Having weak WiFi signal or dead zones in parts of your home can be frustrating. Slow internet speeds make it hard to stream videos or music, load webpages quickly, and get work done. Fortunately, you can build your own DIFi extender to boost your WiFi coverage for under $15 with just a little bit of DIY effort.
What You'll Need
Building your own WiFi extender is an easy project that requires just a few cheap components:
Old WiFi Router
The most important item is an old WiFi router. This will act as the extender to grab the wireless signal from your main router and rebroadcast it. Any old 802.11n/g/b router will work. I was able to find an old Linksys E900 router on Craigslist for $5.
Power Adapter
You'll also need the power adapter that came with your old router so you can plug it in. If you don't have it, you can use any 5V/12V power adapter.
Ethernet Cable
To connect your old router to the main one, you'll need an Ethernet cable. You probably have one of these lying around. If not, you can pick one up for a few dollars.
Total Cost: Under $15
With an old WiFi router and power adapter, you likely already have everything you need. If not, you can pick up a used router for $5-10 and an Ethernet cable for $5-10 more. So you're looking at a total project cost of under $15.
How It Works
A WiFi extender grabs the existing WiFi signal from your main router, then rebroadcasts the signal farther so you can get coverage in weak areas.
Here's how it works:
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Your main router broadcasts WiFi to nearby rooms with a strong signal.
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The old router connects to your main one via Ethernet cable. This allows it to join the same network.
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The old router grabs the WiFi signal from the main router and rebroadcasts it to the weak or "dead" zones.
So you can think of your old router as a middleman that grabs the signal and passes it along farther.
How to Set Up Your DIY Extender
Setting up your own WiFi extender is simple. Just follow these steps:
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
First, make sure you have your old WiFi router, power adapter, and Ethernet cable ready to go.
Step 2: Position the Extender
Figure out where you want to place your extender to boost the signal. The midpoint between your main router and the dead zone is ideal. Elevated central locations are best to spread the signal outwards.
Step 3: Connect the Routers
Connect your main router and old extender router together using the Ethernet cable.Plug the extender router into an outlet nearby using its power adapter.
Step 4: Log Into Extender's Settings
On a computer or phone connected to the extender, log into its admin settings page. This is typically 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
Step 5: Disable DHCP on Extender
Look for the DHCP server settings and disable them. This prevents the extender from assigning IP addresses, allowing your main router to handle that job.
Step 6: Match WiFi Network Settings
Match your extender's WiFi settings to your main router:
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Network name: Use the same SSID and password. This allows devices to roam between the two seamlessly.
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Security: Match the encryption type (e.g. WPA2).
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Wireless channel: Use a different channel from the main router to prevent interference.
Step 7: Save Settings & Reboot
Save your changes on the extender and reboot it. The devices should now pick up the extended WiFi signal in previously weak areas!
Optimizing Your Extended Network
To get the best performance from your DIY extender, keep these optimization tips in mind:
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Ideal location: Placing the extender halfway between the router and dead zone provides the best coverage.
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Avoid obstacles: Position the extender so walls and metal objects don't block the signal.
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Elevation: Putting the extender up high, like on top of a bookcase or fridge, improves the signal spread.
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Different channels: Using different wireless channels prevents interference between the routers.
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5GHz band: Connect devices to the 5GHz band to reduce congestion on the 2.4GHz band.
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** Wired connections**: For stationary devices like desktop PCs and TVs, use Ethernet cables to lighten the wireless load.
With some strategic extender placement and network settings adjustments, you can cover all those WiFi dead spots in your home and significantly boost speeds. No need to keep paying for expensive high-end commercial WiFi systems!
Troubleshooting Extender Connection Issues
If you setup your extender but devices won't connect to the extended network, try these troubleshooting steps:
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Double check settings - Make sure the extender's WiFi SSID, password, security, and wireless channel are configured correctly.
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Reboot devices - Toggle the WiFi off and back on again on your devices to force them to rediscover the extended network.
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Switch wireless channels - Try changing the extender and router to different wireless channels in case of interference.
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Update firmware - Check for any firmware updates for your extender and main router and install them. Outdated firmware can cause connectivity issues.
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Reset extender - Factory reset the extender and reconfigure it from scratch in case settings got corrupted.
With some patience, you should be able to get your DIY WiFi extender boosting signal to those stubborn dead areas for fast internet throughout your home. Have fun with your networking project!