How to Fix the Unstable Connection Issue Between My WAVLINK Wi-Fi Range Extender and Main Router

For the WAVLINK Wi-Fi Range Extender

1. Ensure a clear line of sight between the WAVLINK Wi-Fi range extender and the main router. Avoid physical obstacles like partition walls, metal, and obstructions. Do not place the device in a corner.
2. Place the WAVLINK Wi-Fi extender next to the main router or in the same room. After setup, position it in an area where the Wi-Fi signal is weak.
3. Reboot your WAVLINK Wi-Fi range extender.
4. Update the firmware of your WAVLINK Wi-Fi range extender.
5. Hard reset your WAVLINK Wi-Fi range extender.

For the Main Router

1. If your primary router is dual-band, check if "Dual-band in one" or "Smart connect" (Band Steering) is enabled. If so, disable it and set different SSIDs for the two frequency bands.
2. If the router's channel is set to "Auto", it may automatically switch channels, disconnecting the repeater. Fix the Wi-Fi channel of the main router. Consider changing the wireless channel if it's crowded. For 2.4GHz, choose channels 1, 6, or 11. For 5GHz, choose channels 36, 40, or 44.
3. If your primary router has "DHCP server", "Mac filtering", "Access control list", or "Internet access control" enabled for the WAVLINK repeater, the extender may not obtain an IP address. Disable these functions on your primary router.

How to Set Up WAVLINK Wi-Fi Range Extender with Repeater Mode

Most WAVLINK outdoor Wi-Fi range extenders support Repeater and AP modes. In Repeater mode, the extender's Wi-Fi name will change to include "_EXT2.4G" or "_EXT5G" appended to your host Wi-Fi signal name (e.g., if your host Wi-Fi is "Home", the extender's Wi-Fi signal would be "Home_EXT2.4" or "Home_5G"). The Wi-Fi password must match your main router's Wi-Fi password.

Physical Connection

1. Connect the POE IN port of the unit to the POE port of the converter using an Ethernet cable.
2. Plug the power adapter into a socket.
3. Power on the unit.

Repeater Mode Installation Steps

1. After resetting the extender, wait a few minutes. On your mobile phone, open WLAN, find the "WAVLINK-XXXX" signal, and connect.
2. Open a web browser and enter "192.168.10.1" or "http://waplogin.link" in the address bar.
3. Enter the default login password "admin", select the correct language, and click "Login".
4. After logging in, choose "Bridge" or "Gateway" in the Repeater mode wizard. Select the wireless network you want to connect to.
5. After selecting a wireless network, you will see a default Repeater SSID. Select it and change the SSID name to avoid repetition. The password must be the same as the Wi-Fi you connected to.

How to Configure WAVLINK Outdoor Wi-Fi Range Extender to Work in AP Mode?

In AP mode, the WAVLINK outdoor Wi-Fi extender connects to the main router via an Ethernet cable, ensuring network speed and avoiding physical interference. This mode is an alternative to Repeater mode.

Hardware Connections:

1. Connect the POE IN port of the unit to the POE port of the converter with an Ethernet cable.
2. Connect the LAN/DATA IN port to the LAN port of your router/modem.
3. Plug the power adapter into a socket.
4. Power on the unit.

AP Mode Installation Steps:

1. Find the WAVLINK Wi-Fi signal on your smartphone's WLAN and connect to it.
2. Enter the URL "192.168.10.1" or "http://waplogin.link" in a web browser address bar and search.
3. Enter the default password "admin" on the login screen.
4. After logging in, click "AP", complete the settings for SSID and Wi-Fi password, and then click "Apply".
5. Reconnect to the Wi-Fi. The internet should now work.

How to Log into Web-Based Management Page of My WAVLINK Wi-Fi Range Extender?

To access the web-based management page, connect your device to the WAVLINK extender via its Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable. Internet access for the extender is not required for this connection. You can use any device with a web browser, such as a desktop computer, mobile phone, tablet, or iPad.

