Use FritzBox as a DECT repeater - how it works

If you still have an old FritzBox lying around at home, you can simply use it as a DECT repeater and thus increase the range of your telephones. We show you step by step which settings you have to make for this.

Step 1: Prepare FritzBox for DECT repeaters

Note: Very old FritzBox models do not yet support the repeater function. You currently need a FritzBox 7270, 7240 or 7390 for this. First, however, we will deal with your current router, the so-called base station.

1. Open the user interface of the FritzBox and activate the expert view.
2. Go to the "System" category on the left and select the "Keys and LEDs" item.
3. In the "Key lock" tab, deactivate the option of the same name and save it below with the "Apply" button.
4. On the left, switch to the "DECT" category and select the "Base station" under "DECT".
5. Deactivate the "Reduce DECT radio power" option under "Radio power" and save again with "Apply".
6. Now switch to the "Security" tab above, activate the "Allow only secure DECT connections (recommended)" option and click "Apply".
7. Switch to the "Radio Power" tab above, deactivate the "DECT Eco" option and click "Apply".
8. Finally, switch to the "Registration" tab, enter a four-digit PIN here and click "Apply" again.
9. Note: If the option was already deactivated in step 6, you must "restart" under the "System" and "Backup" categories before continuing in the next paragraph.

Step 2: Use the old FritzBox as a DECT repeater

Tip: If the old FritzBox has not been used for a long time, you should carry out a firmware update beforehand.

1. Now access the user interface of the second FritzBox and log in.
2. Go to the "DECT" category on the left and select the "Repeater" item.
3. Activate the "DECT repeater active" option and enter the four-digit PIN specified above.
4. If you click the "Apply" button, the DECT or INFO LED on the router flashes.

Step 3: Connect the DECT repeater and FritzBox

Now press and hold the DECT or INFO button on the base station for around 6 seconds until the LED starts to flash. If both routers flash, they are looking for one another. If the devices stop flashing, the connection is established.

• If the distance is too great at the beginning, place the devices as close together as possible.
• You can then increase the distance again. If the LEDs flash again, the distance is too high.
• Tip: You can now use the "DECT monitor" in the "DECT" category in the base station and monitor the current connections.
• Your DECT phones are still registered via the base station. If the radio signal from the repeater is stronger, the phone automatically changes the transmitter, even while you are on the phone.

In the next practical tip we will show you how to use night service in the FritzBox.