Wi-fi repeater/router/AP doesn't seem to work.

[madon37s]

Hi all,

 

I have a weak w-fi spot in my conservatory and want to upgrade it so I can (the rest of the family can) use it whilst in that room. I have had a wired Ethernet cable in the room for a few years now that is connected to out TV which gives us Netflix etc, etc.

 

This wireless-N router thingy is supposed to be able to be connected to the Ethernet cable and then connect a new cable from the router to the TV but when I try doing it this way Netflix (and all internet stuff) just won't work. When I connect the Ethernet cable back into the TV it works perfectly. Oh, and the wi-fi doesn't give us any more signal either!

 

Can anyone please help with how I am supposed to get this thing working?

 

This is what I have bought :-

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07H87712J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[KenB]

Hi,

 

Using a laptop in your conservatory ........

Bottom right of your screen you should be able to click on an icon for "Available Networks"

Do you see "Wireless-N"?

 

This is your Range Extender.

 

Click on this to connect.

You will need to put in the password that is probably on the unit itself.

 

If you don't see "Wireless-N" try re-setting the device.

[There is a Reset button on the side]

 

Did you get a set-up sheet with this unit ?

[madon37s]

Hi Ken,

 

This is not going very well tbh. I'm on a TalkTalk plan so you know what I'm about to show you. So, it's telling me I have no internet access with my normal broadband set up. Ok, I have already tried to get this extender to work to no avail, this one at the bottom of the picture as you can see it is showing a very strong signal. I even clicked on it and entered the password from my router and it seemed to go through ok! now this I really have no idea what I'm doing tbh all I want is to create a stronger wi-fi signal in the conservatory and for the Ethernet cable from the extender to give the internet to the TV so I can still watch Netflix etc....

 

Yes I did get some instructions with the extender for which I followed as well as I could but I am still having these connection issues.

[KenB]

So, it's telling me I have no internet access with my normal broadband

You need to make sure that your normal broadband is working OK.

If it is - fine.

If it isn't then we need to address that.

 

Unplug the main TalkTalk router.

Leave for 30 seconds.

Plug it back in again.

 

================

Not sure what the "Unidentified Network" is - your Extender should show up as "Wireless-N"

 

Try unplugging the Extender and plug it in again.

[You need your main router working]

 

=================

 

1. Make sure the main router is working and giving you access to the net.

2. "Wireless-N needs to e showing in the "Available Networks"

Check with your instructions to see if "Wireless-N" is the name to look for.

 

Let me know if this is OK up to here.

 

[ I am out this afternoon - I will pick this up later ]

[madon37s]

To clarify the normal broadband works absolutely fine and always has tbh.

 

Ok, I think I have a faulty wi-fi extender if I'm honest.

On the laptop there is no Wireless-N showing to connect to (just what was in my pictures above)

I have since tried resetting the extender, switching the main router off and on again and no matter what I do if the extender is switched on in a plug with the Ethernet cable from the main router attached and then another Ethernet cable connected to the TV from the extender than NOTHING works as it should, there is no wi-fi signal in the conservatory and the TV won't connect to the internet and nor will the laptop have any signal to connect to the internet either!

 

But, if I switch the extender off completely and re-connect the TV to the original Ethernet cable running from the normal router then the TV connects to the internet and the laptop can then 'see' my broadband wi-fi signal and will then also work properly.

 

I really am confused.com......

[KenB]

Hi again,

 

Thanks for the additional info.

OK - your normal internet is fine.

 

Do not connect the ethernet cable to the extender.

 

Plug the extender in close to your router [ you can move it later ]

 

This assumes that you have a WPS button on your router [ hopefully ]

 

Press the WPS button on the TalkTalk router. [ WPS led should flash ]

Then press the WPS button on the Extender. [ WPS button should flash ]

[The WPS button is on the top edge of the unit ]

After a little time the WPS led on the Extender should stay lit [ no flashing]

 

Check your laptop and see if the Wireless-N show up in "Available Networks"

[madon37s]

Ok Ken I have just done exactly as you have said.

 

I pressed the WPS button the TalkTalk router (had to press in for a few seconds) until the light turn orange and started flashing.

I then pressed the WPS button on the extender and the WPS led started flashing

After a couple of minutes the main router orange led stopped flashing and went back to a white solid light (broadband working)

The WPS led then stopped flashing and went out completely with no light showing at all.

 

My wife's on her laptop atm so can't do the last thing at present.

[KenB]

Hi,

I am not familiar with the Extender that you have bought but I am fairly sure that the WPS led on the Extender should stay solid.

[ Are there any instructions regarding this with the device ?]

 

Try the process again.

 

It is important that the Extender is close to the router - with no obstructions.

There is a lot of data transferred between the two.

Once the two are paired you can move the Extender to the conservatory.

