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Get wifi all over the house



How to extend your signal for remote learning or working from home

wifi, boost, signal, router


The pandemic may have the whole family working and learning at home on wifi equipment that was initially set up for just one or two computers. A simple and free solution might get everyone online, or you may have to invest in one of several possible pieces of equipment. Here's what to try.

Move your router: Blogger mom Caroline Siegrist of CoolMomTech says to start by just moving your router (or modem, depending on the type of installation you have). Ideally, it would be located in the middle of the house, but most likely you're limited by where your broadband provider installed it. However, try placing the device as close to the area you're trying to reach as the connecting cable will allow. Also raise it up as high as possible. Relocation can increase the reception farther away.

Extender: If moving the router doesn't work, the cheapest upgrade is to buy an extender. The basic ones run about $30. You place an extender within range of the router and closer to where you need good reception. It will pick up the router signal and extend it, although the effect is sometimes to dilute the strength of the signal. 

Router upgrade: If you're like me, you bought the cheapest router you could get, not realizing you'd someday need more power. Check the specs on your current device and look for one that's stronger. Usually the specs will estimate the square footage the router can access.

Mesh-networking: A more expensive option is a mesh-networking system. Each kit broadcasts from a different area of the house, overlapping for complete coverage. Depending on the size of your house, you may need to buy more than one kit. Siegrist suggests Google's Nest system, which also works with Google Assistant, or Amazon's Eero, compatible with Alexa.



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