How to Set up a Wireless Adapter to Extend WiFi

In our day to day lives,  the number of devices that connect to the WiFi network at home already outnumber those that do not. Tablets, smartphones, computers, consoles, Smart TV's ... what would happen to us if all these devices were still using cables?

That is why it is always interesting to see how to optimize your connection to the wireless network or improve it if necessary. In this post we will explain both things, but above all we will focus on how to configure a wireless repeater to amplify your WiFi connection .

Coverage problems and WiFi extenders

When we talk about using a WiFi repeater or extender it is normal to think of large houses, with numerous rooms or several floors in which the signal does not reach the furthest point. It is true that it is the classic scenario but in smaller homes we can also suffer coverage problems.

In a house with thick walls the problems of coverage can appear even if it has a limited area.  Also in those homes where for different reasons we can not place the router in a somewhat more centered position. According to the Netgear extender support, these situations are very common and one solution is to use a WiFi repeater.

WiFi repeaters, also known as signal extenders or duplicators, allow us to expand the coverage of our local wireless network . That way, when we move from one room to another our device will continue to enjoy a quality signal.

wireless adapter to extend WiFi

If you have fiber optic connection in our home, you may have a new generation router. The most modern routers support the WiFi AC standard ,  which eliminates at a stroke two very common problems in WiFi networks: it increases the connection speed limit through a wireless network at theoretical 1000 Mbps (previously established at 300 Mbps with routers WiFi n) and avoid interference between other WiFi signals, since now we can use the 5 GHz band , which is much clearer than the 2.4 GHz band, which is used by conventional routers and many other devices that emit electromagnetic signals.

At the time of New extender setup we will have to know what type of connection to the network we have at home and buy the one that best suits the speed of our router. Also, one must know in advance that configuring any wireless adapter is not as complicated as many users fear.

WPS configuration

WPS or WiFi Protected Setup is a mechanism that was created in order to facilitate secure connection between devices. If our router has this option and it is enabled, we can use it to allow the repeater and router to connect automatically.

A procedure as simple as pressing the WPS button of our router a few seconds and then do the same in the WiFi adapter that we will incorporate into our network. In a matter of seconds everything will be perfectly configured and we can continue enjoying the internet, only now with better coverage throughout the home.

Manual configuration

Manual configuration of a WiFi repeater is not complicated. It is known as the mywifiext.net setup. It is true, it is not a process of pressing just one button but neither is it an endless number of blind steps. The manufacturers have added to most models a web interface so we can configure it quickly.

This interface is accessed by first connecting our device to the WiFi network or accessing the Wi-Fi network that the adapter generates by default . Once done we open a web browser or, failing that, the application that some models facilitate. If you do not want to install another application, we invite you to use the browser.

In the address bar we write the URL that will indicate the manual . For example, it can be something like mywifiext.net or a numeric IP address like 192.168.0.1. We will load the web interface and there we will establish the necessary data to integrate it in our network. These data are basically tell you to connect to the Wi-Fi network of our router and are usually the name of the Wi-Fi network, its password and the security features of it, although the most sensible thing is not to modify data that we do not know and focus on select the network and enter the password. It should be configured automatically without problems.

When we make that change, our device will be disconnected from the repeater and we will have to return to the WiFi network at home or simply our usual WiFi network will appear . From that moment, the repeater will be working and we will not have to worry about anything else. Automatically our device will gain coverage and signal quality when we move from one area to another.