Best WiFi Extender for Ring Camera

So, you’ve set up your Ring camera by your front and back doors, only to find that your WiFi signal doesn’t reach far enough. Luckily, there are many fantastic WiFi extenders worth purchasing to boost your internet signal, so it gets all the nooks and crannies of your home or office spaces.

Typically a WiFi router is stationed in a central location of your home. However, the farther your devices are from the primary router, the lower the internet signal and speed. That means that areas near your front door may have a weaker signal which can delay the notifications you need to protect your home.

Don’t fret; you can enjoy lightning-fast internet speeds with these top five WiFi extenders for Ring cameras:

These choices can increase your internet range and speeds, allowing you to stream, game, and monitor your outdoor cameras effortlessly. Continue reading to learn more about why each of the above options is some of the best purchases for extending your internet.

Best WiFi Extenders for Ring Cameras Reviewed

The best WiFi extenders for Ring cameras will increase the range and speed of your internet connection to ensure that your front and back cameras operate efficiently and communicate with you when motion gets detected without any delays.

I’ve included the best options on this list of the top five best WiFi extenders for Ring cameras after researching, testing, and discussing the many various choices available with tech experts.

Whether you want WiFi 6, a bigger circumference of internet range, or are frustrated by long buffering times, the choices below can help fix your internet troubles and give you the peace of mind that your home gets monitored because your internet is reliable.

Netgear Orbi AX4200 WiFi Mesh System (RBK752)

The Netgear Orbi Tri-band WiFi extender is one of the best options for total home coverage, from the front doorbell to your backyard cameras. This small but powerful WiFi extender for Ring cameras boast a 1.4GHz quad-core processor and 4.2Gbps streaming speeds on a WiFi 6 network, which is 3.5x faster than WiFi 5.

The Netgear Orbi RBK752 is a two-pack of mesh WiFi extenders covering 5,000 square feet. Every extra Orbi creates 2,500 square feet of additional coverage if you have a larger home. This useful WiFi extender will ensure that your Ring camera works at the far corners of the front or back of your property.

Netgear’s tri-band WiFi extender boasts WiFi with one 2.4GHz transmission and two 5GHz transmissions. As a result, Internet users will experience incredibly fast WiFi speeds in every inch of their homes without degrading transmission.

Connect up to 40 devices simultaneously with a wireless connection or three Ethernet ports on each extender.

Pros

Cons

TP-Link RE505X AX1500 WiFi Extender

The TP-Link RE505X AX1500 WiFi extender is a fantastic choice if you want to eliminate dead zones and extend a mesh network of WiFi 6 to every area of your home, including your Ring camera in your front yard.

The TP-Link RE505X AX1500 WiFi extender creates a mesh network with dual-band transmission for internet speeds up to 1.5Gbps. The first 2.4GHz band provides speeds of 300Mbps, while the second 5GHz band boasts optimal speeds of up to 1,200Mbps.

Each TP-Link RE505X AX1500 WiFi extender for Ring cameras adds 1,500 square feet of coverage to better ensure your door cam receives the WiFi it needs to run optimally.

Pair up to 25 devices with the TP-Link RE505X AX1500 WiFi extender’s wireless and Ethernet port connectivity.

Pros

Cons

Netgear AC2200 WiFi Mesh Extender EX7500

The Netgear AC2200 WiFi Mesh Extender EX7500 is an excellent choice if you want to boost your internet speed and performance and ensure your Ring camera operates around the clock, even at the far back of your office or home.

This Netgear WiFi extender creates a mesh network of WiFi 5 throughout your home or office. With tri-band transmission from four antennas, users will experience optimal speeds of 400Mbps with 2.4GHz and 866Mbps with two dedicated 5GHz transmissions for a total of 2.2Gbps combined speeds.

This small and sleek device adds an additional 2,300 square feet of internet coverage to help devices on the edges of your property function well, even if others are streaming 4K videos, gaming, or downloading.

With multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output (MU-MIMO) technology, internet users can pair up to 45 devices simultaneously with the Netgear AC2200 WiFi Mesh Extender EX7500.

Pros

Cons

TP-Link RE450 AC 1750 Extender

The TP-Link RE450 AC 1750 Extender is one of the best WiFi extenders for Ring cameras if you want a dual-band extender that creates a seamless mesh network around your home. This small but powerful device offers an additional 1,500 square feet of internet range per device.

The TP-Link RE450 AC 1750 dual-band WiFi extender uses TP-Link’s smart technology, like Smart Roaming and MU-MIMO technology, to increase the coverage and speed of your home internet.

This device uses three external and adjustable antennas for speeds of 450Mbps with 2.4GHz transmissions and 1,300Mbps with 5GHz transmissions. Plus, with only one WiFi name, users can freely move around their home or office without experiencing buffering.

You can easily pair your Ring camera and up to 25 devices without experiencing significant lags or loading delays while streaming your favorite shows or when your outdoor camera senses motion.

Pros

Cons

Ring Chime Pro WiFi Extender

The Ring Chime Pro is one of the best WiFi extenders for Ring cameras because it’s compatible with all Ring door equipment and security cameras and provides more internet coverage so all your connected devices, including your door cam, work optimally.

This modern-looking WiFi extender extends your WiFi 5 signal with dual-band transmissions. It has speakers to ensure you hear notifications and guests at the door.

One Ring Chime Pro WiFi extender creates an additional 2,000 square feet of internet coverage to help eliminate dead zones. Pair up to 35 devices simultaneously with this dual-band mesh network extender.

The Ring Chime Pro extender transmits 2.4GHz WiFi and 5GHz frequencies to help keep all your devices running optimally. Users can also use the ethernet port to connect their devices directly to the extender.

Pros

Cons

Criteria For Choosing the Best WiFi Extender for Ring Cameras

Ring cameras are exceptional tools to protect your home and keep track of the movements outside your property. However, if your WiFi doesn’t reach the external spaces of your home, you could get delayed notifications and low-quality audio and video from your Ring cameras.

Before investing in one of the best WiFi extenders for Ring cameras, consider the size of your property, the number of devices used, and what kind of internet speed you require. I’ll discuss the criteria for choosing the best WiFi extender for Ring cameras in detail below.

Range

Having a wide enough range with your WiFi extender for your Ring camera is essential to ensure the internet reaches your front door or outside spaces of your property. Remember, Ring cameras get installed on the exterior of your home, so your internet range needs to spread far enough to power your WiFi-operated outdoor security systems adequately.

All households and users have different range requirements based on the size of their house, apartment, or office. Determine your home's square footage, including your Ring cam's location, and purchase a WiFi extender that meets your range requirements.

Band Type

Band type refers to the number of antennas on a WiFi extender for Ring cameras. Consumers now have three options for band type, single, dual, and tri-band.

Each antenna transmits a different frequency on each band, so with single-band WiFi extenders, internet users can only access transmissions of 2.4GHz. Dual-band WiFi extenders transmit a 2.4GHz frequency on one antenna and a 5GHz frequency on a second.

By connecting different devices to different transmissions, you can maintain high internet speeds even when multiple devices are connected.

