How to configure a Wi-Fi repeater to connect to the best Internet signal automatically? step by step guide

It is very common to reach a place in our house, or an office in the company, where the Internet signal is not received correctly. This is due to the distance between the router and the device that we want to connect..

In order to find a solution to this problem, repeaters are installed to obtain certain advantages. Another solution found for these cases is install an additional router works as a repeater but this must have certain characteristics that we have to take into account when incorporating it.

To do this, in this article you will find all the necessary information about the requirements and how to configure a router act as a repeater. We will also talk about how to make our Wi-Fi network run as fast as possible.

What is a repeater and what are the benefits of using it to boost my WiFi signal?

Routers work on two frequencies, each of which has a different range level. Those with a low frequency, 2.4GHzcan reach distances of up to 30 meters in a very efficient way, while those with a slightly higher frequency, the 5GHz onesThey reach shorter distances.

To solve this problem, there are in the technology market “wifi repeaters”which are equipment that connect directly to an electrical input and they can retransmit the router signal.

Another way to increase the signal and power of the wireless network is to incorporate a mesh to our WiFi through the configuration of an access point that is by a router. But we will see this topic later.

Next, we detail the benefits obtained when we install a WiFi signal repeater:

Greater Internet coverage

Let us not forget that, to measure the distances mentioned, we have to consider all the electromagnetic fields that can interfere with the signal. Therefore, our WiFi network does not reach places many times, becoming an unstable and weak signal.

Thanks to the implementation of the repeaters we can solve these problems, since we will be able to go “avoiding all interference” or simply increase the coverage radius.

Retransmits in 2.4 GHz and 5GHz frequency

Usually there are 2 classesthose who work with Wi-Fi Nwhere the frequency will always be 2.4GHz and WiFi AC types, where they work with both frequencies. We will achieve in this way, not having any limitation regarding the speed or choice of frequency channels.

easy installation

One of the most outstanding points, by which users turn to the acceptance of this technology, is that its installation is very simple and advanced technological knowledge is not required to be able to do it, we simply have to connect it to an electrical input and it does not require extra cables.

Also, another very simple step is the configuration.

antennas

Although it is true that they do not need these because they have integrated antennas, we can have the advantage in some models of pointing them to specific places. greatly increasing your work.

indicator lights

To improve the efficiency of a repeater, we can check with the indicator lights that it brings signal reception, in this way we will be able to increase the efficiency of the retransmission and not have a counterproductive effect.

Can I use any router as a repeater? What requirements must you meet?

In many houses there are old routers stored without any use. A very good idea is to use these devices to work as WiFi repeaters and create a mesh network.

But, not every team can fulfill this role. For this, we need them to have the following requirements:

• Be ready to receive the Internet signal and be able to broadcast it.
• Do not create conflicts with the server router in terms of security. That is, it cannot be attacked by accessing sites that were made through the amplifier.
• Must take into account its installation cost is minimalas well as maintenance.
• The server router don’t spend too many resources for the attention of the new repeater.
• Think about the total space that is dedicated to its installation, that is to say that be as minimal and as aesthetic as possible.
• That there is a facility for connection, either by Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi.
• The security protocols are compatible with all those of the network, especially that they may have WPA2.

What are the main WiFi signal problems that I can solve with a repeater?

Once we have installed a repeater we will find different benefits, which we mention below:

We expand the coverage area

It is, perhaps, the main objective of installing a repeater. With this type of implementation, we can reach places in our home or company where we could not do it efficiently before. This will improve our experience as users and the possibility of performing different tasks will be increased, for example, watching videos.

We increase signal stability

Another logical benefit is that, for those places where the signal was intermittent due to its distance from the router, with the new device this will definitely changesince the frequency of the signal will be stable and constant.

We improve the connection speed

A highly sought advantage is to increase the speed of uploading and downloading the Internet. With this new mesh network system, we will be able to increase several Mpbsdepending on the service contracted with our operator.

Steps to configure a WiFi switch and connect to the best signal automatically

To be able to configure a WiFi switch, the steps will be according to the characteristics and brands of the router that we want to use as a repeater. In this case We will take as an example a Tp-Link brand router.

This guide does not vary much according to another brandthe important thing we want to highlight are the general steps that exist.

In order to configure a WiFi switch we will do these steps:

We return to factory values

The first thing we have to do is put all the values ​​of the router that we want to configure as an access point in factory settingsfor this we will have pressed for a few seconds the button “Reset”.

We connect Ethernet cables

Next, we connect the router that will serve as a repeater to our computer, through a cable that enters an Ethernet port.

We enter the router

We enter with our browser to router software typing in the address bar “192.168.1.1”.

Next, we will write the name and password that comes by default from the factory. If we don’t know it, it is usually located with a sticker under the router or we can search for it on the internet. For this router model the user is “admin” and the password is “admin” either “1234”.

DHCP configuration

We perform these steps:

• Once we are in the configuration panel we will have to go to “DHCP” and we will select “DHCPSettings”.
• We deactivate the DHCP option.
• We click on “To accept”.

We add the IP to the device

We do this procedure:

• We enter the configuration panel again and choose “networking”.
• We look for the option “LAN”.
• We add a IP adress that does not generate conflict with the router.

We restart the router

At this time we will have to restart the device and follow this guide:

• We go to the panel on the left and select “Wireless”.
• We choose the frequency with which the server router works.
• We activate the options “Enable SSID Broadcast” Y “Enable WDS Bridging”.
• We select “Survey” so that the system automatically fills in all the data about the Mac address, the SSID and the Key Type.

We make the final connection

We will follow these instructions:

• A list will appear with all the Wi-Fi connections possible near us, we choose the one to which we want to extend the coverage.
• We select “Connect”.
• We write the password to access that wireless network.

Tips to configure your WiFi network so that your Internet flies at the speed of light

Once we have made router configuration With the repeater, many times we do not get the results we want, so our Internet speed remains low.

So that this does not happen and to be able to have a WiFi network with good speed, we have to keep in mind the following tips:

• Try, as much as possible, that the connection between the two routers be made by Ethernet cablealways taking care that there are no WAF conflicts.
• Do not move the relay equipment too far from the server router, so that the signal stability is correct.
• Set both router with security that prevents unauthorized persons from entering the wireless network.
• Make a correct configuration to prevent us from entering repeater router networkbut that we take the Internet signal directly from the server.