How to turn your router into a modem

Turning your router into a modem

How you go about converting your router into a modem depends on the make and model, and whether you’re using the router supplied by your broadband provider or a manufacturer-branded model.

Here, we’ll take a look at how to activate 'modem-only' mode on some of the most popular router brands and provider-supplied routers.

How to activate modem-only mode on a Virgin Media Hub router

1. Input 192.168.0.1 into your web browser
2. Upturn your Virgin Media Hub and locate the Hub settings password. Then choose ‘Next’ and input it
3. Choose Super Hub. Then select 'Modem Mode' and ‘Enable Modem Mode’
4. Finally, select ‘Apply Changes’ and you’re done

How to activate modem-only mode on a Netgear router

1. Type ‘www.routerlogin.net or 192.168.0.1.’ into your browser
2. When the log-in window appears, input your user name and the password you set when you first logged in
3. When the BASIC home page shows, select ‘ADVANCED > Administration > Router Mode’
4. When the Router Mode page shows up, select ‘No’ and then ‘Apply’. And you’re set.

How to activate modem-only mode on a BT or EE Smart Hub

1. Type ‘192.168.1.254’ into a web browser address bar. And press enter
2. Select ‘advanced settings’ and enter the ‘Admin Password for Hub manager’ to make changes. The password is located on the rear of your EE or BT Hub
3. From there, you’ll need to select ‘Broadband’. Then ‘Routing’ and then ‘Enable Bridging’
4. You’ll know Bridge mode (aka modem-only mode) is enabled when the hub light turns orange.

How to activate modem-only mode on a Linksys router

1. Open a browser and input ‘192.168.1.1’. Press enter
2. Enter your username and password (the latter will be on the underside of the router)
3. On the quick set-up screen, input your region and time zone. When prompted to select your input provider, choose ‘Other’
4. In the L2 Interface field select the sort of broadband connection you have. ADSL refers to standard broadband. VDSL refers to fibre-to-the-cabinet broadband
5. Then in the Internet Connection type field, select ‘Bridge’
6. At your discretion, you may want to turn off the Wi-Fi setting by untagging the field 2.4GHz wireless. This can minimise interference. However, if you’re currently connected to the internet via Wi-Fi rather than with a cable, you should leave it turned on
7. Depending on what you chose previously, you’ll be asked if you’re still connected via a wireless or wired connection. Assuming you are, you can select ‘Next’, then ‘Finish’. And your work here is done

How to activate modem-only mode on a Sky Hub router

Sky routers do not offer the option of a Bridge Mode. So you won't be able to convert your Hub into a modem by the standard means of doing so.

Workarounds are available online. But if you’re a Sky customer and want separate modem and separate router set-up, you may want to invest in a third-party router instead.

How do I work out which router I have?

You can usually find out the model of your router by checking the sticker on the underside or back. In most instances, it’ll be prefaced by the word ‘model’.

If you draw a blank there, and you own a broadband provider-branded router, you can usually find a pictorial guide to all their current and older-generation routers on their site. Which means you may be able to tell your router by sight.

Why convert your router into a modem?

The reasons for wanting to use a separate modem and router, rather than an all-in-one device, are many and varied. Here’s a few examples…

• Better gaming: A faster, more robust connection makes for much improved gaming experience, with less ‘ping’ and faster response times. Find out more about about broadband speeds and gaming with our one-stop guide
• Smoother streaming: You’re far less likely to encounter buffering with a separate modem and router. Your set up will also be much better equipped for viewing UltraHD 8K video
• Improved service in large homes: In bigger properties, it can be hard to ensure your signal reaches all corners of the home. Having a separate modem and router lets you add more powerful routers to your set-up to ensure the signal spreads further
• For fun: Some techy people actively like to experiment with their home-connectivity set up, because it affords them more control over their systems and scope for making customisations

Testing your broadband speed

After you’ve converted your router into a modem, you’ll probably want to check in to see if you’re now achieving better speeds. To do so, head to our broadband speed checker.

We’d recommend you test your connection on multiple occasions and at different times of day, over the course of a few weeks. That way you’ll get a more complete picture of your real-world speeds.

Tips to improve your broadband speed

If your connection still isn’t giving you the speeds you need after moving to a separate router and modem set-up, you may want to upgrade your broadband package.

But before you do that, take a look at our handy tips for improving your speeds, which might just save you some money.