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Home » How to connect a Wi-Fi extender to a router using WPS?

How to connect a Wi-Fi extender to a router using WPS?

March 17, 2025 by TinyGrab Team Leave a Comment

Table of Contents

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  • Connecting Your Wi-Fi Extender with WPS: A Seamless Network Expansion
    • Understanding WPS and Its Benefits
      • What is WPS?
      • Advantages of Using WPS
    • Step-by-Step Guide to Connecting Your Wi-Fi Extender via WPS
      • Step 1: Positioning Your Wi-Fi Extender
      • Step 2: Activating WPS on Your Router
      • Step 3: Initiating WPS on Your Wi-Fi Extender
      • Step 4: Waiting for the Connection
      • Step 5: Relocating Your Wi-Fi Extender
      • Step 6: Verifying the Connection
    • Troubleshooting Common WPS Connection Issues
      • WPS Button Not Working
      • Extender Fails to Connect
      • Indicator Lights Not Showing Proper Status
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
      • 1. Is WPS Safe to Use?
      • 2. My Router Doesn’t Have a WPS Button. What Now?
      • 3. Can I Use WPS with All Wi-Fi Extenders?
      • 4. How Do I Know if the Extender Is Successfully Extending My Wi-Fi Range?
      • 5. Can I Connect Multiple Extenders Using WPS?
      • 6. What’s the Ideal Placement for My Wi-Fi Extender?
      • 7. My Extender Keeps Disconnecting. What Could Be the Problem?
      • 8. How Do I Update the Firmware on My Wi-Fi Extender?
      • 9. Will the Extender Have the Same Network Name (SSID) as My Router?
      • 10. Does WPS Work with All Router Brands?
      • 11. How Do I Disable WPS After Connecting My Extender?
      • 12. What If My Internet Speed Slows Down After Installing the Extender?

Connecting Your Wi-Fi Extender with WPS: A Seamless Network Expansion

Connecting a Wi-Fi extender to your router using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) is often the simplest and fastest method for boosting your network’s range. Here’s how it’s done: First, plug in your Wi-Fi extender and let it power up. Then, press the WPS button on your router, followed by the WPS button on your extender within two minutes. Wait for the indicator lights to show a successful connection; the light on the extender should turn solid. Finally, relocate the extender to a location halfway between your router and the area with weak Wi-Fi signal.

Understanding WPS and Its Benefits

What is WPS?

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) is a wireless network security standard designed to make connecting devices to a Wi-Fi network easier. Instead of manually entering a password, WPS allows you to connect by simply pressing a button on both your router and the device you wish to connect. It’s a quick, user-friendly alternative for connecting devices to your network, especially for devices with limited or no input interfaces.

Advantages of Using WPS

The primary advantage of using WPS is its simplicity. It eliminates the need to remember and manually enter complex passwords. This is particularly useful when connecting devices like printers, smart home devices, or Wi-Fi extenders, which may not have a keyboard or a convenient way to enter long passwords. WPS can significantly reduce connection time and minimize the risk of typos or errors during the password entry process.

Step-by-Step Guide to Connecting Your Wi-Fi Extender via WPS

Step 1: Positioning Your Wi-Fi Extender

Before initiating the WPS connection, ensure your Wi-Fi extender is plugged into a power outlet within close proximity to your router. This initial proximity is crucial for a successful connection. Once the connection is established, you will relocate the extender to its final position.

Step 2: Activating WPS on Your Router

Locate the WPS button on your router. This button is usually located on the back or side of the router and is often labeled “WPS.” Press and hold the WPS button for a few seconds until the WPS indicator light on the router starts blinking. The blinking light indicates that the router is in WPS discovery mode.

Step 3: Initiating WPS on Your Wi-Fi Extender

Within two minutes of pressing the WPS button on your router, locate the WPS button on your Wi-Fi extender. Press and hold the WPS button on the extender for a few seconds. The extender’s WPS indicator light should also start blinking, indicating that it is searching for a WPS-enabled network.

Step 4: Waiting for the Connection

Allow the router and extender to communicate and establish a connection. This process typically takes a few minutes. During this time, both the router and extender WPS indicator lights will likely continue to blink. Once the connection is successfully established, the WPS indicator lights on both devices should turn solid, indicating a stable connection.

