Recommendations for wifi extender

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RustyViewer

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Topic # 209147 14-Mar-2017 16:25

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I have a NetComm wireless router which has built in Wi-Fi. I don't know how powerful it is or its range but it doesn't seem to like walls. I have had trouble with my T2100 Freeview Plus device in my lounge, only getting about a 73% signal. When I moved the router a few inches from my computer desk onto the floor in the hallway, the signal suddenly increased to 89% and I was no longer getting the same issues. I would rather not have to do this though every time I want to use a wireless device though.

Recommendations?

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Reply # 1736402 14-Mar-2017 16:28

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wireless extenders are not that great they reduce the speed by over half and can cause other issues.

consider power line adapter if you cant run a wired Ethernet connection to it

RustyViewer

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Reply # 1736409 14-Mar-2017 16:39

Jase2985:

wireless extenders are not that great they reduce the speed by over half and can cause other issues.

consider power line adapter if you cant run a wired Ethernet connection to it

What's all that now?

Jase2985

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Reply # 1736410 14-Mar-2017 16:40

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search for previous threads on them on here and read :)

RustyViewer

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Reply # 1736413 14-Mar-2017 16:47

Ok, thx.

BTW, does anyone know where the Wi-Fi signal is being sent from on the router? Is it the front or back? The front has all the flashing lights and the back has all the plug ins. I use to have a network router which has an attachable aerial at the back but there is nothing obvious with this one. It might make a difference to which way I face it in the hallway.

sbiddle

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Reply # 1736514 14-Mar-2017 20:40

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There is no such thing as a "recommended WiFi extender". My motto is that if you can't explain why they're so bad you should never be using one.

Yes they have their unique uses, but they're not the best solution for 99% of people or use cases.

RustyViewer

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Reply # 1736595 15-Mar-2017 02:24

Anyway, I got into the configuration for my router and changed the Wi-Fi broadcast channel from 9 to auto. The signal jumped from 73% to 83% according to my T2100 so it began operating properly again. I'll keep an eye on it but that appears to have done the trick.

Kiwifruta

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Reply # 1736597 15-Mar-2017 04:10

RustyViewer:
Anyway, I got into the configuration for my router and changed the Wi-Fi broadcast channel from 9 to auto. The signal jumped from 73% to 83% according to my T2100 so it began operating properly again. I'll keep an eye on it but that appears to have done the trick.

On the 2.4GHz band, only channels 1, 6 and 11 should be used. If one were to use the other channels (e.g. channel 9) this can create interference to other WiFi signals (e.g. channel 9 interferes with channels 7, 8, 10 & 11) and can also cause interference from other WiFi signals (e.g. channels 7, 8, 10 & 11). Better to share a channel than have overlap. Overlap is most likely the cause of the problem you encountered.

To see what's going on, get a WiFi analyser app on your phone and run it while at home. Then compare the channel usage with that of a large building with a professional WiFi installation (e.g. hospital) you'll see how the pros set things up to support a lot more WiFi traffic. You'll quickly see why so many home users have problems with their home WiFi dropping out.

RustyViewer

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Reply # 1739984 15-Mar-2017 19:29

I've switched to channel 1 but haven't tested it yet. Hopefully it will solve everything. Thx everyone.

tdgeek

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Reply # 1740022 15-Mar-2017 20:46

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RustyViewer:

I have a NetComm wireless router which has built in Wi-Fi. I don't know how powerful it is or its range but it doesn't seem to like walls. I have had trouble with my T2100 Freeview Plus device in my lounge, only getting about a 73% signal. When I moved the router a few inches from my computer desk onto the floor in the hallway, the signal suddenly increased to 89% and I was no longer getting the same issues. I would rather not have to do this though every time I want to use a wireless device though.

Recommendations?

Onto the floor?? Higher is better. Unless your channel 9 overlap issue was reduced.

Do you rent or own?

Rent? Look at power over ethernet, or any not too annoying cable runs under carpet etc.

Own? Get a data guy in to have a look and pay him to run ethernet to your rooms of high use, for direct connect to TV, etc, and to centralise the wifi router. he will no doubt give good advice.

You ideally want the internet speed you pay for, in most places, or at least the places that count.

kouwkapow

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Reply # 1780009 12-May-2017 10:09

Very helpful reply . Thanks. I will save my money and not get a WIFI extender.

kouwkapow

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Reply # 1780012 12-May-2017 10:10

tdgeek:

RustyViewer:

I have a NetComm wireless router which has built in Wi-Fi. I don't know how powerful it is or its range but it doesn't seem to like walls. I have had trouble with my T2100 Freeview Plus device in my lounge, only getting about a 73% signal. When I moved the router a few inches from my computer desk onto the floor in the hallway, the signal suddenly increased to 89% and I was no longer getting the same issues. I would rather not have to do this though every time I want to use a wireless device though.

Recommendations?

Onto the floor?? Higher is better. Unless your channel 9 overlap issue was reduced.

Do you rent or own?

Rent? Look at power over ethernet, or any not too annoying cable runs under carpet etc.

Own? Get a data guy in to have a look and pay him to run ethernet to your rooms of high use, for direct connect to TV, etc, and to centralise the wifi router. he will no doubt give good advice.

You ideally want the internet speed you pay for, in most places, or at least the places that count.

MadEngineer

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Reply # 1780016 12-May-2017 10:13

This topic needs a peter reader autopost.

neb

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Reply # 1780161 12-May-2017 13:36

sbiddle:
There is no such thing as a "recommended WiFi extender"..

They're perfectly OK in a great many circumstances. People who want a 50ms ping time and 100Mbps throughput probably shouldn't use one, but they're the exception, not the rule. If your mum wants to use her tablet from the sun room then a range extender is the perfect solution. My neighbour was getting bad coverage in the side-room he uses as an office so I put a TL-WA850RE in his lounge that extends the signal far enough that he gets good coverage in the side-room. It was trivial to set up, blends in well with the wall (it plugs straight into a power point with a stylish design), and has been running without problems for 1-2 years now. It was exactly the right solution for the issue. So I would give a TL-WA850RE as a recommended range extender when you need to do just that, extend coverage to somewhere in the house where there's currently none.

sbiddle

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Reply # 1780284 12-May-2017 16:40

neb:
sbiddle:

There is no such thing as a "recommended WiFi extender"..

They're perfectly OK in a great many circumstances. People who want a 50ms ping time and 100Mbps throughput probably shouldn't use one, but they're the exception, not the rule. If your mum wants to use her tablet from the sun room then a range extender is the perfect solution. My neighbour was getting bad coverage in the side-room he uses as an office so I put a TL-WA850RE in his lounge that extends the signal far enough that he gets good coverage in the side-room. It was trivial to set up, blends in well with the wall (it plugs straight into a power point with a stylish design), and has been running without problems for 1-2 years now. It was exactly the right solution for the issue. So I would give a TL-WA850RE as a recommended range extender when you need to do just that, extend coverage to somewhere in the house where there's currently none.

The biggest problem with extenders is that people place them where they have no existing WiFi coverage in the first place hoping it will magically fix their issues. This makes issues worse, not better.

My view is that if you can't explain why extenders are bad then you shouldn't be using one. There are however some situations where they are useless, and can fix problems but you need to understand the limitations of the device when looking at it as a solution.

darylblake

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Reply # 1780308 12-May-2017 17:34

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If you can run an ethernet cable to an access point it is by far a superior solution to an wifi extender, hands down.

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