Tri-band WiFi extenders are recent technology to the market that transmit three different frequencies, 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz. However, sometimes tri-band WiFi extenders have two 5GHz transmissions and one 2.4GHz transmission.

With varying transmissions, devices that are less resource-heavy can connect to the lower frequency, while devices that you use heavily can connect to the 5GHz or 6GHz transmission.

Data Transfer Speed

When selecting the best WiFi extender for Ring cameras, look for one that provides fast data transfer speeds. Fast internet will ensure your Ring camera can efficiently and effectively communicate with you when the motion sensor goes off or someone arrives at your door.

Fast internet connections typically deliver 100 to 200 Mbps, but WiFi extenders can deliver lightning-fast connections of 4.2Gbps, so seek out a WiFi extender that supports the speeds your household requires.

A Ring camera will work with slow internet, but the faster the data transfer speed, the better your Ring camera will perform. For example, internet speeds slower than two Mbps will still capture audio and video from your camera. However, sound and video quality will get reduced, and notifications may get delayed.

Wired or Mesh

Mesh WiFi extenders are the best choice for speeding up your internet speeds, eliminating buffering waiting times, and increasing your home coverage from your front door to the back.

If you zoom in on a mesh cloth, you’ll see lots of intersecting points. That’s why mesh networks can perform multiple functions without interfering with each other because there are many routes that uploads and downloads can take to complete the action.

Wired networks, on the other hand, follow a simpler route that’s linear or circular. Wired networks, or Ring networks, transmit WiFi from the modem to your extender, then to the devices nearby. The transmission will continue to other extenders and devices, then finish at the modem and restart.

Mesh networks allow users to connect to other extenders in the house that, for whatever reason, have a faster speed. For example, if you’re in the basement, but someone on the main floor is streaming, a mesh network would connect the basement’s devices with the top floor extender that isn’t getting used at the moment.

Wired networks only connect you to the nearest extender, and the farthest extender from the modem will get the slowest speeds.

Final Thoughts

The TP-Link RE505X AX1500 WiFi extender takes the crown as the winner for the best WiFi extender for Ring cameras if you need a WiFi 6 mesh network, faster internet speeds, and 1,500 square feet of additional coverage.

This TP-Link RE505X AX1500 WiFi extender is ideal for streaming 4K resolution videos, playing resource-heavy video games, online shopping, and powering your Ring cameras.

If you’re searching for a WiFi extender that can pair with 25 devices simultaneously, eliminate dead zones near your front or backyard, or support high-speed WiFi 6, then this router is a fantastic choice that’ll meet your needs.

While the Ring Chime Pro WiFi Extender, Netgear EX6150 Mesh Range WiFi Extender, TP-Link AC 1750 Extender, and Netgear EX7500 WiFi-Range Extender are ideal options for Ring cameras, the TP-Link RE505X AX1500 stands out as the winner. It is simply the most efficient extender with the best specs.

Purchase one of the best WiFi extenders for Ring cameras to discover how it can help keep your home protected by effectively powering your Ring camera at all hours of the night or day.

How Long Do Modems Last?

Modems last about 4 to 5 years.

A modem is a gateway to the Internet for most people. As the only piece of technical equipment offered by ISPs, many people rely on what’s given to them when they sign up for service versus buying their own modems.

Still, a modem, like any other piece of technical equipment, has a shelf life, and you may be wondering when to start the countdown clock when you power it on for the first time.

As technology continues to develop and evolve, so does the modem's lifespan. While the average lifespan of a modem can vary depending on the type, model, and usage, the consensus is that it needs replacing every four to five years.

But what goes into calculating the average modem’s lifespan? Let’s dig deeper!

Average Modem Lifespan

As we said above, the average lifespan of a modem can be between 4 to 5 years and beyond. While the modem can last longer, consistently evolving internet technology can leave your modem delivering subpar connection speeds compared to what you should be receiving.

Still, most people will wait to replace a modem – especially if they purchased it themselves. However, ISPs tend to offer replacement modems to force you to rent one at a higher price and increase your bill by several dollars a month.

There are a scant few reasons why you would want to replace a modem:

  1. Low Download/Upload Speeds: If you are experiencing slow internet speeds, replacing your modem may help to improve your connection.
  2. Poor Wi-Fi Range: If you are having trouble connecting to the Internet in some regions of your home, replacing your modem may help extend your Wi-Fi network's range.
  3. The Modem is Outdated: If your modem is more than five years old, it may be time to upgrade to a newer model better suited for your current internet needs.
  4. Router Compatibility Issues: If your modem is not compatible with your router, you may need to replace it to get the best performance out of both devices.
  5. Security Concerns: If you are worried about the security of your home network, replacing your modem with a newer model with the latest security features may help protect your home from cyber threats.

Replacing a Modem

For those unfamiliar with modems, they are devices used to provide internet access by connecting to the internet service provider. They are essential for connecting to the Internet, and having an outdated modem can result in slower speeds or even a complete loss of connection.

But if you’re looking at a modem not delivering promised speeds or having connection drops, here are a few ways to spot the problem.

1. Speed Problems

Nothing is more annoying than having a high-speed modem not delivering the promised speeds. Unfortunately, rent-to-own modems from your ISP may also be far from hitting the advertised speeds.

Speed issues become apparent with buffering during streaming a movie or lagging while gaming. If you’re someone who uses their internet connection daily, you’re likely to need a new modem more frequently than someone who occasionally uses the Internet.

2. New ISP

Nowadays, consumers find themselves in areas where more than one ISP operates. This is great for consumers because of the inherent competition to deliver the best services among the ISPs. You may need a new modem because your old one must be returned to your old ISP, or your new modem is incompatible with the new service.

3. Modem Performance Issues

Before you think we’re just rehashing the first point, understand this. After years of use, modems degrade in many places. Imagine continuously running any electronic item and believing it’ll always run at peak performance. That’s not possible. Using your modem for years can cause the internal components to weaken over time. That’s why a quality modem counts. Higher-quality modems typically come with longevity in mind and can last longer than their cheaper counterparts.

4. Upgrading Your Service

If you upgrade your internet service, you may need to replace your modem to get the most out of your new connection. This is because the modem you currently have may differ from the higher speeds of your new service. Even if you upgrade to a higher speed tier within the same service provider, you may need to replace your modem to take full advantage of the new speed.

For example, if you upgrade to a faster connection capable of speeds up to 200 Mbps, your current modem may need to be updated and only be able to handle speeds up to 100 Mbps.

To get the most out of your new connection, you need to replace your modem with a compatible modem with higher speeds.

5. Incompatibility With Your Needs

Speed is always the most valuable feature of any modem. However, what if you are trying to run a server within your home? What about using VoIP?

Not only are you missing out on new features with a new modem, but you’re also cheating yourself out of a secure connection. Many newer modems have advanced features like parental controls, guest networks, and more.

Renting vs. Owning a Modem

We have mentioned many times in this article about owning or renting a modem from your ISP. There are plenty of pros and cons for both sides in this case.

If you choose to rent your modem from your ISP, you can expect a fee of around $5-$10 per month. However, this fee may be waived if you sign up for a bundle package with your ISP or choose a long-term contract. The advantage of renting is that you don’t have to worry about buying a modem. Also, if you ever need to upgrade or replace your modem, you can usually call your ISP, who will take care of it.