[madon37s]

Hi Ken, may I say I really appreciate your patience and helpfulness in this matter.

 

Ok, here is a picture of how close the extender is to the router

 

Now this picture shows the led instructions The next picture shows the orange led that is flashing after I have pressed the WPS button

 

The last picture is showing the (from left to right) Power led, WLAN led, WPS led

 

The WPS led has gone out again after the router led goes from orange to white (normal broadband working)

[KenB]

Hi again,

Thanks for the photos - they help :)

 

Do you have a wall socket near to the router [ same room ? ]

Some Extenders do not like extension cables.

 

After using the WPS buttons - check your laptop and see if "Wireless-N" is showing in "Available Networks"

 

=============

If you are still having problems try the following:

 

Plug the extender into a wall socket and wait for the LEDs to settle down.

Are they all lit ?

 

If not -

1. Reset the Extender - [ there is a reset option on the side - you may need a cocktail stick or similar ]

Try again.

 

If still having problems .......

 

2. Let's try accessing the Extender software.

With the Extender plugged in ....

On your laptop - open a browser [ Internet Explorer / FireFox .....other ]

 

In the address bar at the top type in ....

192.168.10.253

Hit Enter

You should see the following ....

 

The User Name is ...... admin

The Password is .......... admin

Click on ..... Submit

You should then be looking at options within the Extender software.

 

============================

If you are still having problems ....

Use the ethernet cable to connect your Extender to the laptop.

Use the LAN connection on the Extender.

 

Do you see "Wireless-N" in Available Networks now?

 

I found this that may help -

 

Before I write any more - can you get this far ?

Edited August 21, 2019 by KenB

[madon37s]

I'm sorry Ken but I can't find "Available Networks" anywhere on the laptop but I have found under just "Network" 'manage known networks' where the Wireless-N is showing but it doesn't show on the panel on the right of the laptop when I click on the wi-fi icon at the bottom right hand of the screen.

 

I have done the first bit again using a normal house socket in the same room too and the extender is still not showing the WPS led flashing after the initial syncing (or not) to the main router.

 

I have just tried the 2nd option of connecting the extender directly to the laptop via an ethernet cable and I've just got this I am slowly losing the will to live if I'm honest.......

[KenB]

found under just "Network" 'manage known networks' where the Wireless-N is showing

So it is showing under "Manage Known Networks"

 

Take a look here: - click here [ assuming Win7 as per your profile ]

Scroll down to " Steps to Change Wireless Network connection priority in Win 7"

 

Follow the instructions and, if "Wireless-N" is showing move it to the top of the list.

This will force Windows to look for it first.

 

It is odd that Wireless-N is showing in "Manage Known Networks" but not showing when you click on the Network Icon bottom right of screen.

[madon37s]

I've messed up a bit sorry, my desktop computer is Win7 but my wife's laptop is Windows 8.1.... Does that make a difference? the layout of the desktop certainly looks different.

[KenB]

No need to apologise - I should have asked earlier.

 

Try this link - click here

 

The available networks are shown here -

 

Is this the icon you are clicking on when "Wireless-N" doesn't show ?

[madon37s]

This is how it looks on my wife's laptop

 

I'm going to have a go changing the laptop's network settings using you link just now.

 

Just had a go and have come to a stop here! :unsure:

Edited August 22, 2019 by madon37s

[KenB]

Thanks again for the images.

 

Wireless-N is not showing on your laptop system.

 

We have tried wirelessly and wired - both to no avail.

You suggested earlier that the device was fauly.

I am now inclined to agree with you.

I have tried everything that I can think of.

 

These Extenders should be simple to set up.

Yours does not seem to be broadcasting its SSID - i.e. its name [ Wirless-N]

If you cannot communicate with the device then it is impossible to access the net via the Extender.

 

I think it is a case of returning it for a replacement / refund. :(

 

========================

EDIT:

One more thing to try .....

Connect the Extender to the laptop using the Ethernet cable.

Open a browser [ IE / Forefox ...... ]

In the address bar at the top type ...... www.mywifiext.net ...... hit Enter

 

The address probably will not apply to your Extender - but is worth a try.

 

Do you get any response ?

 

=======================

One more thing to try:

Click on the Start [ bottom left of screen ]

Type in .... command prompt ...... [ don't hit Enter yet ]

Right click on "Command Prompt" that appears left of screen

Select "Run as Administrator"

 

At the command prompt [ with a black screen ] type ...... Netsh WLAN show profiles ...... hit Enter. [ no dots ]

 

This will show the Networks that the machine has accessed.

 

Is "Wireless-N" listed here?

 

If not then you have not accessed the Extender at all.

Edited August 22, 2019 by KenB

[madon37s]

Ok Ken, I have had a quick go at what you last suggested! I tried the extender plugged in and out and connected to the laptop but I only got a Netgear web page thingy...

