Everyone hates it when Wi-Fi goes down
during a Zoom call. The buffering wheel may keep spinning while viewing
Netflix. It's not your internet provider playing with you, it's simply bad
coverage. Dead zones dwell in the corners of your home, upstairs rooms, and on
that balcony, you like to relax on.
A Linksys WiFi extender comes to the rescue there. It simply makes your Wi-Fi
go further. But here's the thing: you still have to log in and set it up
correctly once you plug it in. And that's where people become trapped. Don't
worry, however. It's hardly rocket science to log in to the Linksys extender.
You merely need to know what to do in simple basic steps. Let's go over it.
First things first: why logging in is important?
You may think of the extension as a speaker. You can plug it into the wall, but
it's simply a box until you connect it to the music source. This is the same.
Your extender won't know what Wi-Fi to stretch until you log in and sync it up.
The
Linksys extender login page is there for this reason. You attach it to your
router, change a few settings, and make sure it's really increasing your
network instead of simply sitting there.
Step 1: Turn It On
Start from the start. Unpack the extender, plug it in, and wait. The little LED
light on most Linksys extenders blinks when they are ready. Take your time with
this portion; give it a minute or two.
Step 2: Join the Extender's Network
People are confused by this portion. When you turn it on for the first time,
the extender will connect to its own Wi-Fi network. People call this network
"Linksys Extender Setup."
·
Access Wi-Fi settings on your
phone or laptop.
·
Find that temporary network and
join to it.
·
At first, you don't need a
password.
Step 3: Go to the Login Page
Start a web browser. You can type in either “extender.linksys.com” or simply
the IP address (192.168.1.1). Both of these will lead you to the Linksys
extender login page.
You will be required to create an admin password here. Don't skip it or make it
too simple. This is what keeps others from messing with your extension later.
Step 4: Link it to Wi-Fi
Log in to see a setup wizard. Do as instructed. The extension searches
nearby Wi-Fi networks. Select your home Wi-Fi network, input the password, and
sync.
Then it will restart, and boom—you have more coverage. The extended network
usually has the same name as your regular Wi-Fi but ends in "_ext."
For "HomeNet," the improved version is "HomeNet_ext."
Step 5: How to Log in to Linksys Smart
WiFi
This is where
Linksys smart Wifi login comes in. You may use Linksys Smart WiFi
(via their app or browser) to control your full Linksys system, including your
routers, extenders, and everything else, once your extender is connected.
You can do the following using Smart WiFi:
·
Look at all the devices that
are linked
·
Stop Wi-Fi for certain devices
(great for kids while they're doing schoolwork)
·
Update the firmware without
having to look for files by hand
·
Set up guest networks or change
passwords on the spot.
You can operate your Wi-Fi setup from far
away.
Fixing the Most Common Problems
Things don't always go properly the first time, but its fine. Here are the
usual problems you might face:
·
The login page won't open. Make sure you are linked to the network of the extension. Enter IP
address (192.168.1.1) if extender.linksys.com fails.
·
The password isn't
functioning. Forgot the admin password? Press the
back reset button for 10 seconds. It returns to its default settings.
·
The extender won't connect
to Wi-Fi. Recheck your main Wi-Fi password. If you
make one error, everything fails.
·
The Internet is still
sluggish. Placement is the most important factor.
If you install the extender too far away from your router, it will only
replicate a poor signal. Most of the time, the middle of the home is better.
Why not just plug it in instead of
logging in?
You have control when you log in. You won't know whether it's linked to your
primary Wi-Fi without it. You can't modify the settings, update the software,
or address issues when they happen either.
It's like getting a vehicle and never changing the mirrors or the seat. Yes, it
moves, but you don't actually have control over it.
Some tips based on what I've learned
·
Update the firmware on a
regular basis. Extenders don't work well with old firmware.
·
Use the same SSID. Keep your
router's Wi-Fi name if you wish to travel about the house easily. This lets
your phone switch between the router and extension automatically.
·
Don't keep it a secret.
Extenders don't operate very well behind thick walls or in closets. Keep it in
the open.
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