On the other hand, if you choose to purchase your modem, you will need to make an upfront investment. This cost can range anywhere from $50-$100, depending on the type and brand of modem you choose. The advantage of purchasing your modem is that you can shop around for the best deals, and you won’t have to worry about any monthly fees.

Overall, owning a modem outright gives consumers the chance to save a few dollars a month on the bill. You can actually make up the upfront cost of buying a modem over the course of a year that you don’t rent the device from your ISP.

Conclusion

A new modem is a fantastic way of ensuring you always receive the most up-to-date internet features and a consistently strong connection to your ISP. However, if your connection feels sluggish as of late, it might be time for an upgrade!

Xfinity Modem Router Blinking Orange

If the orange light on your Comcast Xfinity modem/router keeps flashing, read on for troubleshooting advice.

Related:

What Does The Orange Light Flashing On A Comcast Xfinity Gateway Router Mean?

Identifying the cause of the orange light flickering on your Comcast modem is the first step in fixing the problem.

In most cases, an update is installed on an Xfinity modem if the orange status light is flashing or if the modem is experiencing other problems. However, it can become trapped, blink orange indefinitely, and disrupt your connection to the internet.

Several factors might cause this:

Don't fret if any of these things are happening to you. There are steps you may take to attempt a solution.

How to Stop Your Xfinity Router's Orange Light from Flashing

When your Comcast Xfinity modem or router's orange light flashes, here's what to do.

We've compiled a list of potential solutions to the orange blinking light on your Comcast Xfinity modem or router.

Delay Further Action Until the Update Finishes the Installation

During an update, the modem or router's light may flicker orange, but it will ultimately become blue or white. The time required for this to occur varies with the amount of the update.

It's best practice to wait for an orange light to change to white or blue before taking action. If it doesn't work, then try this alternative.

Check to See if Your Internet Service Provider Has an Outage

There may be an outage in your region if the orange LED light on your router won't stop flashing. That is especially the case if the modem's light has been blinking for a considerable time.

A quick visit to Comcast's Service Status Center website will tell you if they are experiencing issues. Checking here will let you know whether any local outages are to blame for the problem you're experiencing.

If there have been no reported outages in your region, you can proceed to reset your modem or router.

Reboot the Modem

Next, try restarting the modem or router if its orange light is still flashing. In many cases, this is all that is required to restore normal operation.

Taking a modem or router's power cable out of the wall and reinserting it is a quick way to force a reboot. After the machine has finished booting completely, if the light is still orange, it's time to reset the device.

Try Turning It Off and On Again

If your modem continues to have connectivity issues after rebooting, you may need to perform a factory reset. That will restore its settings and hopefully fix any software problems.

Locate the reset button on your modem or router and press it to do a factory reset. This button can be found on the router's or modem's rear. Finding the button necessitates a 30-second push and hold. Stop holding the button after 30 seconds, and the gadget will reboot automatically.

Make sure the color is no longer blinking after a reset. Check a few things before contacting Comcast support if you're still seeing orange.

Often, resetting the device is what stops the orange light from flashing. Be aware that once the modem or router is back online, it may require a software update.

Inspect The Wired Connections

Possible causes of an orange blinking LED on an Xfinity device include a loose cable or a bad connection. First, ensure that every wire connecting your device to the modem is secure. Every connection needs to be snug.

Make sure the Ethernet wire is connected to the proper port on both computers. If it doesn't work, try disconnecting the cable and plugging it back in to see if you're able to connect.

Check The Wireless Connections

Last but not least, if you're connecting wirelessly, check that all of your gadgets are in the range of your router. Otherwise, the devices, like a laptop or phone, may need to move closer to the router to connect properly.

If you have double-checked all of your connections and the indicator is still flickering orange, use an Ethernet cable to plug a laptop into the back of the modem directly.

Attempt an Ethernet Link

If your modem still isn't working, try hooking it up to your computer and other devices with an Ethernet wire. Doing so will help you eliminate wireless connectivity difficulties that could persist.

Verify that the orange light is still flashing after you have connected your computer or other devices to your router or modem using an Ethernet wire. There might be a different issue with the router if you're able to physically connect to the gateway but still can't get your device connected to the internet.

Call Comcast's Support Team

If the orange light on your modem or router persists after trying the solutions above, you will want to contact customer support for Comcast Xfinity connection assistance. They will be able to assist with diagnosing the orange light and fixing the internet connection in your home.

They will try to resolve the issue over the phone. But if they can't fix your device's problems, they will schedule a technician to come to the location, figure out what's wrong, and make any necessary repairs.

Contact Comcast's support team on their website or by dialing 1-800-XFINITY to reach customer service.

In Review

The orange blinking light on your Comcast Xfinity modem/router usually indicates that the device is updating. However, if it becomes stuck and you don't have access to fast internet, you may attempt fixing it yourself with the steps outlined above.

If your Comcast Xfinity modem or router's orange light is flashing, you can make it stop blinking by waiting for an update to install, restarting or resetting it, and checking the cable connections. If none of these options do the trick, Comcast can help you over the phone or send someone out to fix your device.

Xfinity Modem Router Blinking Green

An Xfinity router and modem provided by Comcast is a device used to provide internet access to computers and other devices in your home or business. It is often referred to as an Xfinity modem/router combo. You may also see it as a gateway or wireless router.

When the modem is working correctly, the green light is constantly lit. When it flashes, it means there is a problem. Before contacting Comcast, you can troubleshoot the issue to determine what's wrong and how to fix it.

Read on to discover the cause of the green blinking lights on a Comcast Xfinity modem/router and how to restore service.

Related:

What Does the Green Light Flashing on a Comcast Gateway Router Mean?

Let's talk about the meaning of the flickering green LED light on an Xfinity modem and router before we get into fixing it.

If the Xfinity modem/router you use has a green light that blinks, it is trying to establish an internet connection. Flashing as the device boots up is standard and should not cause an alarm. The green light will flash until it finds an internet connection, and then it will stop blinking and become solid.

If the blinking persists for more than a few minutes, it might indicate a connection issue with your internet.

How To Stop Your Xfinity Router's Green Light From Flashing

The following are several methods to stop the green light from flashing on your Comcast Xfinity modem.

Verify Internet Service Outage

The first thing to do is see whether there are any outages nearby. If you want to check if there's an outage in your region, you may use Comcast Xfinity's online Outage Map. If there is, you'll have to wait until the problem is fixed.

Your modem/status router's indicator should go back to a consistent green color after the outage is gone.

Inspect Cables

If your Comcast Xfinity gateway's light is still flashing instead of solid green, you may need to double-check the cables. Look to see that every line is firmly plugged in and in good condition. If the cable is bent at a sharp angle, inside wiring is exposed, or damage is done to the connector, then turn off the power, remove it from the modem, and replace it.

Restart the gateway to ensure the green light is no longer blinking after powering it back on.

If the device still has trouble, verify that you've inserted the cable into the WAN port socket. Also, verify that the cable is connected to the correct port on your laptop or computer and router.

Use Another Device

Let's say you've opted to keep your modem and router in two different pieces of equipment. If so, you may use an Ethernet connection to link your laptop straight to your modem.

