What is the USB Port Behind the Router For: 5 Ways to Use It

Posted on the 21 January 2023 by L'Express

Indispensable and unavoidable, the router allows you to connect all your devices to your Wi-Fi network. As you have noticed, the majority of modern routers have a USB port located on the back. Although it often goes unnoticed, it has several functions that will be very useful to you. We let you discover that, through this article.

Omnipresent, the Wi-Fi router is used to optimally distribute the internet connection of your box to all your connected devices. Like all routers, yours has various ports on the back, including a USB input. You’ve never actually considered it, but it can be very useful. Let’s find out all about it!

The presence of the USB port on the back of Wi-Fi routers is not insignificant. In this article, we will explore more closely the usefulness and function of it.

Read also: How do I know the password of my router’s Wifi network to connect to it?

Ports on the back of a Wi-Fi router. Source: spm

  • Use your router’s USB to charge other devices

What could be more logical ! You can use your router’s USB input to power other devices, such as your smartphone, tablet or other. If the router is placed in an accessible place, you can obviously use the USB port as a charger. Get hold of your device’s charger cable and connect it to the router’s USB port.

  • Connect an internet modem using the USB input of your router

Are you having internet connection problems with the offer you have subscribed to? Consider investing in a 4G or 5G modem! In this way, you can connect it to your Wi-Fi router using the USB port and finally enjoy a more stable connection.

  • Connect other devices through your router’s USB port

In addition to being very practical for charging devices and connecting an internet modem, the USB port of your Wi-Fi router can also be used to connect other devices, such as a printer.

  • Create a server with a USB Key

Your router’s USB port also allows you to connect other devices such as a USB key or an external hard drive. Information from the router can be copied to it and its contents can be viewed by other computers. A simple way to create a server using just your router’s USB input. Pretty handy, right?

  • Update your Wi-Fi router

Among the different uses of the USB port, we can mention updating the firmware of your router. Although you can do it easily through the device configuration interface, there is another way to do it. You can download the latest Firmware and copy it to a USB flash drive, then plug it into the router via the USB port to update your router.

Why do you need to restart your Wi-Fi router from time to time?

Restarting your Wi-Fi router has several benefits that will come in handy. Here are a few:

restart the Wi-Fi router. Source: spm

Change the IP address: when you restart your router, you reset its IP address. Just turn it off, wait ten seconds, then turn it back on. This will allow you to browse anonymously and avoid the risk of hacking.

Improve the speed of your internet connection: When you restart your router, the accumulated data is erased and the connection reset. A way to improve the speed of your throughput.

Troubleshoot errors related to your RAM memory: Restarting your router cleans its RAM memory and resolves some errors. Always remember to perform this operation if you encounter problems related to the performance of your internet connection

Read also: Do you really need to turn off the Wi-Fi router at night?

Strengthen security: The Wi-Fi router can be an easy gateway for hackers to access devices connected to it. A regular reboot can put an end to any hacking attempt. Because you can never be careful enough!

Reader friends, you now know that the USB port of your Wi-Fi router is far from useless! So, feel free to use it according to your needs. But above all, remember to restart your router regularly to optimize its performance. Nothing very complicated!

Read also: Security vulnerability: if your Wi-Fi router is on this list, you must update it immediately

Via SPM