How to Extend Wifi to Detached Garage? Extended Guide 2023

Introduction:

A detached garage is a separate structure from your home that provides a convenient space for various purposes such as a workshop, hobby room, or storage space. If your garage is separate or far from your house area, it may cause for Wi-Fi weak signal. Also, this can be frustrating when you need to work on a project that requires an internet connection. So, all you need to extend your Wi-Fi signal as soon as possible. There are many ways to extend your Wi-Fi connection. After some research, I found some useful and effective methods that will help you to be your problem fixed.

Table of Contents

How Do Wi-Fi Signals Work?

Wi-Fi signals work by transmitting data using radio waves in the unlicensed 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. The Wi-Fi router uses an antenna to broadcast a signal, which is picked up by a device’s Wi-Fi adapter. The data is then decoded and can be used to connect to the internet or other network resources. Wi-Fi signals can pass through walls and other solid objects, but their range can be limited by physical barriers and interference from other electronic devices.

Why and when Wi-Fi signal is Interrupted?

How to Increase WiFi Range in House — Your Wi-Fi signals can be interrupted or degraded due to several reasons. Here we noted 06 main and common reasons that may you have.

Physical barriers: Walls, ceilings, furniture, and other solid objects can obstruct the Wi-Fi signal and weaken its strength.
Interference from other devices: Electronic devices such as microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors can interfere with the Wi-Fi signal and cause disruptions.
Distance from the router: The strength of the Wi-Fi signal decreases as the distance from the router increases.
Overlapping frequency channels: If multiple Wi-Fi routers are using the same or overlapping frequency channels, they can interfere with each other and cause signal degradation.
Obstructions caused by people: People can also block the Wi-Fi signal as they move around the house, especially if they are between the router and the device trying to connect.
Outdated hardware or software: Old routers or devices with outdated software can also cause signal problems, especially if they do not support the latest Wi-Fi standards.

Note: If your Wi-Fi signal strength is low and you want to fix it, you have to understand what is the main reason for this. Then you can take steps to improve the quality and reliability of your Wi-Fi network by fixing that issue.

Understanding the Wi-Fi Signal Strength

Before we dive into the methods to extend Wi-Fi to your detached garage, you have to understand the Wi-Fi signal strength. Wi-Fi signal strength is measured in decibels (dBm). The higher the number, the stronger the Wi-Fi signal. A strong Wi-Fi signal ranges from -30 to -50 dBm, while a weak signal is below -70 dBm.

Knowing your Wi-Fi signal strength is important to determine the best method to extend Wi-Fi to your detached garage. You can use a Wi-Fi analyzer app to determine the Wi-Fi signal strength in your garage. Or you can manually check the signal on your device. As the process varies for different devices, I mentioned 04 individual processes for each operating system below.

On Windows: Right-click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray, click “Open Network and Sharing Center”, click “Wi-Fi” (it may also say the name of your Wi-Fi network), then look under “Signal strength“.
On Mac: Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, hold the Option key, then click “Open Wireless Diagnostics“. From there, select “Window” and then “Scan“. The signal strength of your Wi-Fi network will be displayed.
On Android: Go to “Settings” -> “Network & Internet” -> “Wi-Fi” -> tap and hold on the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to -> “Network details“. The signal strength will be displayed in the “Signal” field.
On iPhone: Go to “Settings” -> “Wi-Fi” -> tap the “i” icon next to the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to. The signal strength will be displayed in the “RSSI” field. For details, you can read this article: https://osxdaily.com/2019/09/06/how-check-wifi-network-signal-strength-ios/

How to Extend WiFi to Detached Garage?

Now that you know your Wi-Fi signal strength, it’s time to learn how to extend Wi-Fi to your detached garage by fixing your issues. Below I suggest 04 effective methods to extend Wi-Fi to your detached garage. If one doesn’t work or you don’t have enough accessories for that, try another one.

Method 1: Use a Wi-Fi Range Extender

A Wi-Fi range extender is a device that amplifies the Wi-Fi signal from your router to extend the range of the signal. This is the easiest and quickest method to extend Wi-Fi to your detached garage. Here is a step-by-step guide to extending your Wi-Fi signal using the Best WiFi range extender:

Choose a location: Select an area that is close to your router and has a strong Wi-Fi signal. And prefer the corner that faces your garage. This will ensure the best performance for your range extender performance.
Plug in the range extender: Connect the range extender to a power source and wait for it to turn on.
Connect to the range extender: Using a device with Wi-Fi capabilities, connect to the range extender’s network. The network name (SSID) will usually be in the format “extender-name + _EXT”.
Configure the range extender: Access the range extender’s configuration page using a web browser. The URL can be found in the manual or on the bottom or back of the range extender device.
Connect to your main Wi-Fi network: On the configuration page, find the option to scan for available Wi-Fi networks. Select your main Wi-Fi network and enter its password.
Save and apply the settings: After entering your main network’s information, save the settings and let the range extender restart.
Test the extended network: Once the range extender has restarted, connect to the extended Wi-Fi network. Then go into your garage and verify the extended signal from all corners, especially where you work or normally use an internet connection.

