Boost WiFi signal: Extend your internet connection (2024)

FAQs

Boost WiFi signal: Extend your internet connection? ›

WiFi boosters and WiFi extenders are usually associated with filling in dead spots, but they can also be used to add faster speeds and even new features to your WiFi network.

WiFi boosters and WiFi extenders are usually associated with filling in dead spots, but they can also be used to add faster speeds and even new features to your WiFi network.

These devices are designed to amplify your existing WiFi signal and extend its reach to the areas of your home that previously received weak or no signal at all. Think of them as signal boosters that help to effectively eliminate dead zones and enhance your overall WiFi coverage.

Install a WiFi Range Extender

One way to improve better WiFi coverage throughout your home is to install a range extender. A range extender increases WiFi coverage by connecting to your existing WiFi router and creating a separate WiFi network that has its own name and security credentials.

WiFi Boosters

A WiFi booster now is more accurately defined as a wireless range extender, MoCA® wired extender or a MoCA/Ethernet WiFi Wireless Network Extender. Central to WiFi boosters is WiFi bandwidth 'extension'. To completely cover your home and yard, you may need more than one WiFi booster.

In reality, these two terms refer to the same type of device: hardware that is designed to improve the coverage of a WiFi network. However, different manufacturers may use the terms “booster” and “extender” interchangeably, making it difficult to determine the specific meaning of each term.

If there's a dead spot where your devices can't connect to your WiFi, or experience a slower connection, consider using a WiFi extender.

WiFi extenders are not always reliable and can often slow down your internet connection. This is because the WiFi signal must travel from the router to the extender and back out again. As a result, even if you can connect, the speeds provided might be very slow, especially if you are far away from the WiFi extender.

A WiFi extender is another device commonly used to boost signals in dead zones. It's a popular way to increase signal reach because it is cheaper than mesh networks and powerline adapters. Due to these reasons, people often ask, “Do WiFi extenders work through walls?” Well, the answer is yes, they do.

While WiFi extenders can increase the range of your wireless network, their effectiveness is limited by a host of factors, including the speed of the internet connection coming into your home, the distance from your router, the areas in your home in need of WiFi coverage, and the WiFi demands of your family.

How can I extend my free WiFi signal? ›

Position the router high above the floor to ensure an unobstructed path to connected devices, and refrain from boxing the router or placing it in a storage cabinet. Keeping it away from frequency-using appliances, microwaves, and large metal objects can also aid in improving the Wi-Fi's reach for free.

The best thing you can do, without spending money, is to perform a few diagnostic tests to pinpoint your setup's weak point, like running a speed test, connecting to different devices, using Wi-Fi close to your router and rebooting your various internet devices.

Any device on the edge or outside the router's coverage area will experience connectivity issues. Depending on the model, WiFi boosters can increase the range of your WiFi network by 1,200-12,000+ sq ft. Frequency Bands: WiFi boosters are typically single or dual-band.

Solution #1: Get a Wi-Fi extender

One way to dodge obstacles and deliver solid wireless internet to every room is to pair a few Wi-Fi extenders with your router. These devices are typically plugged directly into a wall outlet, although we've seen models that resemble small routers.

Whether marketed as wireless extenders, repeaters or signal boosters, they are all devices that claim to increase wireless signal range. Most people buy them as a cheap and easy way to boost the signal from their router. They work fine in some environments, but are certainly not a guaranteed fix for all.

A cell phone signal booster increases the amplitude (or gain) of cellular signal. A cell signal booster will, under most circ*mstances, improve your cellular data rates if your slow data speed is due to insufficient cell signal strength (low RSRP ).