If you've neglected that port until now, you can put it to good use. Next to the row of WAN and LAN ports on the back of most routers, you'll often find a USB port. Unless you've read through your router's manual or experimented yourself, you may not know what it's capable of. But that port is surprisingly versatile: it can turn a USB storage device into a networked drive, for instance, or enable a backup internet connection when your ISP suffers an outage.

The USB port on the back of your router can typically be used to create a file server. The idea is simple: plug in an external hard drive or SSD, or even a flash drive, and you can access it from any device connected to the router. You'll need to enable this feature in the router's settings first. Look for an option called File sharing, USB storage device, Media sharing, Ready SHARE or some variation of these terms. Once enabled, you can access the storage device through SMB, Samba or FTP, depending on your router's model. You can find detailed instructions on manufacturer websites like TP-Link and Asus.

Printer sharing is another common use for the USB port on your router. If you own an older or inexpensive printer that doesn't include Wi-Fi, you can run print jobs wirelessly and don't have to connect your printer to individual computers. However, compatibility depends on your router and printer; you may need to install a utility like Asus' EZ printer sharing app on your PC as part of the setup process.

Finally, some routers support cellular dongles connected to the USB port. This doesn't work on every model, since the router's software needs to negotiate a 4G or 5G connection. But assuming it works on yours, a cellular connection can be either your primary internet source or a fallback for when your ISP goes down. The latter is called dual WAN failover or multi-WAN.