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Knowledge document #271

Wi-Fi range is too low

The range of the Wi-Fi connection to the FRITZ!Repeater or the range of the Wi-Fi connection between the FRITZ!Repeater and the wireless router (for example a FRITZ!Box) is low. Even at a short distance, web pages load very slowly, files take a long time to download, and video streams are not displayed properly, for example.

Simply proceed as described below. After each measure, check whether the problem is solved.

Note:All instructions on configuration and settings given in this guide refer to the latest FRITZ!OS for the FRITZ!Repeater.

1 Updating FRITZ!OS and Wi-Fi software

Updates contain improvements, bug fixes, and new functions. Therefore, install the latest FRITZ!OS or software version on all of the devices:

Installing the latest FRITZ!OS for the FRITZ!Repeater

  1. Install the latest FRITZ!OS on the FRITZ!Repeater.

Installing the latest software for the wireless router

  1. Install the latest software for the wireless router according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you are using a FRITZ!Box as a wireless repeater, proceed as described in the guide Updating FRITZ!OS.

Installing the latest software for the wireless device

  1. Install the latest software version for the wireless device (for example Android, iOS) or the latest driver for the computer's wireless network adapter (for example from the Intel Download Center).

    Note:Refer to the device's manufacturer for information on how to update, for example consult the manual.

2 Optimizing the Wi-Fi settings of the wireless router

Configuring the FRITZ!Box

The following steps are only necessary if you are using a FRITZ!Box as the wireless router and you adjusted the Wi-Fi settings of the FRITZ!Box:

Note:In the factory settings, the FRITZ!Box already uses the ideal Wi-Fi settings, evaluates the Wi-Fi environment and the quality of the connection of the wireless devices connected to it at regular intervals, automatically selects the current ideal Wi-Fi channel settings, and steers wireless devices to whichever Wi-Fi network is best.

  1. Click "Wi-Fi" ("Wireless") in the FRITZ!Box user interface.
  2. Click "Wi-Fi Channel" ("Radio Channel") in the "Wi-Fi" ("Wireless") menu.
  3. Enable the option "Set Wi-Fi channel settings automatically (recommended)". This way, the FRITZ!Box evaluates the Wi-Fi environment and the quality of the connection of the wireless devices connected to it at regular intervals and then automatically selects the best Wi-Fi channel settings based on that.
  4. Click "Apply" to save the settings. Now Wi-Fi connections to the FRITZ!Box are briefly cleared and then automatically re-established.
  5. Click "Wi-Fi Network" ("Radio Network") in the "Wi-Fi" ("Wireless") menu.
  6. Click "More Information on the Wi-Fi Network" and disable the option "Hide name of the Wi-Fi network" or enable the option "Name of the Wi-Fi network visible". This way, all wireless devices can connect to the FRITZ!Box and the FRITZ!Box can optimally control the wireless devices in the Mesh ("Mesh Wi-Fi Steering").
  7. If available, click "Additional Settings for the Wi-Fi Network".
  8. Disable the option "Different names for the Wi-Fi networks on 2.4 and 5 GHz" to use the same name (SSID) for both Wi-Fi networks. Only then can the FRITZ!Box automatically steer your wireless devices to the ideal frequency band ("band steering").
  9. Click "Apply" to save the settings. If the wireless devices were only connected to the 5 GHz Wi-Fi network with a different name, you must then reconfigure the Wi-Fi connection on those devices.

Configuring the wireless router

The following steps are only necessary if you are using a wireless router from another manufacturer:

Note:Refer to the manufacturer of the wireless router for information on setting it up; for example, consult the manual.

  1. If the wireless router can provide the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz frequency bands at the same time:
    1. Enable the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks on the wireless router:
    2. If the wireless router can automatically steer the wireless devices connected to it into the ideal frequency band ("band steering"), enable the corresponding option.
    3. If the wireless router has an option "Zero Wait DFS", "Always on DFS", or a similar option for uninterrupted use of the 5 GHz Wi-Fi network, enable it. This allows the wireless router's 5 GHz Wi-Fi network to be used even while the Wi-Fi environment is being checked for radar systems (for example for weather service, air traffic control, and the military).
  2. If possible, configure Wi-Fi channels without interference in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi network in the wireless router. If you can configure the wireless router so that it automatically selects the best Wi-Fi channel settings, enable this option.
  3. Configure the wireless router so that its Wi-Fi transmits at maximum power.
  4. Give the wireless router a unique Wi-Fi network name (SSID). This prevents your wireless devices from trying to connect to the wrong wireless router if there are Wi-Fi networks with the same name in the vicinity.

    Note:All Wi-Fi connections are cleared when you change the Wi-Fi network name. You must then reconfigure the Wi-Fi connections.

3 Optimizing the Mesh settings

The following steps are only necessary if you are using a FRITZ!Box with FRITZ!OS 7 or later as the wireless router:

Checking the Mesh connection of the FRITZ!Repeater

  1. Click "Home Network" in the FRITZ!Box user interface.
  2. Click "Mesh" in the "Home Network" menu.
  3. If the FRITZ!Repeater is not marked with the Mesh symbol in the Mesh Overview, follow the steps in our guide FRITZ!Repeater is not marked with Mesh symbol.

Enabling the adoption of Mesh settings

  1. Click "Access to Home Network" in the user interface of the FRITZ!Repeater.
  2. Enable the option "Adopt settings enabled".
  3. Click "Apply" to save the settings.

4 Optimizing the position

Finding the ideal location for the wireless router

  1. If possible, place the wireless router in a central location.
  2. Do not place the wireless router directly in the corner of a room.
  3. Position the wireless router so that it is as unobstructed as possible, i.e. not directly in back of or under an obstacle such as pieces of furniture or a heater.
  4. Place the wireless router as high in the room as possible, for example on a shelf.
  5. Place the wireless router so that there are as few obstacles as possible between it 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.
  6. Place the wireless router away from other radio transmitters, for example microwaves, wireless speakers, or Bluetooth devices.

Finding the ideal location for the FRITZ!Repeater

  1. Position the FRITZ!Repeater so that at least three of its five signal strength LEDs light up. You can find tips on positioning it in the guide Finding the ideal location for FRITZ!Repeater.

Now the FRITZ!Repeater and the wireless router are ideally configured. If the range of the Wi-Fi connections of individual wireless devices is still low, then the problem lies with the respective devices. The manufacturer of the wireless devices may be able to give you advice on how to solve the problem.



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