So you have invested in a Netgear WiFi extender in the hope of getting an extended network. But let us tell you, you won’t get what you are expecting from the extender by just setting it up with the home network. There is much more you can do to get the best performance from your Netgear WiFi range extender. Do you want to know what we are talking about? Keep reading further to learn about some awesome tips that will help you get the best output from your WiFi range extender. But before you proceed further make sure that you have Netgear extender login details handy as you may need them during the process that we are going to discuss ahead. Login details are nothing but the admin username and password of your Netgear account.
How to Get the Best Performance from Netgear Extender?
1. Enable One WiFi Name
You can enable the One WiFi Name feature on your Netgear WiFi range extender. This feature lets the extender and the host router use the same WiFi network settings. The WiFi devices can access the WiFi of both the router and the extender. They can automatically get connected to the strongest available network. Follow the instructions highlighted ahead to enable the One WiFi Name feature on your Netgear extender:
- Power up your Netgear WiFi extender and connect it to the router.
- Power up your PC now.
- Visit the Netgear extender login page by using the login web address on your PC.
- When you are logged in to the extender using the admin login details, the status page will display.
- Now, click on Settings and then click on Wireless to open the Wireless settings page.
- Select the Yes radio button next to One WiFi Name.
- Click on the Save button to save the changes done by you.
One WiFi Name feature is now enabled on your Netgear WiFi range extender. You can now freely roam around the home without having to worry about network disconnection.
2. Relocate the Extender
After you are done with setting up your Netgear WiFi range extender, you need to relocate it to a new place. We recommend you place your extender about halfway between the host router and the area with WiFi dead spots. Apart from this, you need to make sure that the extender is not sharing its location with some other networking devices to avoid WiFi interference. Place the Netgear extender on an elevated surface and an open place in the home.
3. Select Higher WiFi Channel
The WiFi channels that you choose play a vital role in deciding the network performance. In case you experience WiFi interference or lost connections, or you want to improve WiFi coverage, then you can modify the WiFi channels. You can also opt to change the WiFi channel if you are using more than one access point or router. The ultimate goal is to select the settings that help to avoid interference from other radio frequency or networking devices. We suggest you select a higher wireless channel on the router. You can use channels 149-165.
4. Enable WiFi Radios
The Netgear extender has internal wireless radios that broadcast the WiFi network. By default, these radios are enabled. If they are not then we recommend you enable them manually by getting to the settings using the default IP address 192.168.1.250. 2.4 GHz WiFi band supports wide coverage but at lower speeds. 5GHz WiFi band supports less coverage at faster speeds. By enabling them both, you can take advantage of both these WiFi bands. So, access the Netgear extender admin panel and enable both 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi radios.
The Closing Note
Apart from the points that have been mentioned above, to get the best performance from your Netgear WiFi range extender, update its firmware. Firmware updates are meant to enhance the overall performance of the device. Thus access the Netgear admin panel and update the extender immediately if an update is available. We are sure that all the factors that have been discussed in this article have helped you get better network coverage. We hope you are now able to enjoy a better network from your Netgear extender.
