Setting up a WiFi repeater - you have to be careful

If you have bought a WiFi repeater, there are a few things to consider when setting it up. We'll show you how it's done.

WLAN repeater: what is it actually?

With a WLAN repeater you can extend the range of your home WLAN. So far, your WLAN is operated by your router, the repeater is basically a small router. However, this has significantly fewer functions because it only extends the existing WLAN. The signal is basically amplified to achieve a higher coverage.

Which WiFi repeater should I use?

• If you are looking for a new WiFi repeater, you will find a wide variety of products. Inexpensive models from Asia are already available for 10 euros, high-quality branded products cost up to 100 euros.
• The two most important indicators for the purchase are the MBit / s and the frequency in GHz. For as much performance as possible, it should be as many Mbit / s. If your internet connection is generally not the fastest, 300 MBit / s is sufficient, but with a good line it should already be 1000 MBit / s.
• There are also two different standards for the operation of WLAN networks. Older routers transmit at 2.4 GHz, newer ones at 5 GHz. Here you will find the advantages of 5 GHz. To be prepared for the future, you should choose a model that supports both 2.4 and 5 GHz.

WLAN repeater: How to set up the device correctly

• The setup is usually carried out using the WPS procedure. Simply press the respective buttons on the router and on the repeater. The devices then connect automatically.
• If your router does not have a WPS function, you can also connect the repeater manually using a cable. A connection to the computer is sufficient for this.
• Most repeaters work with the "WPA" or "WPA2" encryption. In order for the devices to cooperate, a suitable security standard must be selected on the router.
• If you have blocked access for WLAN devices for security reasons, you must briefly switch them off. We show you how this works in the practical tip "Setting up the MAC filter for the WLAN router".

Interference sources hinder the setup and operation of the repeater

• If you do not get a connection during setup, there are usually metallic doors or thick concrete walls between the two devices. To troubleshoot, you can simply open a door briefly.
• The repeater should not be too far from the router. If the router is at one end of the house, you do not have to position the repeater at the other end. The repeater should have a strong signal so that the forwarding is also efficient.
• In particular, metallic objects and other radio operators such as telephones should not be in the immediate vicinity of the router and repeater. Microwaves can also interfere with the radio signal

Does my WiFi repeater work at all?

If you have set up the router correctly, you should check whether the router really works. It is not always immediately clear whether this is the case.

• First you should test whether the reception area has increased. Use your laptop or smartphone to go to a place where reception was poor or no longer available.
• The repeater has usually started to work when the corresponding lamps on the device light up continuously. Blinking lights are a bad sign on most devices, but not all.
• You can access the router's user interface via app or URL. Here you can also find out whether everything is going according to plan.

In the next practical tip, we will show you the difference between a WLAN repeater and an access point.