5 cool things you can do with your router's USB port!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 มิ.ย. 2024
- Ever noticed that there is a USB port at the back of the router? Why is it there?
Let me show you 5 cool things you can do with that USB port!
Looking for an external hard drive: geni.us/LgRemqR (Amazon Affiliate)
Looking for a real NAS: geni.us/vQnt (Amazon Affiliate)
0:00 Why is there a USB port on the back of the router?
0:33 Printing
1:13 Storage
1:55 Media Server
2:20 Backup
2:56 Connectivity
3:31 Firmware Updates
Can this bypass your ISP data limit to get you faster internet speed? • Bypass your Internet P...
#TheTechieGuy
Need to get faster wifi and faster internet? Is your gaming lagging and your zoom buffering? Whats a Mesh WiFi and WiFi 6 anyways? Don't worry - I got you.
Here is where I show you all you need to know about faster and better connectivity with best router settings, wifi optimization, wifi tips and internet bandwidth performance tricks and even boosting speed apps.
If you also want to know about which phone you should buy, I got that for you too!
The latest Samsung Galaxy S9, S20 Ultra, Galaxy Note 10, or Google Pixel 4 XL? or perhaps the Apple iPhone 11 vs OnePlus Pro? If you also want to know the best cell tips and tricks then you are definitely in the right place!
My name is Liron Segev, aka TheTechieGuy, and I make tech simple for everyone to understand - I answer your technology questions making so you are more productive more efficient and getting more out of your phones, gadgets, and apps
Liron Segev aka TheTechieGuy
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This tiny Ryzen gaming mini-computer is just insane! th-cam.com/video/dyVUNigYyCA/w-d-xo.html
are there any routers that are capable of reading 10tb external drives? one that is not that expensive qould be rpefferable
All the information I didn't know as fast as a download, epic video today I've been trying to figure out how to use the non wireless printer on a network
What's a "Rooter" lol
Edward is only now discovering that the world is made up of different people, with accents, who don't pronounce everything the same as Edward does.
Edward is shocked to realize that some people in the world don't even speak English.
Edward now remembers English wasn't invented in his hometown. "Router" came into English by way of Anglo-Norman and Old French (rute or rote or route). But its ultimate source is the Latin rupta from the phrase via rupta (a broken way, or a road opened by force).
“routine” is a relative of “route” and I have never heard anyone pronounce that word as "ROW-tine" but as ROOT-ine.
Edward just got educated.
@@edwardfletcher7790 it's used to form scribed or patterned edging on furniture etc, a router or r-outer, I use mine for kitchen worktop installation 👍
A tech channel that gets straight to the point without dragging the video for 10 minutes or plugging 100 products and sponsors?
You got a new subscriber, sir.
appreciate YOU being here - short and to the point is what I am going for😂
@@LironSegev And that is definitely appreciated. Please keep doing what you do!
Correction... TWO new subscribers.
Awesome 🎉
@@LironSegev make it three or more...
I think this is the most useful tech video I've ever seen. All five are things I might actually want to do, and I had no idea.
Appreciate you being here 👍
@@LironSegev, one USB port? Ok. May we connect a USB hub to the router, then connect external storage devices, and printers to the hub... which, hopefully, can be used by everyone on the network?
agree! thanks for the ideas!
@@Sytijinx I wan to know if you can do this with a USB OTG on android phone or tablet too?
Beware some Ebay sellers have a USB OTG adapter that comes with their tablet, but the device itself does not support a USB as such! Ouch! Its just a link to charge or connect to PC. True OTG supports extra devices like a regular USB, and I presume would auto detect new devices connected.
@@MindTrip888, a fun option to connect to modern Android phones (USB OTG, of course) is the 9-in-1 USB-C hub which includes an HDMI output. I've used this type of hub to connect my LG G8 to a TV, and it's more fun than cable TV. Movies and games that I've played on my phone look so much nicer on a big screen. I've connected thumb drives, external hard drives, mice, full-size keyboards, and joysticks to the hub, and they've all worked great. Haven't tried a printer yet, but I'm guessing it'd work.