It's the router's fault if you can't go online. However, if the problem persists, it might be due to your modem or internet service provider.

If you already have a modem/router combo provided by Comcast, you can skip this.

Remove All Devices From The Network

A sluggish connection might be due to excessive devices using your Comcast Xfinity gateway. Try disconnecting every device typically connected to your network. If the green light stops blinking and becomes a constant green, you can reconnect each device to the network.

As you add back devices, note if one triggers a flashing green light again. That way, you'll be able to determine how many devices are too many for the Xfinity gateway to handle.

If the green light keeps flashing after removing all your devices, it's time to get under the hood of your modem.

Review Logs From The Modem

Next, you should examine the log files of your modem and router to see if there is any information inside that can assist you in pinpointing the source of your network problems. Access the router's or modem's log files using the administrative interface. Once you have access to the admin panel, navigate to the log files if you can.

Sometimes log data is blocked or limited if renting an Xfinity device. If you are not renting and own your device, you should be able to access the logs and get some insight into connectivity issues.

Reset to Factory Default

If solutions have yet to work up to this point, you may need to resort to a factory reset of your Comcast Xfinity gateway. Once you're logged in to the admin panel, you'll be able to click the reset button. Just be aware that resetting your modem to default settings does set you back to zero. Make sure you have all of the data you need to be pulled from the admin panel to set up your modem again once it's been reset.

Wait a few minutes after resetting your gateway to see whether the Comcast Xfinity gateway's light has gone from flashing to solid green.

Get in Touch with Xfinity's Support Team

If you've tried all these options and still have trouble with your Xfinity router, it's time to contact the Xfinity support team for assistance. Contact them directly from the admin panel's "My Devices" section. When you click on your modem model, you'll see a Help button to click on.

Alternatively, you can use their contact page through their website or by dialing 1-800-XFINITY.

A representative from Comcast Xfinity will take you through a set of diagnostic procedures. If the flickering green light doesn't resolve, using their help, they can arrange for a technician to come to your home and fix it.

Final Thoughts

When the green light on your Comcast Xfinity modem/router flickers, it usually means it is trying to connect to the internet. But it can get blocked, causing your Wi-Fi to slow down or even causing you to lose your internet connection.

If your Comcast Xfinity router/green modem's light is blinking, you can try unplugging it from the network, checking the cables connecting it, restarting it, or restoring it to the factory settings.

Xfinity Modem Router Blinking Blue

To access the internet from within your house, you must first connect to Xfinity's modem. It can link your computers, tablets, and cell phones to the internet through Wi-Fi.

Xfinity internet users connect to the web using a Comcast modem. In most cases, the gadget will already be set up and ready to go upon arrival. The router's status is displayed through indicator lights.

These indicators can assist you in figuring out what's wrong with your router. Four lights on the Xfinity modem each represent a distinct function, and the blue light will flicker if there's an issue with the router.

Before calling Comcast, read on to find out why your Xfinity modem/blue router's light is flashing and what you can do about it.

Related:

What Does the White Light Flashing on a Comcast Xfinity Gateway Router Mean?

Let's briefly review what that blinking blue light on your Xfinity router means before we get into fixing it.

If your Xfinity router or modem has a blue light that flashes, it is probably in WPS pairing mode. Wi-Fi Protected Setup, or WPS for short, is a function provided by Xfinity that allows you to connect devices with Wi-Fi capabilities to the network without needing the password.

There may be a different issue if the Xfinity modem/router isn't in WPS status when the blue light blinks. Whatever the reason, we will look at several methods of getting the blue light on your Xfinity router to stop blinking so you can reconnect to your network again.

How To Stop Your Xfinity Router's White Light from Flashing

Fixing an Xfinity modem or router's blinking blue light can be done in a few different ways. Try each of these options until you identify one that works.

Activate Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) on Your Xfinity Modem/Router

Try pushing the WPS button on the Comcast modem to see if it stops the blinking blue light. If your Xfinity device's blue light was flashing because it was in WPS mode, it should disable WPS mode and fix the problem.

The location of the WPS button and restart instructions vary slightly depending on which gateway model you have.

xFi Advanced Gateway (XB7 and higher)

The WPS button is located on the back of the device, above the coax and Ethernet plugs. WPS connection mode is indicated by the blue LED light slowly blinking on the xFi Advanced Gateway (XB7 and above). After the connection is made, the light will change to pure white in operational mode.

xFi Advanced Gateway (XB6)

To find the WPS button, look to the top and left of the gateway box. After the button is pressed, the blue light slowly blinks as it pairs with your home network. The light changes from blue to pure white when the pairing has been completed.

Wireless Gateway

The button is located on the top, toward the front of the Xfinity router. The Wireless Gateway's WPS button will initiate a connection, and the WPS LED will blink until the connection is complete. In the event of a failed connection, it will flash for five minutes. It would be best to wait for the LED to stop blinking before attempting again or attaching another WPS device.

Once your Wi-Fi has successfully connected to your local network, the system will show a confirmation message on the screen. If the Xfinity blue light persists, you can attempt these other solutions.

Restart The Device

If hitting the WPS button does not stop the blinking blue light, you can try rebooting your Xfinity modem or router. To accomplish this, disconnect your Xfinity device from its power source, wait 15 seconds, and reconnect it.

Wait for the device to fully boot up before reconnecting any devices.

Double-Check Connections

If the Xfinity blue light continues flashing after attempting the previously mentioned troubleshooting steps, it may be caused by a problem with a cable or connection. Here's how to resolve the issue:

  1. First, unplug the power from your gateway. Not every model has coaxial or ethernet cables connected in the back. If your model does have these connections, test them by removing them from the back of your Xfinity modem or router.
  2. Wait a few seconds, and then plug them back in.
  3. Check to see if the light is still flashing blue or if it has turned to white. If it's still flashing blue, move to the next step.

Reset to Default Settings

Finally, if you've exhausted all other troubleshooting steps and your Xfinity device's blue light is still flashing, you may try resetting it to factory settings.

Any changes you've made to your Xfinity device's settings will be lost if you do this, so be sure to make a backup. When you hit and hold the reset button for around 10 seconds, it will reset your Xfinity device to its original settings.

Wait a few minutes after returning your Xfinity equipment to factory settings to see if the blinking blue light stops.

When everything else fails, and your Xfinity modem or router's blue light continues to flicker, it's time to call Xfinity's customer service.

Get in Touch with Xfinity's Support Team

If you've tried all these options and still have trouble with your Xfinity router, you should call Comcast for help. A technician may need to visit your home to investigate the issue.

You may contact Comcast's support team via their website or by dialing 1-800-XFINITY.

Final Thoughts

The Xfinity Wireless Gateway is a powerful device that allows you to connect to the internet. When there are issues with this device, it can sometimes be difficult to identify and resolve them. Fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps to fix your Xfinity Wireless Gateway.

If your Xfinity modem or router's blue light is flashing, you can attempt one of many Xfinity blue light repairs. You can try resetting your Xfinity device to factory settings, resuming WPS mode, or simply power cycling it to see if it helps. If you have tried all of these solutions and they have yet to work, call Xfinity's technical assistance.

