RouterFreak Reviews, Tips and Tools for Network Engineers
Nowadays, most electronics in your household need a WiFi signal, from a smart fridge to your iPhone.
Your router may not provide enough signal strength that your devices need to operate properly and that is why getting a WiFi repeater is essential.
Most WiFi repeater setups can be slightly complicated but by following the step by step guidelines provided in this article, you will have a strong WiFi signal throughout your home in no time.
Before explaining the process of setting up your WiFi repeater, it is important that you understand how it works.
Typically, a WiFi repeater amplifies the WiFi signal and transmits it to a wider area, hence increasing the coverage area of your current wireless network.
Placing the WiFi repeater in the right location is very important when setting it up. The best location is between the area with a poor signal and your router.
Continue reading to know how you can easily set up your WiFi repeater.
Steps For Setting Up WiFi Repeater
The following are the steps for how you can easily set up a WiFi Repeater:
1. Location
The most crucial phase in setting up a WiFi repeater is finding the appropriate spot. The perfect location lies at a midway point between your router and the area in your house where the WiFi signal is weak.
For instance, assume your router is situated on the main floor, and your basement office experiences a dreadful WiFi connection.
In that scenario, the WiFi repeater’s ideal position would be at the base of the stairs. This approach ensures that the router faces minimal obstruction to the repeater.
Consequently, the WiFi repeater maintains an unobstructed line of sight to the basement floor.
2. Plug into Power and Your Computer
Initially, begin by removing the WiFi repeater from its packaging and inserting it into a wall socket. Next, procure an Ethernet cable and a computer (preferably a laptop for portability).
If you lack an Ethernet cable or port, there’s no need to fret. You can still complete the setup by connecting to the repeater’s default WiFi network.
Keep in mind that it might require a password, which can be found in the repeater’s instruction manual.
For setting up using an Ethernet cable, establish a connection between your laptop and the repeater using the cable.
Ensure that the repeater is configured as a “repeater” and not as an “Access Point” (AP), in case it has that setting. (Access Point implies it connects to the router via Ethernet, while a repeater uses WiFi to connect to the router.)
Now, give a few minutes for your laptop and repeater to establish a connection. Alternatively, you have the option to connect to the repeater’s wireless network, often named something like “(brand name) WiFi Repeater.”
Furthermore, you can utilize the brand’s app, downloadable on your phone, to aid in the setup process.
3. Open a Web Browser
Using your laptop, launch your favored web browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari, etc.). Within the web browser, access your WiFi repeater’s local area network properties to initiate the setup process.
This page is commonly referred to as the login page for your WiFi repeater’s web-based interface. Typically, you can reach it using either an IP address or a URL provided by the manufacturer.
4. Enter the Default IP Address (if you don’t get redirected)
To access your WiFi repeater’s web-based interface, refer to your repeater’s manual to locate the correct address, which includes an IP and a URL you can use for login.
Here are some examples of login URLs for different brands:
- ASUS: repeater.asus.com
- TP-Link: tplinkrepeater.net
- Netgear: mywifiext.net
- Linksys: extender.linksys.com
If you cannot find your repeater’s login URL in the manual, use your smartphone to perform a Google search by typing the brand and model number of your repeater. You should easily find the login URL through the search results.
5. Log in to the Web-based Interface
After successfully loading the web-based interface for your WiFi repeater, log in using the default username and password. Typically, the default username is “admin,” and the default password is “password.”
Remember that you can modify the username and password later according to your preference.
Once inside the setup wizard, you can proceed to make changes to the settings as needed.
6. Select Wireless Repeater Mode
While within the setup wizard, choose the “Wireless Repeater Mode” option.
Subsequently, click on “Repeater – OneKey Setting” and opt for the “Wireless Network Selection” button as soon as it becomes visible. Lastly, select “Refresh List” to complete the process.
7. Choose Your Router’s WiFi Network
After the list refreshes, pick the name of your router’s wireless network to pair it with your repeater. Once you’ve made the selection, click on “Next” to proceed.
