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Question

Wi-Fi does not extend through apartment

Jun 27, 2019 10:32AM PDT

Our apartment (1,000sf +/-) has plaster and lath walls. The router is at one end and the room where I work is at the other end (not an option to move router/modem). I know that I need some kind of extender, but I would like to know what I'm looking for exactly and what would be most reliable and secure). Our router/modem is from Xfinity/Comcast.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
The usual is to try other channels then powerline WiFi.
Jun 27, 2019 11:27AM PDT

Anyhow when I call on such I check settings and do a WiFi sweep with my android phone running "WiFi Anazlyer" (it's free) to see if the 2.4 and 5 GHz channels the router is on is not being stomped on by other routers.

In short:
1. Change WiFi channels to more open ones.
2. Use a powerline WiFi kit like this one to put a hotspot at the other area.
https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-AV600-Powerline-WiFi-Extender/dp/B00HSQAIQU/
Example setup:

Have higher speed Internet? Consider the next faster model:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0725LPTZR/

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Old house
Jun 27, 2019 3:05PM PDT

Thanks for the info! I checked it out and one of the things I learned to watch for is older wiring and multiple breaker boxes. Our apartment building has 6 breaker boxes and 60-year-old wiring, so a powerline is not an option. So, to start I went with the TP-Link AC750 (RE200) to see if that worked. My speed is dropping from 72Mbps in the same room with the gateway (I have 100Mbps service), down to 4.6Mbps at the other end of the house! Right outside the door to the room with the router, the signal is still only 9.6Mbps (its a long, narrow hallway to the center of the house), so I may have bigger issues.

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Not what I've experienced.
Jun 27, 2019 4:52PM PDT

I've had no issues with powerline even across breaker boxes. It's the side or phase that matters and even then we can install a bridge device if really needed.

As to the AC750 Extender our office will not sell or service them. Too many complaints.

Even so, where is this extender placed? I've seen folk place them at the other end of the building (incorrect placement) rather than what the maker told them to do.

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Maybe get
Jun 27, 2019 6:37PM PDT

a new modern router and use the one you have for WPA ? Confused

Post was last edited on June 27, 2019 6:38 PM PDT