Xfinity Modem Router Blinking White

Are you experiencing a flashing white light on your Xfinity modem? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many Xfinity users have reported this issue, which can be caused by a variety of factors. In this article, we'll go over what could be causing your Xfinity modem to flash white and how you can troubleshoot and fix the problem. Whether you're a tech-savvy expert or a novice, this article will provide you with the information you need to get your Xfinity modem up and running again.

Related:

What Does the White Light Flashing on a Comcast Xfinity Modem Router Mean?

Each color light on your router represents a unique status to indicate that the device is working properly. If any of the lights are not lit or blinking, it could mean a problem with your modem. The white light on your Comcast modem should be lit up at all times, but it will occasionally blink to indicate a different status.

If the white light on your Xfinity router is flickering, it suggests your connection is unstable. A few of the potential culprits of an unreliable network connection include the following:

There are several ways to troubleshoot these problems and improve your connection.

How To Stop Your Xfinity Router's White Light From Flashing

The white LED on certain recent Xfinity routers has a slightly purple tint. Try these solutions to fix the flickering white light on your Xfinity router regardless of the model's age.

Activate Your Router

If someone just signed up for Comcast Xfinity, their router may have a white light that blinks because it hasn't been activated yet.

In such instances, just give them the device's MAC ID to make the modem go live. To activate it, either dial 855-652-3446 or click this link.

Check for a Service Disruption

It's usually a good idea to see if there are any local service disruptions before you start tinkering with your network. Access the Service Status Center by logging into your Xfinity account.

There's little you can do during a blackout but wait for service to be restored. Your Comcast Internet service will be down during this time. However, if you really must access the internet, you might use your smartphone as a hotspot.

Reboot the Modem/Router

Try power cycling the modem/router and see if the white light stops flashing. If the router isn't responding, try unplugging its cord in the rear and wait a few seconds. Then wait for the router to restart after plugging it back in.

After powering the device back on, verify that the white indicator light is no longer flashing.

Check the Ethernet Cables

If your modem is turned on and there is no outage in service, then you should check the Ethernet connection connecting your computer to the modem. Your Xfinity router's white status light may be flashing if it isn't securely connected to your wall outlet.

Verify the rear of your router/modem for loose or disconnected coaxial cables (or modem).

To resolve this issue, disconnect the Ethernet wire connecting your modem and router and reconnect it. If you wish to rule out a faulty Ethernet cable as the source of the issue, you may always try a new cable.

Upgrade Your Router's Software

If you've exhausted those options without success, the firmware on your Xfinity router may be malfunctioning. Firmware is the operating system installed on your router, enabling it to communicate with the internet.

Log in to your Xfinity router to access the latest firmware update. You may then look for your router's settings under that menu.

Choose Firmware Update from the list of options on the router's configuration page. When a new firmware version becomes available, Comcast will update it automatically.

Examine the System Logs

You can also inspect the device logs to help pinpoint the source of the problems. These can often shed light on the nature and cause of a device's issues.

Go to your device's "log tab" after logging in to verify. However, if you're renting a gateway from Xfinity, you might not be able to access them.

Resetting the Router

If restoring the router to its factory settings doesn't work, try upgrading the firmware. Before you reset the router, make sure you have a backup of any settings you wish to save.

You may reset your Xfinity router via the device's administration page. In the list of connected devices, choose the router and then the gear icon.

Select the Reset Router option from the router's menu. Comcast is going to return the router to its original configuration now.

Additionally, if your router has a reset button, pushing and holding it for 10 seconds will reset the device.

A factory reset of the router allows you to start again with the initial configuration. Picking a secure password for the Wi-Fi network is essential for maintaining the safety of your network.

Get in Touch with Xfinity's Support Team

If you've tried all these options and still have trouble with your Xfinity router, you should call Comcast for help. A technician may need to visit your home to investigate the issue.

You may contact Comcast's support team via their website or by dialing 1-800-XFINITY.

In Review

Your Comcast Xfinity router has an unstable connection if its lights flash white (or maybe bright purple). If your Xfinity router is flashing white, reset or restart, check for Comcast service, double-check the cords and connection, and upgrade the firmware.

However, if none of these methods work, you should call Comcast's customer support for assistance. Comcast will dispatch a professional to your home or office if they cannot repair the issue remotely.

Setting Up a Home Network for Beginners [Huge Guide]

Setting up a home network for beginners is not the challenge of the year. In fact, thee steps are quite easy and if you plan enough in the beginning, you can save both time, money and frustration and who doesn’t want that?

So, in this home network guide, you will learn how to plan your network to get the best use out of it, you’ll get help to configure your new router as well as learning what kind of cool stuff you can do with a home network.

But first, planning!

Stage 1: Planning Your Home Network

Before you go out to purchase new hardware, you should have a general idea about what you should get. How much power do you need? What is your network used for? You should also have an idea of how much money you are ready to spend on a network. There are a few things you will need to get started with a new home network, which you can read more about in my blog post What equipment is needed for a home network.

So, what are you and your family doing on the internet?

Determine What You Need from a Network

What is your network being used for?

Be surprised, but a family of two people will not use the network as much as a family of four, with two kids, in most cases at least. Different activities will also require different speeds and because of this, you should have an idea of what your network will be used for.

Try to count how many devices you have at home that will require a network at the same time. For example, if you are two people in the household, it’s not unthinkable to say that both of you have a smartphone that could be used at the same time, while a Netflix show is running on the TV maybe. This is not very demanding and will not generate that much network traffic.

However, if you are a family of four with kids that are playing online games and watching streams will you try to watch a Netflix show and at the same time, your loved one is trying to get some work done in the room next door. That will require good network gear in order to run smoothly. You don’t want to get the cheapest solution for that situation.

And just to make it clear, I am not just talking about the network speed from your ISP (Internet Service Provider) here, which should be at least 25 Mbps if you are closer to my second example. No, this will be relevant for what router you should get as well, as some routers are designed to handle more traffic at the same time.

Your Options When Setting up a New Home Network

By now, you should have a general idea of what your network is/will be used for. If you plan to run it lightly with just a couple of smartphones and a TV, maybe an iPad, then a fully wireless solution might be a good idea. There is no need to run cables through the whole home and it can be very easy to setup.

Go Fully Wireless with a Mesh Network

The solution to this situation would be to get a mesh network. A mesh network is multiple devices called nodes that you place around your house. One of them is the main node and that has to be connected with an ethernet cable, the other ones just require power. The nodes will work together to provide the best wireless network possible. These devices are often smart enough to know where it’s interference and try to work around it.

If you are interested in a mesh network, I would recommend you to check out my blog post What is a Mesh Network where I explain more about what a mesh network is and how you can benefit from one. You can also read my article Recommended Mesh Network to find the best mesh network right now.


Google Mesh - My recommended mesh network

Go for a Powerful, Traditional Router

If you are closer to my second example with kids playing games and watching streams all nights long, then you should probably get a traditional router and run some cables to the computers that use the network the most.

A modern router is made for these types of situations, where a lot is going on at the same time and network access is needed from everything. Because of this, there’s a technology called MU-MIMO which will help the router handle the traffic. Traditionally, a router could just take care of one device at the time, meaning it had to circle each device that sent a request. This is what’s happening when your video is buffering, to give you an example.

