Wifi extender?

bouicca21

A friend needs to boost his wifi signal so that he can use his smart tv.  The signal is 15 mps at one end of the room but flakey at other end which is where the tv is.  It’s also flakey for using WhatsApp. He thinks I know what I’m doing  

He doesn’t want to spend out on a mesh system or on cabling.  I gave him some very old (bought them 20 years ago) powerline adapters, but they aren’t working.  I assume it’s because they are old, but of course it could be that his wiring isn’t up to scratch.  So I’m thinking of recommending that he buy a wifi extender and have been looking at this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/NETGEAR-Wi-Fi-Range-Extender-EX6120/dp/B01560JGQW/ref=asc_df_B01560JGQW/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=226500799598&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10356280909557325767&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9044978&hvtargid=pla-385814408766&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

If I install it in the room immediately below his router it would have to push the signal through a brick wall and then about 3-4 metres to his tv.  Does it look as though I’ve picked a reasonable solution?

getmore4less

I would see if the powerlines work in sockets next to each other or in the same power strip.

if you mean by not working there is nothing could be configuration.

if just slow still test them close together

what speed are they?  (model NO. if not sure).


The other option is buy a better router with better wifi 
Or  try moving the router


Just having an extender won't help if the current routers wifi is slow it won't speed it up.


Has the TV been tested at the end there is wifi,   

bouicca21

Thank you.  The powerlines are Solwise PL 200  av - very old indeed.  He can’t move the router.

I’ll  have to check but I think he’s just got basic down the phone line broadband so 15mps at one end of the downstairs room  isn’t bad.  It’s getting a decent signal to the other end of the room that is the problem. I’ve connected the tv to the net by wifi so it definitely works but it’s very slow.  All he wants to do is to stream catch up services - though it would be useful to stop WhatsApp voice calls from breaking up.

Next time I go round I’ll check what channel he is on in case it’s interference, but I think the signal is having to go through a couple of fairly solid brick walls (it’s an old terrace house).

getmore4less

PL 200  should be adequate if there is only 15Mb coming into the property.

check them out next to each other.

Laz123

Another way is to make a fan out of tin foil and place behind the router.

[Deleted User]

bouicca21 said:

He doesn’t want to spend out on a mesh system or on cabling. 

When you say he doesn't want to spend on cabling, you will actually find that running an ethernet cable will be both cheaper and perform better than wifi range extender so don't totally dismiss that idea for the TV.

However you did mention a phone at the same location needs better wireless so you would probably do better running a cable and install another wifi access point at the weak spot.

Nobody can truly answer whether your chosen product will work. One problem with plug in wifi repeaters is that they usually end up located in a corner near the floor and therefore the Wifi signal also gets blocked by furniture as well as walls. Ideally wifi access points should be in the centre of the house (for a single not mesh), reasonably high above furniture and away from solid objects and appliances.

Wifi extenders are far from perfect, firstly they can not run any faster than the signal they can receive from the router, many people place them in the blackspot hoping for an improvement, see a full set of bars / signal strength on the phone/TV etc but don't realise that the repeater is only getting a weak signal from the main router anyway.

Even in a good position, they effectively half the speed of the signal they are receiving from the main router because they have to retransmit the same data on the same channel as the main router and are therefore taking up half the bandwidth that your router would be using.

Give it a go but I'd strongly suggest cabling, access points (rather than repeaters because AP's don't half the bandwidth) and checking the main router is in the best possible position to begin with.

bouicca21

So my strategy should be: change channel on router in case of interference; double check the powerlines in case he’s done something daft (it really doesn’t matter that they are probably 20 odd years old?); if that fails look for a good location for an extender.

If it were my house I’d have no hesitation about putting in a mesh network, but he doesn’t use tech stuff enough to justify it.  He really does only want to use the tv online.

I was thinking of getting an extender for my own back room which has an excellent signal, just so that I can use my iPad further down the garden.  So I could buy one, take it to his and experiment.  No loss if it doesn’t work as I could then install it at mine.

getmore4less

if you are going to be spending money then I would probably look at 

single mesh unit that provides router and better wifi.

why can't the current router be moved even if on a temp basis?

See if it router location is the part of the problem.


what router is it?  what wifi does it support.


you could split up a set of these between you.

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/tenda-nova-mw5c-ac1200-whole-home-mesh-wi-fi-system-3-pack-ps6669-with-code-at-box-deals-ebay-3709596

bouicca21

Ta.  I’ll check out the router next time I go over but from memory it’s a few years old, from TalkTalk.

I am at the limits of my knowledge with a mesh system, so forgive my ignorance, I thought you had to use at least two units, one connected to the router, one elsewhere.  I’m pretty sure my dinosaur friend is just thinking in terms of spending 40-50 quid.

bouicca21

Update
The house is an old terrace - the sort that is very deep/long.  The router is upstairs in a room about half way along. Wifi Analyzer doesn’t indicate a need to change channel.

Speed test says 26mbs at the router.  In the room immediately below and near a socket in the adjoining hall the speed is almost the same.  In the back sitting room - having travelled through the floor and 3 brick walls - the speed drops drastically and at the far end of the room (where the tv is positioned) it is only 7mbs.  WhatsApp doesn’t work too well in that room either.

i tried my old powerlines but the tv could not see the wired network at all - perhaps because sockets upstairs and downstairs are on different circuits?

SoI think my solution is to put a wifi extender in that socket in the hall. A direct line from there to tv probably goes through a wall rather than the doorway.  Any suggestions for a good reliable extender?