Wifi Router Range

After a recommendation, I replaced 7 years old VDSL WiFi Router ZyXel VMG1312 for TPLINK Archer v300. It was an improvement in the quality of the Internet and also WiFi range extension. Unfortunately, the opposite is the truth and the old ZyXel had better parameters. Even without an external antenna... It is mainly about improving WiFi range at home, where the apartment of 60m2 the receiving after third door is zero. Is it possible to improve smth in the router setting? Or is there an external solution - repeater, or something like this? The technical data lies when it lists 200m2, etc. I know everything is relative, they take free spaces without walls. But it would be worse until so, it will come strange. Or get more powerful router? Does anyone know about something specific to look at? Or that repeater?


Thanks for the tip and any advice


Peter

 

First, there is nothing to suggest external antennas provide better range over internal antennas, just because they are external. What they do is provide greater flexibility and convenience in how those antennas can be oriented. Many can be detached and with extension cabled, mounted in a higher location. About the only thing you can do with devices with internal antennas put the whole device in a different location, or rotate the whole device 90°.

While the TPLink has more features (dual band with 2.4GHz and 5GHz, for example), both routers are rated at 300Mbps in the 2.4GHz band. If it is not too late, I would exchange it for something faster in that 2.4GHz band. Since the 2.4GHz band is the most common, you more or less took a lateral step instead of upgrading your network - at least in that band. And for sure, I am assuming this new TPLink is working properly since there is no real reason why you should not have at least equivalent range with your new router for those devices connecting at 2.4GHz. So I would first, make sure the antennas are attached securely, then play with different orientation of the antennas and see if that helps. My point is, if you didn't need an extender or repeater before, you should not now.

Try to avoid placing the router near other sources of electromagnetic radiation or RF. These include TVs, microwave ovens, radios, etc. Also avoid large metallic obstacles like big metal filing cabinets, the sides of refrigerators. Obviously you don't want them blocking a direct line to your wireless devices, but just being off to the side can cause interference from bounced RF signals.

The 2.4GHz band, as noted, is commonly used and can get very crowded. If you live in a crowded wifi neighborhood (with many nearby houses or worse, a large apartment complex) interference could be part of your problem. In the router's admin menu, you should be able to change the channel used in the 2.4GHz band to one not used, or at least less used.

So how do you determine the best channel? I use XIRRUS WiFi Inspector on my notebook to see what wireless channels are in use and available. NirSoft's WifiInfoView is another good one. As are Acrylic WiFi Home and Homedale. The best is arguably inSSIDer but sadly, it is no longer free .

For Android phones there is WiFi Analyzer. And for iPhones, check out Fing Network Scanner.

The best solution is to find an unused channel where neither of its adjacent channels are in use either. If all channels are in use, look for the least crowded channel with the wifi network that has the weakest signal strength. When you have determined the best channel to use, go into your Router/WAP's admin menu and manually select that channel. You do not have to make any changes to your wireless devices. They will pick up and use the new channel automatically.

What can also do is move your wireless devices that are located near the router (within the same room is best) to the 5GHz band (if they support 5GHz). Doing this will free up some bandwidth in the 2.4GHz band. 5GHz provide much better performance, but the downside is it has significantly less effective range.

 

I have a Cudy repeater. It helps in the house. I also see more cellphones from outside. The issue is mainly walls + other barriers...inside, repeaters help better than outside.

You should also back up your config before creating an "secure" repeats, because once you do that, you can't log in with the normal one...of course, you can reset it with a pin/paperclip as you can with a router.