How to get a wi fi extender?

[keithp]

Hello

We recently got upgraded to the new broadband, but as part of that the router is now in a separate room - with the PC - which is fine for the PC - but not for our new smart TV.

I have been told I need a wi fi extender, which will boost the signal from the router to the lounge - which is only about 40' away.

Any ideas on how I get this? Can I just buy one or does it have to be a BT model?

Keith

[andydenyer]

What's the new broadband? Do you mean you've been upgraded to Full Fibre? Do you have the Halo 3 add-on? If so, then you should get sent a wifi extender disc.  Do you have the Smart Hub 2 or 3?  The discs are specific to each one.

[Crimliar]

You need to check what you signed up for with BT, as some of the contracts may include additional WiFi extenders if needed.  If your contract doesn't include any kind of "whole home" then you can pay to have this added on to your contract, and effectively rent a mesh-extender.  The BT supplied mesh-extenders talk to the router directly and so should be an easier setup.  *You may be able to buy the same mesh-extenders directly elsewhere, but BT won't support them.

Alternatively: You can buy third party extenders, that increase the reach of your router at the expense of throughput. Or use a mesh system at greater expense, and often a little more complexity in setup and placement, but with less impact on throughput as some mesh systems tend to be just a touch smarter.

[keithp]

Ok - we have the full fibre, but were not offered any extenders or upgrades. 

Looking at Currys, they sell a TP extender for increased wi fi - is that what you need? 

[licquorice]

Did everything work ok before moving the router? If so, why not simply put the router back where it was. If it was moved to be adjacent to the ONT, that is unnecessary and the 2 can be up to 100 metres apart connected by Ethernet Cat5e or better cable

[keithp]

Only got the new smart TV today, before that it was an ordinary TV.  It is not possible to move the router closer, as it would be in the hall. 

[licquorice]

Have a look at the range of powerline adapters from TP Link. If the TV has an Ethernet port it may be preferable to use Ethernet powerline adapters rather than WiFi. Many adapters are combined WiFi and Ethernet.

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/powerline/

[keithp]

Thanks. The issue is the router is in another room, so I can't use a cable. It has to be wifi. Our package has nothing about extenders, but a £1 a month upgrade does mention extenders, so that may be the way forward. The only thing I dont get is, when the Tv search's for wifi it detects our router, you enter the bt password, but it does not connect, I Would have thought it would connect, but just be a bad signal or am I wrong about wifi?

[Crimliar]

If you are entering the WiFi details correctly, then the TV should connect.  I know on some (not all) of the SH2s the printed sticker with the WiFi details has them below the admin login details!  You may also be able to press the WPS button on the router and then have the TV detect and automatically join the network!

*WPS is a bit of a bug-bear as while it's active anything in range of your WiFi can grab the details!

[keithp]

Ok thanks. This morning the signal bar on the TV showed 3 bars, which I thought would be enough, anyhow it did not connect using the password. For some reason I have two networks shown - one says 5G. Both have the main Bt name - mine. Anyhow I tried the WPS it did not work, then it did and the TV connected. So I do not know if I need the extra extenders or not. My laptop used near the TV has full bars. So I think my final question is - how far does the router signal extend? Ours is in a room with an open door, then a hall, open door and lounge. Measuring the distance it is around 40 ' from the router to the TV. Also if the PC is on, would that make the signal less?