The good news is WiFi range extenders have become more affordable. However, they’re still not so easy to set up. Learn how to set up a WiFi range extender here.
Did you know that over 81.9% of American households have internet access? Unfortunately, not everyone gets speedy access.
If you have a large house, getting the WiFi to work can become a pain. After all, it becomes weaker the more walls separating you and the router. Sometimes, you won’t even get access when you’re in your room.
Don’t give up yet.
With this guide, you’ll learn tips on how to set up a WiFi range extender. Read on and find out how an extended WiFi router range can change your home experience:
How Does a WiFi Range Extender Work?
Most homes use wireless repeaters to extend the range of their WiFi network. These work by receiving the wireless signal and “repeat” them into the air. Since you can place your repeaters at a distance from your main router, it means your wireless transmission coverage increases.
But increasing your coverage comes with a cost. Common areas between the router and the repeater can get impacted performance. This happens since the same transmissions happen using the same channel and frequency.
Range Extender vs. Signal Booster: What’s the Difference?
Some people confuse these to be synonymous. But the truth is signal boosters are for amplifying your signal strength. You often find them attached to the router or your computer.
Meanwhile, range extenders often come as stand-alone devices. As said before, they work by repeating your network’s signals.
Even when your routers send signals to devices using signal boosters, the client devices might have no ability to send information back. That’s why they’re only great if you’re doing one-way transmissions. Also, signal booster performance gets impacted when multiple walls or metals block the wireless signals.
Is a Range Extender Right for You?
In some cases, even when you buy a WiFi range extender, your problem won’t disappear. For example, if you have a bad or old router, having a fast extender does nothing to increase speed and performance. It might even result in a slower wireless connection instead.
Before you get an extender, consider upgrading your router beforehand. For example, you must get a new router if your current one only supports 802.11G connection. Get a router setup with N / AC since it’s the highest standard for this appliance.
After that, think about your router’s physical connection. Sometimes, all you need is to move it in a more strategic location. After doing this, consider buying WiFi extenders to make up for the dead spots inside your home.
As stated before, performance issues can happen when using range extenders. That’s why avoid setting up multiple ones within the same area. This is because the signals transmitted by each can overlap.
How to Set Up a WiFi Range Extender
Did you know that the broadband download speeds in the United States increased by 35.8% this year? If you want to make the most out of it, use these steps to set up your range extender. It starts with proper placement:
- Find the Right Place for the WiFi Extender
Most extenders nowadays aren’t complex when setting up. You’re likely to have a harder time picking the place where to put it. It’s easier if you had the internet connection for a while since you’re likely to recognize the dead zones in your home.
The best part is that even when you chose incorrectly, you can unplug your extender and move it somewhere else. But the first step is to plug it in and follow the specific instructions for your router to finish the installation. Most routers will have apps that aid your installation process.
You’ll find where to get the app on the setup instructions that came packaged with the extender. You can also get Setapp’sNetSpot application for the Mac, which you can get at https://setapp.com/apps/netspot.
- Connect Your Devices to the WiFi Extender
After ensuring the extender works, connect the devices you’ll use with it. The extender will appear as one of the available networks within your device range alongside your main network. Focus on connecting devices that usually use that house area, like printers and mobile devices.
Your first connection is the only time you have to connect manually. Your devices will automatically connect to the network with the strongest signal as you move around the house. You always have the manual method of choosing a network when your device connects to the wrong one.
- Understand Your WiFi Router
When you’re setting up your WiFi extender, look into your manual for information about reading your unit. These are simple devices, but they come with indicator lights. This functions as a gauge on how strong your connection to the router is.
In most cases, your extender will indicate whether you’ll need better placements for it. For example, some extenders will have a green indicator light if your connection is the best. You must avoid getting a solid red light or having no light since it means either your connection is bad or you have no connection.
- Troubleshoot Setup Issues
Sometimes, you’ll run into issues when setting up your WiFi extender. The most common problem is the number of obstacles between your device and the extender. For example, a microwave oven or a wireless baby monitor can cause interference in your signal.
Another problem you might encounter is incorrect credentials. When this happens, ensure that your extender’s settings match the ones on your router. Double-check whether the password you entered to connect to your WiFi network is right.
- Update Your Firmware
Sometimes, your extender needs updates to continue working. This can happen when you set up your WiFi extender. If the extender isn’t working, check whether it needs firmware updates by accessing the given admin site.
Learn How to Set Up a WiFi Range Extender Today!
These are things you must consider to know how to set up a WiFi range extender. Use these to improve your wireless experience at home.
Is this guide helpful? If so, we encourage you to read our other posts and learn other valuable tips and tricks for a better online experience today!
