Question Looking for advice on improving WiFi coverage with NETGEAR Nighthawk C7000 v2

[topaz318]

Hello, I am experiencing WiFi issues with NETGEAR Nighthawk C7000 v2 in a 5000 sq ft house with Xfinity 800 Mbps service, particularly in some upstairs bedrooms. Should I add an extender or powerline adapter OR consider upgrading to a different router? Looking for advice on improving WiFi coverage and performance in my home built in 1998.

 

[kanewolf]

Hello, I am experiencing WiFi issues with NETGEAR Nighthawk C7000 v2 in a 5000 sq ft house with Xfinity 800 Mbps service, particularly in some upstairs bedrooms. Should I add an extender or powerline adapter OR consider upgrading to a different router? Looking for advice on improving WiFi coverage and performance in my home built in 1998.

Since you are using this as a modem and router, that makes it more difficult to replace.
The best to worst way to get a network to a different location: ethernet cable, MoCA coax, powerline, WIFI repeater.
You should only choose a WIFI extender as a last resort.
Is paying to have an ethernet cable installed an option? If so, that is what will give you the best performance.
Powerline is the best option to try. All buildings are wired differently. I can't predict your performance. To maximize your performance you should look for units that are labeled as AV2 or G.hn . Those standards are the highest performing.
If you choose a WIFI extender, you want to put it 1/2 way to the problem area. Why? Because if you put it in the problem area, then the extender will ALSO have poor input signal. So 1/2 way or less is the best answer.

 

[topaz318]

Thank you @kanewolf. So my office upstairs for some reason has good signal. If I put the extender in this room, will it help improving wifi in the bad areas? I am looking for an option to connect wireless for my phones and tablets upstairs.

 

[kanewolf]

Thank you @kanewolf. So my office upstairs for some reason has good signal. If I put the extender in this room, will it help improving wifi in the bad areas? I am looking for an option to connect wireless for my phones and tablets upstairs.

I can't predict what it will do in your specific layout.
I will recommend sticking with a Netgear extender. A vendor will often put brand specific optimizations for their products. So the EX7300 or EX7700 would be good options to match the capabilities of the router. The newer units would be OK if you can find them at lower prices.