Engadget Guidance: Aging Routers Can Be Reused, but Unpatched Models Need Review

According to Engadget, a router without updates does not stop working automatically. There is no built-in kill switch outside eventual hardware failure, the publication said. The practical loss is support: once firmware updates stop, the router loses its most dependable way to fix newly discovered vulnerabilities. Attackers often target vulnerable routers in bulk, using them to relay malicious traffic or to join a larger group of compromised devices controlled without their owners' knowledge. A router without updates is not automatically compromised, Engadget said, but users should begin considering a replacement sooner rather than later.

Engadget suggested disabling remote administration so the router's management page cannot be reached outside the home network. It also said five years is a checkpoint rather than a hard expiration date. Netgear suggests a four- to five-year timeline for security updates, but Engadget noted that this is not an absolute rule. A five-year-old router may still be adequate for web browsing or streaming, especially if its manufacturer continues support.

To check whether a router is still supported, Engadget advised finding the model number and hardware revision on the label, usually beneath or on the back of the device. The revision matters because two routers sold under the same model name can have different firmware releases. Users should log into the router or open its app, locate the firmware update setting, compare the installed version with any offered update, and enable automatic updates if available. They should then look up the same model and revision on the manufacturer's official support site, compare the installed version with the latest listed release, read release notes, and check for an end-of-life or end-of-support notice.

If an update exists, Engadget said to follow the manufacturer's instructions. If no update exists, users should confirm the router's support status, especially if it is more than a few years old. A supported router is fine; an unsupported router will likely continue to work, but users should plan to replace it. For some models, projects such as OpenWrt may offer custom firmware after manufacturer support ends. Engadget warned users to check the exact hardware revision against OpenWrt's supported device list, because installing the wrong firmware or following the wrong procedure can turn the router into a useless object.

In a separate guide, Engadget said old routers have potential on a home network even after they are no longer the best choice for primary use. Newer models generally offer better security, range, and performance, making them preferable as the main router, but older routers can serve as secondary or tertiary devices because many networking fundamentals have not changed in decades.

One option is to use the old router as a Wi-Fi repeater or access point. A wired connection can provide stable connectivity and faster speeds, but it requires an Ethernet cable back to the primary router. A wireless repeater or bridge mode may be available in the admin panel or manual; on some TP-Link routers, Engadget said, the feature is hidden under WDS bridging. The downside is that the router must use part of its wireless capacity to communicate with the primary router, which can reduce real-world speeds. Engadget also advised against broadcasting two Wi-Fi signals in close proximity, suggesting that users configure the old router for the 2.4GHz band and disable that frequency on the newer router to avoid interference. A small number of routers can also work as mesh nodes; Asus calls this feature AiMesh and allows different models to form one network.

If the primary router lacks enough LAN ports for smart TVs, computers, and game consoles, Engadget said the old router can act as a network switch. Users can run an Ethernet cable from a LAN port on the new router to a LAN port on the old one, connect devices to the remaining ports, and avoid the old router's WAN port. Many routers offer Access Point or Switch modes in their settings. If those modes are unavailable, users must disable the DHCP server and other routing options such as firewall and NAT manually. If only the Ethernet ports are needed, wireless functions should be turned off to prevent interference.

Engadget also pointed to the USB port on many routers, which can connect a printer or storage device. A printer can be shared wirelessly with devices on the network, which is useful for older printers without Wi-Fi. An external hard drive or thumb drive can turn the router into a rudimentary storage server, allowing reads and writes from networked devices. Engadget cautioned that routers do not include the reliability or backup features of dedicated network-attached storage, and that the USB port is likely not the fastest, so performance will be limited.