Why do i like this video?:
1. No music
2. Fast Talking
3. Talking to the Point
4. No repetition
5. I forgot, it taught me FIVE things I can use the USB-port for on a router/rooter/rauter.
I agree with all the points. When I see long videos (once I've seen one lasting more than 4 hours) I skip them, no matter how useful they might be. And music, oh boy, some videos become totally useless because of the music volume!
Only negative is sound effects
As far as fast talking, I have a hard time trying to cram all the infor into my brain if there is a lot of fast talking.
Why would anyone give this video a thumbs down?All this guy is doing is trying to helping people.Great work man.Thank you.Trollers Gonna Hate.
Welcome to my world 😜 appreciate you being here and thanks for the message 🙏
Thank you
Perhaps the best 4 minutes I've spent on the internet in quite a while.
Best comment ever 💥
You get a like for getting to the point. So many youtubers make things drag on for way too long. Good job!
@90 Caliber Macher. Agreed!
Maybe longer vids are ok when I'm watching a story unfold. But when I'm trying to learn something they gotta get to the point cause I go work to do!
Seriously too much talky talky. A video on chopping fruit shouldn't be 5min long, 4 minutes talking about it lol. 30 seconds on less just showing the chop is sufficient lol.
I like how it starts out as a “rooter” and soon becomes a “router”. That was awesome!
well you know how some people lose their minds because they can't accept there are more people in the world then their tiny home town 😂
'rooter' is the correct pronunciation. a 'router' is a woodworking power tool
@@monetary_episode494 try the same elsewhere. Route is mostly pronounced ‘root’.
@@monetary_episode494 it always used to be pronounced 'rooter', in american and british english, for example, the song 'route 66' is pronounced 'root' not 'rout'.
You have entered The Twilight Zone 😜🤣
Brilliant. I dig the "no nonsense", very easy content you provide with the appropriate clip-markers! You are quite entertaining to watch and listen to as well! Good job!
Great tip on printers. Cheap printers can do all you need but don't have wi fi. A big problem that means multiple users having to bring their lap tops to the shared printer. This use of the Router is genius.
My printer's connected to the router via a network cable.
Maybe I could connect a scanner !
The back of my router has a USB thumb drive, that allows my router to become an adblocker. Anyone who uses my router has adblock, if they like it or not.
@@mrbisshie How did u do that?
Tried plugging in my old 2005 Epson C90 to my router. It wasn't recognised.
Actually, very few routers has printer support on the USB port. Harddrives and sticks always work. I think you should have told this.
This is one of the most useful videos that I've watched in a while. Well done Liron!
Thank you sir! We still need to get some flying going - I am way too nervous to fly 😂
@@LironSegev Agreed! You are in Dallas, right? Let's make it happen!
Yip.... As soon as it's safe!
Very useful
What about charging ya devices ?
One more additional usage: As power source to power up a small cooling fan as the base to cool down the router. Hot router tends to slow down connection.
I've got a tray shaped fan thing I bought for my old Win 7 to keep it cool. If I could reach that router on the high shelf, I could plug that into it and maybe it might work better. oh well.
We literally use those ports to load configs and firmware onto them before shipping at work. Very useful and very cool!
For a few years now I have wanted to create my own internet network in my house, with a central server to which all devices are connected. Unfortunately, I have not yet managed to make all devices work together. There are so many possibilities and applications that must be coordinated with each other. That's complicated, so I can learn a lot from your videos now
I was having thermal throttling issues with a 4G router, so I bought 2 50mm USB fans with a speed controller and placed them over the ventilation holes. $10 fix and no more frustration.
I do the same! great tip
I previously used an old printer paper support back curved plastic to keep the router elevated off the table while a small fan kept it running cool. Worked like a charm.
As for router USB ports. Depending on the age of model, some come with one or two or more ports which can be used for Printer, HDD, or connect an Internet USB Data Card to be used as a shared wired/WiFi router/access point.
Not sure if mobile connected by OTG can allow to access mobile internet in the same way.🤔 Though someone can confirm the same.
And I thought my laptop was the only one having thermal throttling issues 😂
Does it help with better connection? How do you know which vent is intake and outtake
@@Muzart There's no intake/exhaust ports per se, it's just blowing air in or around the modem/router internals so the onboard ICs don't get heated up too much and start throttling/powering down to keep the thermals in control/check.
