Surefire Tips to Improve Netgear Extender’s Wireless Range

Wireless routers, adapters and access points send and receive radio wave signals via antennas. A majority of access points and routers include external visible antennae, but some are housed internally. Despite the fact that Netgear extender setup provides a great boost in the existing wireless range, yet some materials can reduce or stop radio waves. One such example is antennae which causes interference. This results in a decrease in the radio signal clarity as well as effectiveness.

This post will take the lid off on some surefire tips to optimize your Netgear extender’s wireless range. Scroll down and read more.

1. Positioning

Make sure to place your Netgear WiFi range extender in a central location, instead of a corner. Typically, public WiFi locations have access point mounted on the wall or ceiling. Also, keep the wireless extender away from interference-creating devices.

2. Avoid Interference

This refers to other electronic appliances which use the radio waves in the same 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz range. Microwaves, Bluetooth devices, cordless phones, radios, treadmills, washing machines, electric heaters, refrigerators, and related devices interfere with the wireless connectivity nearby. Doing so will also save you from mywifiext.net setup issues while configuring your Netgear WiFi range extender.

3. Minimize Obstructions

There must be an ideal line of sight between the access point and your wireless device (phone, tablet or laptop). Factors like wall thickness, number of walls, ceiling fans, and cordless phone base will also affect the signal strength. A metal filing cabinet will also shield the radio waves.

4. Antennae Type

Antennae don’t emit signals equally in all directions. Just like a reflector focuses a light beam, in the same manner, an antenna signal can be focused or blocked. Given that people can’t see radio waves, you should hinge on testing to get an idea of where antennas work most brightly. The main focus of antenna is either directional or omni-directional.

Let us tell you that omni-directional antennas are used in most home products and radiate horizontally all around. However, they are weaker downward or upward. These antennas are typically a few inches long rod.

On the other hand, a directional antenna alias a high-gain antenna radiates powerfully in a particular direction. It is typically a dish or flat panel. These antennas can be used for point-to-point transmissions while two antennae are focused directly at each other.

When you are near your directional antennae, you will get a signal even if you are out of the direction of its strongest signals. Nevertheless, you must be in the direction where the beam is most powerful when you are at longer distances.

4. Check Signal Strength

It all depends on the location. In general, increasing the signal strength may work but in an urban area or city, it won’t. In the case of too strong, your neighbors will choose your WiFi network. Power puts a great affect how far an antenna emits. Half or quarter signal strength would work very fine for most home users.

For Netgear WiFi range extenders, you can check the signal strength by accessing its configuration page via 192.168.1.250 IP address.

Voila! Our list of the failsafe ways to improve your Netgear WiFi range extender’s wireless range ends here. If you have any other tip in your treasure, do share with us via the comments box below.