Is My Extender Dying?

[alanattom]

We have a TP-Link 300MBPS range extender. It's about 18 months old:



The past week or so it's been dropping its signal (the solid lights blink) 3 or 4 times a day, and we then need to unplug it and plug it back in. Previously, it almost never dropped its signal.

The wifi signal comes from our cable modem router, and our desktop PC (to which the modem is cabled) does not use wifi.

My question: Does this mean the extender is dying (after only 18 months), or is there something else we might try to fix it?

 

[hang-the-9]

You can check with the ISP if there is an update for the modem/router combo you can try. Rebooting that may help. Maybe change the WiFi Channel being used.

 

[alanattom]

Thank you, Hang.

We have Time Warner, and they push BIOS updates whenever they wish.

I'm wondering what the life span is for extenders?

Thanks again,

Alan

 

[ravensj15]

the extender is probably dying, best to get a new one. i have the same extender you have, the TP-Link, but it was slow for me only 14 mbps. i got a netgear ex2700 and i get 30+ mbps like i would from my main router. how fast is your internet?

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Wi-Fi-Extender-Essentials-EX2700/dp/B00L0YLRUW/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1478991071&sr=1-1&keywords=netgear+wifi+extender

 

[alanattom]

Thank you, Ravensj! I just ordered it from Amazon.

Alan