Why does the router have a USB port?

If you look behind a modern router, chances are there's a USB port there. Is the USB device plugged into the router? This looks weird. So why do routers have USB ports and how can you take advantage of them?

1. You can plug storage device storage into the router

If you own a memory card and / or an external hard drive compatible with the router, you can access it via WiFi. Just plug the storage device into the USB port on the router and any device on the network can access it.

Unfortunately, it may take a bit of work to get this setup up and running. So you need to research both your router model and your preferred storage media to see how to set them up.

If it seems impossible to make this setting work, you can instead use a storage drive that supports WiFi. This hard drive connects to the wireless router, just like other devices on the network. This has the advantage of not needing to be near the router to connect.

2. You can connect the printer to the router

Like the above, you can use the USB port on the router to connect a printer, as long as both the printer and the router are working fine. You can plug the printer into the router and provide it to all devices on the network.

Again, like the above, you can choose a printer that supports WiFi, if the current printer doesn't work well with the USB port on the router.

3. You can use the USB port on the router to change the firmware

Usually, routers query the servers regularly for firmware updates. If you want to update the firmware manually or install new software, you can do so via the USB port.

Doing this is very simple: Put the desired firmware into the USB, then plug it into the router. Just use the router's instructions to access and run the firmware and you're done.

Note before buying any additional hardware

You may have read the above and decided that you want to buy some hardware to do all of them. Before you invest any money in new hardware, it's important to note that routers are not the same. One function may be supported by one router, and the other may not.

Therefore, it is best to find out carefully before spending any money. That way, you increase your chances of setting up your plan successfully and using the equipment the way you expect it to. Surely you don't want to spend hours troubleshooting and wondering why things don't work, right?

Modern routers sometimes come with USB ports on them, but their use is less clear. You can do some really useful things with these ports, if you have compatible hardware!