A router is probably the most important piece of internet equipment you own. Without a solid connection, your home won’t be able to stream all those football games or let you stay connected while you travel. But connections can sometimes go out for reasons outside of your control. And with so many routers on the market, it can be challenging to know which ones are worth buying and which ones aren’t worth your time and money. Here are some signs that an extender is not what it claims to be: blinking orange light When you buy an extender, you may think that it will automatically turn into a Wi-Fi hotspot and connect to the closest router. But many manufacturers don’t add much value to this feature other than marketing speak. In reality, their extenders are usually little more than glorified Wi-Fi repeaters. To get the most out of an extender, check to see if it has an orange blinking light beside its name or logo (or thumbprint). If it does, it’s probably not worth buying because the original equipment doesn’t have this symbol by default.
Your ISP is Stomping on Your Network Speed
If you have a home internet connection that’s slow or spotty, it may be due to an issue with your ISP or your network. If your ISP is the culprit, you can try to change your internet service provider to improve your connection. But if that doesn’t help, it’s probably a good idea to get your router checked out by a pro. A misbehaving internet connection can affect your other devices on your home networks, such as computers, modems, and smartphones. It can also cause problems while you’re on the move, such as when you’re on a plane or in a car. If you notice an increase in connection problems while traveling abroad, it might be a sign that your router needs an upgrade. Your ISP can also be a cause of connection problems at work. If you have a complex network, your ISP is likely the one causing the problem. Or you could be experiencing a lack of internet connection at a particular time. If you’re experiencing drops or stuttering connections, it could be due to a hardware or software issue with your modem or router. To check your internet connection speed, either uses a speed test software or look in your network utility (usually located under the help menu). If your connection is consistently slower than normal, it might be a good idea to call your internet provider and ask them to speed up your service.
You Can’t Connect to the Extender
One of the first signs that an extender isn’t what it’s supposed to be is if you can’t connect to it. If you’ve bought an extender and it doesn’t let you connect to the existing router, you should probably call the manufacturer and ask them to check their equipment. Most will let you return the faulty device for a refund. But if you’re not happy with the extender and want to keep using it, try swapping the outlets on the original equipment for another type to see if that helps. But if you’re still having issues, check the documentation for the extender to see if there’s a connection check feature. If you’re using an older extender, it might be that it doesn’t have the updated firmware to support the latest devices. Try to ensure that the device you’re using is at least five years old and still working like new. If it’s still working but isn’t receiving new digital data, it might be a good idea to call your internet provider and ask them to upgrade your modem.
It Keeps Closing
If you’re constantly having to power off your modem or router to correct a connection problem, it might be a sign that it needs to be replaced. If your modem or router is more than 10 years old, it may be time for a new one. But be aware that many providers will charge a premium for equipment that’s more than a decade old. So if your modem or router is more than a decade old, you might have to pay a higher monthly fee to keep using it. If you’re unsure how old your modem or router is, there’s a good chance that your internet service provider will let you know. If not, you may want to consider buying a new modem or router to keep you from feeling stuck with an old model. A failed modem or router can cause problems for years and cause a lot of frustration. But a failed extender can happen even when you have a new one. If you notice that your extender keeps closing, try swapping the outlets on the device for a different type to see if that helps.
There Are Bugs in the Software
If you notice that your router is constantly crashing or slowing down, it might be a good idea to contact the manufacturer. But keep in mind that many companies are hesitant to get into trouble due to lawsuits. So they might downplay the problem to avoid having to pay out expensive lawsuits. It can be a good sign if the company is willing to fix the issue for you. Often, a faulty device can be fixed by sending it back to the manufacturer. If the issue isn’t with the hardware itself but with the software that runs on top of it, you may want to try uninstalling and reinstalling the software and seeing if the issue persists. This often happens with ancient software that’s hard to uninstall. But if the issue persists, it could be a sign that the software is broken and needs to be replaced.
Conclusion
So there you have it, 7 signs that an extender isn’t what it claims to be. If any of these signs sound familiar, it might be time to buy an extender. Even if you think you need one, it’s usually a good idea to replace your modem or router as these devices are on their own and can sometimes cause problems even when they’re working properly. If you’re having issues with your connection at home, it might be time to shop around and see what other people have to say about a particular provider. Because once you buy something, you might not want to switch providers because it works well enough for you and your home.