Computer "reverts" to weaker router signal instead of range extender

I've have seen some similar posts; but nothing seems exactly like my problem; or I've missed it.
I have a WRT54G Wireless Router and WRE54G range extender; seem to be working fine and talking to each other. (Took a while, but I got it; and it's been Okay since.) I have fast Internet when connnected to the stronger WRE signal and slow Interent when connected to the weaker WRT signal (which is farther away) - all as one would expect.
The problem: My computer (single location desktop) won't stay linked to the stronger "Range Extender" signal. I'll work awhile or walk away and come back - and the link will have reverted from the strong, fast Extender signal to the slow, weaker Router signal. I then go to my profile; connect and somtimes get back on the stronger signal. (If not, just try again and again until it locks back to the stronger signal.) [Same with "site survey" - I select connect to the stronger signal, but it seems to connect randomly to either.] <Also - I often get a "program error" and the adaptor software shuts down when I try to open it; it will start again automatically.>
-&- From another post, I think I might do something with MAC addresses - for example, block my USB Wireless receiver MAC from the router so it could "only" connect to the Extender. (Better yet, can I tell my network connection to only link to the Extender MAC?)
OS is 2000 -
Here is something I put together earlier - mostly just repeats above:
Equipment:
LinkSys Wireless Router; WRT54G; Ver 6. Firmware 1.00.7 (Now 1.02.7 )
LinkSys Range Extender; WRE54G; Ver 3 Firmware 3.01.01 (Now 3.04.01)
LinkSys USB network adaptor:   WUSB54G Ver 4
   - WHY does it keep reverting back to the weaker router signal? (The big question.)
- Why, when I do a site survey, select the stronger signal, and select connect, enter the WEP code, does it still sometimes link me right back to the weaker router signal, even though I've highlighted the stronger repeater signal when I hit the connect button?
- If I create profiles with the stronger signal it still acts the same (that is, sometimes it links to the stronger signal "Extender" signal and sometimes to the weaker Repeater signal, except I don't need to enter the WEP code if I connect to the profile instead of the sight survey signal.
- According to online information I've found the Router should be running "Firmware version 2.02.2" to be WRE compatible;   But - If I check for the latest version of firmware for WRT54G Ver. 6 it is 1.02.7 - Does this mean the extender is incompatible with my router?
- Is there a way to "force" the wireless network connection to link to a specific MAC address - so I can restrict it to the Extender's stronger signal?
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Scrooge, thank you for the suggestions. Earlier I tried the following solution based on a some-what similar condition on another post:
Solution: Configure the router MAC filter not to allow connections from the MAC address of the USB Wireless network card.
Since I tried this a couple days ago I've been monitoring and it has been working. So, before it would keep switching to the weaker Repeater link. Telling the repeater not to allow the link leaves it only the extender to link to, and it is now staying linked to the extender and the faster speed is remaining steady.
Message Edited by yandrmeyers on 10-20-2009 09:18 AM

Similar Messages

Can I impair signal with a Range Extender?

I recently purchased the latest Airport Supreme to use with my Mac Pro. Since I have had signal strength problems in the past, I had an unused Amped Wireless Range Extender which I was intending to hook into the wireless system. It is rated at only 2.4ghz. Will I actually deteriorate my signal throughout the house if I hook up the range extender with the Airport Supreme unit as my base wireless router?

It is too bad Apple doesn't make some form of a compatible extender without going to the expense of the Airport Extreme unit.
They do. It is an AirPort Express, at about half the cost of an AirPort Extreme.
But, an AirPort Express does not include the higher speed capability of "ac" wireless included with the new AirPort Extreme.

Can I use my WRT54G wireless router as a signal range extender?

