WiFI range extender?

[George K]

The WiFi in the master main bedroom is a bit on the weak side. I'm wondering if putting some kind of extender would be of use.

If so, are there any recommendations?

[Klaus]

If at all possible, I'd try to install another wired access point instead of a range extender. If there is no LAN cable, there are options via power cables, for instance. It's more reliable and faster.

[Axtremus]

I second the recommendation to install another wired access point (as opposed to an entirely wireless range extender). You may to spend some time and effort pulling an Ethernet cable, but that should give you the best/most predictable performance. Connect that new access point to your existing router using Ethernet, get the new access point to operate in "access point only" mode or "bridge mode," configure its Wi-Fi to use the same SSID and password as with your existing Wi-Fi network, and you will be good to go.

Some of your Wi-Fi devices may or may not cling to your old Wi-Fi router ... if you suspect a device is clinging on to you old router, just toggle (disable then enable) its Wi-Fi and chances are that device will re-scan the environment and connect to the router/access point with the strongest signal.

If you would rather not pull an Ethernet cable and want true wireless Wi-Fi extenders, first tell us the brand/model of your current Wi-Fi router ... that might change the answer to what extenders to recommend.

Good luck.

[George K]

I have a spare router sitting around.

I assume you guys are talking about something like this?

Where the picture of the TV is, I'd plug in the other router, right?

[Klaus]

Yes, that's a possibility if you want a "wired" solution but don't want to install a new cable.

[George K]

@Klaus yeah. No new cables.

Here's the configuration.

I need a better connection at the far right in the master bedroom. And I prefer wireless.

I was thinking about putting the extender on the right hand wall of Bedroom 2.

[Klaus]

If you are still calling that thing "master bedroom" you have way more important things to worry about than your WiFi connection, old white man!

[George K]

@Klaus said in WiFI range extender?:

If you are still calling that thing "master bedroom" you have way more important things to worry about than your WiFi connection, old white man!

You're right, but actually, if you look at the original post in the thread, I did make the proper use of the name.

But, that was hours ago, and I'm having a Biden moment. I'm only about 7 years younger than he, you know.

[Klaus]

@George-K said in WiFI range extender?:

@Klaus said in WiFI range extender?:

If you are still calling that thing "master bedroom" you have way more important things to worry about than your WiFi connection, old white man!

You're right, but actually, if you look at the original post in the thread, I did make the proper use of the name.

But, that was hours ago, and I'm having a Biden moment. I'm only about 7 years younger than he, you know.

But you know just as well as I do that there can be no mercy in these regards. Your intentions or previous behavior are irrelevant. You are hereby officially cancelled.

[George K]

@Klaus said in WiFI range extender?:

You are hereby officially cancelled.

Fucking Germans.

[Axtremus]

Note this “reminder” in the description of the HomePlug AV product you linked to:

• Kindly Reminder: Powerline Adapters must be on the same electrical circuit for connectivity. Requires direct outlet plug in. Does not work with surge protectors. Appliances and devices running on the same circuit may affect powerline performance.

That’s a very important condition to get good performance from “power line” products. If you cannot put the HomePlug devices on the same circuit, you may be better of with true wireless extenders.

The product page you linked to shows two versions of the HomePlug AV product. It seems to me the one dubbed “wireless” will function also as a Wi-Fi access point in your bedroom, the one not so dubbed will just provide you with an Ethernet port in your bedroom.

Good luck.

[George K]

At least twice in this thread, you guys have said "Good luck."

Thanks a lot.

[Horace]

I don’t think you need good luck. Just good advice from smart and knowledgeable people on this forum.

Good luck.

[George K]

@Horace said in WiFI range extender?:

don’t think you need good luck. Just good advice from smart and knowledgeable people on this forum.

Let me know when/if you find some. PM is OK.

[Axtremus]

If you pull an Ethernet cable, the performance will be more predictable and luck can be less of a factor.

If you go with a true wireless (all Wi-Fi) extender, the performance will be less predictable and luck becomes a bit more important.

Last would be the “power line”stuff you linked to. Its performance will depend on the power grid built into your house, which circuit(s) you choose to use, what other devices (breakers, GFIs, surge protectors, other appliances/electronics etc.) are on that circuit, etc. Depending on your familiarity with your house’s electrical circuits, you may need more luck or less luck with the “power line” option. For most consumers today, I think they will more luck with the “power line” option than with true wireless (all Wi-Fi) extenders.

[George K]

Pulling cables is not an option.

At all.

I'll have to look and see if Bedroom 1 and Bedroom 2 are on the same circuit. I would guess they are not.

@Axtremus , you said "luck" at least three times in your reply.

Thanks, LOL.

I think they will more luck with the “power line” option than with true wireless (all Wi-Fi) extenders.

Yeah, the "Power Line" extenders are nice - I think I've used them in the past. However, all they really are is ethernet extenders. I still need a wireless connection in the master main bedroom.

[Copper]

@George-K said in WiFI range extender?:

Pulling cables is not an option.
At all.

Time for a new condo.

[Axtremus]

@George-K said in WiFI range extender?:

Yeah, the "Power Line" extenders are nice - I think I've used them in the past. However, all they really are is ethernet extenders. I still need a wireless connection in the master main bedroom.

On the AV1000 family of “power line” product page you linked to earlier, there is this version listed on Amazon that will also radiate Wi-Fi, something like this will bring stronger Wi-Fi into your main bedroom: “TP-Link Powerline WiFi Extender (TL-WPA7517KIT) - AV1000 Powerline Ethernet Adapter with Dual Band WiFi, OneMesh, Gigabit Port, Ethernet Over Power, Plug & Play”

If you move away from the “power line” option and go all wireless (all Wi-Fi), look for support for either “802.11s” or “WDS” (“wireless distribution system”) … your current Wi-Fi router and the new Wi-Fi access point you buy have to both support 802.11s/WDS for Wi-Fi extension to work.

If you really don’t want to get into the technical weeds and just want to buy a prepackaged system, then search for “Wi-Fi mesh” products. TP Link’s “OneMesh” series, for example, should work just fine. Netgear’s Orbi series is another possibility.

And depends on how much you trust Google, it’s Nest Wi-Fi mesh system is also an option, ditto Amazon’s Eero mesh system, ditto Comcast’s xFi Pod extenders. The Google, Amazon, Comcast systems require management/configuration of the system over their clouds, so there is some privacy implications that you may or may not like.

The Comcast xFi Pods, or the “Plume HomePass” stuff (you can Google this) may further require on-going subscription to get full functionalities. You may or may not want to deal with “subscription”.

[George K]

I have an old Cisco/Linksys E3200 router sitting in a drawer.

I'm going to investigate as to whether I can repurpose it to a repeater/extender.

These routers go for $10 on eBay. Hardly worth the effort of packaging, shipping, etc.

[89th]

Can you just reposition the main WiFi router?

When we moved into our house, I tried some WiFi extenders which worked but I found the speed to be slower on anything connected to the extender, plus sometimes there was a delay for a device switching from the router to the extender. So instead, I just moved the main WiFi router to a more central place in the house and it solved all the issues. If you have the option... good luck.