repeater mode on UniFi ap — how to set up a UniFi ap as a repeater

Let’s say your Wi‑Fi works fine in the living room, but once you walk upstairs or into the backyard, things drop off. You’ve got an extra UniFi access point lying around and no Ethernet cable to plug it in, so what can you do?

This is where repeater mode comes in. With the right UniFi setup, you can wirelessly extend your Wi‑Fi signal using another AP, no cables needed. The second AP connects to your main network over Wi‑Fi, repeating the signal and giving your devices another place to hop on.

In this guide, you’ll learn what repeater mode really means in UniFi, how to set it up, what gear you need, what the trade-offs are, and how to get the most out of it.

Let's dive in !!

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what does repeater mode mean in UniFi?

Repeater mode in UniFi lets an access point join your wireless network over Wi‑Fi instead of Ethernet. The AP pulls its data over the air and rebroadcasts it. In UniFi language, this is also called wireless uplink.

There’s no special toggle called “repeater mode.” You just power on a UniFi AP, don’t plug in an Ethernet cable, and let it wirelessly adopt and mesh with your network.

when to use repeater mode

Repeater mode is great when:

• You can’t run Ethernet cables to the new AP
• You want to boost Wi‑Fi to a dead zone (garage, attic, basement)
• You’re setting up temporary coverage (events, outdoors)
• You already have a wired UniFi AP to connect to

It’s especially useful in places where drilling holes or pulling cable isn’t possible, like rental homes or short-term installs.

what you need

To use repeater mode, you’ll need:

1. A UniFi AP with wireless uplink support Most modern models support it, like U6 Lite, U6 Pro, UAP-AC-Lite, etc.
2. A wired UniFi AP already online This acts as the uplink source. It must be powered and connected via Ethernet to your router or switch.
3. A UniFi Controller (cloud key, UDM, or hosted controller) This is where you adopt the wireless AP and manage the mesh connection.

That’s it. You don’t need to enable anything special, the system handles most of it for you once the AP boots up.

setting it up, step by step

1. set up your wired ap normally

Make sure your main UniFi AP is connected to your network via Ethernet and adopted into your UniFi Controller. Create and configure your Wi‑Fi SSIDs, and confirm it’s broadcasting.

2. reset your second ap

Take your second AP (the one you want to use as a repeater) and do a factory reset.

• Hold the reset button for 10 seconds
• Release when the LED flashes

Leave it unplugged from Ethernet.

3. power it up

Plug the second AP into power only (no data). You can use a PoE injector, adapter, or compatible switch—just make sure no data cable is connected.

It will boot up and try to find the UniFi network wirelessly.

4. wait for wireless uplink pairing

Give it a few minutes. The AP should show up in your UniFi Controller under Devices, usually with a message like: \n> [!info]

"Pending adoption (Wireless Uplink)"

Click Adopt.

If it doesn’t show up, try these:

• Move it closer to the wired AP temporarily
• Make sure both APs are on the same firmware version
• Check that the wireless uplink feature is allowed under Settings → System → Advanced → "Enable wireless meshing"

5. adopt and configure

Once the AP is adopted, you can place it where needed. UniFi will manage the backhaul automatically.

The wireless AP will connect to the wired AP, and any client nearby will connect to whichever one has the stronger signal.

understanding wireless uplink

how it works

Wireless uplink works like a mesh. The repeater AP connects to your wired UniFi AP, using it as its gateway to the internet and LAN.

That wireless link acts like a virtual Ethernet cable.

what gets carried over

• The Wi‑Fi SSIDs and VLANs from the controller
• Any traffic from clients connecting to the repeater AP
• Management data between AP and controller

You don’t need to create a new SSID, the repeater broadcasts the same network names as your wired AP, so clients can roam between them.

performance tradeoffs

Now for the catch: repeaters cut bandwidth.

When an AP uses wireless uplink, the same radio has to talk to both the main AP and the client devices. This can halve the throughput, especially on 5 GHz. That’s not ideal if you're doing heavy tasks like streaming, gaming, or video calls.

If you want full performance:

• Use a wired backhaul (Ethernet)
• Get APs with dual 5 GHz radios (Tri-band models, like U6 Enterprise)

But for casual use, web browsing, streaming music, email, it works just fine.

best practices for repeater setup

1. placement is key

Don’t place your repeater AP too far from the wired AP. It needs to have a good signal to repeat it. Put it halfway between the dead zone and the wired AP, not at the edge of coverage.

2. keep SSIDs the same

Use the same SSID name and password across APs. This way, devices roam automatically between the main and repeater AP.

3. check signal strength

In UniFi, you can view the signal quality between APs. Go to Devices → Click on the Repeater AP → Uplink. If it shows poor signal, move it closer to the wired AP.

4. use 5 GHz backhaul

If possible, force the uplink to use 5 GHz for better speed. You can tweak this in the device’s settings under Radio settings.

limitations of repeater mode

• No mesh between repeaters: Repeaters connect to a wired AP only. You can’t chain multiple repeaters.
• Slower speed: Expect less throughput than a wired AP.
• Roaming isn’t perfect: Devices sometimes hold onto the weaker AP until signal really drops.
• Firmware mismatch can cause issues: lways keep all APs updated to the same version.

use cases that work well

• Extending Wi‑Fi to garages or sheds Where Ethernet isn’t practical, but power is available.

• Quick installs at events or rental units Temporary coverage without wiring.

• Guest networks Guests don’t need high speeds. A repeater is usually good enough.

• Dead spots in larger homes Mesh an AP near the stairs or hallway to fill in coverage.

how to undo repeater mode

Want to go back to a wired setup?

1. Connect the repeater AP to Ethernet
2. The controller will automatically switch it from wireless uplink to wired mode
3. Reboot the AP if needed

No special steps. UniFi handles it all automatically.

troubleshooting tips

repeater not adopting?

• Check that “Enable Wireless Meshing” is turned on in UniFi
• Move the AP closer to the wired AP
• Make sure the firmware matches
• Factory reset and try again

devices not roaming?

• Try enabling 802.11r (fast roaming)
• Reduce transmit power on the main AP
• Make sure SSIDs match perfectly

poor performance?

• Use 5 GHz only for uplink if possible
• Move repeater closer to main AP
• Reduce the number of clients on the repeater

final thoughts

Using a UniFi AP in repeater mode is a great way to extend your Wi‑Fi without pulling cables through walls or ceilings. It’s not as fast as a wired setup, but for many homes and offices, it’s more than enough.

If you’re looking for a quick fix to boost coverage in a tough spot, repeater mode gets the job done. And if you ever decide to go wired later, it’s a simple switch, no new settings or hardware needed.

And hey, if you’re managing more than one location or want help with deploying UniFi APs (wired or wireless), we’ve got you. At Unihosted, we handle UniFi controller hosting, automated alerts, and help you get the most out of your setup, mesh or no mesh.