A brand of Charter Communications, Spectrum is the second-largest ISP in the United States. The company provides its services in 41 states. It is widely known for offering quality TV, internet, and phone services. Plus, what makes them so different from other providers is that they take care of their customers by giving them access to a high-speed internet connection and that too in three affordable tiers. Unfortunately, there is an issue with Spectrum and that is using their modem-router combo. Even though the company tells you that they are giving the device for free but in reality, they will charge you $5 every month for using their wireless router.
However, the solution to this problem is quite simple. All you need to do is become a subscriber of Spectrum internet deals and use their free modem but disable the internal router and replace it with one of your own. It may sound tedious but it will be worth it considering you won’t be needing to pay $5/month.
Perks of Having Your Own Router
Before discussing how you can replace Spectrum router with your own, let’s first shed some light on the perks that you would get if you actually do this.
- Save Money
As mentioned above, you will save yourself from paying $5 per month for using Spectrum router.
- More Choice
You will be in command of the features that you really desire from your router. For instance, you can invest in a mesh system if you want extended coverage.
- Better Security
Owning your router and replacing it with Spectrum’s device means you will be having more security options. This will help you keep your router as safe and locked down as possible.
Considering these three benefits, it would be a wise option to invest in your own personal router. After all, who likes spending extra bucks per month for something you can own for a lifetime just by spending once.
The Process of Replacing Spectrum Router
If you have decided to get rid of the Spectrum router and want to replace it with your own then here is how you can do that.
#1. Invest in a New Router
First things first, you have to look for a router that is not only compatible with Spectrum but can also fulfill your needs. There are four options which work like a charm with Spectrum and they are
- Linksys Tri-Band AC2200
- NETGEAR Nighthawk R6700
- TP-Link AC1750 Smart Wifi Router
- Askey 802.11ac Wave 2
While choosing your router make sure that they support 802.11ac and 802.11n protocols. Plus, make sure to opt for a tri-band router or at least dual-band. Also, make sure to choose the device from a manufacturer that has reliable customer service.
#2. Switch Off the Internal Router
After you have bought the router, you can proceed to disable the internal router in Spectrum’s modem-router combo. Please note that it is not possible to run two routers together. You will then be required to put Spectrum in bridge mode. After that, you have will need to connect your newly purchased router to the gateway’s Ethernet port. While doing this, make sure that the device is turned on. Now, open your web browser and head to the gateway address which should be 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. You can then use the default credentials to log in before turning off the following settings.
- Firewall
- DHCP
- Routing
- Wireless
Once these settings have been switched off, look for NAT mode under the LAN settings and change it to Bridged mode. You can then save it. After that, restart your modem.
#3. Setting Up Your New Router
Once you have completed the steps above, you can now set up your own router. By this time, you should already have the Ethernet cable run from your modem to your new router. You can plug it in the power source. After your router is booted, it’s time to access the settings. You can do this by opening your favorite web browser and entering the IP address. Now, enter the same credentials that you would have received along with the purchase of your router to open the settings.
Now, before you do anything, change the username and password to make your router more secure. Once that is done, you can then head to the settings and can apply the security and personalization features according to your liking. You can then reboot the device for the settings to be applied. Your router will now be connected successfully to Spectrum.
Conclusion
From Spectrum TV to the internet, there is no doubt that the company provides top-notch services. However, don’t fall for their ‘free’ router as they will charge you $5 per month for it. Hence, it is better to get your own router that will let you get the most out of their internet service.
