Best way to extend Airport Extreme signal

Like most folks, I had no idea what a poor choice it was to let my internet service providor install my DSL connection in the far corner of my home. So until I install a phone or cable jack in the middle of my place, half my signal is wasted in the back yard, while the other end of my house is out of range.
(iPad 2, iPhone 4S, Macbook, etc)
My question is... what's the best way to extend my Airport Extreme wireless signal? I tried using my Airport Express as an extender but recently read that this actually weakens the signal. If that's wrong, how should I configure them to work?
Does anyone know of a better way to extend my wireless signal to the rest of my house? Short of moving my router?
Thanks in advance!

Please check out the following Apple Support article for details on the various options available to you with using multiple base stations for extending a wireless network. If you have any questions or need further assistance please don't hesitate to post back.

Similar Messages

Best way to extend Airport Extreme range in urban dwelling?

Greetings all.
I have a problem with the range of my Airport Extreme. It is likely due to the fact that I live in a large loft with metal studs between the walls, and a lot of masonry as well. It also might have to do with the fact that there are about 12-20 networks I can see at any time, and I live above an AT&T hotspot as well.
I am looking for a way to make my Airport Extreme broadcast stronger.
Is the best way to do this to add an aftermarket antenna? Is it to use one or two Airport Express-es? Is it to add another Airport Extreme entirely?
The linear feet I need to cover is about 30' more from where my base station is at currently... however, given the potential interference as well as the steel walls... I am thinking MORE is better.
I have a very secure network, and do watch to ensure no other devices are logged onto my AE.

Welcome to the discussion area!
+I am looking for a way to make my Airport Extreme broadcast stronger.+
Since the Transmit Power of the AEBS is set at 100% by default, I doubt that you have lowered this setting, correct?
You won't be able to do anything about making the broadcast from the AEBS stronger, but you may be able to extend the existing signal using an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme.
The "best" way to do this is to run an ethernet cable from your AEBS to the extending device and set it up to duplicate your network. This type of setup preserves the bandwidth on the network more effectively than other wireless methods and will yield the best results. Is this a possibility?
Ethernet powerline adapters might be an option if running the ethernet cable is not possible. These devices transmit an ethernet signal over the AC powerline and generally work quite well.
For a potential wireless only solution, you could make use of the Apple's "extend a wireless network" feature using an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme. There will be some bandwidth loss using this "wireless only" method, but it may help extend the signal.
Since the AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme have the same broadcast power, it would be simplest and also the most economical to use the AirPort Express. The compromise here is that the Express is a single band device and your AirPort Extreme may be a dual band device. If your device is a newer dual band version and you want to "extend" both bands, you will need to use an Airport Extreme.
Given the challenge of your very crowded airways there, unfortunately, there's going to be no assurance that adding another wireless device will really help your situation. If wireless interference from other networks is an issue now...and I suspect that it may well be...adding another device to extend your wireless signal may or may not help.
If you cannot get a good, stable signal with your laptop at 15-20 feet from the AirPort Extreme now, you have an interference issue, not a signal strength issue at that position.
If you decide to try an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme, either using ethernet or wireless, it would be wise to understand the store's return/credit policy in case things don't work out as hoped.
Let us know if you have any questions, etc.
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons
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What is the best way to run AirPort Extreme and Airport Time Capsule together?

I have cable DSL, and I was running an AirPort Extreme. DH was sold a time capsule, so I just daisy-chained off the airport. We had an issue with limited reach, so I tried to reconfigure. Now I have no wifi at all. Tried everything I can think of. What is the best way to handle these two products, or should one be left out? Any suggestions would be great.

Decide which one you would like to serve as your router, and configure the other one as a bridge. If they are both the most recent models of each neither one is particularly advantageous over the other.
Connect them to each other with an Ethernet cable if you want to create a "roaming network", or not, if you want to create a "wirelessly extended" network. A roaming network is the better of those two choices.
"Hard reset" the one connected to the modem and use AirPort Utility to configure it. Verify everything works to your satisfaction, then "hard reset" the other and configure it.
To "hard reset" an AirPort Base Station: make sure it's powered up, then press and hold its tiny reset button and keep it depressed for five to ten seconds, long enough for its LED to flash amber rapidly. Release the reset button. Then, the LED will glow amber steadily for about a minute. Then, it will flash amber, slowly, about once every second or two, waiting for you to configure it with AirPort Utility.

