If you have a home with an outbuilding such as a garage, potting shed, or summer house, you might find that your Wi-Fi doesn’t reach there. This is because wireless signals don’t carry well through solid objects such as walls and metal roofs. Luckily, there are several simple ways to extend the range of your Wi-Fi so you can use it in that outbuilding as well as inside your home. Here are some simple ways to extend the range of your Wi-Fi so you can use it in that outbuilding as well as inside your home. The methods outlined here won’t cost much and will take only a few minutes to implement each one. Before you begin extending the range of your Wi-Fi network, make sure you have a strong signal strength from your internet service provider (ISP). A weaker signal may be caused by things like distance or interference from other devices using the same channel.
How To Extend Wifi To Outbuilding?
Change Channels
If you have a dual-band router, you can change the Wi-Fi channels to see if that improves your signal strength. If you have a dual-band router, it’s possible that both channels are being used at once by your nearby computers, phones, and other devices, which can cause interference and reduce your network’s speed. You can change the channels on your router’s settings page, which you can usually find by entering the IP address or URL of the router in your browser. Double-check that the channel you’re using is not being used by any nearby networks. If you’re using a channel that’s in use nearby, you can try changing to a different channel.
Install a Wireless Repeater
A wireless repeater (also called a range extender) simply receives your Wi-Fi signal and then rebroadcasts it. It can be an effective way of extending the range of your Wi-Fi network, but the repeater must be set to the same network name and password as your router for the devices to connect to it. You can buy a wireless repeater or set up a dedicated device as a repeater. You may also be able to set up your computer as a repeater if it’s using the same wireless network name and password as your router.
Install a Wi-Fi Booster
A Wi-Fi booster is different from a repeater in that it amplifies the signal coming from your router. A booster may be able to extend the range of your Wi-Fi signal, as well as improve the signal strength within your home. Wi-Fi boosters work by receiving your router’s signal, amplifying it, and then rebroadcasting it back to your network. They typically connect to your router via Ethernet cable, and you can set up a booster to boost the signal strength of a specific device or multiple devices.
Move Your Router to an Outbuilding
If you have a large outbuilding like a garage, potting shed, or garden studio on your property, it may be too far away from your main router to receive a strong signal. One way to resolve this issue is to move your router to the outbuilding. This can be a challenge since routers aren’t weatherproof, so you’ll need to set it up indoors. If you have a multiple-story home, you can also try setting your router on a higher floor to improve its signal strength. If your router has an external antenna jack, you can buy a longer antenna to try to improve the signal strength when you’ve moved your router.
Add an Extension Cord and Network Bridge
If you only need to extend the range of your Wi-Fi signal to one outbuilding, such as a shed or garage, you can simply run an extension cord from your router to that building. First, you’ll need to plug one end of the extension cord into an outlet near your router. Next, plug the other end of the cord into the outlet in the outbuilding. You can then set up a network bridge between your router and the outbuilding’s router. You can set up a network bridge for either a wired or a wireless network. You’ll need to set up both routers to use the same network name and password.
Install an Outdoor Antenna
An outdoor antenna can help you extend your Wi-Fi signal over greater distances. If you have a large property or live in a rural area with little or no signal interference, an outdoor antenna can help you to get online. You can install an outdoor antenna on the roof of your outbuilding or near the top of a tall tree. If you have a large outbuilding, you can even set up multiple antennas. There are several antenna types:
How To Use Wifi Safely?
- Make sure you use a good quality password for your wireless network.
- Make sure that you are not sharing your network with strangers.
- Don’t share your password with anyone else.
- Always keep the encryption key in a safe place like a locked drawer or safe, so that no one can access it without your knowledge and use it to access your network and data.
- If you have enabled WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup), make sure that you have disabled WPS, so no one can use them to hack into your wireless network by using an Android or iOS device to connect and then take control of it without knowing the password or key.
Conclusion
When it comes to extending your Wi-Fi network, there are many options available. Depending on your situation, you may be able to extend your signal just by changing channels, moving your router, or installing an outdoor antenna. However, if you need to extend your network to multiple outbuildings, the best solution is to install a wireless repeater or booster in each building. Choose the best Wi-Fi extender for your needs, and you’ll be able to connect all your devices together with a strong signal.
FAQs:
Q. What is the difference between a Wi-Fi Extender and a Wi-Fi Repeater?
- A Wi-Fi Extender takes the signal from one location and retransmits it to another location, usually at a longer distance. The signal is then amplified. A Wi-Fi Repeater acts more like an amplifier, taking the signal from one location and retransmitting it to multiple locations, usually at shorter distances. The difference between these two devices is that a repeater can be used to extend your wireless network to multiple locations.
Q. What kind of Wifi extender do I need?
- To determine what type of Wifi extender you will need for your needs you must first ask yourself if you are going to connect with an Ethernet cable or wireless connection (802.11n or 802.11ac). If you are going to connect with an Ethernet cable then you will need either a range extender or repeater, which can be powered by battery or by power line backup (PLCB). If you are going to connect with wireless then you will need either an access point or hotspot (AP/Hotspot) which can be powered by battery or by power line backup (PLCB).
Q: Is it possible to extend my Wi-Fi network further than 100 meters away?
A: Yes, but this depends on how far your router is located in relation to the device that wants connectivity and also how strong your signal is. When it comes to extending your network further than 100 meters away, you would need a Wi-Fi range extender.
Q: Can I use the same Extender for both my wireless and wired devices?
A: Yes, you can use the same Extender for both wired and wireless devices. However, if you intend to use one Wi-Fi Extender for multiple purposes such as a desktop computer and a laptop, then you will need to purchase two separate Wi-Fi Extenders.