To solve this, MU-MIMO was invented. MU-MIMO stands for Multi-User, Multiple-input, Multiple-Output and does essentially what the name suggests. A router that supports any form of MU-MIMO can handle multiple inputs and outputs of traffic for multiple users at the same time. Maybe you can start to see the benefit of this?

Routers that support MU-MIMO will also specify how many devices they can handle at the same time. For example, the router that I recommend in 2019, the Asus RT-AC68U supports 3x3 MU-MIMO, meaning it can handle 3 connections at the same time. The maximum a router can do is 4x4, which is 4 open connections.

If you want to learn more about which router is the most suitable for you, you should read my blog post How to Know Which Router to Buy where I’ll cover this topic more in-depth.

Should You Get a Firewall?

A question that often comes up when speaking of a new network, is firewalls. Do you need a firewall for your home network to be secure? The simple answer is no. A firewall is great for Enterprise where the demands are higher, and the risk is bigger. For home networks, a firewall is just a waste of money.

Firstly, a good router has a built-in firewall that can take care of the most obvious bad traffic that is trying to access your network.  On top of that, a software firewall is built into most operating systems such as Windows or OSX. These firewalls with further protect you from bad stuff.

This is a huge topic that I have already covered in my article Do You Need a Firewall to Protect Your Home Network and I suggest that you read that post if you are interested in learning more about why you don’t need a firewall.

Stage 2: Setting Up Your Home Network

Time for configuration!

Step one is done, and you should have chosen between a mesh network and a traditional router by now. A mesh network is usually much easier to set up than a traditional router, as you do it with your mobile phone, simply clicking next most of the time.

This is true for routers as well, but it can require some extra steps. That is why I have made a guide for the five most popular brands when it comes to routers, which you can find down below. Please keep in mind that the routers I used wasn’t the latest and greatest and things might be different between models, but the general idea should be the same.

Setting Up Your Asus Router

Congratulations on your new Asus router. Asus has done a great job with their first-time setup and during this setup, you will do the most important steps. The first thing you need to do is to connect your new router to your modem. The cable should go from the modem to the router’s WAN port, or internet port (it’s the same thing but router manufacturers are labeling it differently).

Next, you connect a cable from the router to a computer. Make sure the router is powered on, some routers have an on/off button, and then open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1/ in the address field. This will open the routers configuration page, and this is where you will configure the settings.

Choose Automatic Setting on the first page. When doing so, you let the router do the heavy work to see what type of internet access you have, and it can do most of the configuration itself.

On the next page, you set up your login to the router. It is strongly recommended that you do not leave this as default and that you change both router login name and the password. Asus will show you how strong your password is, and you want it to be as strong as possible of course.

Next, you get to choose if you want the router to be in router mode or access point mode. In AP-mode, it will only provide WiFi and not do any of the router stuff, so you want it to be in Wireless router mode.

On the next page, you get to choose the type of connection you have to your ISP (Internet Service Provider). In 99% of the time, you have Automatic IP (DHCP) so that is what you should choose. If you have anything else, you have most likely made that choice and know about it.

Next page lets your setup your SSIDs. Here, you have two networks to set up, and this is because modern routers offer to kind of networks, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz provides longer range at a slower speed, making it good for smartphones or tablets, where you just surf the web. The 5 GHz has a shorter range but provides faster speeds, making it great for streaming and gaming.

Name your networks, preferably something anonymous and be sure to have some fun with it. You should also set up a password for both networks. As a default, Asus gives the 5 GHz network the same password as you give the 2.4 GHz networks. If you want to have it like that or not is up to you. When happy with the names and passwords, hit Apply.

On the final page, you get to review your settings and making sure that they all look OK. If you are happy with everything, simply click on Complete.

After doing so, you will get to the overview page of the router. Here, you can see how many clients are connected to your network, you can configure other settings in the router and you can update the firmware. But that is for another article.

Setting Up Your Netgear Router

Congratulations on your new Netgear router. Netgear has improved their first-time setup guide for the latest years but they still have a few things to work on. To start, connect your routers WAN7internet port to your modem with an ethernet cable. Next, take another ethernet port and connect LAN 1 on the router to a computer.

Make sure that your router is on (some routers have on/off-buttons) and then open your favorite web browser. In the address bar, type 192.168.0.1/ or 192.168.1.1/ and you will connect to the router. Netgear has routers with both 0.1 and 1.1 on their IP addresses so it will depend on your model which one you have. There is no difference between them other than a number.

Before you get to the setup, you will need to agree to Netgear’s terms of services and a privacy note and once you have done so, the router will search your network for another router (for some reason) and then an internet connection, which can take up to a minute. Once it’s finished, you get asked if you want help to configure your internet connection or not. Choose Yes and click Next.

On the next page, you will set up your admin account settings. This is not your wireless password but the password for accessing your router configuration. Unfortunately, you can’t change the username but setting up a strong and secure password is a must here. You will also choose two security questions in case you forget the password. When done, click next.

On this page, Netgear will show you the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz SSID name and passwords. Netgear has configured this for you so you don’t have to. You will also see your router admin settings at the bottom. You have the option to print this information if you want it stored on a paper. Click next when ready.

Netgear also has some bloatware they want to install on your computer. If you want this software, keep it checked, but I recommend to not use it, there are better software for backing up your computer.

Next, you can upgrade the firmware on your router. This is something I recommend that you do so click yes and allow the router to download the new firmware and install it. You should always make sure to have the latest firmware on your router as that is the only protection between your devices and the internet.

Once the upgrade is done, you are done. However, if you want to change the name and password of your wireless network, which I recommended that you do, go to your router configuration (192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and log in with the information you entered before. Click on the Wireless box and here, you can change the name and password of your SSIDs. Once you are happy with your new name and password, click on Apply and wait for the router to update the settings. Now you are done!

Setting Up Your Linksys Router

Congratulations on your new Linksys router. Linksys routers are easy to set up, so you have made a good choice if you are a beginner. The first step is to connect everything, and you do this by connecting an ethernet cable from your modem to the router’s WAN/Internet port. Next up, you connect an ethernet cable from LAN 1 on the router to the computers network port. When this is done, make sure the router is on (some routers have on/off-buttons) and then open your favorite web browser.

In the address bar at the top, enter 192.168.1.1, which will take you to the router’s configuration page. Starting, you will need to accept the Linksys terms and choose if you want to send information to Linksys for further helping them improve their products. Click next when you are ready.

The router will now make sure that everything is good, that there is an internet connection and see if there are any updates. This can take up to a minute so just wait while the router is doing its thing. Once finished, it will ask you if you want to update (if updates were found) and I would recommend you do that, as updates are for a reason (security, features and stability improvements).

On the next page, you will set up your wireless network name and password. As you notice, there are one 2.4 GHz and one 5 GHz networks. The 2.4 GHz is older technology with longer-range but slower speed while the 5 GHz technology is newer and faster but provide a shorter range.

Give both of them a name, preferably something anonymous like “home” or “what’s my wifi” or similar. The password should be strong and unique so that unauthorized users can’t guess it and access your network. Once happy, click next.