Hello, I have a couple wireless routers in my home, and basically I guess I can only use one as the main wireless router.
I'd really like to know if I can use one, specifically my linksys WRT54G wireless G router as just a range extender for the wireless signal from the main wireless router. It would save me a bunch so that I wouldn't need to go buy an entirely new device for this. If there is ANY way.
please help
thank you

You can connect as many WRTs as you like to your network if you wire them together. They create a big roaming network then (or several different networks if you want that). You have to set up the "internal" WRTs as access points, though, i.e. you don't connect them through the Internet port to your network but through a numbered LAN port. Also make sure to turn off the DHCP server on the internal WRTs and to assign them a free LAN IP address in your LAN (usually 192.168.1.2,3,4 will work).
In a roaming network there is no main router. All wireless routers are the same in this respect. Your "main" router is only defined by the fact, that it hosts the internet connection. But from the side of the wireless is does not matter. For a roaming network, make sure to assign all access points the identical SSID and wireless security settings. The only difference in the wireless settings should be the channels, where you should use different ones if possible. 1,6, and 11 are non-overlapping and thus are best to be used.
O.K. This was with a wired connection. If you actually need a wireless bridge, i.e., connect to access points through a wireless connection without any wired connection between them, then you have two options:
1. Buy access points like the WAP54G or wireless bridges like the WET54G. They have can be configured for wireless bridging. A WRT54G with standard Linksys firmware does not have this capability.
2. Get a 3rd party firmware for your WRT54G if there is one available for your hardware version. I think not all hardware versions support 3rd party firmware. Check on the label underneath the router to see what hardware version you have. Search for "WRT54G" on wikipedia. You'll find an article about the different hardware versions, which 3rd party firmware projects exist and where to download it. 3rd party firmware usually adds functions like wireless bridging to a WRT. I know HyperWRT+Thibor works well on my WRT54Gv2. Remember, however, that uploading a 3rd party firmware will void your warrenty...

Router as range extender????

I was told that I could use this router (EA4500) as a range extender for my Uverse service. To do this, do I need to set it up in bridge mode? I'm a novice at this & I'm not sure what I'm doing. Does the router have to remain plugged in to the modem in bridge mode? Thanks for the help!

You can set the router to bridge mode and use it as an access point only. But you cannot set it up as a range extender. It needs to be plugged into the modem always in order to get the internet connection since the modem will serve be your DHCP server. If you need to extend the signal in the network, why not get a range extender instead of a router?
If you still have the classic firmware for the EA4500, check the link below how to set it to bridge:
Title: Setting up your Linksys Wi-Fi or Smart Wi-Fi Router to Bridge Mode
Article ID: 24583
http://kb.linksys.com/Linksys/ukp.aspx?vw=1&docid=28cee6a2fb0d4176a2210942d1d5836c_Setting_up_the_Li...

Have a with Safari. Tells me network not available. Have wireless, router signal good. I'm on another computer now. I've restarted the ipad with no results. Any suggestions?

Unable to get online with my ipad. Telling me network can't be found. My router signal is good (I'm on another computer in the house now) and I have tried restarting, but no luck. Any suggestions?

iOS Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections
Wi-Fi router with iOS devices
Wi-Fi Troubleshooting Assistant

Iphone 3GS very weak wifi signal since 4.3.3 update

Ever since i update to 4.3.3 (which I'm regretting now) my iphone will not connect to my wifi router unless I'm less than 3 feet from it.
My wife has a 1st gen IPod touch (which hasn't been updated) can pick up the wifi and connect to the wed with it upto 30 feet from the router, as my iphone used to.
Is this a 3GS issue as i've read some other posts about a similar problem. I'm not willing to accept this as a hardware problem as the minute before the updating to 4.3.3 my wifi signal strength was prefect, the minute after the update was complete the signal strength was and still is worse than sh*$e.
I have done all the power down resets as suggested on other posts, but it doesn't work.
Is there anybody out there that can tell me how to (if possible) to revert back to 4.3.2?????????????????????????????????????
RLB