That's how the connectivity stays better intact. Like I said elevating the router/modem and keeping an external Small fan blowing on and around it did wonders on a Cheapo ISP provided modem! Those days was only kbps, so nowadays in Mbps GBps connections, would definitely help if keeping the devices running cool.
ISP throttling though cannot be helped by fans or whatever, or solving jamming of WiFi/mobile signals by Mobile and Internet Service Providers or Police Cybercrime Intel used External devices like Stingrays Kingfish HackRF or RTL-SDR devices.
That's a totally different ball game and one I've had prolonged experience with. Cheers!
That's why in Network Switches to prevent heating and throttling you'll find fans in them, something like car audio amplifiers in addition to thermal paste applied full array heatsinks that connect from the board to the body metal or aluminium cases to dissipate the heat. Hope the info helps.👼🕵🏼🇮🇳🗺👍🏼
I thought I was a power user until I watched this video. WOW! Did I learn a lot. I couldn't hit the subscribe button fast enough. This is now one of my favorite channels.
I knew the storage thing cause I already use the MicroSD card slot on my 4G mobile router for that, but that trick with old USB printers was something so simple that I never thought of, doubly handy as our secondary older printer that's WiFi enabled is often a bit flaky where it'll recognise two computers but not others so we keep having to directly connect PCs to it via USB.
Wifi printer should connect to router, not computers. Then any computer connected to router can access it.
Love the way you put all directives in laymen's terms! You just make tech stuff sound so damn easy!! Thanks!
you rock! thank YOU for hanging out here - more to come!
Nice! Love the idea of plugging external storage into it to access it from any of the TV's in my home.
Took you advice/suggestion and activated an wi-fi Ariel to my laptop via a USB . 20-30mbps turned into 140 down 60 up. Love the whole shebang of your advice. It Works !
Geoff Burton
Brisbane
Australia
So useful. Learn so much about why was there a darn USB port in that router for a long time.
Thank you so much for this video. In our day and age we have so many things we forget what we have at our disposal. Often we buy something to fulfill a purpose of a device we already have, lol. This has been one of those times. I was about to purchase a separate printer port to attach to one of my gateways. Low and behold my gateway has an accessible USB for that purpose, duh. I feel so silly not remembering this feature. Thank you again so much. Keep up the videos and good work.
100% - glad it helped
That printer cable tip is great. My WiFi printer always gets confused and needs rebooting before it prints but not with the cable to the router. Thanks.
Now everyone is running to check the backs of their routers! Well, this is highly useful.....if youre a techie. Here I am trying to unlearn stuff, go back to an analog life and here comes a fantastic message about going deeper into things most of us didnt even know we could. I wish this came along years go when I still cared and it makes me think about all the capability we have and dont use because we dont know. Great video.
A very useful video. Thank you. Using an external 3.5" USB drive as a NAS is my favorite.
I gotta say man, this is crazy useful. We pay hundreds and thousands of dollars for these gadgets and never use nearly half their capabilities. I've also been manually backing up on two external drives all these years, this just made things so much easier. Thanks :). Glad I clicked.
Appreciate you being here 🔥
Why are you paying thousands?
@@everythingpony because we're not poor
it sounds a little bit like you paid too much for your router
@@Autotrope Sounds like your impoverished
Fantastic as always. Knew 2 of these, but never even thought about the rest. Thanks for sharing. I'm sure there are SO many out there that's now gonna have a NAS / Media-server for their smart-tv etc. well done ;)
Oh, you just sold me on the first one!! Thank you. My old printer is sitting next my router and I had been trying to figure out how to make it work for both computers. Trying it out now! Thank you!!
This was super useful because ive just been using it as a power source! Thanks Liron!
Glad it helped! Thanks for the message and hanging out here 👍
Thank you! First time seeing a video of yours and I learned a few things I had no clue about previously +1 subscriber
Welcome and thanks for the message and hanging out here 👍 more to come 🔥
Thanks I really needed to hear this, that 8tb external my book is going to get some use on my router now. Music / TV / & Movies available all over my home, great video.
