Getting your wifi to reach outbuildings can be a challenge. Whether you have an office, a workshop, or a garden shed in your backyard, the chances are you need to get the wifi signal to these places. But if you live in a house with thick walls or have an outbuilding located far away from your router, the wifi signal won't reach it. In this article, we'll look at the best ways to extend your wifi range so you can get wifi outbuildings.
[lwptoc depth=”3″]
*TechImperatives.net is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Different types of outbuildings
Outbuildings come in all shapes and sizes and can be used for many different purposes. Some people use them for extra storage, some for a home office, and some for workshops or creative spaces. Whatever type of outbuilding you have, the chances are you want to get your wifi signal to it so that you can work or use the internet without interruption.
The need for a stronger wifi signal
The problem is that even if you have a good quality router and modem, the signal strength may not be enough to reach your outbuilding. This is especially true if it's far away from where your router is located or there are walls blocking the signal. In this case, you will need to find ways to increase the range of your wifi signal so that it can reach your outbuilding.
How to extend the range of your wifi signal
Fortunately, there are several ways to extend the range of your wifi signal so that it can reach outbuildings. We'll look at some of the most popular methods below.
Using a wifi repeater
A wifi repeater is a device that relays and amplifies the existing wifi signal from your router. It receives the signal from your router and then boosts it so that it can reach farther distances or penetrate walls and other obstacles more easily.
- Product
- Features
- Photos
TP-Link AC1900 WiFi Extender (RE550), Covers Up to 2800 Sq.ft and 35...
- Fast AC1900 Dual Band WiFi - Simultaneous 600Mbps on 2.4GHz plus 1300Mbps on 5GHz
- Better WiFi Coverage with 3 Antennas - Three adjustable external antennas provide optimal Wi-Fi coverage and reliable connections
- Fast AC1900 Dual Band WiFi - Simultaneous 600Mbps on 2.4GHz plus 1300Mbps on 5GHz
- Better WiFi Coverage with 3 Antennas - Three adjustable external antennas provide optimal Wi-Fi coverage and reliable connections
- Gigabit Ethernet port - Act as a wireless adapter to connect a wired device to your network at Gigabit speed
- Intelligent Signal Light - Help to find the best location for optimal Wi-Fi coverage by showing the signal strength
- AP Mode - Create a new WiFi access point to enhance your wired network with WiFi capability
- Ultimate Compatibility - Extend the range of any WiFi Internet router or wireless access point
- TP-Link Tether App - Easily access and manage your network using any iOS or Android mobile device
- All Wi-Fi extenders are designed to increase or improve Wi-Fi coverage, not to directly increase speed. In some cases improving signal reliability can affect overall throughput
Using a mesh wifi kit
A mesh wifi kit consists of multiple devices (nodes) that work together to create a single wireless network with better coverage than traditional routers. With mesh networking, each node is connected wirelessly and acts as an extension of your main router, allowing you to create an area-wide network with one single SSID (network name).
- Product
- Features
- Photos
TP-Link Deco WiFi 6 Mesh System(Deco X20) - Covers up to 5800...
- Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Wi-Fi - Next-gen Wi-Fi 6 AX1800 whole home mesh system to eliminate weak Wi-Fi for good
- Whole Home Wi-Fi Coverage - Cover up to 5800 square feet with seamless high-performance Wi-Fi 6 and eliminate dead zones and buffering Better than traditional wifi booster
- Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Wi-Fi - Next-gen Wi-Fi 6 AX1800 whole home mesh system to eliminate weak Wi-Fi for good
- Whole Home Wi-Fi Coverage - Cover up to 5800 square feet with seamless high-performance Wi-Fi 6 and eliminate dead zones and buffering Better than traditional wifi booster
- Connect More Devices - With Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Deco X20(3-pack) is strong enough to connect up to 150 devices with strong and reliable WiFi.Smartphone/Tablet Requirements:iOS 9.0 or later Android 4.4 or later
- Easy Setup and Management - The Deco app helps you set up your network in minutes with clear visual guidance and keeps you in control even when you are not home Works with Alexa as well Turn on/off Guest Wi-Fi by simple voice commands
- Peace of Mind with Parental Controls - Manage limit and monitor internet use with profiles that let you customize Wi-Fi access for every person and device in your home
- Total Security - Protect your network and device with a free lifetime subscription to TP-Link HomeCare featuring powerful antivirus, robust parental controls and advanced QoS. 4
- Total Security: WPA3 encryption and TP-Link HomeShield provide personalized features, including Parental Controls, Antivirus, and Quality of Service (QoS) to ensure a safer online experience.