Best way to configure Airport Extreme Gigabit 802.11n

Hi, new to this router stuff. Just bought the Airport Extreme Gigabit 802.11n. Seems to be working much better than my old router furnished by my cable company. Still, wondering how to get the most out of it. So, have a few questions...
1. How do I know If I'm getting the "n" connection. Don't know if the modem they gave me works with this. Is there a way to see which connection is working? G/B/N?
2. Channels: I'm on 6 by default. Is it worth trying others to see if one is faster than another? How?
3. Firewall: I was told the router already has a firewall in it. So, turned off the firewall on my mac 24. If true, do I still need to configure this firewall on the router side? HOw? To what? Don't know the best configuration to use as a rookie.
4. Any other ideas to tweek this baby to get the most out of it?
Thanks all. I'll defer to the experts now.

Please check out the following Apple Support article for details on the various options available to you with using multiple base stations for extending a wireless network. If you have any questions or need further assistance please don't hesitate to post back.

Best way to connect AirPort Extreme to Actiontec c1000a?

Ok this next week I will be changing my internet service to centurylink. I'm waiting on my modem/router actiontec c1000a. I purchased airport extreme for better wifi due to low ratings on the Actiontec. Ok let put this out there im no network expert. So if someone can guide me in the right direction on setup of this would be great. I've tried to read the best way some say bridge the actiontec and then some say bridge airport extreme....I'm just confused if someone can guide step by step directions would be great on hook up of this product to the Actiontec

There is really no "best" way to set things up, but the following is by far the simplest.....and it is the simplest networks that always seem to have the least amount of problems.
The AirPort Extreme will need to be reset back to factory default settings.
Then, connect an Ethernet cable from one of the Ethernet LAN <--> ports on the Actiontec modem/router to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Extreme
Use the iPad Air for the setup
All that you really need to do is assign a device name that you want to use for the AirPort Extreme, a name for the wireless network, and a password that will be used for both the device and wireless network. You can use the same names that you used before if you wish.
The setup utility will configure everything for you automatically, so you don't have to worry about jargon like Bridge Mode, DNS or IP addresses.
If you don't really need two wireless networks, you might want to contact your provider to ask them how to turn off the wireless function on the Actiontec router.
The more difficult setup route would be to first find out......IF.....the Actiontec modem/router can be reconfigured to act as a simple modem, and also......IF......your provider will help you do this and support the setup. They will probably be a lot less than thrilled if you ask them about this.
Assuming that it is possible and supported, the AirPort Extreme would be setup the same way, except in this case the utility will automatically configure the AirPort Extreme as the router for your network.

Extend Airport Extreme signal to BluRay player?

I have an Airport Extreme upstairs that serves the house. I want to extend the network so my Panasonic BluRay player can access the network. The player has an ethernet port and network setup in the main menu. Without running an ethernet cable throughout the house, is it possible to connect the player to a wireless router that picks ups an IP address from my Airport Extreme?
If so, how do I do it? What hardware do I need?

Check the AirPort Extreme first by temporarily connecting an ethernet cable from your computer to one of the LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Extreme.
Open AirPort Utility - click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
The main settings to check are:
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
Check mark next to "Allow this network to be extended"
Jot down the exact setting that you have for Wireless Security
Update to save any changes you have made and disconnect the ethernet cable.
Then move the AirPort Express near your computer and connect the AirPort Express the same way to your computer with the ethernet cable.
Open AirPort Utility - click Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab to name your device, establish a device password and adjust Time Zone settings
Click the Wireless tab
Wireless Mode = Extend a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Same name as your AirPort Extreme network
Check mark next to Allow wireless clients
Wireless Security = Exact same setting as the AirPort Extreme
Wireless Password = Same password as your AirPort Extreme network
Confirm Password
Update to save settings. You can disconnect the ethernet cable and move the Express to the desired location and power it back up again.

Best way to use Airport Extreme dual band with Netgear FR114P?