I don't have the answer to this issue but I'm experiencing the exact same problem.
Since 4.3.3 my wifi signal strength is close to nothing. When I'm 3 feet away from any router, at home or at work, I have 3 bars not even full reception. As soon as I walk a few yards away from the router, I lose the connection completely.
I've tried everything to fix this. Reset network settings, turning off Bluetooth, disabling location services, full restore, reconfiguring routers, etc. but nothing works. I'm now using the iOS 5 Beta 3 and still no improvement to this issue.
In this thread there seems to be some recognition from Apple that this is a known problem and indeed a software bug. Hard to know if it's true though:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2815831
The same weak wifi signal seem to happen to iPad users too: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2387493 This thread dates back over a year, so it looks as if this problem is common but without fix.
More threads:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3014400
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3096274
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2724930
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3014267
Here are my specs, for reference:
Model
iPhone 3GS, MC139DN
Modem Firmware
05.16.02
I'll let you know if I find a fix...
Thanks,
Kris

Using AirPort Express to extend my Linksys WRT160N router signal

I am currently using a Linksys WRT160n v2 Wireless Router in my home, but the signal in certain places is quite weak. Therefore, I bought an AirPort Express and was told that this could be used to boost my signal to the weak areas.
I am not sure how to accomplish this and need help!! I realize that using an AirPort Extreme Router would be easier, I just don't have the cash to purchase one right now. Is there anyone who can guide me through setting up my AirPort as a range extender for my Linksys WRT160n v2 Router?
Thank you in advance!!
Timothy Kortman

Why did you not just look into buying a Linksys Range extender instead of the Airport Ex?
There are also extenders from Hawking Tech that would have worked just fine like this one http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/productlist.php?CatID=32&FamID=105&ProdID=39 4 .
+*An aside...*+
i wished Linksys would have kept the detachable antenna design on their new routers, that way extending it's range would just be a matter of getting higher dbi antennas which are more cheaper than range expanders.
I currently have a run of the mill TrendNet router but hooked up to a high gain Hawking antenna and it outperforms most routers twice/thrice its price.

Can anyone tell me or give me a link to the latest response from Apple regarding very real weak wifi signal on what seems to be a batch of both the new ipad and the earlier Ipad2. I have just bought a 2nd hand ipad2 and it has a very weak wifi signal

Over the last week or so I have been trawling the internet looking for references to weak wifi signals on the Ipad2 and was staggered by the sheer quantity of people who seem to have identical issues, not just with the ipad2 but also with the new ipad. What annoyed me most from reading the reams upon reams of comments made on the Apple community forum is the fairly large number of people who seemed to believe that 'these' people were either just moaners and wingers or else they must have something wrong with their router set-up rather than a serious fault with their ipad and it seems all because there ipad in question works like a dream.
Obviously I can only speak from my experience, and that is, I have an ipad2 32GB with wifi, purchased about 6 months ago and it works like dream with a good 2-3 bar wifi signal through 2 thick stone walls over 30 feet away. My router is a standard one supplied by my broadband supplier compatible with all 'g','b' and 'n' equipment. However, over a week ago now I bought second hand genuine ipad2 16GB with wifi from a close friend who has just purchased a new ipad3 to replace his old ipad2 (had it for over a year so no longer under warranty). When I started it up downstairs from my router, where I always use my other ipad2 which has a very strong wifi signal, I discovered that the new secondhand ipad2 I had purchased couldnt find a network signal at all. So after doing network resets and all other 'fixes' on the device recommended, I took it upstairs to my office where the router is based and found that the device could now locate the network, but the signal was lost over only 12 feet from the router!
I quizzed my good friend about this issue and he informed me that it has always been like this since he first purchased it and he never thought that it was a fault, it was just the way it was. When he first aquired the device he did think at the time that this distance was poor, but thought nothing of it as he didnt have any other ipad to measur ethe signal strength against, and as his router was in his living room anyway he nothing of it. Fair enough.
So, there we have it. One ipad2 with a very good wifi signal and another ipad2 with a very poor wifi signal running off the same router, both with the same IOS 5.0. ?
As well as all of the other isues that customers have picked up on, such as 'death grip' (which I must say does appear to happen, but personally i dont think that this is a serious issue if you are aware of this issue and have a strong signal anyway), my experience seems to be a good example of a 'duff' wifi ipad versus a 'great' wifi ipad', an issue confirmed by complaints from a fairly large number of customers who have also reported the same or similar weak wifi signals with both the ipad2 and the ipad3. So, as this shows the weak wifi signal is a very real issue it seems on a batch of ipad2 and 3's, which to my logic is obviously a hardware issue on a batch of early ipad2's and not a software one, otherwise all ipad's would suffer this problem! So, is it a faulty antenna or a faukty network card in an early batch?
So, the bottom line now is, of course, firstly, how can I get Apple to fix my other ipad2 when the warranty has run out? Any suggestions anyone?
Personally I think good Apple customer service should offer a recall with a replacement on this apparent batch of ipads, dont you?

