How do WiFi extenders work?
TL;DR
- WiFi extenders help expand the reach of your router.
- WiFi extenders must receive strong signal – but not be too close to the router.
- Depending on the model, you may have to switch between networks to access the boosted signal.
- Ensure your extender supports the same WiFi standards and frequency bands for your router.
Picture this: you’ve had a long, busy day at work and all you want to do is watch some Netflix with a cup of tea (or wine, whatever floats your boat). But, oh no, once again the kids are hogging the sitting room TV. You think to yourself, “I wish there was some genius who designed a device that would allow my WiFi to reach my bedroom at the opposite end of my house. This would be the source of my happiness, and my sanity.”
Well, well, well, three holes in the ground. Turns out there actually is a genius who designed such a device!
We’ve all heard of WiFi extenders, boosters, repeaters, whatever you want to call them. But, have you ever considered how they actually work?
Long story short, they receive the existing WiFi signal from your router and then rebroadcast it so it can reach further. Allow us to break it down a little:
How WiFi extenders really work
The extender first receives the WiFi signal from your router. It'll usually be placed in an area where the WiFi signal is still strong enough to capture. Once the extender captures the signal, it amplifies it. This ensures that the extended signal is strong enough to cover a larger area. Amplification is usually done using internal antennas and signal amplifiers.
The extender then rebroadcasts the amplified signal, effectively extending the coverage of your WiFi network. It creates a new WiFi network with its own name (SSID) and password, which devices within its range can connect to.
Some super fancy WiFi extenders support seamless handoff, meaning your devices can switch between the router's signal and the extender's signal without interruption as you move around your home or office. This is particularly useful for maintaining a stable connection in larger spaces.
Once the extender has been installed, you’ll most likely need to configure it. But, don’t panic! It sounds more complex than it is. If you follow the instructions, this will be a piece of cake.
Top tips to keep your WiFi extenders tip-top
It’s important to know that in order for the extender to work properly, it should be positioned in a location where it can still receive a strong WiFi signal from the router but also extend coverage to the area where you need it. Placement too close to the router may not effectively extend coverage, while placement too far may result in a weaker extended signal.
While WiFi extenders are a pretty nifty device, there are some things it's good to be aware of.
When the extender amplifies the WiFi signal it receives from the router, there may be some loss of signal quality during this process. This can happen due to various factors such as interference, distance, or obstacles between the extender and the router.
While extenders can improve coverage in areas with weak signals, they cannot create a completely seamless and high-quality extension of the WiFi network. The further you are from the extender, the weaker the signal and slower the connection speed.
A few things to consider when choosing a WiFi extender
Now, we’ve just given you all this information and you’re wondering, “how on earth am I going to choose a good WiFi extender? I wish there was a trusty, friendly, broadband provider who values me as a customer and could give me advice, so I don’t waste my time and money.”
Voila! Enter BrawBand!
Make sure you do your research, and choose a WiFi extender from a reputable manufacturer known for producing reliable networking equipment. Reading reviews and user feedback can also help you gauge the quality and reliability of a particular model and make sure you don’t overpay for features you don’t need.
You’ll need to think about the coverage you’re needing from an extender. Choose an extender with sufficient range to cover the desired area without sacrificing signal quality. Some extenders even have adjustable antennas or signal amplifiers to improve range!
Lastly, and probably most importantly, ensure that the WiFi extender is compatible with your existing router. You don’t want to be a silly billy and spend money on a device that won’t work for you. It should support the same WiFi standards and frequency bands as your router for seamless navigation.
