You can use a NETGEAR or Orbi router with your Internet service provider (ISP) gateway to benefit from improved WiFi speed and coverage. You might want to do this if your ISP requires you to use a gateway with poor WiFi performance.
You can install a NETGEAR or Orbi router with an ISP gateway in two modes:
- Router mode
- Access point (AP) mode
We recommend that you enable bridge mode on your ISP gateway and install your NETGEAR or Orbi router in router mode to use all the features of your router. If you cannot enable bridge mode on your ISP gateway, you must turn off the WiFi on your ISP gateway and install your NETGEAR or Orbi router in AP mode.
For more information about setting up your ISP gateway to use with your NETGEAR router, see How do I install my NETGEAR or Orbi router if I use a gateway from my ISP?
To install your NETGEAR or Orbi router after you enable bridge mode or turn the WiFi off on your ISP gateway:
- Use an Ethernet cable to connect the Ethernet port of your ISP gateway to the Internet port of your NETGEAR or Orbi router.
- Follow the instructions to install your router from the web interface, Nighthawk app, or Orbi app using your ISP gateway in place of a modem:
- Your router is now installed in router mode.
If you cannot enable bridge mode on your ISP gateway and turned the WiFi off, you must change your router to AP mode. For more information, see the following articles:
- How do I change my NETGEAR router to AP mode?
- How do I configure my Orbi router to act as an access point?
- What is the difference between router mode and AP mode?
- Which features are disabled on my NETGEAR router when it is set to AP Mode