1. Connect to your WAVLINK router via its wireless network (Wi-Fi SSID) or an Ethernet cable. If connecting wirelessly, ensure your device is connected to the WAVLINK router's Wi-Fi SSID. The default Wi-Fi SSID and password are typically printed on a label on the back of the router.
2. If connecting via Ethernet cable, connect your device to one of the LAN ports on the back of your WAVLINK extender. Change your computer's IPv4 address to "Obtain an IP address and DNS address automatically".
3. Launch a web browser and enter http://192.168.10.1 or http://waplogin.link.
4. Enter the login password and click "Login". Note: The default login password is "admin" for the initial setup. If you forget the password, you will need to hard reset your WAVLINK extender to restore the original "admin" password.

What Should I Do If the Network Speed of My WAVLINK Outdoor Wi-Fi Range Extender is Much Lower Than Expected in AP Mode?

Part 1: Check the Primary Router

1. Disconnect the WAVLINK outdoor AP from the main router. Test the network speed by connecting a computer directly to the LAN port of the main router via an Ethernet cable.
2. Check the router's broadband restriction configurations. Routers may have bandwidth control or connection number limits to manage resources. Ensure these functions are disabled for speed testing.
3. Restart the router to clear its cache. Periodically restarting the router helps clear unnecessary data and cache, improving performance.

Part 2: Check the WAVLINK Outdoor Wi-Fi Range Extender

Location:

1. The installation height should not exceed 2 to 3 meters above the receiving height of the wireless terminal.
2. Avoid installing the WAVLINK outdoor AP directly against a wall. Tying it to a pole can help avoid physical obstruction and interference.
3. Install the WAVLINK outdoor AP in an open area.

Optimize the Wi-Fi Range Extender Settings:

1. Check channel interference using a Wi-Fi Analyzer. Select the channel with the least interference for speed measurement. For example, if the current 5G wireless channel (e.g., 40MHz bandwidth) has high interference, switch to another channel (e.g., 153) with 80MHz bandwidth.
2. Select 80MHz band bandwidth. If interference is significant, 40MHz is recommended.
3. Update the firmware of the WAVLINK outdoor AP.
4. Reboot the WAVLINK outdoor AP.
5. Hard reset the WAVLINK AP by pressing and holding its reset button for 8 seconds.

Part 3: Check the Ethernet Cable

A Category 5 Ethernet cable supports up to 200Mbps. For gigabit broadband, a Category 6 Ethernet cable or higher is recommended.

Part 4: Upgrade Your Router or WAVLINK Outdoor Wi-Fi Range Extender

If your ISP provides broadband over 100Mbps or reaches 1,000Mbps, it is best to choose a router or Wi-Fi extender with gigabit network ports.

Part 5: Confirm the Maximum Wireless Rate Supported by the Connected Clients

Both wireless terminals and routers have maximum supported wireless rates. Slow speed measurements can occur if the client's maximum wireless rate is lower. Mobile phones often have lower wireless rates than computer wireless cards, especially for 2.4G single-frequency terminals.

The wireless protocol rate is the highest transmission rate supported by both wireless terminals and routers. For instance, if a wireless router supports a maximum 5G band speed of 1300Mbps and a terminal supports 866Mbps, the maximum negotiated wireless rate is 866Mbps.

• If the wireless negotiation rate is normal but limited by the terminal's supported rate, the wireless speed may not reach the wired rate. This is normal; try using other high-specification wireless devices for testing.
• If the wireless protocol rate is low (below normal), it might be due to distance, router settings, environmental interference, or the devices themselves. Proceed to the next step.

Note:

• The wireless rate for the 5G band is higher than 2.4G. If the terminal supports 5G, use the 5G band for speed measurement.
• Due to wireless communication protocol overhead, speed measurements typically reach 50-60% of the negotiated rate in a non-interference environment.

What Should I Do If the WAVLINK Wi-Fi Range Extender is Placed Very Close to Our Main Router but Cannot Establish a Connection?

First, confirm that the WAVLINK Wi-Fi setup process followed the manual's instructions. Provide screenshots of the configuration steps for troubleshooting.

• Verify the password input is correct. The WAVLINK repeater's Wi-Fi password must match your primary router's password.
• Check if the router password and SSID contain special symbols (comma, semicolon, line feed, carriage return). Try changing the router SSID and password.
• Ensure the primary router's DHCP service is enabled.
• Check if MAC Filter, wireless access control, or access control list (ACL) is enabled on your primary router. If any of these features are enabled, disable them and follow the instructions to set up the Repeater again.