Install WiFi repeater: how it works

If you would like to install a WLAN repeater and integrate it into your network, there are two ways of doing this. You can install the repeater either automatically or manually. We show you both methods in this practical tip.

Install WLAN Repeater with WPS procedure

WPS stands for "Wi-Fi protected Setup".

• Installation is quick and easy. Plug the WLAN Repeater into a socket and press and hold the WPS button on the device for a few seconds.
• If the LED signal appears on the repeater, press the WPS button on your WLAN router within the next 2 minutes. You also have to hold them down for a few seconds until the LED signal appears.
• Then the repeater automatically connects to the router via WLAN and is then installed.
• Not every repeater has WPS. In this case, you can install the device manually.

Manual installation of the WLAN Repeater under Windows

This way of installation leads through the user interface of the repeater. We show you the procedure using a Fritz repeater.

• First plug the WLAN Repeater back into the socket. It is best found near your computer. Alternatively, connect the repeater to your PC using the LAN cable.
• Next, on a Windows computer, click the network icon. You can usually find this at the bottom right.
• Select the WiFi repeater here. It is displayed as soon as the repeater is plugged into the socket. Deactivate "Connect automatically" by removing the checkmark in front of it.
• Then click on "Connect". Now you have to enter the WLAN key. You can find it on the bottom of the repeater. The factory setting is usually "00000000".
• Start the browser on your computer and call up the user interface of the repeater. You will find the necessary IP address in the manual of your repeater. In the case of a Fritz repeater, you can also enter "//fritz.repeater" in the address bar.
• Make sure that you are logged into the WLAN network in which you want to integrate the repeater.
• Log in to the repeater user interface by first setting a password and confirming with "OK". The setup wizard will guide you through the next steps.
• Select "WLAN bridge" as the access type and confirm with "Next".
• If you get to the point "Repeater radio network selection", check the WLAN network by integrating the repeater. Confirm again with "Next".
• The next step is the repeater security settings. Decide for this WPA encryption. To do this, you must enter the password of your network under "WLAN network key" and confirm again with "Next".
• A window with the heading "Apply settings" follows. If you click on "Finish", the installation and setup of the repeater is completed.
• However, it may take a few minutes for the repeater to connect to the router. You can then plug the repeater into another socket of your choice.

Install the WiFi repeater on Mac

The installation of a WLAN repeater in the network does not work much differently on Mac than on Windows.

• To do this, first plug the repeater into an electrical outlet and then connect it to your Mac using the LAN cable.
• Next, make sure that the LAN connection is at the top of the system settings under "Network", ie it has priority.
• Start the browser and enter //fritz.repeater in the address bar. The further procedure corresponds to that described in the section for Windows.

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

Video tip: Improve WiFi