Years ago a friend connected via ethernet our G4 (10.4.11) and an old Blueberry iMac (10.4.11) to a Netgear FR114P Router(?) which is connected to a modem from TimeWarner Cable on our second floor. We also have an ethernet connection downstairs for a Windows XP laptop. We can all get on the internet easily, but we have never been able to connect wirelessly or to let one printer serve everyone in the house. My grandchildren now all have these wonderful Apple devices (iPhones, iPads, iPods, Macbooks), and I would like them to be able to connect wirelessly, and I would like to have a real network so we can all use the printer and scanner, but still preserving the integrity of our hard drives. We just bought 2 refurbished iMacs, an Apple Extreme Base Station (dual), and an Apple Express access point. How best to proceed to achieve the desired outcome? If the language is not too technical, I think I’ll be able to follow the directions.
I am reluctant to mess with the Netgear connection which is working. I am hoping I can remove the hard-wired G4 and put the 27” iMac in its place. Then, I am hoping I can connect the AEBS to the Netgear router and somehow magically create a situation wherein all the computers & some of the devices can talk to each other and to the peripherals wirelessly? Is that possible? I’ve read some of the discussions, even one about a Netgear FR114P, but it was dated 2007 so I’m not sure it applies to my situation. Should I just get rid of the Netgear? I don’t want to spend 20 hours without any kind of internet connection and get into a frustrating situation as one of the previous writers did. I am happy to proceed methodically and get it right the first time. Thanks so much for reading this long-winded thing. If this problem is already recently addressed in this forum, perhaps you will be kind enough to give me the link.

Years ago a friend connected via ethernet our G4 (10.4.11) and an old Blueberry iMac (10.4.11) to a Netgear FR114P Router(?) which is connected to a modem from TimeWarner Cable on our second floor. We also have an ethernet connection downstairs for a Windows XP laptop. We can all get on the internet easily, but we have never been able to connect wirelessly or to let one printer serve everyone in the house. My grandchildren now all have these wonderful Apple devices (iPhones, iPads, iPods, Macbooks), and I would like them to be able to connect wirelessly, and I would like to have a real network so we can all use the printer and scanner, but still preserving the integrity of our hard drives. We just bought 2 refurbished iMacs, an Apple Extreme Base Station (dual), and an Apple Express access point. How best to proceed to achieve the desired outcome? If the language is not too technical, I think I’ll be able to follow the directions.
I am reluctant to mess with the Netgear connection which is working. I am hoping I can remove the hard-wired G4 and put the 27” iMac in its place. Then, I am hoping I can connect the AEBS to the Netgear router and somehow magically create a situation wherein all the computers & some of the devices can talk to each other and to the peripherals wirelessly? Is that possible? I’ve read some of the discussions, even one about a Netgear FR114P, but it was dated 2007 so I’m not sure it applies to my situation. Should I just get rid of the Netgear? I don’t want to spend 20 hours without any kind of internet connection and get into a frustrating situation as one of the previous writers did. I am happy to proceed methodically and get it right the first time. Thanks so much for reading this long-winded thing. If this problem is already recently addressed in this forum, perhaps you will be kind enough to give me the link.

What is the most sensible way to extend a wifi signal. I am in a cinderblock house and I have to buy something that will give me a single network but added range from my airport extreme base station.

What is the most sensible way to extend a wifi signal. I am in a cinderblock house and I have to buy something that will give me a single network but added range from my airport extreme base station.

Use an Airport Express. Configure the AEBS to allow it's wireless network to be extended. This is a dropdown menu option under the Wireless tab. Configure the Airport Express to Extend an Existing Network also under it's Wireless tab. You will need to provide the name of your network used in the AEBS as well as the network's access password.

Best way to extend wireless via airport express and time capsule

best way to extend wireless via airport express and time capsule
i live in a two storey house where i use my airport express to create a wireless network in the main floor, and time capsule to extend it in the upper floor, where my room is. i have like 16 mbps in the main floor, and 2-3 mbps in the upper floor after having speediest.
i used time capsule in the upper floor because i use wireless backup daily and don't want to put internet down while i im doin it and consequently my parent can have internet access in the main floor, am i right? or do i have make just the opposite in order to have a good internet speed?
secondly, while checking airport express wireless mode on airport utility, there is like 4 different type of radio mode(802 11n bg comp, 802 11n 2.4, 802 11n a comp, 802 11n 5ghz) which i have no idea what they mean
what do you recommend?
we have like iphone4, iphone 3g, mbookpro, ipad, ipad 2, samsung tv and a sony vaio laptop in the wireless network
thank you

