What Is a Wi-Fi Range Extender? Do You Need a Wi-Fi Extender?

What Is a Wi-Fi Range Extender?

What is a Wi-Fi extender? A Wi-Fi extender also named a Wi-Fi range extender, can be used to extend the reach of a wireless LAN, just as its name implies.

Wi-Fi extenders can increase the Wi-Fi range throughout your home by rebroadcasting the internet signal. If you are always complaining about the short Wi-Fi coverage, a Wi-Fi range extender may be useful for you.

They are inexpensive and easy to set up. You just need to make sure the Wi-Fi range extender device is situated in the range of both the signal source and the client device and then it can be the best way to expand your existing Wi-Fi network.

Full Guide to Fix That Wireless Capability Is Turned Off

If you find the wireless capability is turned off and want to turn it on, then this post is what you need. You can find three methods here.

Read More

So how does the Wi-Fi range extender work?

The working principle of a Wi-Fi range extender is easy. It’s just installed between the Wi-Fi router and your dead zone and then it will connect to your existing Wi-Fi network, pick up the signal, and then duplicates and rebroadcasts it.

You may hope the extender can do the same thing as a network speeder to faster the Internet connection; however, the transmission speed within the extender-affected range is not equivalent to from the W-Fi source. A latency exists.

Wi-Fi Extender Pros and Cons

After knowing some basic information about Wi-Fi extenders, here, you can see their pros and cons more clearly.

Wi-Fi extender pros:

1. Wi-Fi extender is well adapted to all kinds of routers.
2. Wi-Fi extender is an inexpensive way to expand the reach of your network, suitable for anyone.
3. Wi-Fi extender is easy to set up and won’t take up too much time and doesn’t need any professional knowledge or skills.
4. Wi-Fi extenders don’t take up much room and most of them are just small-sized devices that can plug into an AC outlet.
5. Wi-Fi extender is budget-friendly and works with a traditional or regular router.

Wi-Fi extender cons:

1. The coverage range may be limited for some homes with many floors.
2. Although a Wi-Fi extender can work with multiple routers and modems, it still has some compatibility issues with some routers.
3. It can be difficult to configure, and multiple need to be configured individually.
4. Wi-Fi extender can lead to reduced signal strength.
5. Wi-Fi extender extends the signal inside your home as your network quality will get worse.
6. You need to notice that if the firmware of a Wi-Fi range extender gets frequent updates or not, as outdated firmware can turn your wireless range extender useless.

Difference between a Wi-Fi Booster, Repeater, or Extender

It is easy to confuse the differences between a Wi-Fi extender, Wi-Fi booster, and Wi-Fi repeater, so the following may help you figure out the differences.

Wi-Fi Booster

Wi-Fi booster is a general term to conclude all types of Wi-Fi range extenders and repeaters. There are three types of Wi-Fi boosters: Wi-Fi range extenders (also called Wi-Fi repeaters), Wi-Fi network extenders, and Wi-Fi mesh whole home systems.

Wi-Fi Repeater

Another name for a Wi-Fi extender is a Wi-Fi repeater. They are much the same by connecting to your router wirelessly on the same frequency.

So which one do you need?

Different Wi-Fi boosters may have varied levels of performance. If your Wi-Fi signal is strong but struggles to reach far enough in your home, then consider a Wi-Fi extender or Mesh Wi-Fi if your home is large with multiple floors.

Fix Windows 11 WiFi Driver Not Working & Download Its WiFi Driver

How to solve Windows 11 Wi-Fi driver not working problem? How to handle other Wifi issues? Where to download Windows 11 Wi-Fi driver?

Read More

Wi-Fi Range Extender FAQ

How do you install a Wi-Fi repeater?

It is easy to set up a Wi-Fi repeater. You can install your repeater between the Wi-Fi router and your dead zone so that your existing Wi-Fi network can be received. Then you can log into the Wi-Fi repeater via your computer, and input the login details and password of your existing Wi-Fi network, to allow the Wi-Fi repeater to connect and extend.

Is the Wi-Fi repeater secure to use?

Yes, it is secure to use. Wi-Fi repeaters offer the same levels of security as traditional Wi-Fi routers.

Bottom Line:

After reading this article about Wi-Fi extenders, you may have an overall picture of what the Wi-Fi extender is. There is much-related information you can get here and if you have any other questions, you can leave your comments below.