Ways to Boost Your Wi- Fi Signal. Browsing slowing to a crawl, the inability to stream, dropped Wi- Fi signals, wireless dead zones—every one of these problems is maddening in a world where getting online has become, for some, as necessary as breathing. Well, maybe not that critical, but important. If the only way you can get decent reception is to be in the same room as your wireless router, these simple tips can help optimize your network. Distance is the most obvious problem—there is a certain optimal range that the wireless signal can travel. If the network has to cover an area larger than the router is capable of transmitting to, or if there are lots of corners to go around and walls to penetrate, performance will take a hit. Interference is also a big issue, especially for those who live in densely populated areas. Signals from other wireless networks and electronics can impact speeds, as can physical obstructions, such as walls. Many phone systems and other wireless devices can also interfere with signals. This is a good thing to consider when you are shopping for a new phone system—many of them use DECT 6. Wi- Fi networks. It's also possible the problem isn't interference or other networks. Is there a chance you have unwanted guests piggybacking on your network? Wifi Range Booster Antenna - Amplifier Boost your wireless signal with the RadioLabs Wifi Range Booster Amplifier, the easiest way to amplify and extend your wifi range. How to improve your laptop's wireless signal receiving strength and speed? If you happened to own a notebook powered by Intel Wireless Chipset, you are luc. If your wireless router's signal doesn't seem to reach very far, or if your signal keeps dropping for some weird reason, here are a few things you can do that might. The D-Link AC3150 Wi-Fi Router (DIR-885L/R) provides a responsive graphical user interface for an exceptional experience right out of the box. NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 AD7200 Smart WiFi Router Ultimate 4K streaming and VR gaming Nighthawk X10 AD7200 is one of industry’s fastest router for media streaming. Learn how Wi-Fi range extenders, powerline, and access points help deliver improved Internet coverage for your favorite devices - anywhere in your home. You can always look at your router's administrator interface to see how many devices are connected. Or use a network analyzer tool to see if you have unknown machines on your network. If it's an open network, close it. Set up security—preferably WPA2, as WEP isn't as strong—and put in a strong password that's hard for others to guess. There are many other reasons your connection may be less than ideal. Fortunately, we have some troubleshooting tips to help, and many of them won't cost you a dime. Update Your Router Firmware. Perhaps your router just needs an update. Router manufacturers are always tweaking software to eke out a little more performance and speed. How easy—or how hard—it is to upgrade your firmware depends entirely on your device manufacturer and model. Most current routers have the update process built right into the administration interface, so it's just a matter of hitting a firmware upgrade button. Some models, particularly if they're older, still require you to first find and download the firmware from the router manufacturer's website. It's tedious, but still a good thing to do. In fact, even if your wireless network isn't ailing, you should just make it a point to update your firmware on a regular basis. You will get performance improvements, better features, and security updates that way. Here's how to access your router's settings. Achieve Optimal Router Placement. Not all rooms and spaces are created equal. The fact is, where you place the router can affect your wireless coverage. It may seem logical to have the router inside a cabinet and out of the way, or right by the window where the cable comes in, but that's not always the case. A wired router can be tucked away, out of sight, out of mind. A wireless router, on the other hand, needs open spaces, away from walls and obstructions. It's not just physical obstructions either; heavy- duty appliances or electronics running in close proximity can impact Wi- Fi performance. If your router has external antennas, orient them vertically to bump up coverage. Elevate the router if you can. You can mount it on a wall, or put it on top of a shelf or a table to get a better signal. There are plenty of tools to help you visualize your network coverage. Personally, I like Heatmapper, or Editors' Choice in. SSIDer for Office, which shows you both the weak and strong spots in your Wi- Fi network. There are plenty of mobile apps, too, such as Netgear's Wi. Fi Analytics. 