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Knowledge document #3420

Finding the ideal location for the Mesh Repeater

The correct positioning of your Mesh Repeater is a key factor when extending the Wi-Fi range of your home network. The quality of the connection between the Mesh Repeater and the Mesh Master is just as important as the quality of the connection between the Mesh Repeater and the wireless devices connected to it.

When the Mesh Repeater is connected to the Mesh Master via Wi-Fi, it is therefore important to find a location where the Mesh Repeater can establish fast and stable connections to the Mesh Master, and at the same time be easily accessible to your wireless devices.

In this guide we explain how to check the quality of the Wi-Fi connection between the Mesh Repeater and the Mesh Master and what you can do to improve the positioning of your Mesh Repeater.

1 Checking the connection quality

Using FRITZ!App WLAN to check the connection quality

If your Mesh Repeater is connected to the Mesh Master via Wi-Fi, the best way to check the connection quality is with FRITZ!App WLAN. FRITZ!App WLAN is available for mobile devices with Android and iOS.

  1. Start FRITZ!App WLAN.
  2. Tap the "My Repeaters" button in FRITZ!App WLAN.
  3. Tap the button "Evaluate Repeater Position".
  4. Now FRITZ!App WLAN shows you the quality of the connection:

    Fig.: Checking the repeater's position with FRITZ!App WLAN

  5. If FRITZ!App WLAN recommends repositioning the Mesh Repeater, place it elsewhere. When doing so, observe the tips given in this guide on finding the ideal position.
  6. After repositioning the repeater, in Android tap the symbol in FRITZ!App WLAN again or in iOS tap "Repeater not listed?" and then "Refresh" to re-evaluate the repeater's position.

Using the LEDs to check connection quality

If you are using a FRITZ!Repeater as a Mesh Repeater, you can check the LEDs on repeater to determine the quality of the connection between the Mesh Repeater and the Mesh Master:

Note:If you are using a FRITZ!Repeater with five signal strength LEDs and it is connected to the Mesh Master via a network cable, the LEDs indicate the quality of the connection between the FRITZ!Repeater and the first wireless device connected to it.

  1. Check the LEDs on the FRITZ!Repeater.
  2. If you are using a FRITZ!Repeater with five signal strength LEDs and at least three of the LEDs are lit, the quality of the Wi-Fi connection is sufficient. If only one or two signal strength LEDs light up, the quality of the connection is poor.
    • If you are using a FRITZ!Repeater with one LED for connection quality and the LED glows green, the quality of the Wi-Fi connection is sufficient. If the LED glows orange, the quality of the connection is poor.
  3. If the FRITZ!Repeater indicates that the quality of the connection is poor, position it elsewhere. When doing so, observe the tips given in this guide on finding the ideal position.

2 Tips on finding the ideal location

  1. If possible, do not position the Mesh Repeater directly behind or under an obstacle such as pieces of furniture or a heater.
  2. Do not place the Mesh Repeater directly in the corner of a room.
  3. Position the Mesh Repeater so that there are as few obstacles as possible between it, the FRITZ!Box, and other wireless devices. Especially metallic objects or objects containing water, for example radiators, refrigerators, or houseplants, significantly reduce the quality of the Wi-Fi signal.
  4. Position the Mesh Repeater away from other radio transmitters, such as microwaves, wireless speakers, or Bluetooth devices.
  5. If you are using a FRITZ!Powerline device, plug it directly into a wall outlet and do not use it with a power strip, an extension cord, or behind a surge protector. To minimize interference in the home's power supply, avoid powerline connections on different phases, fuse boxes, and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI).
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