What you have would appear to be working but I can comment how I would redefine your setup. Note that both Airport Express and Time Capsule can function as wireless base stations so you do have wireless everywhere and at all times — using the Time Capsules for backups doesn’t mean your parents won’t have internet access regardless of the where the base stations are located.
You appear to have devices to connect to your network that use the 2.4 GHz band with 802.11g such as the iPhone 3G and perhaps the 5 GHz band with 802.11n such as likely the Macbook Pro if it’s a recent model. The iPhone 4 can use 5 GHz and 802.11n. Can’t comment on the Sony and Samsung but you can check their specs.
Now the Time Capsule (if it’s a recent version), can simultaneously supply 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band signals, but the Airport Express (if it’s recent) can only use one of those bands at one time. Likely the lowest common denominator for your devices is going to be the 2.4 GHz band since the devices that are capable of using 5 GHZ also support 2.4 GHz. If you don’t use 5 GHz, you won’t lose much in a two-storey home because likely it’s the 2.4 GHz band is better signal anyway because 5 GHz signals drop off quickly with several walls/floors to penetrate.
You also didn’t mention if the Airport Express is used to support a printer and/or AirPlay (using iTunes to play on remote speakers via the Airport Express connection) but that might also be a factor in the best location to place the Airport Express. Although the printer could be switched between the Time Capsule and the Airport Express if needed, only the Airport Express will support your remote speakers.
Recommend you use the Time Capsule as the Base station. When using Airport Utility to define the network, after you name your network, etc., select the Wireless tab, check the box “Allow this network to be extended” and set the Radio Mode to "802.11n (802.11b/g compatible)”.
Using the Airport Utility, click on the Airport Express; after you define the device and network name, select the Wireless tab, define the Wireless Mode as “Extend a Wireless Network” and check the box “Allow wireless clients”.
Hope that helps.

I am trying to extend my airport extreme signal to another airport extreme can this be done? I have tried several time using the automated set up but it keeps failing... What am I doing wrong?

I am trying to extend my airport extreme signal to another airport extreme can this be done? I have tried several time using the automated set up but it keeps failing... I have selected every possible security/password encryption level... What am I doing wrong? If it os possible where can I find step by step instructions? Please & Thank you!

The challenge with the older round AirPort Extremes are that they are "g" wireless devices.
When you configure them for WDS, the speed on the wireless network is cut in half...and probably will not have the bandwidth required to stream video reliably from either AirPort Extreme since both are affected by the WDS setup.
There is not an "automated" setup for WDS. You have to do this manually on both AirPort Extremes. Unfortunately, it is not an easy configuration and it's easy to make a mistake and hard to recover without starting all over again.
Apple's instructions for WDS are here if you want to give it a try.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4262
It is possible that it might work. Keep us posted on your progress
Adding a single AirPort Express will unfortunately not help. You have to have "n" wireless devices at all router points.

What is the best way to amplify a wifi signal in your home?

i run my wifi on an Airport Extreme and added an Express in an effort to boost my wifi signal throughout the house but it doesn't seem to have helped much. Pretty expensive solution for not really solving my problem. Any idea's??

Can you tell us if the AirPort Express is connected to the AirPort Extreme using a wired Ethernet connection (this is the best way to extend a wireless network).....or.....is the AirPort Express communicating to the AirPort Extreme using only a wireless signal?
Do you have a Mac laptop handy to check some settings? If yes, what operating system is the Mac using?
If you are not sure, click the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the Mac's screen, then click About This Mac. Post back with the OS X Version number that you see there.

What is the best way to extend time capsule range?

Hello there:
I was wondering what kind of set up do people have in their house to ensure a good coverage all around the house? I've tried several options and none seems to work correctly. I've tried Time capsule + airport base, I've tried two time capsules, but didn't get too far.
Thoughts?

Do you get good coverage all around your house? how big is your house?
The size of the house is not really the issue nearly as much as the obstructions in the signal path. For example, a wireless signal will easily travel 100 feet with no obstructions slowing down the signal.
A "typical" wall of sheetrock and 2 x 4s in a home will on average, absorb about 15-20% of the signal. So, with 3-4 walls in the signal path, it is not hard to understand why a signal will likely be much weaker at the other end of the house, or at the point where you add an "extending" device.
A ceiling is usually about twice the thickness of an average wall or more, so you'll have to take that into account as well if you have multiple stories.
The "extending" device can only repeat the signal that it receives, so if it gets a weak signal, it "extends" a weak signal.
The "best" way to extend is connect the two wireless devices using an Ethernet cable, which may not be easy depending on the construction of the home, but it is by far, the "best" way to provide more wireless coverage to remote areas that need it.

