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But chances are unfortunately that a repeater does not solve the problem and thus is a waste of money. This is a small device that can send Wi-Fi signals on to parts of the home where there is bad or no coverage.Ī Wi-Fi repeater is often seen as a quick and inexpensive solution to coverage issues with your wireless network. Looking to compare and save on your home broadband plan? Head over to our broadband hub or use our handy tool below to find popular plans.A common piece of advice for home users who have problems with wireless coverage is to buy a wireless repeater, frequently also referred to as extenders or boosters. Ensure your extender meets the range that you need in order for it to pick up the signal from your router and retransmit the signal to the areas of your house you need covered. If you end up with an extender which fails to meet the specifications of your router then you’ll find more significant issues with speed loss and potentially have troubles connecting the devices. Ideally, you want to choose an extender that has the same or better Wi-Fi specifications as your router. Some boosters and extenders, particularly older models, are only compatible with certain brands of routers or specific router types, so it’s important to check that you’ll be able to use your new product. Modern boosters and extenders are usually able to connect to any router, but this information will always be displayed in the product specifications. The most important thing to check when purchasing a Wi-Fi booster or extender is that it’s compatible with your modem. What should I look for in a Wi-Fi booster or extender?
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If you’ve still got issues getting connected to Wi-Fi in some areas of your home, a Wi-Fi booster might be able to help. Most routers send a signal out evenly in every direction, so placing yours in a central location will provide the best coverage possible. This is in order to spread the signal around evenly. You should also ensure that your router is plugged into a spot that’s central in your home. Newer models may be able to send out the Wi-Fi signal further than an old router would, but there’s still no guarantee this will cover all of your home. It is worth noting that if you have an older modem or router, picking up a newer replacement (or asking your internet service provider if a newer option is available) might solve your problem. Simply, this type of product makes sense if you find your Wi-Fi connection struggles to reach areas of your home that are further away from the router. How do I know if I need a booster or extender for my Wi-Fi?
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Other devices will require two units powerline extenders, for example, take in the existing signal via a direct wired Ethernet cable connection and then send it to a second unit over your home’s power lines, with the second unit transmitting the Wi-Fi outwards to create another point for your devices to connect to. Some extenders will work with an individual unit, which will take in the existing Wi-Fi signal and send it back out in a way that it overlaps and extends your current connection.
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As this new device is connecting to your Wi-Fi signal and then transmitting it out again, you should be prepared for a bit of a drop in speed, but it shouldn’t be too substantial with most units. How do Wi-Fi boosters and extenders work?Īs we said, these are devices that extend the range of your Wi-Fi by connecting to the existing signal from your router (either wirelessly or via an Ethernet cable). Regardless of the name, there are a few different ways in which these signal-boosting products can work, so we’ll go into that below. There are no specifications that require a product to be named any differently among the three, and any device with these titles will be performing the same function. Wi-Fi boosters, extenders and repeaters are essentially the same thing. There are a few products on the market that all help your Wi-Fi signal reach further. What is the difference between a Wi-Fi booster and extender?