the default username and password.
Once you’re inside, disable the following settings:
- Wireless functionality
- Routing capabilities
- DHCP server
- Firewall protection
Next, you need to navigate to LAN settings and switch the NAT mode to Bridged mode, then save the changes.
Finally, restart the modem to apply the modifications and unleash the full potential of your network with a great integrated separate router. Your enhanced network experience awaits!
How to set up the new router
Once you’ve successfully put your modem into bridge mode and disabled the internal router, the next thing you should do is set up your shiny new router for a superior network experience.
Ensure you’ve already connected an Ethernet cable from your modem to the new router and powered it on. When the router boots up, head over to its settings menu using the provided login information, usually included with the new router.
Launch your browser, type in the IP address of the router, and enter the default login credentials (commonly “admin” for both username and password).
Begin by changing the login information to something unique and robust, ensuring utmost security against unauthorized access.
Now comes the exciting part: you need to customize your router! Set up security features and personalize the settings to cater perfectly to your preferences.
Once you’ve tailored your router, you have to reboot it, allowing the changes to take effect. After this step, you should be ready to connect your devices to your enhanced network.
Don’t fall for Spectrum’s gimmicks of offering “free” routers. Investing in a router that suits your network needs without recurring fees will ultimately prove more beneficial.
Having your own router offers several strong advantages compared to using an internet service provider’s (ISP) provided router. Firstly, we need to consider customization and control: You can tailor the router’s settings to suit your specific needs, ensuring great performance and security. Secondly, we have to take improved performance into account: Quality routers often offer faster speeds and better coverage, leading to a more reliable and seamless internet experience. Thirdly, there are no rental fees: Owning your router eliminates monthly rental costs typically associated with ISP-provided routers, resulting in long-term savings. Lastly, we can’t forget about the better security: With your router, you can implement stronger security measures, safeguarding your network and personal data against potential threats.
In the end, you need to keep in mind that Spectrum doesn’t offer support for a router that is not its own. In other words, there’s no use calling the client service of Spectrum if your new router malfunctions.
Tim M. Hill helped bring Digital-Overload from a weekly newsletter to a full-fledged news site by creating a new website and branding. He continues to assist in keeping the site responsive and well organized for the readers. As a writer to Digital-Overload, Tim mainly covers mobile news and gadgets.
