Xfinity bridge mode: how to turn it on, and what the gateway still does
Bridge mode turns your Xfinity gateway into a plain modem so your own router can take over. Here's how to set it up, what you lose, and the one thing it doesn't switch off.
Go to 10.0.0.1, sign in to the Admin Tool (admin / password by default), then Gateway › At a Glance › Bridge Mode › Enable. Your home Wi-Fi turns off and your own router takes over, but Xfinity app controls, Pods and Advanced Security stop working. Users report the gateway still broadcasts hidden Wi-Fi in bridge mode; if that matters to you, buy your own modem.
When to use bridge mode
Use it when you have your own router or mesh system, such as an eero or TP-Link Deco. Without bridge mode you get two routers stacked on top of each other ("double NAT"), which can cause problems with gaming, VPNs, port forwarding and some smart-home devices, plus two competing Wi-Fi networks.
If you're happy with the gateway's Wi-Fi, you don't need it. New Xfinity plans include the gateway at no extra charge; see our Xfinity review.
How to turn on bridge mode
- Connect to the gateway. An Ethernet cable is best, since Wi-Fi turns off at the end.
- Open the Admin Tool. Go to 10.0.0.1 in a browser. Sign in with username admin and password password, unless they were changed.
- Go to Gateway, then At a Glance. Next to Bridge Mode, choose Enable and confirm.
- Wait for the restart. The gateway's Wi-Fi turns off.
- Connect your router to one of the gateway's Ethernet ports, using the router's WAN or internet port. Set up Wi-Fi in your router's app.
- Test it. Run a speed test near the router.
To undo it, connect by Ethernet, open 10.0.0.1 and set Bridge Mode to Disable, or factory reset the gateway.
What stops working in bridge mode
| Feature | In bridge mode | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway Wi-Fi (your home network) | Turns off | Your own router provides Wi-Fi. |
| Routing, firewall, port forwarding | Turns off | Set these up on your own router. |
| Xfinity app network controls (pause devices, parental controls) | Stop working | Use your router's app instead. |
| Advanced Security | Stops working | Your router may have its own security features. |
| Xfinity WiFi Boost Pods | Stop working | Use your router's mesh or extenders. |
| Xfinity Voice (home phone) | Keeps working | The phone port still works. |
| TV boxes connected by Ethernet | Keep working | Boxes that rely on the gateway's Wi-Fi may need your router's network or a cable. |
The gateway still broadcasts hidden Wi-Fi
A popular thread on r/HomeNetworking this week reports that Xfinity gateways keep broadcasting hidden Wi-Fi networks in bridge mode, and that Comcast told users this can't be turned off. One user logged the gateway's "off" radios for 11 hours. Your home network is still off; these are separate, hidden networks controlled by Xfinity.
For most people this doesn't change anything. If you want a modem with no Xfinity-controlled Wi-Fi at all, or interference from it bothers you, the fix is to stop using the gateway.
The alternative: your own modem
A modem you buy has no Wi-Fi of its own, so your router handles everything. You return Xfinity's gateway and stop renting it, if your plan still charges for it ($15/mo on older plans). Check that the modem is on Xfinity's approved device list at xfinity.com for your speed tier, then activate it in the Xfinity app.
Some links are affiliate links; ShopHighSpeed may earn a commission at no cost to you. Confirm the model is on Xfinity's list before you buy. The catches: a bought modem won't work with Xfinity Voice (unless it has phone ports), WiFi Boost Pods or Advanced Security. Our guide to buying your own modem covers the payback math, and the best Wi-Fi routers covers the router side.
Questions
How do I put my Xfinity gateway in bridge mode?
Connect to the gateway, go to 10.0.0.1 in a browser and sign in to the Admin Tool. Under Gateway, then At a Glance, set Bridge Mode to Enable. The gateway restarts with its Wi-Fi off.
What is the default Xfinity Admin Tool password?
The default username is admin and the password is password, unless you or a technician changed it. If it was changed and you don't know it, a factory reset restores the defaults but erases your Wi-Fi settings.
Does bridge mode turn off all of the gateway's Wi-Fi?
It turns off your home network. Users on Reddit report that gateways in bridge mode still broadcast hidden Wi-Fi networks and say Comcast told them this can't be disabled. To have no Xfinity radios at all, use your own modem.
Does bridge mode make my internet faster?
Not by itself. It removes double routing, which can fix problems with gaming, VPNs and port forwarding, and lets a better router handle your Wi-Fi.
How do I turn bridge mode off?
Plug a computer into the gateway with an Ethernet cable, go to 10.0.0.1, sign in and set Bridge Mode to Disable. If you can't reach the page, a factory reset with the button on the back also turns it off.
Can I use my own modem with Xfinity?
Yes. Check that it's on Xfinity's approved list for your speed tier, then activate it in the Xfinity app or online. You'll return the gateway, and Xfinity Voice needs a modem with phone ports.
- Xfinity support: bridge mode and the Admin Tool, checked Oct 15, 2026
- Xfinity approved device list
- r/HomeNetworking and r/Ubiquiti threads on hidden SSIDs in bridge mode, Oct 2026
Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and ranks providers on what they actually deliver, not on what they advertise.
