The Complete Guide for a WiFi Extender
A WiFi is a networking device used to broaden the range of your current WiFi network. The WiFi range extender amplifies the network coverage of a WiFi router. It will deliver the router’s signal beyond its usual capacity. With the help of the WiFi extender, you can say goodbye to all the dead zones in your house or office.
There are several remarkable WiFi extenders in the market. Several top networking brands offer various features with their extender. You just need to proceed with the WiFi extender setup to maximize its functionality.
A WiFi extender is suitable for huge homes, buildings, and small offices. You just need to install the extender and set it up properly, and then you can use it accurately. That’s why you must know how to setup WiFi extender.
No matter which extender it is, you need to set it up to make the most out of it. The extender requires a connection with the router to enhance its network. If the extender doesn’t have a proper connection with the router, it will not function at all.
But you don’t have to worry, as we have brought you the ultimate WiFi extender guide. In this post, you can find everything you need to know about the WiFi range extender. We’ll cover topics from the WiFi extender setup and troubleshooting methods to maintenance tips. Keep reading ahead to learn about everything about the WiFi range extender.
Benefits of Using a WiFi Extender
Better network coverage
Enhanced signal strength
Simple to install
Cost-efficient solution
WiFi network outdoors
Factors to Consider Before Setting Up a WiFi Extender
Before you learn how to setup WiFi extender, you need to consider some things. Several factors you need to take into consideration before you proceed with the WiFi extender setup. The factors you need to consider are as follows:
To set up the WiFi extender, you need to estimate the network coverage of your current router. As it’ll help you pick the most suitable location for the WiFi extender.
Just check at what particular area, you lose the network of your router.
To ensure the proper functioning of the extender, it requires a reliable power source. Thus, you need to ensure the location you have chosen for the extender has a proper electrical outlet.
Without a power socket, the extender will not work at all.
Before you buy an extender, you must check if the extender is compatible with your router.
If the extender isn’t compatible with the router, you will face issues with it. Thus, you must buy a compatible one.
You must pick the most appropriate location for the extender. The location of the extender has a huge impact on the extender’s performance.
The optimal location of the extender is at an altitude in an open area. After the setup, you need to place it between the router and the dead zone.
These are some factors you must contemplate before you figure out how to setup WiFi extender. Now, we can explore the procedure for the WiFi extender setup.
Products
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a WiFi Extender
In this section, you’ll learn how to setup WiFi extender. For almost all extenders, the setup procedure is the same. You can either set up the extender through the user interface or use the WPS method. For the former method, you require the default IP address and login credentials. Whereas, for the other method, you can set it up within a few minutes, using the WPS button. The process for both methods is as follows:
1.WiFi Extender Setup Via the User Interface
- Firstly, power on the extender and place it in the same room as the router. Ensure to plug them both into a stable power source.
- Now, connect your PC or smartphone to the router’s network. You can use an Ethernet cable to form a connection between them.
- On that device, open a web browser and enter the default IP address in the address bar. When the login appears, enter the login credentials in the given fields.
- Hereon, you can follow the on-screen instructions to set up the extender. Basically, all you need to do is select the network of your router and enter the correct password.
- Give the extender some time to form a connection with the extender. When the connection is successful, you can configure the settings accordingly.
- After that, you can set up the frequency bands of the extender. Ensure to set up a strong and complex password to keep away hackers.
- In the end, once you’re done, you can save the settings. Now, connect your devices to the extender’s network and enjoy a high-speed internet connection.
2.How to Setup WiFi Extender Using the WPS Method?
- To begin with, power on the extender, and router and keep them in the same room.
- Now, locate the WPS button on the extender and the router.
- Hereon, press the WPS button on the router and hold it for 2 seconds.
- Within 2 minutes, press the WPS button on the extender.
- Give the extender some time to form a connection with the extender.
- At last, you can relocate the extender and connect your devices to it.
These are the steps for the WiFi extender setup. You can set up the extender within a few minutes using the WPS button. However, if your router doesn’t support the WPS method, you must set it up using the previous method. Ensure to relocate the extender to a proper location.
Blog
Troubleshooting Common Extender Issues
In the future, you could face several issues with your extender. You can also face issues with setting up the extender. To fix these issues, you can try the following troubleshooting methods:
Inspect the Power Source
- The extender requires a proper source to function effectively.
- Without a proper power supply, the extender will not work at all.