3. What's Your Frequency? Take a look at your network's administrator interface, and make sure you have it configured for optimum performance. If you have a dual- band router, you'll likely get better throughput by switching to the 5. GHz band instead of using the more common 2. GHz band. If nothing else, you will likely encounter less interference from other wireless networks and devices because the 5. GHz frequency is not as commonly used. Switching is quite simple. See if your router's administrator interface offers 5. GHz. If it does, enable it, and set up the network as you would normally. Change That Channel. Ever play with walkie- talkies as a kid? You may remember how if the units weren't on the same channel, you couldn't hear each other. Or if you wound up on a different channel, you could listen in on someone else's conversation on a completely different set. Same thing with baby monitors. In the same vein, all modern routers are multichannel, so they can switch across different channels when communicating to your devices. You tend to use whatever the router default is, but if neighboring wireless networks are also using the same channel, then you are going to encounter signal congestion. On Windows- based PCs, you can see what channels neighboring Wi- Fi networks are using. From the command prompt (in Windows 7) if you type netsh wlan show all, you will see a list of all wireless networks and the channels being used in your vicinity. At PC Labs, for instance, most of our networks and those of our neighbors are using channels 6 and 1. Once you know what channels are in use, pick one that's less congested and manually switch your router to broadcast on that channel. You can find this setting in your wireless network's administrator interface. While the interface differs by device and manufacturer, you will generally find the option under the basic wireless settings category. Control Quality. Most modern routers come with Quality- of- Service (Qo. S) tools to limit the amount of bandwidth that apps use. This is handy if you do lot of video streaming or use Voice over IP (Vo. IP) often. The last thing you want is to have your video or call quality degrade just because someone is downloading a gigantic video file from Dropbox. You can, for example, specify which applications and services get priority, and set downloaders as lower priority at certain times of the day. Sure, it will take longer to get that file, but everyone else on the network will thank you. Qo. S settings can typically be found under advanced settings in the network's administrator interface. Some routers may even make it easier by offering a multimedia or gaming setting, so you know those applications will be prioritized. Don't Rely on Obsolete Hardware. So far, the tips have been about getting the most out of your existing equipment, but if you are running old hardware, you can't expect the best performance. We have a tendency to subscribe to the . But if you bought your router years ago, you are likely still on the 8. There are still even 8. These wireless standards cap at fairly low bandwidths. Thus, all the tweaking we've outlined above won't get you far, when you consider the maximum thoughput for 8. Mbps. Compare that with the more modern 8. Mbps, and the latest 8. Gbps. Our list of the best wireless routers is a good place to start the search for a faster router. It's not just the age of your router you should consider. If you bought a PC within the last couple of years, you likely have an 8. But if your laptop doesn't have an integrated updated adapter, you can get a USB wireless adapter. In some cases, they may yield better performance than the built- in ones, so if your network router is on 8. They aren't that expensive, and having one can make a huge difference. Multi User- Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU- MIMO) routers are also starting to hit the market. MU- MIMO routers, like the Linksys EA7. Max- Stream AC1. 90. MU- MIMO compatible. Replace Your Antenna. If your router has an internal antenna, adding an external one would be a good idea, as the latter tends to send a stronger signal. Many router manufacturers sell omnidirectional antennas, which send a signal to all directions, or directional ones, which send a signal in one specific direction. Most built- in antennas tend to be omnidirectional, so if you are buying an external one, it should be marked . A directional antenna tends to be a better option, since odds are that you aren't experiencing weak spots in your network in every direction. Point your external antenna in the direction of your weak spot, and it will broadcast the signal accordingly. Check your router manufacturer's website for details on how to buy them. Set Up a Wireless Range Extender. Perhaps it's just a matter of room size. All routers are only capable of broadcasting reliably up to a certain distance. Any further, and the signal gets weak. If your wireless network covers a large area, you need a wireless range extender—also known as a wireless repeater or a Wi- Fi expander—to help boost your signal. This is also a good idea if there are thick walls or other physical structures that block signals. Range extenders looks similar to standard routers, but work differently. For starters, they pick up the existing Wi- Fi signal from your wireless router and simply rebroadcast it. As far as your network router is concerned, the range extender is just another client with an IP address, much like a laptop. Even though it's not a router, you should still use the same rules for figuring out placement; the extender should be close enough to your main network router to pick up a solid signal, but close enough to the weak spot so it can do its job of, well, extending that signal. You don't need an extender that is the same brand or model as your existing router, but you