Using a powerline adapter
A powerline adapter is another way to extend the range of your wifi signal by using existing electrical wiring in your house as a data bridge between two locations. It works by connecting one unit near your router and another near your outbuilding; both units then communicate wirelessly through their own internal radios but send data through the electrical wiring between them.
- Product
- Features
- Photos
TP-Link Powerline Wi-Fi Extender (TL-WPA7617KIT) - AV1000 Powerline Ethernet Adapter with AC1200...
- Homeplug AV2 Standard Compliant Powerline Adapter - Provides up to 1000Mbps Ethernet over power and up to dual band 1200mbps(300mbps 2.4Ghz plus 867mbps 5GHz) Wireless internet. Ideal to be an Ethernet extender which can easily go over walls
- Homeplug AV2 Standard Compliant Powerline Adapter - Provides up to 1000Mbps Ethernet over power and up to dual band 1200mbps(300mbps 2.4Ghz plus 867mbps 5GHz) Wireless internet. Ideal to be an Ethernet extender which can easily go over walls
- One-Touch Wi-Fi Configuration - One press of the Wi-Fi button copies the network name and password from your router. Any setting changes will be automatically applied to the entire powerline network
- Gigabit Ethernet Port - Provide secure wired network to desktop, smart TVs, or game consoles
- Plug, Pair and Play - Quickly set up a secured powerline network with no configuration required to enjoy fast, seamless wired/ wireless connection in minutes
- OneMesh Compatible - Works with TP-Link OneMesh router to form a unified mesh network for seamless streaming while moving around your home
- Extra Power Socket - Get power from the outlet for your other devices with the integrated power socket
- Please note that powerline adapters must be deployed in sets of two or more
- Kindly Reminder: Powerline Adapters must be on the same electrical circuit for connectivity. Requires direct outlet plug in. Does not work with surge protectors. Appliances and devices running on the same circuit may affect powerline performance.
Update your router so you get Wifi 6
If you have an older router, consider upgrading it so that it supports WiFi 6 technology. This latest version of WiFi has improved performance due to its increased speed, range, and capacity; meaning you can cover larger areas more easily with a single access point and reduce any lag or interference caused by multiple devices in one area.
- Product
- Features
- Photos
TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX21) – Dual Band Wireless Internet...
- VPN Server: Archer AX21 Supports both Open VPN Server and PPTP VPN Server
- Certified for Humans: Smart home made easy for non-experts. Setup with Alexa is simple
- Dual-Band WiFi 6 Internet Router: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous generation
- VPN Server: Archer AX21 Supports both Open VPN Server and PPTP VPN Server
- Certified for Humans: Smart home made easy for non-experts. Setup with Alexa is simple
- Dual-Band WiFi 6 Internet Router: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous generation
- Next-Gen 1.8 Gbps Speeds: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading and more with WiFi speeds up to 1.8 Gbps (1200 Mbps on 5 GHz band and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz band)
- Connect more devices: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology
- Extensive Coverage: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset
- Works with all internet service providers, such as Comcast, Charter, AT&T, Verizon, Xfinity, Spectrum, RCN, Cox, CenturyLink, Frontier, etc.( a modem is required for most internet service providers)
Other methods of extending your wifi range
Aside from these methods, there are other ways such as using directional antennas or setting up multiple access points throughout your home which can also help increase the range of your wireless network. You could even install cat5e cabling between access points if they are outside or too far apart for wireless connectivity.
The best way to extend the range of your wifi signal largely depends on where your outbuilding is located and what type of building materials are blocking its path; each method has its own advantages and disadvantages which should be weighed up carefully before making a decision on which one would suit you best.
Conclusion
Getting WiFi into an outbuilding isn't always easy but thankfully there are now several options available which make it much easier than before; whether you choose to use a repeater, mesh network kit or powerline adapter – each will give you better coverage than before and help extend the range of your wireless network further than ever before!