Please...can somebody help a tech idiot?

Due to the layout of my house, my office doesn't receive much of a wifi signal. I'm sometimes waiting 10 minutes for pages to load - it's really not feasible to work there. Can't move my office, can't move the router.

I'm looking for a wireless solution. Been reading about repeaters but a lot of what I read suggests they slow connection speeds down so much they can be just as annoying as the issue they're trying to fix.

Is it as simple as switching the repeater off once work is done to get my connection back to it's original strength? I've spoken with a few people who've said their connection speeds have dropped dramatically. I think I could probably accept this if I was able to work from my office, but I don't really want it to affect any of the streaming services I use in the evening. Thanks for any advice.

galain said:

Due to the layout of my house, my office doesn't receive much of a wifi signal. I'm sometimes waiting 10 minutes for pages to load - it's really not feasible to work there. Can't move my office, can't move the router.

I'm looking for a wireless solution. Been reading about repeaters but a lot of what I read suggests they slow connection speeds down so much they can be just as annoying as the issue they're trying to fix.

Is it as simple as switching the repeater off once work is done to get my connection back to it's original strength? I've spoken with a few people who've said their connection speeds have dropped dramatically. I think I could probably accept this if I was able to work from my office, but I don't really want it to affect any of the streaming services I use in the evening. Thanks for any advice.

Click to expand...

I used to have a repeater and it did the job fine.
When I needed a repeater for my parents, I have seen that these days they are even more advanced, you can plug the signal into an electric plug, then plug the repeater into the plug at the desired place, and voila, you have internet even in a big house where otherwise the combo of 1 repeater and router wouldn't be sufficient. Didn't try it myself though, as router + repeater did the job.

galain said:

Due to the layout of my house, my office doesn't receive much of a wifi signal. I'm sometimes waiting 10 minutes for pages to load - it's really not feasible to work there. Can't move my office, can't move the router.

I'm looking for a wireless solution. Been reading about repeaters but a lot of what I read suggests they slow connection speeds down so much they can be just as annoying as the issue they're trying to fix.

Is it as simple as switching the repeater off once work is done to get my connection back to it's original strength? I've spoken with a few people who've said their connection speeds have dropped dramatically. I think I could probably accept this if I was able to work from my office, but I don't really want it to affect any of the streaming services I use in the evening. Thanks for any advice.

Click to expand...

When was the last time you looked at upgrading your service? I jumped from a 60mps download wi-fi to a business class 160 mps and cost me $10 more a month! Not only that, my new big business router/modem is much more powerful and has twice the distance without any repeaters or extension to expand the signal! I can get wi-fi on my curb! Doe not crash like my previous consumer service either! Make sure you tell the retention sale person that you are unhappy with their service because it so “slow“ and looking at their competitors for better service! Tell them you are leaving for one of their competitor! They will cut you a deal usually that a little better then their competitors, to get to stay! Make sure you know what you want before hand.

What kind of a wifi system do you have? Have you looked at mesh wifi?

As mentioned above, maybe look into a mesh network. Amazon just announced a new version of its well regarded Eero product.

galain said:

Due to the layout of my house, my office doesn't receive much of a wifi signal. I'm sometimes waiting 10 minutes for pages to load - it's really not feasible to work there. Can't move my office, can't move the router.

I'm looking for a wireless solution. Been reading about repeaters but a lot of what I read suggests they slow connection speeds down so much they can be just as annoying as the issue they're trying to fix.

Is it as simple as switching the repeater off once work is done to get my connection back to it's original strength? I've spoken with a few people who've said their connection speeds have dropped dramatically. I think I could probably accept this if I was able to work from my office, but I don't really want it to affect any of the streaming services I use in the evening. Thanks for any advice.

Click to expand...

Maybe try to set up an Ethernet Over Powerline network from your router/modem to your office computer. This will be like a direct cable connection from your router/modem to your office computer by using your existing home Powerline as connection between Ethernet adapters. It will be faster than WiFi connection.

You need to buy a pair of Ethernet-Over-Power adapters. Plug one on a wall power outlet near your router. Plug the other one on a wall power outlet near your office's computer.