- Thus, you must plug the extender into a stable electrical outlet.
- Check the current power outlet of the extender and see if it’s working or not.
- Otherwise, you must plug the extender into another working socket.
Verify the Cable Connections
- Check the router’s connection with the modem, as the connection should be proper.
- If the connection is broken, the router will have no internet connection.
- This way, the extender won’t have an internet connection to extend.
- Also, if you use an ethernet cable to connect the extender and PC, ensure it’s proper.
- Ensure the connection isn’t loose and the cable isn’t defective.
Fix the Router
- There could be issues with your router as well causing the extender to not work.
- In this case, you must fix your extender before you execute the WiFi extender setup.
- You can try rebooting, updating the firmware, and resetting the extender to fix it.
- These methods should fix the glitches and bugs with the extender.
Move the Extender Closer
- If the extender keeps dropping connection indicates the router is too far.
- When the extender is outside of the router’s range, it will have trouble connecting
- Thus, you must keep the extender close to the router for a better connection.
- You can also move the router closer to the extender for a seamless connection.
Power Cycle your Extender
- You can also try power cycling your extender to fix any minor bugs.
- The power cycle is among the most effective troubleshooting method.
- To power cycle the extender, you just need to power off and unplug the extender.
- After a few minutes, you can power the extender back on.
- Now, any minor glitch within the extender should be gone.
Establish a Connection
- If you are having trouble with the WiFi extender setup, check the connection.
- You must connect your extender to the PC or the router to access the login page.
- To connect your smartphone to the extender, you can do so from the WiFi settings.
- Whereas, to connect your extender to the PC, you require an Ethernet cable.
Fix the Web Browser Issues
- There could be issues with the web browser as well, causing the setup issues.
- You can try erasing the browser cache before you log into the user interface.
- Also, check if the browser has any firewall or ad-blocker put up, as it causes issues.
- You can also try updating the app, as it eliminates any issues with the browser.
- If this issue persists, you can use another web browser for the login.
Reset the Extender
- When no other method works and the issue persists, you must WiFi extender reset.
- The WiFi extender reset fixes all internal glitches and bugs with the extender.
- Thus, you can reset the extender to resolve any issue with the extender.
- However, the reset also restores the factory default settings of the extender.
- That’s why, the reset should be the last resort.
These are some troubleshooting methods you can use to fix the issues with the extender. If you had to WiFi extender reset, you know how to setup WiFi extender, you can proceed with it.
How to Optimize the Performance of Your Wi-Fi Extender?
To ensure the proper functioning of your extender, there are some things you can do. There are some things you can do from your end to obtain the best performance. These things are as follows:
- Choose the Correct Location
You need to pick the most suitable location of the WiFi extender to get the best out of the extender. If you place it incorrectly, the extender may not function effectively.
- Update the Firmware
The firmware of the extender also has a huge role in the extender’s performance. Keeping the firmware of the extender is very crucial. The outdated firmware of the extender also causes several issues with the firmware.
- Remove the Obstructions
Sometimes, due to WiFi interferences around the extender, the WiFi signal weakens. Some objects such as mirrors, walls, aquariums, microwaves, cordless phones, and other radio-waves emitting devices can cause issues. Thus, you must remove such objects from around the extender.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between WiFi extender and WiFi repeater?
There’s not much difference between an extender and a repeater. The WiFi extender extends the range of your WiFi router. Whereas, the WiFi repeater, repeats the WiFi signal of the WiFi router.
You can use either one to enhance the network coverage of your router. Just ensure to set up the device accurately.
Does a WiFi extender need to be plugged into the router?
No, you don’t need to plug the extender into a router. You can just connect your extender to the router either through the user interface or the WPS button.
You just need to plug the extender and the router into a proper power source. After that, you can connect them easily.
How do I know if my wifi extender is connected to my WiFi?
To check if your WiFi extender is connected to your router, you must log into the user interface. From the user interface, you can check the router’s status.
To log into the user interface, you require the default IP address, username, and password. Using this information, you can log into the extender easily.
How do I know if my Wi-Fi extender is working?
To find out if your WiFi extender is working or not, you can go beyond the router’s range. If you receive a proper network connection, the extender is working. Otherwise, you must fix the extender and connect it to the router to ensure proper functioning.
If the extender is dropping the WiFi connection, you can move the router closer to the extender for a seamless connection.