A TP-Link range extender is a great way to expand your home WiFi coverage into areas that your router can’t reach on its own. Setting up and configuring a range extender is easy if you follow a few key steps.
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Where to Place Your Range Extender
The most important factor in getting good performance from your range extender is placement. Follow these tips:
- Halfway Between Router and Dead Zone: Place the extender about halfway between your router and the area with poor WiFi coverage (the “dead zone”). Too close to the router and the signals may interfere. Too far and the extender won’t pick up the router’s signal well.
- Central Location: Choose a central spot in your home to allow the extender’s signal to radiate outwards in multiple directions.
- Near Power Outlet: The extender will need constant power, so having an electrical outlet nearby is ideal.
- Line of Sight: Try to position the extender so there is a clear line of sight back to your router’s location. Obstacles like walls and metal objects will degrade the signal.
- Away From Interference: Keep the extender away from other electronics that could interfere with signals, like baby monitors, microwaves, refrigerators, etc.
- Elevated Location: Placing the extender in an elevated spot in your home can help increase WiFi coverage. The top of bookshelves or cabinets works well.
Setting Up Your TP-Link Range Extender
Once you’ve found an optimal location, setting up your TP-Link range extender is straightforward. Here are the steps:
1. Connect the Extender to Your Router
First, plug the range extender into an electrical outlet and connect it to your WiFi router. There are two options for connecting:
WPS Button Method
Simply press the WPS button on both your router and range extender within 2 minutes. The extender will automatically copy your router’s settings and connect to your home network.
Web Browser Method
Use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer directly to the extender. Open a web browser and enter http://tplinkrepeater.net. Follow the on-screen instructions to choose your router’s network and enter your WiFi password.
2. Relocate the Extender
After successfully connecting to your router, unplug the Ethernet cable and move the range extender to its permanent location. Plug it back into an electrical outlet and wait 1-2 minutes for it to reboot.
3. Connect Devices to the Extended Network
The extender will create a new WiFi network with its own network name (SSID). Simply connect your devices like laptops, phones, and tablets to this extended network instead of your router’s original one.
That’s all there is to it! With your devices now connected to the stronger extended network, you should enjoy faster speeds and more reliable WiFi coverage.
Tips for Optimizing Your Extended Network
To ensure your extended network is running as efficiently as possible, keep these tips in mind:
- Set Same SSID: You can set the extender’s SSID to match your router’s original SSID. This allows devices to automatically switch between router and extender as you move around the house.
- Find Best Channel: Make sure the extender’s WiFi channel doesn’t overlap or conflict with neighboring WiFi networks and devices. This avoids signal interference.
- Update Firmware: Keep the router and extender updated to the latest firmware versions so they can communicate effectively. Check for updates in the device’s software utility.
- Use Ethernet Backhaul: For the fastest and most reliable extended network, connect the range extender to your router via Ethernet cable instead of wirelessly.
- 5GHz Over 2.4GHz: Connect devices to the extender’s 5GHz band when possible, rather than 2.4GHz. This will reduce interference from household electronics.
Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues
If your extended network has connectivity problems like slow speeds or dropping connections, try these troubleshooting steps:
Reset the Extender
Press and hold the reset button on the range extender for 5-10 seconds to reset it back to factory default settings. This will clear any problematic configurations.
Update Firmware
Check both router and extender for the latest firmware and update if necessary. This keeps settings synchronized.
Change Extender Placement
If speeds are consistently slow, move the extender closer to your router to strengthen the signal between them.
Remove Sources of Interference
Make sure the extender is away from electronics that could degrade signals like baby monitors, microwaves, refrigerators, etc.
Switch WiFi Channels
If your network conflicts with a neighbor’s, change your router and extender to a different WiFi channel to avoid interference.
Contact Customer Support
If you continue having unresolved issues, contact TP-Link’s customer support online or by phone for troubleshooting help.
Conclusion
Adding a TP-Link range extender to your home network is an easy and affordable way to eliminate WiFi dead zones. Strategically placing the extender halfway between your router and weak coverage areas will help optimize signal strength. Following the setup instructions to connect the devices takes just minutes.
As long as you apply WiFi best practices like keeping firmware updated, using Ethernet backhaul when possible, and avoiding sources of signal interference, your extended network should provide fast, reliable wireless access anywhere in your home.
