Knowledge document #3795

Setting up the FRITZ!Repeater as the Mesh Master behind a router from another manufacturer

When you use the FRITZ!Repeater behind a router from another manufacturer as the Mesh Master, with additional products used as Mesh Repeaters (for instance, FRITZ!Repeaters, FRITZ!Powerline devices) you receive a flexibly scalable Mesh system for Wi-Fi. The FRITZ!Repeater shares the existing internet connection of the existing router. For optimal Mesh Wi-Fi performance, we recommend disabling the other router's Wi-Fi network.

Example: Setting up the FRITZ!Repeater behind a router from another manufacturer

Note:All instructions on configuration and settings given in this guide refer to the latest FRITZ!OS for the FRITZ!Repeater.

Requirements / Restrictions

It is not possible to access devices in the FRITZ! Mesh from the other router's network.

1 Loading the FRITZ!Repeater's factory settings

To perform the following steps, the FRITZ!Repeater must be set to factory settings:

Push and hold down the Connect button for about 15 seconds.
Now all of the LEDs will light up briefly and the factory settings of the FRITZ!Repeater will be loaded. This process may take several minutes.
The Power LED remains lit as soon as the factory settings have finished loading.

2 Connecting the FRITZ!Repeater to the router

Insert one end of a network cable into the LAN socket on the FRITZ!Repeater. Use the network cable supplied with the FRITZ!Repeater, for example.
Insert the other end of the network cable into the LAN port on the router.

3 Connecting a wireless device with the FRITZ!Repeater

Make note of the Wi-Fi network key from the type label on the FRITZ!Repeater.
Plug the FRITZ!Repeater into an electrical outlet.
Wait about 1 minute until the FRITZ!Repeater has started and the Power LED remains lit and the WLAN LED flashes green slowly.
Search for Wi-Fi networks in the vicinity with a wireless device (for example a notebook, smartphone).
Select the Wi-Fi network 'FRITZ!Repeater [...]'.
Enter the Wi-Fi network key (password) you made note of.
Note:You can also establish the Wi-Fi connection on your mobile devices by pointing the camera at the QR code for Wi-Fi access on the type label.

4 Configuring the internet connection in the FRITZ!Repeater

Open the user interface of the FRITZ!Repeater.
Enter the FRITZ!Repeater password given on the type label of the FRITZ!Repeater and click on 'Log In'.
Click on 'Internet' and then on 'Account Information'.
Select 'connection to an external modem or router' from the drop-down list 'Internet connection via'.
Enter the speeds of your internet connection in the 'Downstream' and 'Upstream' fields.
Click on 'Apply' to save the settings.
Now the FRITZ!Repeater establishes the internet connection via the router of another manufacturer. Configuration is complete when the message 'The procedure was concluded successfully' is displayed.

You can configure additional FRITZ!Repeaters as described in the guide Connecting FRITZ!Repeater with the FRITZ!Repeater (Mesh Master). Then you can connect your wireless devices with the FRITZ!Box home network.