The router will do a little more of its thing and once done, it will ask you to choose a router password. This is not the wireless password that you just configured, but the password to access the router configuration. Don’t use the same password as you did before, choose something else. Once happy, click next.

On the final step, you can review the settings that you have configured. Make sure everything looks good and that you remember the passwords and then click next to create a Linksys Smart WiFi account if you want that. What it does is that you can check up on your network from anywhere in the world. If you don’t specifically need this, I’ll suggest not using it.

When clicking next, you will get to the dashboard of your Linksys router. This means that you are done with the configuration and you have a secure wireless home network.

Setting Up Your TP-Link Router

Congratulations on your new TP-Link router. TP-Link has one of the better start-ups guides I’ve seen and they continue to improve it. To start, you need to connect your modem to the WAN/ISP port on the router with an ethernet cable. Next, you need to connect the computer to LAN 1 on the router with another ethernet cable. Then, make sure the router is turned on (some routers have on/off-buttons) and open your favorite browser on the computer.

In the address bar, go to 192.168.1.1. The first thing you are asked to do is to set up an admin password for accessing the router configuration. This is not your wireless network password. On the next page, you will choose your time zone and after that, you choose the connection type to your ISP (Internet Service Provider). If you don’t know, you can choose Auto Detect and the router will help you choose. But most likely, you have Dynamic as that is what most people have.

Click next and then next again, as the MAC address settings will, in 90% of the cases, not apply to you. On the page you end up on, you configure your wireless networks. You have the option to set up two networks, one 2.4 GHz and one 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz is older technology with longer-range but the slower speed and is great for smartphones and tablets that don’t need as much. The 5 GHz is newer and faster but with shorter range. This network is good for streaming and gaming.

Configure your names and passwords and make them unique and funny instead of boring and personal. For example, name the first one “Does this network work” and the other one “I am not sure” instead of “Family Brown’s Network”. The passwords should be hard to guess so that no unauthorized can access your network. When you are happy with your settings, click Next.

On the final page, there is a summary of the settings that you have chosen. Review them and if you are happy, click Save. The router will reboot, and you will see a progress bar at the bottom showing how far it has come. When finished, TP-Link wants you to use the TP-Link Cloud. If you are using it, you can log in, otherwise, you can skip it.

Now you are done configuring your TP-Link router. Click Finish to access the router configuration to further cartomizer the router or close the web page and enjoy your new network.

Setting Up Your D-Link Router

Congratulations on your new D-Link router. D-Link has a lot to work on with their first-time set up so there are a few key things that need to be done afterward. The first thing you need to do is to connect the router to the internet through an ethernet cable. Connect a cable to the WAN/Internet port of the router and the other end to your modem that you got from your ISP (Internet Service Provider). Next, you connect another ethernet cable from LAN 1on the router to a computer.

Make sure the router is powered on (some routers have an on/off button) and then open your favorite web browser and enter 192.168.0.1/ in the address field. This will let you access the router configuration page, which will automatically open the first-time setup for you.

On this page, you can see that your computer is connected to the router, but your router is not yet connected to the internet. This is OK as of right now. Under WAN Setup, you choose the type of connection you have to your ISP, which is 99% of the time is DHCP. If you have another set here, you have probably configured it manually and know about it.

Next up, under Wireless Setup, you choose what you want your SSID name to be. Choose something funny or random, don’t go with “Family Brown’s Network”. You will also set the password for the network, which should be a strong password that someone else cannot guess easily. When you are happy, click on Save and Connect.

On the next page, you will need to login to the router configuration menu. The default login is Admin and no password, so what you do here is to simply click on Login and you will be logged into the router.

Now, go to the Wireless tab on the top menu. If you can’t see a tab named Wireless, go to Setup and then you should find Wireless Basics / Wireless setup in the side menu. Here, you can see the wireless settings that you chose earlier. Under that, in Security Options, make sure that says WPA-PASK/WPA2-PSK AES. If not, choose that option. This will make sure that you use the best encryption for your wireless network.

There is one more step that needs to be done and that is to change your router username and login. Right now, it’s Admin with no password but that is not good as unauthorized users can access the configuration of your router. To do this, go to Tools and under Admin Password, you have the option to set your password. Make it something strong that other users can’t guess. When happy, click on Save Settings and you are done.

Home Network Security

By now, your router has been configured and setup, which means that you have a fully working home network and you can leave this behind you. Well, that’s one way to see and frankly, this is also what most people do. But I would argue that adding some extra security to your new network is always a good idea.

Even if you are not targeted for a specific reason, criminals are always looking for easy targets and while having a password for your wireless network (which you should have configured in the steps above), is the strongest protection, there are a few other things you can do to help yourself.

If your router supports remote access from the outside, you should make sure that this is disabled. By default, on my Asus router, this is enabled, which I don’t understand at all. This feature allows you to connect to your router from outside your home and while there can be benefits for this, it shouldn’t be on by default in my opinion.

This might be a little later, but you should also make your SSID name anonymous. The reason for this is to hide what network is yours. Naming it something like “The Johnson Family” makes it easy for targets to find your network.

Finally, you should always make sure that you are running the latest firmware on your network devices. Take a few minutes every second month to login to your router configuration and see if there are any new updates to install. These updates protect you from new vulnerabilities, can sometimes give new features and generally provides stability improvements.

There are of course other steps you can take to further increase your security. It’s these small steps that will count in the end. If you are interested, I have written a post named 7 Easy Security Tips for Your Home Network. Check it out to learn more about network security and what you can do about it.

You are your own security guard...

Troubleshooting the Network if it Doesn’t Work

Sometimes it happens, it doesn’t work as expected. Without knowing much about networks or routers, this can be frustrating, and I wanted to have a section trying to help you if you are currently yelling at the router to start working (we’ll all been there).

I know this sounds like a cliché and very unhelpful but restarting the router will solve most of the problems. Yes, I’ve been working with IT support so I’ve used that phrase for quite some time but there is a reason why the IT helpdesk always tells you to reboot. Does the problem persist even after the router has been rebooted? There are other things you can do to troubleshoot.

Now it’s time to isolate the problem. Since a restart did not help, we need to dig further and one way to do that is to bypass the router to make sure that the internet is working as it’s supposed to do.

The way you do this is to take the ethernet cable that goes from the modem to the router and put it between a computer and the modem instead. If you get internet access by doing this, it’s the router. However, if you don’t have internet, you should call your ISP because then, it’s most likely on their side.

You should also try with multiple computers if you experience problems. It is unlikely, but it has happened more than once for me when you try troubleshooting something and it ends up being the computer that doesn’t work. If you have more than one available, try both of them to see if they both have the same problem.

In my post 7 Troubleshooting Steps if You Nothing About Routers, I’ve added some more steps than just three. If you continue to experience a problem, that is probably the article you want to read.

Stage 3: Enjoy Your New Home Network

By now, you should have bought everything you need to create your new home network and your router should be configured and ready, congratulations. You are essentially done setting up the basics of your home network now but there are more things that you can do to improve, learn and use your network more.

