Ask the Experts: I've installed a new Wi-Fi router in my house, placing it as centrally as possible, but there are still some dead spots. What can I do?

Answer: There are several ways to extend the range of a home Wi-Fi network. The simplest is to replace the standard antenna your router came with, with a high-power one. This can push range out by another room or two in any direction, depending on your house and its construction. This requires no reconfiguring of your network, no software, and no installation beyond plugging it in. Most major Wi-Fi hardware vendors offer optional high-power antennas for selected equipment, as well as some third parties. But not all routers have replaceable antennas, so check before you buy.

If your router doesn't have detachable antennas, or if you need even more coverage than a high-power antenna will give you (no amount of antenna power can push through metal and stone walls), try a second access point or repeater. A second access point can be placed anywhere you can run an Ethernet wire from the main gateway. A repeater or range extender operates similarly, but needs no wires. It takes the Wi-Fi signal from the main base station and rebroadcasts it.

If you want a repeater, you'll need to get it from the same vendor as your main gateway, since most are designed to operate with specific host base stations. Once installed, access points and repeaters can nearly double the coverage of your network, or greatly improve signal strength in a smaller area.

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