Connect an Ethernet cable from your router/modem to an Ethernet-Over-Power adapter that you've plugged onto a nearby wall power outlet. Then in your office, connect an Ethernet cable from the other Ethernet-Over-Power adapter plugged in a wall power outlet to your computer's Ethernet plug.
If you have only USB-C plug in your computer or laptop, get an Ethernet to USB-C adapter plug for your computer.








My study /work room is far from my modem, and I have been using Ethernet-Over-Power connection with no problem. It's very fast and reliable, no drop outs in connection.

blablavla said:

I used to have a repeater and it did the job fine.
When I needed a repeater for my parents, I have seen that these days they are even more advanced, you can plug the signal into an electric plug, then plug the repeater into the plug at the desired place, and voila, you have internet even in a big house where otherwise the combo of 1 repeater and router wouldn't be sufficient. Didn't try it myself though, as router + repeater did the job.

Click to expand...

Thank you. That's an option I've been reading about. It seems to fit my needs the best.

Harry_Wild said:

When was the last time you looked at upgrading your service? I jumped from a 60mps download wi-fi to a business class 160 mps and cost me $10 more a month! Not only that, my new big business router/modem is much more powerful and has twice the distance without any repeaters or extension to expand the signal! I can get wi-fi on my curb! Doe not crash like my previous consumer service either! Make sure you tell the retention sale person that you are unhappy with their service because it so “slow“ and looking at their competitors for better service! Tell them you are leaving for one of their competitor! They will cut you a deal usually that a little better then their competitors, to get to stay! Make sure you know what you want before hand.

Click to expand...

My router situation is a bit tricky. Where I live in Germany I'm bound to a contract with the only company that can reliably supply my area. Last year they had horrific problems with connectivity - and ignored all our calls for help. When someone finally did respond we were 'upgraded' to a new router, by way of apology. We're stuck with it for the duration of the contract now. It's 'new' but I'm well aware you're not typically getting the highest quality with these sorts of packages. Thanks for your answer.

GabeT said:

What kind of a wifi system do you have? Have you looked at mesh wifi?

Click to expand...

Tshooter said:

As mentioned above, maybe look into a mesh network. Amazon just announced a new version of its well regarded Eero product.

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Click to expand...

Will give this option a look - thank you both!

Tennease said:

Maybe try to set up an Ethernet Over Powerline network from your router/modem to your office computer. This will be like a direct cable connection from your router/modem to your office computer by using your existing home Powerline as connection between Ethernet adapters. It will be faster than WiFi connection.

You need to buy a pair of Ethernet-Over-Power adapters. Plug one on a wall power outlet near your router. Plug the other one on a wall power outlet near your office's computer.

Connect an Ethernet cable from your router/modem to an Ethernet-Over-Power adapter that you've plugged onto a nearby wall power outlet. Then in your office, connect an Ethernet cable from the other Ethernet-Over-Power adapter plugged in a wall power outlet to your computer's Ethernet plug.
If you have only USB-C plug in your computer or laptop, get an Ethernet to USB-C adapter plug for your computer.

Powerline networking: what you need to know

Networking over power cabling is easier than you think

www.techradar.com

What Is Powerline Networking and How Do You Use It? | Digital Trends

There's more to networking than Ethernet and Wi-Fi. Powerline is a third option with a direct electrical connection. Here's how it works and why it's an option.

www.digitaltrends.com

Maker Hub - Ethernet over power | Jaycar Electronics

www.jaycar.com.au

My study /work room is far from my modem, and I have been using Ethernet-Over-Power connection with no problem. It's very fast and reliable, no drop outs in connection.

Click to expand...

This sounds ideal it just sadly wouldn't work in terms of physical logistics - not without having cables trailing across my study and where we have the router (which I'd like to avoid). I appreciate you taking the time though - thank you.

galain said:

This sounds ideal it just sadly wouldn't work in terms of physical logistics - not without having cables trailing across my study and where we have the router (which I'd like to avoid). I appreciate you taking the time though - thank you.

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No worries. It's always good to have a backup option.