The cable was already there

Rae picked up the loose cable beside the low wooden shelf. It ran back to the hallway, where the eero gateway sat beside the modem. The small back room had a power outlet, a place for the laptop and, with a little restraint, enough bare wood to stay pleasant.

Calls with a friend usually happened closer to the hallway gateway. Rae wanted a regular spot for them after work, without the laptop taking over the meal table. Buying an extender sounded like the obvious next step.

Rae normally tried to borrow things first. There was no spare eero to borrow this time. The choice was a new unit for the room or another evening at the current call spot.

The name hid the missing socket

The eero 6 Extender could join the mesh, but it had nowhere to plug in that cable. It connects wirelessly. Rae checked the eero 6 router instead and found two gigabit Ethernet ports.

Would buying another router mean taking the hallway one out?

eero supports a wired connection from the gateway to an additional eero. The second eero 6 router can serve as the room node in the same network. The modem stays connected to the hallway gateway. The cable from the gateway’s free port runs to the new unit.

One router for the back room

Rae chose the US eero 6 one-router package, the option labelled “1 router” without eero Plus. The “1 add-on extender” option on the listing would bring back the missing-socket problem.

The one-router package includes a power adapter and an Ethernet cable. Rae already owned the longer Cat6 run needed between the rooms. The supplied adapter would go into the back-room outlet, with the new eero on the open shelf, clear of large electronics and obstructions.

Rae could use the eero app on the phone to add the indoor unit to the existing network.

This would put Ethernet between the two eeros. The laptop would still use Wi-Fi. Walls, interference and the laptop itself could still affect the call, so Rae would check the connection in the room after setup before making it the regular spot.

See the eero 6 router one-pack on Amazon

A place kept free

Rae saved the one-router option and checked the selected package and total price. The hallway gateway could stay plugged in, and tonight’s call could happen in the usual place.

The low shelf stayed empty for the new unit. Rae put the closed laptop away. It was nearly time to eat.

When this does not matter

You are keeping the current call location and do not need an additional eero.

The practical fix

  1. Check that your existing eero gateway has a free Ethernet port and that a working Cat5e, Cat6 or Cat6a cable reaches the room.
  2. Choose the US eero 6 router one-pack with its power adapter. On the linked listing, check that “1 router” is selected and review the seller and checkout total.
  3. Keep the modem connected to the existing gateway. Connect the gateway’s free port to the added eero using the room cable, then power the new unit with its supplied adapter.
  4. In your existing eero app network, add the indoor eero and follow the setup prompts. Place it openly, away from obstructions and large electronics.
  5. Check your laptop connection and a call in the room before relying on the new location.

This applies if…

  • You already manage an eero network and want to connect another indoor node using Ethernet from its gateway.
  • You have a usable cable route, a free gateway port and mains power in the room.

The answer changes if…

  • You have no existing eero network, or the room cable is connected through a different setup that needs checking.
  • An owned compatible node already meets the need, so you can avoid buying another.

The source notes

  1. eero 6 router specificationseero · Tech Specs, wired connectivity and setup requirements. · Checked 2026-10-04
  2. Connecting eeros with Etherneteero · Ethernet backhaul, suitable cable categories and the portless eero 6 Extender exception. · Checked 2026-10-04
  3. eero network layoutseero · Wired/Wireless layout: modem to gateway to second eero over Ethernet. · Checked 2026-10-04
  4. Adding an indoor eeroeero · Add indoor eero, power, app registration and placement. · Checked 2026-10-04
  5. eero 6 US fact sheetAmazon/eero, hosted by SnapAV · Manufacturer fact sheet hosted by a distributor. Page 1 covers the one-pack contents. Page 2 lists power and Ethernet ports. · Checked 2026-10-04
What to check in your own setup
  • Ethernet backhaul connects the eero nodes. It does not guarantee a particular Wi-Fi speed or uninterrupted calls on the laptop.
  • This choice covers the US eero 6 router one-pack. Package selections, price and availability can change.

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