I'm actually impressed. I had not though of/tryed/been made aware of many of these uses. Very nice work!
1:13 I have a laptop set up with an SMB server for this reason. Glad to know there are other ways.
I used to do the same!
Unfortunately some rooters (routers) have only smb1 connectivity. In my instance I had to regress w10 to use smb1 protocol in order to see the USB storage via the router. Especially on Linux you have to edit smb.,conf and enter min client = ntl1 protocols. So this linksky router has smb1-3 compatibility?
@@ibm450 that's a big security hole
That connectivity part is very intriguing. Could you do a video on the routers that support that and what advantages that would have over the WiFi box a cell carrier would offer
Quick tip it may help. Any or most routers running ddwrt or Merlin will most likely be able to do that.
Wow! I had no idea I could use the USB port like this. A thousand thumbs up!
This guy makes things easy " its appreciated , keep it going " thank you Brian
Thank YOU for hanging out here 👍
This was fantastic! I knew all of these, but it's super conden and clear.
Printing and mobile connectivity can be a pain with the routers I've used - but useful to know for some people
Glad it was helpful and thank YOU for hanging out here!
Mobile can be one's cell phone as a hotspot. Depends upon the phone and carrier.
This is awesome never knew any of this subbed
Glad I could help! Thanks for the message and hanging out here 👍 more to come 🔥
I liked this! You didn't talk way too much like many of the other techies out there who make TH-cam vids tend to do. Very concise explanations and, very useful too. Thanks! I subscribed.
Appreciate you being here 🔥
Liron, so often you have EXACTLY the solution I need. Amazing. This video gave me immense joy. Thanks so much 👍
Liron I've been watching your videos for a couple of weeks now and I just have to tell you that each one I've watched has made me say wow, never knew that. Keep it up. I do appreciate you taking the time to make these videos. Thank you!
Wow, thank YOU - really appreciate your message and you being here!
Wow. That was actually really useful. I'm a filmmaker and that would be really nice if I can put my latest creations on a USB drive and load them up on my smart tv without having to stream them from the Internet.
Not only that but if your router is advanced enough you can make your own server from the same usb method
Not all routers will support storage (NAS).
Most TVs these days have the ability to directly stream from a PC using WIFI
I really did not knew why we have the usb port in my router. This video was immensely helpful for me. Thank you 🙏
He actually got to the point pretty quick, love it man!
Good explanation
thank you Ray - appreciate the comment and you hanging out here - more to come!
You. Are. Everywhere...
See you every where
I see you EVERYWHERE
@@chenqings_fan hewwo
Thank you so much for this video. I always wondered why it was back there but never looked into it. You got a new sub for this one.
Awesomeness! Thanks for the message and hanging out here 👍
I saw your channel in a router antennas video, and started following your channel in quarantine, your videos are very useful, btw I'm subscribed! 😁
I never thought about having an external drive with all my music and videos accessible to everyone using the router
Verizon routers do not support data transmission at last check.
Don't let those hecklers get you down: I'm rooooting for you. :)
For people who might try to connect a USB or external drive and doesn't work, try to reformat the drive to NTFS. Some flash drives especially, use exFAT which routers usually don't see.
great tip!!! thanks for sharing this!
@@LironSegev tHank you....I enjoy the tech but don't have a passion for it. You have woken a sleeping giant
Interesting considering Linux has better support for exFAT. FAT32 would be the most compatible but also wastes a lot of space and has max file size limitations
Personally, if I were using openwrt and not planning to remove it I'd just use btrfs. Sending snapshots is a pretty killer feature in a lite NAS type setup
Great tips video, straight to the point, no fluff and dragging things out with useless info
From one techie to another - great video, great tips!
First time seeing your channel great information, did not know this. Thanks
Thanks for watching and being here! More to come....
I have had a col printer that I liked and I was considering selling it to et a wifi enabled printer. But thanks to you now I can print over my wifi connection.
BOOM! thanks for sharing
But you have to keep your printer near the router.
Wow, this is gold. This video didn't pop up until 1/23/22. I'm going to create a public playlist to help give it coverage.
Very helpful; brilliantly paced. Thanks. I like the NAS idea.
I use mine as a NAS, for storing media and backing up.