should pick one capable of broadcasting your signal. For example, don't buy an 8. For more on how to choose and set up an extender, take a look at the Best Wireless Range Extenders we've tested. Upgrade to a Mesh- Based Wi- Fi System? Range extenders help bring connectivity to dead zones, but usually provide about half the bandwidth you'll get from your primary router. Access points offer more bandwidth, but require a wired connection to the main router. Best Wi. Fi Extenders 2. Do you have a router at home but you feel frustrated because it confines you to a particular spot for you to access the internet? Being stuck in one position because your wireless signal cannot reach other zones of the house can be discouraging. This is why I have created a list of 1. Best Wi. Fi Range Extenders 2. Luckily, you can broaden your wireless connection to reach all the dead zones in the house using a Wi. Fi Extender. An extender widens your Wi. Fi coverage, thereby enabling you to access a stable internet connection anywhere in your house. With the best Wi. Fi extender, you can play games, watch HD videos or download files online without experiencing a signal drop. Even so, choosing a repeater for your house can be a lot of hassle, which we don’t want you to get into right now. I have simplified your work by doing extensive reviews of the 1. Best Wi. Fi Extenders 2. Simply read on. 1. Best Wi. Fi Extenders 2. Netgear Nighthawk AC1. BEST WIFI RANGE EXTENDER UNDER $2. The Netgear Nighthawk AC1. Wi. FI Range Extenders 2. We picked it as the best range extender because of its stellar performance. It will give you amazing speeds and broaden your WIFI coverage. It is capable of beaming your wireless connection up to a distance of almost three stories. That means you will have a strong signal even in areas that were previously a dead zone. The AC1. 90. 0 is costly, but that should not stop you from going for it as it has multiple functions that will supercharge your WIFI performance. Range. The AC1. 90. Wi. Fi coverage. It can beam your 2. GHZ and 5. GHZ to a distance of up to three stories. Such a range is what you should expect from the best Wi. Fi extender in the market. It has inbuilt high- gain antennas that play a significant role in amplifying the Wi. Fi range. Just place the device in a place of your choice; you will access a strong signal throughout the house, including the basement and upper floors. The wireless signal will penetrate your bricks walls as if there are no barriers. Speed. The AC1. 90. The extender comes with two bands, a 2. GHZ and 5. GHZ for boosting your internet’s speed. If you combine this repeater with a superior router, such as the Netgear R8. With this unit alone, you can reach speeds of up to 1. MBPS. That means will enjoy uninterrupted and high- speed internet even in spots that had a weak signal or no signal at all. Features and Benefits The AC1. First, it is fitted with a fast dual core processor along with three superior antennas to enhance the WIFI performance. Secondly, the extender comes with 5 GHZ Ethernet ports, which make it possible for you to connect your wired devices to a reliable and fast internet. Connected Ethernet devices can receive up to 1. MPBS. Apart from that, the AC1. WIFI modes – This option allows you to boost an existing WIFI connection or set up new AC WIFI hotspot for using with your Ethernet devices. The Fastlane Technology will enable you to create a single high- speed connection using both WIFI bands. This connection comes in handy when gaming or streaming HD videos online. Also, the extender uses a maximum power of 7. MW, which powers up the signal to reach even the extreme ranges. Lastly, with the AC1. USB 3. 0 port. Installation. The best WIFI extender should not give you a headache during installation. Installing this repeater will not give you a difficult time. The installation process is pretty straightforward. You just have to sync the Extender with the Router using a WPS push button. Once you have synced the two devices, select the type of connection you want to use. You can choose to boost an existing WIFI connection or have an AP access point. Bad Part. Perhaps the bad side of the NETGEAR Nighthawk is that it is pricey and it is not possible to use both bands at the same time. Other than price, the AC1. WIFI range extender in the market that will give you a wide coverage and top speeds. Verdict. Although the Netgear Nighthawk AC1. WIFI bands at the same time, it has a superior performance. It does a marvelous job at broadening WIFI range. Considering you can connect a variety of devices, including Smartphones, air printers, and Ethernet gadgets, you ought to give it a shot. Fast wireless connection with an outstanding coverage. Small and portable. You can easily configure the device. The unit has a nice look and feel. The AC1. 90. 0 is a dual band extender. If you are using a triple- band router, you may not be able to expand all three bands. It is high- priced. TP- LINK AC1. 90. Best Wireless Range Extender under $1. The TP- Link AC1. It is Dual Band WIFI repeater with a wireless bridge capability. When it comes to price, this device is best WIFI repeater you can have for under $1. The AC1. 90. 