In step 3 of this guide, you will learn how you can improve your network with upgrades, storage solutions, further expansion in the future and of course, test your new home network to see how fast it goes.

See How Fast Your New Home Network is

You can measure your network speed by simply transferring a file from your computer to a NAS or another type of network storage. If you don’t have any network storage, you can connect a USB drive to your router (if it has USB which most newer routers have). Choose a big file and then copy it to the network drive.

You will then get a popup showing how fast the copy goes. If you have a graph like in the picture below, there the speed is 100 MB/s or more, that is a good connection and you will not get faster than that without buying completely new hardware (like a new router and a new network card for your computer) and frankly, it’s not worth it.

If your speed is slower than this, it might be that you are trying it on a computer that doesn’t support this speed or that you have something in your network that isn’t supporting the speed. It could be a switch for example. Another reason could be that you are on a wireless network and is getting interference from other devices in your home, like the microwave.

Generally, a wireless network is always slower than going with cable so if you want to go as fast as possible, running an ethernet cable is your best option.

Another way to test your speed is with a tool called TotuSoft LANSpeed. This software will send a package up to 200MB to measure the speed of your network. It’s a small program that is easy to use, even for non-networking people.

If you want to learn more about network speed, LAN speed and how to improve your speed, you can read my blog post here where I talk more about this topic.

Cool Things You Can Do with Your New Home Network

A network is something most people have at home and now you do as well. But wouldn’t it be cool to do more with your network? A network allows you to create solutions that will make your life easier. Just check out some of these suggestions that you can do.

Setting Up a NAS (Network-Attached Storage)

A NAS is storage on your network that any computer or device can reach. This is making sharing files between computers (and users) much easier. You can have a folder with all your images and anyone on your network can see them, for example.

There are multiple ways to set up a NAS. One way is to buy a pre-built NAS and some hard drives, which I recommend doing. You can also keep it simple and have an external drive in the USB port of your router and transfer files to this drive. That’s also a NAS.

A NAS will be required for most of the other suggestions down below and if you would purchase a pre-built NAS, it can be configured very easy with built-in apps. If you want to learn more about a NAS, what it is and what you can do with it, be sure to check out my blog post here where I go more in-depth.

Setting Up a Printer Server

If you still have a printer at home, you know how annoying it is to see something on your phone and then have to send it to yourself just so that you can open it on your computer to print it out. Well, no more. Most routers actually have a printer server built-in which means that you can connect a printer to the USB port of the router and then do a small configuration on the router.

This will allow all your devices on your network to reach the printer and the next time you find something on your phone, you can print directly from the phone, saving some hassle. On top of that, the rest of your family can use the printer from their devices as well.

Do you still have a printer at home?

Setting Up a Backup Solution

I’m sure that you have heard this before, that you should back up your files and folders if the worst would happen. This is not just something people are saying, it’s something you very much should be doing. But it takes time, you forget and suddenly everything is gone. Well, it doesn’t have to be like this.

This will also work best if you have a NAS or some kind of storage solution. Most routers have built-in backup software that you can use to automatically take backups of your computers and devices so that you don’t have to. It will then be stored on your network and if your computer would crash, you will have your files ready to be copied over to the new computer.

It’s an easy way to keep your information, files and folders protected.

Setting Up a Media Server

This works best if you have a NAS or a home server but will work on a computer as well. You can install something called Plex, which is a centralized media software. With Plex, you can create your own Netflix and Spotify. You create a movie-library in Plex and point it to a folder on the server/computer where you have all your movies.

Once that is done, you can go to the Plex server address in your web browser and get the cover of the moves, summaries, Rotten Tomato scores, trailer, music and much more, simply from having a movie file. The same thing applies to music or tv-shows. It’s a great way to digitize all the movies and music you have on DVD, Blu-Ray and CDs (or however you get your movies…).

Get your own Netflix with Plex!

Setting Up a Home Server

You can also build your own home server. With a home server, you can do all of the above and much more. For example, I have a home server that is running Plex, the UniFi Controller, virtual machines, acting as a NAS and it also takes backups of my computers at home. You may not need all of this, but it shows the flexibility of a home server.

This option is a fun idea if you are at least a little interested in networking and/or computers as it would require you to build a computer and install an operating system on it. If you still want to do all of these things but not sure how to build a computer, I’ll recommend a pre-built NAS as they can do many of the things as well, but in a much easier and more user-friendly way.

Expanding Your Wireless Network in the Future

While your router is doing a great job at covering your network right now, it may change in the future. If this is the case, you don’t necessarily need to buy a new router, there are other ways you can go about to expand your wireless network. A popular way to do this is by using range extenders.

A range extender is a little device that sits in a power outlet and picks up the wireless network from your router. It will then boost that signal so that the network reaches further away. This is a cheap solution to extend your WiFi and it works fairly well. There is a big drawback with it and that is the speed. It will not be as good as if you were connected directly to the router. But if you are just surfing the web, you will no notice anything.

I have previously written a blog post about range extenders, what it is, how they work and how they can benefit you. You can find the blog post here if you are interested.

Connecting multiple routers together can increase your WiFi

Another way would be to buy an access point. An access point will also boost your network further away but will be connected to the router through a cable instead, making it more stable and not lose as much speed as a range extender. This solution is more expensive but can work great.

You can use the same solution with another router as well. Yes, you can connect two routers together to provide WiFi. This will also give you the benefit of having more LAN ports in another place in your house. The way it works is that you turn off all the router functionality in one of the routers so that it will act only as an access point.

This is not as complicated as you might think but if you want a guide to follow, you can find a blog post I have written here, where I show you how to connect two routers together while still having the same SSID.

Conclusion

This guide is finally coming to an end. It turned out to be much longer than anticipated but hopefully, you have learned a thing or two about networking now.

Step one in any build is to start with a plan and see what is needed. There is no point in buying the biggest router if you don’t need it. At the same time, it’s worth knowing what your network will be used for so that you can plan better and make a better purchase.

Step two is to configure the new router that you bought in step one. All routers look differently so it may require some YouTube or Google to fully understand all functions, but you should at least be able to set up an admin login and password as well as a wireless network once you are done with step 2.

Step 3 is all about expanding your network and making it more useful then it was before. Here, you learned how to check the speed of your network and fun things you can do with your network to make it more helpful. Also, how you can expand your network in the future, which is something most of us have to do some time.

Now, there’s not much else for me to say than congratulations on your new network and be sure to check out my other blog posts and recommendations. Enjoy!

How to Install UniFi on Ubuntu 18.04

Thinking of getting UniFi-products but don’t want to pay extra for a cloud key? No worries, the software can be installed for free. In this article, you’ll learn how to install UniFi on Ubuntu 18.04 server version.  I’ll explain the errors that I got so that you can quickly fix them if you get them.

(more…)

What is a NAS & Amazing Things You Can Do with it

What is it that can protect your files, even if your hard drive fails? That can serve up media files like the way Netflix does with trailers and covers? That can run a personal cloud far away from companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft?

(more…)

Do You Need a Firewall to Protect Your Home Network?

When talking about network security, something that pops up quite often is firewalls. It’s very unclear what they are really doing for non-networking people except that they may block bad traffic. But how do they know what is bad what is not?

(more…)