I have an external usb enclosure with hardware raid, so I have two 2tb hdd in RAID 1.
Cool
Would I need to reformat my 1TB drive to use it as a media hub or would the modem/router be ok with Fat16? I use that format because my PS3 uses it. Also my hdd has no external power so uses power from the usb port. Is that a potential issue?
Trippy James Reynolds you can draw the necessary power from one or more USB ports. There are some cables that has 2 usb A plugs to use when one is not enough to power de hdd.
Regarding fat16, I’m not sure but I believe the router would work with it but, if I’m not mistaken, the fat16 format is limited in partition sizes.
My advice is to use a dedicated usb drive to plug to the router. In that case you could use the NTSF format which is more versatile.
For your whole family to enjoy your "Homework Folder"
Wow! A great little lesson with very useful information!
Appreciate you being here 🔥
Love the NAS suggestion.
Thanks for the great tip! I'm sure gonna give it a try.
This was very helpful, thank you! I'm a cable installer, and I have a CIT degree that I don't use. Well, except when helping customers with setting up their personal devices. I've had a few with older printers and could not help them; I've never explored uses for the router usb other than NAS or power (fire stick, roku, ect.) I'm sure I can find other uses beyond this video now that I know to look! Thank you so much!
BEST COMMENT - thank you!
First time seeing your channel, excellent video and you have earned yourself a subscriber. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for hanging out here 👍 more to come
Me, too. Clear explanation, lively delivery, keeps my interest, too.
Exactly what i was wondering! I always wanted one to charge my phone on but didnt even think to check
Great pointers, thank you. The slapping sounds I could do without or would rather them be quieter.
My routers USB port has one of those little fans. It's angled that it blows on the vent of the router keeping it cool
Great video. I just think it's crazy how little people know about the electronics they buy.
When I was shopping for my wifi6 router I made sure it had two usb3.2 gen1 (usb3.0) ports so I could add a second drive after my 4tb fills up. My "old" router only had a single 3.2gen1 and a single 2.0
Not many routers have 2usb ports, let alone 2 of usb3. What model did you get?
and now you can acces that HDD over netowrk?
@@quazar912 yes
@@LatinDanceVideos Asus RT-AX86U
Eye opening and straight to the point without faffing.
Really we dont know these uses of router , Best knowledge given,Thanks
You forgot to mention that not all routers support all those functions. With the printer function being the least likely across all routers. You should check the routers setup page or model number on the internet and see what's supported.
Then there's the USB port on the printer. I wonder what that's for - external hard drive ?
@@millomweb Yes. Say you have some photos and documents on a thumb drive, you can plug it into the USB port on your printer, then using the tiny bity screen on the printer, you can then view and select the photos and print directly from the thumb drive. No computers needed. It works for photo files with the .jpg, .bmp and .png extensions. I'm not sure about word documents, excel or PDF.
@@eudofia The computer's in the printer !
I've just looked through the info that came with it - doesn't even mention the port !
@@millomweb Ok. I once had a HP printer where you can print directly from a memory stick plugged into the printer's port on the back.
@@eudofia The concept you mentioned, I was aware of - but I think my printer's a bit too professional for that kind behaviour. Personally, it'd be great if I could plug a scanner in to that USB port......instant photocopier !
The NAS - why didn’t I think of that? 👍🏻
Never thought about it for the printer, thanks
This video was WAY more useful than I'd anticipated. Subscribed! 👍
Best comment! Thanks for the message and hanging out here 👍
Fantastic advice and ideas! think I will use it for plugging in a USB stick and use it for storage of audio and video across my network - many thanks!, now to work out how the BT router sets it up!
Glad it was helpful! good luck with those BT routers....
Dude! U just blew my mind. Best video I've seen in a min!
BEST. COMMENT🔥 thanks for hanging out here!
Ohhh, I really like the Printer and External storage tip. That's going to be very useful.
Wow! This is amazing! Never seen a video so informative AND to the point, short, no nonsense. Subscribed immediately, would be looking forward to more such stuff. Thanks
You rock 🔥 appreciate you being here
Hey Thanks
Been looking for tech help for a long time great video,
A little slower voice speed for us older couch potatoes,
Thanks
Oh, cool! Now I can make full use of my router's USB port!