Is there a way to test airport extreme for optimal function

Is there a way to test airport extreme for optimal function?

In your Mavericks OS X.
Go to the WiFi icon on the top right.
Hold the option key and click.
At the bottom of the list you will see "Open Wireless Diagnostics"
Open this and you can diagnose your wireless network.
While it'sopen hit the Command + 2 and it will open the Utilities window.
This will give you and overview of interference and what channel is best.
You can alos run a speedtes over WiFi then run a speedtest directly connected with ethernet.

Extending AirPort Extreme's network breaks things

Aftter years of faultless Leopard service I upgraded to Lion the other day.
Like many others, my network has now ground to a halt and and time machine backup is very hit and miss.
I use an Airport Extreme which is connected to a Time Capsule via ethernet.
I have found that if I stop extending the Extreme's network to the Time Capsule, everything works. With the network extending wifi and ethernet constantly break.
The post below was found on another website but his simptoms are identical to mine, and maybe this is the problem with all of these Lion network issues?
Apple Airport WiFi problems
Submitted by HD BOy on July 10, 2011 - 8:30 P.M.
This problem is very real, but it is *NOT* an OS X Lion (10.6.8) issue. I think it is an Airport software issue. I just had the very same problem appear under Snow Leopard 10.6.7 on two separate LAN WiFi networks, one in Albuquerque and another in Sacramento. I've been able to replicate the problem on the two different networks:
Albuquerque (new Airport Extreme with Qwest/Motorola DSL modem)
1. Upgraded Airport Utility to v7.5.2.
2. Added a new Airport Express to extend (5GHz) Airport Extreme signal for network 1 (Albuquerque).
3. WiFi network worked for a few minutes and then ground to a halt. WiFi dead on Macs, Windows 7 and Vista PCs, iPhone 4s and iPads.Network down for a couple of days, trying to fix it. We finally had to disconnect the Airport Express. Choosing "extend a network" is the problem...
Sacramento (2nd generation Time Capsule with old, Comcast Scientific Atlanta or new RCA DOCIS 2.0 modems)
1. Upgraded Airport Utility to v7.5.2.
2. Added a new Airport Express to extend (5 GHz) Time Capsule signal for network 2 (Sacramento).
3. WiFi network worked for a few minutes and then ground to a halt. WiFi dead on Macs, iPhone 4s and iPads. After a few minutes, even Ethernet access died — the router kills the DSL or cable modems since they get caught in a communications loop. This network also went down for a couple of days. We finally had to disconnect the Airport Express. Choosing "extend a network" is the problem...
4. To test this theory, I reconfigured a second Time Capsule on this network from Wireless "Off" to extend the network.
5. Same problem — network fails and the main DHCP router can't communicate with the cable modem. Even Ethernet died.
When this occurs, the network slows to a crawl. Web pages stop loading or take minutes to load. You can't communicate with the "extended" routers at all — they get stuck while Airport attempts to read or save the Airport configuration file. Disconnecting them is the only option. Even resetting these devices doesn't work properly.
Three different people configured these networks and we all had the same problems. Apple, you have a problem.

PageMaker, I'm experiencing this exact same issue when I'm trying to extend my Extreme Network with my Time Capsule. It breaks my home sharing, Apple TV and wireless printing. Were you able to resolve? What do you recommend? I've had to shutdown the "extend" capabilities which has made half my home dark. Thoughts apprecited.

Can this be done? Airport extreme connected wireless in extend mode to connect a wireless Mac Pro with an ethernet cable from the extended airport extreme..

Can this be done? Airport extreme connected wireless in extend mode to connect a wireless Mac Pro with an ethernet cable from the extended airport extreme.

This will work.....IF....you also have an Apple AirPort router configured to provide your wireless network.
In other words, you need to have two Apple AirPort routers to extend a wireless network.
When the AirPort Extreme is configured to "extend" the wireless of the "main" AirPort, it will provide more wireless coverage and the Ethernet ports are enabled, so you could connect your Mac Pro to any of the Ethernet ports and use that as a network and Internet connection.

Best way to extend Airport Extreme signal

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