should i get a wifi signal extender or ethernet cable

On your computer, open a web browser like Edge or Chrome. If there’s a switch on the side of your extender, make sure it’s set to “Extender” mode, not “AP” or “Access Point.” (AP is for connecting directly to your modem, which you don’t need if you have a Wi-Fi router already, or an all-in-one modem/router.) It may need a few minutes to boot up. Note that in both cases you’ll temporarily lose web connection. Alternately, disconnect from your home Wi-Fi network and connect directly to the extender. Plug the extender into the wall, then plug the Ethernet cable into both the extender and your computer. Michael Crider/IDGĬonnecting a laptop to the Wi-Fi extender. (One probably came in the box with your extender.) If your computer doesn’t have an Ethernet port, you’ll need to connect to the default Wi-Fi network that the extender broadcasts, which is different from the one already in your home (at least for now.) This is usually “WIFI_EXTENDER” or something similar check the instructions if it asks for a password. You’ll need a desktop or laptop with an Ethernet cable for a wired connection, and the cable itself. If you want to connect to the extender over Ethernet (see the Connection section), you might have to fudge it and go farther. If you’re using a Wi-Fi extender for just one user (say, to get a better signal for a home office PC), you’ll want to place it approximately between that user and the Wi-Fi router. This outlet is in the middle of my halfway, between the router in the living room and the bedrooms. This will give it a fairly reliable, line-of-sight connection to the router, while rebroadcasting its wireless signal to the rooms on the second floor. Ideally you want it close enough to your Wi-Fi router at the source to get the most stable connection, but far enough away that it will cover a large area that the router doesn’t cover.įor example: if you live in a two-story house and your router is on the main floor in the living room, an ideal spot for the extender is plugged into an outlet at the top of the stairs. Where to put your Wi-Fi extenderĬhoosing where to place your network extender is essential.

But you’ll be paying for something that you don’t really need, since the extender won’t be able to speed up the connection from the router itself. You can buy an extender that’s newer and/or faster than your router, and it will work fine.

Should i get a wifi signal extender or ethernet cable