 

So, I tried putting the number code on the extender itself into the browser bar and I got this up

 

Can we do anything with this?

 

Kind regards, Paul

[KenB]

This looks like progress :)

 

The address that I asked you to type originally [ 192.168.10.253 ] must have been from an older version - sorry :(

 

This now looks promising.

 

Click on "Wizard" from your photo.

Select "Wireless Repeater Mode"

It should scan the wireless signals available.

Select your home network

You may have to enter your ROUTER [ not Extender ] password

 

Hopefully you will see "Wirless-N" in the available options when you click bottom right of the laptop screen.

 

Can you access the net using the Wirless-N Extender ?

[madon37s]

Hi Ken,

 

I had a go at your last instructions and it did seem to work up to a point! I found the "Wireless-N" so I clicked on it but then a window came up and said "unable to connect" I then came off the wireless network icon and tried again but this time the "Wireless-N" was not in the networks available section when all the time the Extender was plugged directly into the laptop via an Ethernet cable....

 

I really do give up now to be honest..

 

I massive thank you to you Ken as you have been an absolute star in trying to help me in my quest (it certainly felt like that) to get an extended wifi signal in my conservatory.

 

Kindest regards,

 

Paul

[KenB]

From what I understand - your Extender has 4 or 5 different Modes.

 

My last set of instructions were telling you how to set it up for "Repeater Mode" ...... totally wireless.

There should be no Ethernet cable attached [afterwards] - unless it is going to the TV set-top box.

 

[The default mode is Wireless Router Mode.]

 

If you are getting this far you are surely near to completing the set-up.

 

Give me some pics of the stages that you are going through :)

[joddle]

Sorry to butt in at the end but I had the same type of issue with a wifi repeater(Netgear) in our rather rambling house. In the end after loads of attempts to get it working properly gave up. Instead I am now using a powerline system (TPLINK AV500 second hand from Fleabay) system in my house where the furthest room is nowhere like in range of the normal wi-fi. Using one input module and two wifi modules (one in the lounge and one in the furthest room) I now have very fast internet throughout the house and all for less that £60 (new price would be much more I guess) Its not the fastest powerline available but is reliable and gives me a constant 35-40mbps up and down at the furthest point. In addition the wifi modules have two ethernet ports so I can connect the TV to it and still have a lan socket spare as well as the wifi! It has been so good I have now installed the same system in my mum's house and also in a friend's house and we are all really pleased with the results. Its a doddle to set up and easy to maintain. I would never now go back to a repeater or extender system!

[madon37s]

Hi,

 

I have just had a look for the TPLINK stuff you suggested and there seems to be a lot of items on ebay but I cannot see any 'input modules' listed, is it possible for you to put a link in a reply to the input module and wifi modules please so I know what I'm looking at properly as I don't want to buy the wrong thing? there does seem to be some starter kits too but I'm not sure if that is what I am after..... I really don't know a lot about these type of things I'm afraid.

 

Many thanks.

[joddle]

Hi - the starter kits have two modules - one simply looks like a plug with an ethrnet port and the other a wifi unit with two ethernet ports. The smaller one is the input unit. First you have to ensure the units are paired - i.e. talking to each other - that is a simple 30 second thing to do if they are not already paired. You then simply plug the smaller unit into the mains near your router and attach it to your router with an ethernet cable. The wifi unit can then be anywhere else in the house wher ther is a mains socket. The kit comes with a cd and a little utility so you can change the name of the network or simply clone your existing one (pretty neat that!) . Later you can add more wifi or ethernet only units to expand the network. In our house we have one unit inputting then two units with WI fi and another as a port for a non wifi pc in another room - It all works perfectly. Full instructions and a video here Download for TL-WPA4220 KIT | TP-Link United Kingdom

If you have any issues you can PM me.

Edited September 4, 2019 by joddle

[joddle]

There are several option for adapters:

a) simply plug in unit with one lanport

b) as above with through plug so you can use the socket for something else as well

c) as a) but wtith two lan sockets

d) as b) but with 2 lan sockets

e) wifi unit which also has 2 lan sockets

 

All of these are interconnectable and you can use any as the input unit and any as an output device.

Tried to attach the manual but its too big so pm me if you want me to email a copy if you wish.

 

This is the basic kit TP-Link TL-WPA4220KIT AV500 300Mbps WiFi Powerline Extender Starter Kit A 6935364032272 | eBay

Edited September 4, 2019 by joddle

[KenB]

I have the same kit as joddle - it works well. :)

Now and again it drops out and I have to re-boot it but this is no problem.

 

The e-bay seller quotes ,,,,,,

"......... Item is new and unused with possible box damaged/ box replaced with item seal removed ....."

You may want to look elsewhere for the same product if not happy with the above statement.