Greetings,
I've never seen this issue, and I handle many iPads, of all versions. WiFi issues are generally local to the WiFi router - they are not all of the same quality, range, immunity to interference, etc. You have distance, building construction, and the biggie - interference.
At home, I use Apple routers, and have no issues with any of my WiFi enabled devices, computers, mobile devices, etc - even the lowly PeeCees. I have locations where I have Juniper Networks, as well as Aruba, and a few Netgears - all of them work as they should.
The cheaper routers, Linksys, D-Link, Seimens home units, and many other no name devices have caused issues of various kinds, and even connectivity.
I have no idea what Starbucks uses, but I always have a good connection, and I go there nearly every morning and get some work done, as well as play.
You could try changing channels, 2.4 to 5 Gigs, changing locations of the router. I have had to do all of these at one time or another over the many years that I have been a Network Engineer.
Good Luck - Cheers,
M.

E90 Very weak WiFi signal

My E90 has a VERY weak WiFi signal, and in places I regularly use a 9500 and my laptop with no problem, my E90 simply will not work e.g. from first floor to ground floor. If I move closer to the Wireless router, then it is fine on both Email and Web.
So it seems purely that the strength on E90 is far weaker than 9500.
Has anyone else found this?
Is there any way to alter signal strength in the various WiFi settings?
Or is this yet another shortcoming of E90 over 9500?
Message Edited by beaumec on 09-Aug-2008 01:57 PM

beaumec wrote:
Yes I already altered Tx power settings. Thanks for suggestion. Makes no difference.
It really seems this E90 just has a vastly lower power WiFi rating than my 9500.
It is very tedious to be unable to connect even within one's own home and frankly renders the phone totally useless, quite apart from all the other problems well documented on here.
I think I can see why so many are up for sale on Ebay.
Does anyone at Nokia read these discussion pages and does anyone care that their products seem to fall short in SO MANY aspects?!
That's right, it seems no one reads these discussion.
However, if u have ur problem solved, pls advise
badran

Airport Extreme (5 Gen) suddenly very weak Wifi signal

Hello, everyone. I have a 5th generation Airport Extreme that was working fine until a few days ago. My power had gone out, and since then I am getting a very weak Wifi signal. The network still appears and connects on all of my devices. However, it is dreadfully slow (0.3 MB/s per Speedtest.net), whereas before it was 50 MB/s. I have tried resetting to factory settings and opening up the option to 5GHz. The 5 GHz wireless network works just fine on my iMac. It doesn't show up as an option on my iPhone, though, and that's what's really bugging me.
I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem and can help me out. Of course, my phone support expired a few months ago and now they want $19 for a tech call. Any help here would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Reset to factory again.
Setup again using all short names, no spaces and pure alphanumeric. If you were doing this make sure you use different names. Empty all the old names from the clients so they start over with fresh clean setup for wifi.
Use a different name for 5ghz.
Use fixed channels.. try 1, 6, 11 for 2.4ghz and try 36, and 150 for 5ghz.. around about.. exact channel is not such a big thing for 5ghz.
Check the link speed and make sure it is full speed if you are in the same room as the AE.
Test by copying a file on the local lan.. rather than testing to internet which could be a totally unrelated issue.
Test by using ethernet only on a computer plugged into the AE to see if the internet link has gone slow.