IF IT HAD ONE!!!
Same here. It’s be nice if mine had one. But my printer works wirelessly and can pair to Alexa (if I wanted that nightmare) so at least there’s that.
You always give great information! Thank you!
Thanks for sharing my friend. You have always been a great information source for me and most probably for everyone. You are great brother. Thanks.
Add an USB hub, powered externally if needed. One USB port can have multiple USB ports. Then all the alternatives for USB accessories can be added.
Some USB hubs have independent power switches for the added additional USB ports.
The other limitation is that every USB port has speed limits. The overall speed might be limited at the slowest point in the chain of connectors. So be careful of speeds.
Started video saying "ROOTER" ended video say Router, that made my anxiety go away, thank you!
Am here for you buddy
I have a rooter router.
@@LironSegev Were I am, we pronounced it Rowter. But to each his or her own....
In the UK, we pronounce it as "rooter", and Route is pronounced "root". If you say "rowt", it means something completely different, and is spelled ROUT (no, it's not an illiterate fish!). Obviously us English are right and the Yanks are wrong on this... we named the language after ourselves and let them borrow it, and they just ruined it! 😁 😉
Yip (or ja) 😂
Thank you for those tips much appreciated.
Don't usually sign into TH-cam, however your easy understandable videos -Topnotch!
darn, which i knew this back in the days when I was using those small SOHO routers. Anyway, thanks for the info. I'm sure I will use it someday.
Damn and I used it to charge my phone when I couldn’t find a USB port 😂
now that's another usage I suppose 😂
That’s what I use mine for. I have an old iPhone with a bad battery that I use as a webcam. Since it needs constant power source, I just plug it in. 😅😅😅
lol. On my televison there is an app for cloud storadge. I will try it and see. I have this terrabit storage device and never thought of that.
I did the same thing😂🤣
Me too😂😂😂
Thanks, wasn’t aware of already having these options, especially the use of 4G
Brilliant. Multiple quick, useful ideas I had never considered. No fluff, small package. Glad it was suggested.
Glad you enjoyed it!
@@LironSegev Hi Liron. Thanks for fast reply. I don't know how much I need the channel. Not a big tinkerer. But definitely scan channel. And have you in my short "how to tech" file. Cheers.
Great video 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 my question is can I connect a usb hub? So i can connect many devices (2 HDD, 2 usb, and a printer) at the same time?
I can't say for all routers but I can with my linksys 32x router.
Unfortunately, some routers that are supplied with service providers have the USB port disabled with the exception of power. I managed to enable one and made a network attached storage out of a laptop hard drive. But the next day the USB was port was disabled again and I could not re-enable it.
Thanks for the time stamps. It really helps.
Another use even more basic but sometimes just as handy: power. If you've got your router tucked away somewhere like a supply closet that doesn't have a lot of light accessible and you've got work you need to do in there, popping in a cheap USB light can get you enough to work by without having to lose a hand holding a flash light or your phone. Or, if the space is tight and doesn't have that great of ventilation, a USB fan blowing on the router and other electronics can give you an external boost to get the air moving and potentially improve function and longevity.
When I saw 5 things under 5 minutes, I was sceptical. When it's to the point and well directed, I guess it is possible! Many times, if the poster of the video isn't 5 minutes in with B.S. before they actually start with the subject, they feel like they are not getting enough face time I suppose.
i use it to power led ambient background light
Game changer! Was always wondering how I could easily play my hard-drive stored movies on my smart TV! Thanks SO much for this cool tip👍👍👍
#4 was new to me, nice job
Never thought of the 'Network' printer nor with an external drive via USB neither the connectivity
You got my Like !
This was helpful as hell and you seem like a cool. SUBBED!
Second the motion
Wow, that printer thing for converting to wifi printing is awesome. Thanks
Another cool thing with the USB port on a router is the ability to play PS2 games from a USB thumb drive. If you have a PS2 slim with Free McBoot you can run the OPL app and configure the console play PS2 games from ethernet. The games run faster than from the DVD drive and the front USB ports. It's a cheaper solution (I got a second hand USB router from a charity shop for a few pounds).