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HaroldS427

New Member

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2 Messages

Sat, Jul 4, 2020 1:06 PM

Connecting to an extender

I have a laptop that I use just 2 feet from an extender. But it never connects to the extender. When I look on Smart Home Manager, only 2 wifi devices connect to the extender and many other devices are closer to the extender. Is there a way to force other devices to go through the extender?

I don’t see the extender in the wifi settings of those devices.
Suggestions??

Responses

ATTHelp

Community Support

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144.4K Messages

6 months ago

Hey @HaroldS427,

We are here to help with your Wi-Fi extender inquiry. How far is is the extender from the router? What are the light status' on your extender?

There are no way to force where the device to connect to the extender. Your devices will find the strongest Wi-Fi signal and connect to it. Here are some ways to maximize your Wi-Fi speeds.

Let us know if this helps.

Max, AT&T Community Specialist

Still need help? Ask a question! Our 1.4 million members typically respond within 1 hour.

*I am an AT&T employee, and the postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent AT&T's position, strategies or opinions.

HaroldS427

New Member

•

2 Messages

The extender has a solid green light. So it indicates it has a good connection to the main router.
the extender is about 50 feet from the router.
many other suggestions?

only one Nest device and one cell phone seem to ever connect to the extender.

open to any ideas??

6 months ago

ATTHelp

Community Support

•

144.4K Messages

Hi @HaroldS427, we are delighted to help with your connection issue.

You might try to dis-connect your WiFi on your laptop, then do a search for available networks. The WiFi extender will have a different SSID name to connect to your laptop.

Also, keep in mind your laptop will connect to the strongest signal, being that your WiFi extender is 50 ft from your router. Your WiFi extender may be green, however your signal may still be weak.

Max distance between Gateway and Extender is 40 ft, two walls, or one floor away.Extenders work best placed on open surfaces away from large obstructions and things that can cause interference (e.g. microwaves, wireless devices, etc.)

If you have any additional concerns, please feel free to reach out to us.

Lafayette, AT&T Community Specialist

Still need help? Ask a question! Our 1.4 million members typically respond within 1 hour.

*I am an AT&T employee, and the postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent AT&T's position, strategies or opinions.

6 months ago

bogar90706

Teacher

•

89 Messages

One of the best ways to force your devices to connect is lower the signal strength from your WiFi gateway. This scenario works if your devices that you are trying to connect thru the extender connect only to the 2.4 ghz

6 months ago

bogar90706

Teacher

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89 Messages

Regarding the on how far away your gateway to your extender 40ft is the max. Consider using a power line adapter so you can sync your extender to your gateway by wire that way you can free up your WiFi bandwidth for more WiFi devices to connect thru

6 months ago

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HaroldS427

Connecting to an extender

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ATTHelp

HaroldS427

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bogar90706

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