Linksys EA6700 very very very weak Wifi signal

Linksys EA6700 very very very weak Wifi signal
Anybody faced such issue with this immature router? I was using E4200, the signal was much better. I thought of upgrading to latest “high-end router”, unfortunately it is not an upgrade it is a rip-off. This router is not stable at all.
I will switch to NetGear, any recommendations?
Thanks & best regards,

tangbunna,
You can try some troubleshooting steps to improve your wifi signal.
You may check these links:
http://kb.linksys.com/Linksys/ukp.aspx?vw=1&docid=bb3828f4be424fc48c6107d2c9d2e0d1_Tips_about_improv...
Title: Tips about improving wireless signal
Article ID: 21868
http://kb.linksys.com/Linksys/ukp.aspx?vw=1&docid=d9a3b1b2039741948a2365b053a93ea8_3759.xml&pid=80&r...
Title: How to resolve poor or no signal from a wireless router
Article ID: 3759

Very weak wifi signal after i change the battery

i recently change my playbook battery. everything seems perfectly okay except that i have a very weak wifi signal reception. i need to be very near the router just to have the signal. i dont know what went wrong during the changing of battery process but everything is okay except the very weak wifi signal received. please help.

Looking at the photos in crackberry forum it's the white antenna cable, antenna is top RH corner as you look at the screen. There may be an antenna component inside the back (according to ifixit) but the cable terminates in a little pcb possibly marked 3G. Blue cable seems to be BT and grey is GPS. The TI chip supports all three functions, single cable for each. That is why 802.11n is only 65mbps.
Come back if that's not correct.
Thanks to crackberry and ifixit if it is.

Weak WiFi signal in my home

My wireless devices connect well and with a strong WiFi signal when I am near the router but as we go to rooms further away from the router, the signal gets weaker until the point where we have no WiFi.

Update:
I ordered, received, and setup a Belkin N300 wifi range extender. It didn't work well for me.
An issue seems to be that the input and out wifi channels are the same. Thus I found that if I was located in some places between the native wifi adapter and the Belkin extender, wifi speeds on either network were extremely slow. By extremely I mean ~0.15 mb/s as compared to the normal ~30 mb/s I get from that native wifi adapter. I suspect the slowness was caused by the two wifi signals on the same channel interfering with each other.
It may be that the signal and speeds may have been better in areas I was trying to cover, our back deck, but I couldn't live with the degradation of performance in other areas of the house.
I sent the N300 back.

E1000 weak wifi signal

Got a new e1000 after a RMA. The new unit has a very weak wifi signal. I've tried all different channels. It is running in mixed mode. No microwave, blue-tooth or other noise. 4 feet from the router and the signal is down to -90db. Take a few more steps away and the connection is lost. Is there anyway I can adjust the signal strength?
BTW, the old e1000 didn't have this issue.
Thanks

No there is no way to increase the signal strength. Verify the router is on the latest firmware.

Hi, I was working at home with my iPad, everything was going well. It went out battery and after this I am unable to connect to the wifi at home. Before getting out battery no problem, and now it sees the router signal but it is unable to connect to it.

Hi, I was working at home with my iPad, everything was going well. It went out battery and after this I am unable to connect to the wifi at home. Before getting out battery no problem, and now it sees the router signal but it is unable to connect to it.