0 will permeate through the walls of your old house, making your entire house an internet hotspot. Range. The TP- Link Wireless range extender has an incredible range. It can beam a wireless connection from the router to a distance of almost 1,0. If you live in a story building, you will get a stable WIFI signal in all rooms. The 2. 4 GHz alone can supply you with a reliable signal, which you can access at the back or front porches of your house. Speed. Being one of the best WIFI range extender in the market, the TP- Link will not disappoint. It will give you a robust wireless connection just as if you are connected to the router directly. If you have devices that require a fast connection for optimal functionality, such as IP Cams and Smart TVs, this WIFI repeater will help you achieve that. You can get speeds of up to 1. MBPS when you connect to the 2. GHz Bands. For instance, the load time when streaming videos on Netflix takes only three seconds. Features and Benefits. The TP- Link has three external dual- band antennas that are powered by a 7. W battery for an enhanced WIFI coverage and performance. The repeater has 5- Gigabit Ethernet Ports for connecting your gadgets like game consoles, streaming players and smart TVs to a high- speed internet connection. The smart signal indicator makes it easier to discover suitable places for setting up the range extender. The TP- Link Tether App, which you can control from Android or i. OS gadget, will enable you to configure your WIFI settings. The extender uses a beam- forming technology that helps you find and deliver a strong WIFI signal to all your devices. Installation. Setting up the extender is an easy job. Plug your computer into one of the extender’s Ethernet. Next, login to your router using a web browser. You will find your login details in the instructions provided. From there, sync the extender with your primary router. You can either connect to the 2. GHZ or 5. 0 GHz bands. That’s all. Bad Part. The product has some negative reviews although most are from people who had trouble with the initial setup or those who got a malfunctioned device. Other than that, most people believed it is the best range extender. Verdict. Some people may still find the TP- Link range extender pricey, but that price does correlate with its performance. Being the second best range extender on our list, you can expect a remarkable coverage. You’ll get the best value for its price. For a high- end WIFI repeater, the price is quite friendly. High- speed internet connection. The installation is smooth and easy. Extended your WIFI coverage of up to 1,0. Compatible with infinite devices. The TP- Link customer service may be unresponsive at times. Linksys AC1. 20. 0 (RE6. The RE6. 50. 0 is yet another best range extender that you can pick to transmit a high- speed wireless connection to the dead zones in your house. It is dual band, and it uses a unique technology to give you enhanced speeds. With the RE6. 50. It can be the basement, upstairs, office, bedroom or any remote area. Speed and Range. The RE6. Wireless- AC technology along with 2. GHz and 5. 0 GHz bands to give you optimal speeds without interference. The dual wireless bands can transmit up to N3. MPBS on one band and AC8. Mbps on the other band. The speeds are three times faster than what you would get with N- wireless technology. Since the WIFI coverage can extend as far as 1. Features and Benefits. The wireless- AC (8. WIFI’s speed three times faster compared to wireless- N extenders. The RE6. 50. 0 is what you need if you live in a large home and you have multiple devices that consume high internet bandwidth. Another feature that gives the RE6. If you prefer a device that allows you to use both wireless dual bands concurrently, the RE6. Also, the Cross- Band technology will enable you to use one band for receiving information and the other for transmission. This technology reduces your data package and delivers a stronger and more consistent wireless connection. You have the option of connecting your wired devices to 4- inbuilt Ethernet devices. If you are a music fanatic, you will love the RE6. Can’t seem to find a suitable area to position the extender? Simply use Spot Finder Technology to do that. Installation. You don’t need a CD to set up the RE6. To sync the router with the extender automatically, press the Push Button on the WIFI repeater. Next, put your extender where there is a weak signal. If you see a green light, you are ready to go. Otherwise, if you get amber light, it signifies you have placed the extender incorrectly. Bad Part. Although it is one of the best Wi. Fi booster, the documentation that comes with it does not highlight the basic operation steps. There is not much info about accessing the extender’s firmware or how to update it. Verdict. This WIFI range extender will enable you to have a stable internet everywhere in the house. The juicy part is that its price will not stretch your wallet. It is the best range extender you can get for a moderate price. Some of the best WIFI extenders out there are costly, but this one will not dent your wallet. Connect both WIFI bands for a faster connection. Universal compatibility. Uses a high encryption security to protect your data. Check the coverage of your signals using the WIFI analyzer app.
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