Step 5: Relocating Your Wi-Fi Extender

Once the connection is successful, unplug your Wi-Fi extender and relocate it to a position approximately halfway between your router and the area where you want to improve Wi-Fi coverage. Plug the extender back into the power outlet. Ensure the extender is still within range of your router’s Wi-Fi signal. You may need to experiment with different locations to find the optimal placement for the best coverage.

Step 6: Verifying the Connection

After relocating the extender, wait for it to power up and connect to your router. Check the indicator lights on the extender to confirm that it is successfully connected to your router’s network. You can also use a Wi-Fi analyzer app on your smartphone or laptop to verify that the Wi-Fi signal strength in the previously weak area has improved.

Troubleshooting Common WPS Connection Issues

WPS Button Not Working

If the WPS button on your router or extender is not working, try restarting both devices. Unplug them from the power outlet, wait for 30 seconds, and then plug them back in. Also, ensure that WPS is enabled in your router’s settings. Some routers allow you to disable WPS for security reasons.

Extender Fails to Connect

If the extender fails to connect to the router using WPS, ensure that both devices are within range of each other during the initial connection process. Also, check for any interference from other electronic devices that may be disrupting the Wi-Fi signal. If the problem persists, try resetting the extender to its factory settings and repeating the WPS connection process.

Indicator Lights Not Showing Proper Status

Refer to the user manual for both your router and extender to understand the specific meaning of the indicator lights. Different devices may use different light patterns to indicate connection status. If the indicator lights are not behaving as expected, consult the troubleshooting section of the user manual.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is WPS Safe to Use?

While WPS is convenient, it has known security vulnerabilities. It’s recommended to disable WPS after successfully connecting your extender to mitigate potential risks. This can usually be done through your router’s administrative interface.

2. My Router Doesn’t Have a WPS Button. What Now?

If your router lacks a WPS button, you’ll need to connect the extender manually using its web-based setup or a mobile app. Refer to the extender’s manual for specific instructions.

3. Can I Use WPS with All Wi-Fi Extenders?

Not all Wi-Fi extenders support WPS. Check the specifications of your extender to confirm compatibility. Most modern extenders, however, do support WPS.

4. How Do I Know if the Extender Is Successfully Extending My Wi-Fi Range?

Use a Wi-Fi analyzer app on your smartphone or laptop to measure the signal strength in the area where you previously had weak Wi-Fi. A significant improvement in signal strength indicates that the extender is working correctly.

5. Can I Connect Multiple Extenders Using WPS?

Yes, you can connect multiple extenders using WPS, but you’ll need to connect them one at a time. Follow the same WPS connection process for each extender. Be aware that each extender can reduce bandwidth slightly.

6. What’s the Ideal Placement for My Wi-Fi Extender?

The ideal placement is usually halfway between your router and the area with weak Wi-Fi signal, but experiment with different locations to find the optimal spot that provides the best coverage. You may need to adjust the position slightly to avoid interference from walls or other obstacles.

7. My Extender Keeps Disconnecting. What Could Be the Problem?

Possible causes include: distance from the router is too great, interference from other devices, or outdated firmware. Try moving the extender closer to the router, reducing interference, and updating the extender’s firmware.

8. How Do I Update the Firmware on My Wi-Fi Extender?

Refer to the extender’s user manual for instructions on how to update the firmware. Typically, you can update the firmware through the extender’s web-based interface.

9. Will the Extender Have the Same Network Name (SSID) as My Router?

This depends on the extender’s configuration options. Some extenders create a separate network name (SSID), while others can be configured to use the same SSID as your router for seamless roaming.

10. Does WPS Work with All Router Brands?

WPS is a standard, so it should work with most routers that support the protocol, regardless of the brand. However, some routers may have slightly different implementations of WPS. Consult your router’s documentation for specific details.

11. How Do I Disable WPS After Connecting My Extender?

Access your router’s administrative interface through a web browser. The method for accessing the interface varies depending on the router brand, but it typically involves entering the router’s IP address into your browser’s address bar. Once logged in, look for the WPS settings and disable the feature. Refer to your router’s user manual for detailed instructions.

12. What If My Internet Speed Slows Down After Installing the Extender?

Extenders work by relaying the Wi-Fi signal, which can sometimes result in a slight decrease in speed. To mitigate this, ensure the extender is placed in an optimal location with a strong signal from the router. You can also try using a higher-quality extender that supports faster Wi-Fi standards. Consider using a mesh Wi-Fi system instead of a traditional extender for a more robust and seamless network experience.

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