Some things to try first:
1. Turn Off your iPad. Then turn Off (disconnect power cord for 30 seconds or longer) the wireless router & then back On. Now boot your iPad. Hopefully it will see the WiFi.
2. Go to Settings>Wi-Fi and turn Off. Then while at Settings>Wi-Fi, turn back On and chose a Network.
3. Change the channel on your wireless router (Auto or Channel 6 is best). Instructions at http://macintoshhowto.com/advanced/how-to-get-a-good-range-on-your-wireless-netw ork.html
4. Go into your router security settings and change from WEP to WPA with AES.
5. Renew IP Address: (especially if you are droping internet connection)
    •    Launch Settings app
    •    Tap on Wi-Fi
    •    Tap on the blue arrow of the Wi-Fi network that you connect to from the list
    •    In the window that opens, tap on the Renew Lease button
6. Potential Quick Fixes When Your iPad Won’t Connect to Your Wifi Network
http://ipadinsight.com/ipad-tips-tricks/potential-quick-fixes-when-your-ipad-won t-connect-to-your-wifi-network/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wi-Fi Fix for iOS 6
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4823738?tstart=240
iOS 6 Wifi Problems/Fixes
How To: Workaround iPad Wi-Fi Issues
http://www.theipadfan.com/workaround-ipad-wifi-issues/
Another Fix For iOS 6 WiFi Problems
http://tabletcrunch.com/2012/10/27/fix-ios-6-wifi-problems-ssid/
Wifi Doesn't Connect After Waking From Sleep - Sometimes increasing screen brightness prevents the failure to reconnect after waking from sleep. According to Apple, “If brightness is at lowest level, increase it by moving the slider to the right and set auto brightness to off.”
Fix For iOS 6 WiFi Problems?
http://tabletcrunch.com/2012/09/27/fix-ios-6-wifi-problems/
Did iOS 6 Screw Your Wi-Fi? Here’s How to Fix It
http://gizmodo.com/5944761/does-ios-6-have-a-wi+fi-bug
How To Fix Wi-Fi Connectivity Issue After Upgrading To iOS 6
http://www.iphonehacks.com/2012/09/fix-wi-fi-connectivity-issue-after-upgrading- to-ios-6.html
iOS 6 iPad 3 wi-fi "connection fix" for netgear router
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsWS4ha-dn0
Apple's iOS 6 Wi-Fi problems
http://www.zdnet.com/apples-ios-6-wi-fi-problems-linger-on-7000004799/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How to Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal
http://ipad.about.com/od/iPad_Troubleshooting/a/How-To-Boost-Your-Wi-Fi-Signal.h tm
Troubleshooting a Weak Wi-Fi Signal
http://ipad.about.com/od/iPad_Troubleshooting/a/Troubleshooting-A-Weak-Wi-Fi-Sig nal.htm
How to Fix a Poor Wi-Fi Signal on Your iPad
http://ipad.about.com/od/iPad_Troubleshooting/a/How-To-Fix-A-Poor-Wi-Fi-Signal-O n-Your-iPad.htm
iOS Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1398
iPad: Issues connecting to Wi-Fi networks http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3304
WiFi Connecting/Troubleshooting http://www.apple.com/support/ipad/wifi/
How to Fix: My iPad Won't Connect to WiFi
http://ipad.about.com/od/iPad_Troubleshooting/ss/How-To-Fix-My-Ipad-Wont-Connect -To-Wi-Fi.htm
iOS: Connecting to the Internet http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1695
iOS: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4199
How to Quickly Fix iPad 3 Wi-Fi Reception Problems
http://osxdaily.com/2012/03/21/fix-new-ipad-3-wi-fi-reception-problems/
iPad Wi-Fi Problems: Comprehensive List of Fixes
http://appletoolbox.com/2010/04/ipad-wi-fi-problems-comprehensive-list-of-fixes/
Connect iPad to Wi-Fi (with troubleshooting info)
http://thehowto.wikidot.com/wifi-connect-ipad
Fix iPad Wifi Connection and Signal Issues http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwWtIG5jUxE
Fix Slow WiFi Issue https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2398063?start=60&tstart=0
How To Fix iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch Wi-Fi Connectivity Issue http://tinyurl.com/7nvxbmz
Unable to Connect After iOS Update - saw this solution on another post.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4010130
Note - When troubleshooting wifi connection problems, don't hold your iPad by hand. There have been a few reports that holding the iPad by hand, seems to attenuate the wifi signal.
Wi-Fi or Bluetooth settings grayed out or dim
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1559
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If any of the above solutions work, please post back what solved your problem. It will help others with the same problem.
 Cheers, Tom

Computer "reverts" to weaker router signal instead of range extender

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for