Having a weak Wi-Fi signal will limit you from working in your favorite area at home. In such cases, one solution that may come to mind is setting up a Wi-Fi range extender.
However, the question is: Do Wi-Fi range extenders work? Yes, a Wi-Fi range extender will work by spreading the poor signal throughout your favorite areas, including blind spots.
Typically, this device works as a middleman to deliver the Wi-Fi signal to your device, caught from your main router. Hence, you can work in any corner of your home without interruptions.
To know more about the Wi-Fi range extenders, keep reading the whole context.
Do Wi-Fi Range Extenders Really Work?
Wi-Fi range extenders are also known as Wi-Fi repeaters that work by connecting to an access point wirelessly. The access point can be a router, modem, or hotspot. It receives a wireless signal from the access point, then amplifies and rebroadcasts the signal again. This way, you get signal coverage where the router signal doesn’t reach.
Basically, Wi-Fi range extenders have built-in antennas that help receive weak wireless signals from your router, then re-broadcast them to cover larger areas. It works as a signal booster to improve signal strength with your wireless devices, thereby improving internet coverage. As a result, you will get better internet coverage in the rest of your home or office.
In general, a weak Wi-Fi signal is often the result of interference from obstacles such as walls, metal items, furniture, cordless phones, and wireless devices. Poor router placement also causing weak Wi-Fi signals, resulting in dead spots in your office or home. To know more reasons for getting poor Wi-Fi signal from your router, check the section below.
Read Also: How Do I Extend My Wifi Signal To Another Building 400 Feet Away?
What Are The Reasons For Getting Poor Wi-Fi Signal?
Most people don’t know the reasons for weak Wi-Fi signals from their router. For that, below we have presented some common reasons for getting weak Wi-Fi signals.
Distance
Wireless routers use radio waves to transmit networking signals. How far the signal will travel usually depends on the router’s capacity. If your devices are far from the router signal coverage area, they could experience trouble connecting or degraded signal.
Interference
Wi-Fi signals can be interfered with by anything with a large electromagnetic field. This includes neighbor network systems, satellite service, LCD displays, and other networking systems. These devices usually interfere with the Wi-Fi networking signal to reach your device.
Construction
Physical obstacles, like the number of walls in your home or office also cause poor Wi-Fi signals. The more walls you have, the more interference the signal will face when traveling.
Besides, the type of doors and walls impact the Wi-Fi signals traveling through them. If you have thick doors or concrete walls, the signals won’t reach throughout all areas.
Capacity
Router range capacity also plays a crucial role in getting the proper Wi-Fi signal in your area. Using a low-capacity wireless router in a larger room will get poor Wi-Fi signals outside the router’s coverage area.
For instance, A 2.4 GHz band wireless router will cover 150 feet indoors and up to 300 feet outdoors.
When You Need A Wi-Fi Range Extender Or Booster?
Setting up a reliable wireless network in your home can be challenging, especially if the home is a little bigger. Besides, different metal appliances, home design, furniture, and other devices can develop dead spots, causing poor signs.
In that case, setting up a Wi-Fi extender is the only solution for getting a strong Wi-Fi signal. Below, we have discussed some prime reasons you need a Wi-Fi range extender.
Slow Wi-Fi Connection
Having a weak wireless signal can be the cause of getting lower internet speed. So, if you experience slower internet speeds on your device, consider installing a Wi-Fi range extender or booster.
Remember, a Wi-Fi extender won’t improve your internet speed but will ensure your device gets the most out of your network.
Dead Spots Or Zones
Dead spots are also causing your device not to get the proper Wi-Fi signals. These dead zones are usually created when your wireless router’s signals cannot reach the area. However, interference from thick walls, furniture, or metallic appliances can also create dead zones.
Cover Larger Areas
If your router is set up in a large home, the Wi-Fi signal may not reach all areas. Some areas may not have any signal, or some may have weak signals.
While installing the wireless router in a central location can help, some rooms may have problems with internet coverage. In such situations, installing a Wi-Fi extender or booster can solve the problem.
Outdoor Internet Access
Wi-Fi technology allows using the internet not only indoors but also outdoors. Sometimes you may like to browse the web or stream online in other places like the pool, garage, or porch.
Unfortunately, wireless routers are powerful enough to cover outdoor areas as well as indoors. In that case, a Wi-Fi booster can let you enjoy the internet in outdoor spaces.
Use The Latest Wi-Fi Technology
If you have an outdated router, the chance is that it may not support the latest Wi-Fi technology like 802.11 ac. Thanks to a Wi-Fi extender that allows you to upgrade your router with the latest technology without replacing it. Not only that, a Wi-Fi extender will allow you to use and manage more devices.
Some Frequently Asked Questions About Wi-Fi Range Extenders
Wireless router users frequently face different issues with signal strength. Here, we’ve disclosed some frequently asked questions with explanations. If you have any queries, check the section; you may find your answer here.
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Conclusion
Dealing with low or interrupted Wi-Fi signals is not only irritating but also time-consuming. Besides, if your house has dead spots, chances are that you may not enjoy using the internet in your favorite spot.
In that case, a Wi-Fi range extender will be the best solution to increase the coverage area of your router. However, you may have already understood: Do Wi-Fi range extenders work or not?
Typically, Wi-Fi extenders catch signals from your wireless router and re-broadcast them, making more strength to cover larger areas. This way, you will get a better network signal on your device all over your house.