8. Enter Your WiFi Password
If your wireless network is password-protected, input your WiFi network’s password in the “Pre-Shared Key” prompt. Following that, click on “Apply and Reboot” and then “OK.”
Once you have completed the setup of your WiFi repeater, you can now utilize the extended wireless range.
Put it to the test in the area where you previously experienced poor WiFi signal to observe the improvements.
Troubleshooting
Here are the most common problems you may encounter when testing repeaters.
1. Cannot find the network for the repeater
During repeater testing, the most prevalent issue you may experience is not being able to locate the repeater’s network.
There are two approaches to resolving this problem. The first involves connecting the repeater through an Ethernet cable and a computer.
The second method is performing a hard reset, which entails pressing the concealed button on the back of the repeater for approximately 5 seconds.
2. Cannot connect the repeater to the router
Another common issue you may encounter is the repeater’s inability to connect to the router. To resolve this, first press the WPA button on both the repeater and router.
When both devices blink, the WPA is activated, and they usually find each other, allowing you to proceed with the setup.
If this approach fails, bring the devices closer to each other, which may work but not consistently. As a last resort, performing a hard reset of the repeater and restarting the setup will always resolve the problem.
3. Wrong Password
During the setup, you may encounter an error stating that you have the wrong WiFi password.
To address this, first, ensure that you separate the bands on the router. Some routers use “smart connect,” which automatically switches between 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, presenting only one network. This can confuse certain repeaters.
To check if you have separate networks, you should see one network listed as “any_network_name-5G” and the other is “any_network_name.”
If you have only one network, log into the router admin interface and change it under “Wireless.”
Alternatively, doing a hard reset of the repeater and retrying the setup is another effective solution.
When Should You Use a WiFi Repeater?
If your home’s WiFi coverage is insufficient with your current router, a WiFi repeater can be a helpful solution.
For instance, if your router is located on the front left side of your home, and you struggle to get a good WiFi connection on the back right side, a WiFi repeater can extend the coverage area.
By installing a WiFi repeater, you can access fast WiFi in previously weak areas. However, before purchasing one, consider optimizing your WiFi network with the following steps:
- Place your router centrally, if possible.
- Position the router away from obstructions like power cables, fluorescent lights, USB 3 devices, cordless landline phones, microwave ovens, thick metal, and concrete.
- Think about upgrading your router if it is older than 3-5 years.
- Keep your router’s firmware up to date.
How A WiFi Repeater Works
A WiFi repeater functions by expanding the signal of your router and transmitting it to a broader area. The repeater is connected to the router and replicates its signal to a more distant location.
By extending your WiFi network, a repeater enables you to connect wireless devices beyond your router’s original range.
From smartphones to gaming consoles and more, any mobile device using your WiFi network via the router can benefit from a range extender.
WiFi Repeaters Vs. WiFi Boosters Vs. WiFi Extenders
If you’re looking for a new WiFi repeater, you might have come across various options for extending your WiFi coverage.
Three similar devices that extend WiFi are often confused: WiFi repeaters, WiFi boosters, and WiFi extenders.
WiFi repeaters capture your router’s WiFi signal and create a new coverage area, but they don’t establish a new WiFi network or directly connect to your existing network.
In contrast, a WiFi extender directly connects to your home’s network and creates a second WiFi network outside of your router’s original coverage area, with potential overlap in coverage areas.
It is essential to know the specific device you want to purchase.
Final Words
Hopefully, you can now set up a WiFi repeater in your home by following the steps provided in this article.
It is not difficult to set up a WiFi repeater, all you need to do is follow the steps we’ve outlined in this guide, and you’ll be setup in no time.
You have to link the repeater to your existing network by logging into the setup wizard using an internet browser.
Additionally, consider placing the repeater in the right location to ensure the signal reaches dead spots in your home.
If you are not able to set up the repeater by yourself, you can contact a professional to help you with the process to ensure that it is set up correctly and that it is functional.