Note: The exact process may vary depending on the brand and model of your Wi-Fi range extender. Consult the manual or manufacturer’s website for specific instructions. Despite all this, if you are facing any trouble that you can’t fix yourself, contact us for personal support.

Method 2: Powerline Adapters

Powerline Adapters work by using your home’s electrical wiring as a network cable to extend your Wi-Fi signal. Here are the steps to extend your Wi-Fi signal using Powerline Adapters:

Connect one Powerline Adapter to a wall outlet near your router.
Connect the Ethernet cable from your router to the Powerline Adapter.
Connect another Powerline Adapter to a wall outlet in your garage where you need to extend the Wi-Fi signal.
Connect the Ethernet cable from your device (e.g. computer, smart TV, etc.) to the second Powerline Adapter (in your garage).
Pair the two Powerline Adapters by pressing the pairing button on each device.
Once the pairing is successful, you should have a stronger Wi-Fi signal in the room where you connected the second Powerline Adapter.

Note: To get the best performance from Powerline Adapters, I recommend using them on the same electrical circuit, and avoiding plugging them into extension cords or surge protectors.

Method 3: Use a Wireless Access Point (WAP)

A wireless access point (WAP) is another option to extend Wi-Fi to your detached garage. This device acts as a separate Wi-Fi hotspot that you can connect to. Here’s a step-by-step guide to extending your Wi-Fi signal using a Wireless Access Point (WAP):

Gather necessary equipment: You will need a WAP, an Ethernet cable, and a power supply for the WAP.
Connect the WAP to your network: Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the LAN port of the WAP and the other end to a LAN port on your router.
Power on the WAP: Connect the power supply to the WAP and plug it into a power outlet.
Configure the WAP:

Access the WAP’s web-based configuration page: Open a web browser and enter the WAP’s IP address (usually found in the manual or on the bottom of the device).
Login to the WAP: Enter the login credentials (usually admin/admin or admin/password).
Change the default IP address: If necessary, change the IP address of the WAP to avoid conflicts with your existing network.
Change the SSID (network name): Choose a new SSID for the WAP that is different from your existing network.
Set the security settings: Choose WPA2 encryption and set a strong password.
Enable DHCP: Ensure that the DHCP server is enabled so that the WAP can automatically assign IP addresses to devices.
Save the settings: Save the changes you made and restart the WAP if necessary.

Connect your devices: Turn on your devices and connect them to the newly extended network by selecting the new SSID from the available Wi-Fi networks.

Note: These steps are just a general guide, as the exact steps may vary depending on the WAP model you are using. Refer to the manual or the manufacturer’s website for more specific instructions if you’re facing any trouble.

Method 4: Outdoor Wi-Fi Access Point

An Outdoor Wi-Fi Access Point is a wireless device designed to provide Wi-Fi coverage to outdoor areas, such as yards, gardens, patios, garages, and driveways. To extend your Wi-Fi signal to your garage, you can place an outdoor Wi-Fi Access Point near the garage and connect it to your home’s existing Wi-Fi network. The Access Point will then act as a repeater, amplifying the Wi-Fi signal and broadcasting it to the garage. This will provide you with Wi-Fi coverage in your garage even if it is far from your house. Just follow the step-by-step guide below.

Choose an Outdoor Wi-Fi Access Point: Select a weather-resistant Access Point that is compatible with your existing Wi-Fi network. Consider factors such as range, frequency, and speed before making a purchase.
Place the Access Point: Choose a location near the garage where the Access Point can receive a strong signal from your existing Wi-Fi network. Ensure that the Access Point is mounted securely and protected from the elements.
Connect the Access Point to Power: Connect the Access Point to an electrical outlet or other power source using the provided power cord.
Configure the Access Point: Connect a device (such as a laptop or smartphone) to the Access Point using an Ethernet cable. Open a web browser and enter the IP address of the Access Point to access the configuration page. Enter the login credentials to access the configuration settings.
Connect the Access Point to your Home Network: In the configuration settings, select the option to join an existing Wi-Fi network and enter the name (SSID) and password of your home network.
Test the Connection: After you have configured the Access Point, disconnect the Ethernet cable and connect a device to the Wi-Fi network provided by the Access Point. Check if you can access the internet and if the Wi-Fi signal is strong enough in the garage.
Fine-tune the Configuration: If necessary, you can fine-tune the configuration settings to optimize the performance of the Access Point, such as adjusting the channel and power output.

This quick and easy guide will help you to fix the signal problem in your garage. Just make sure to follow all those steps one by one to get the perfect result.

FAQ

Can I use a mesh network system to extend Wi-Fi to my detached garage?

Yes, you can use a mesh network system to extend Wi-Fi to your detached garage. A mesh network system consists of multiple devices that work together to provide a strong Wi-Fi signal throughout your home, including your detached garage.

How far will a WiFi extender reach outside?

The range of a WiFi extender outside will depend on several factors such as the location, interference, and the type of device being used. On average, a WiFi extender can extend the range of a WiFi signal up to 300-500 feet in ideal conditions. This can vary widely based on the obstacles and the strength of the signal from the original router.

Conclusion

Extending Wi-Fi to your detached garage doesn’t have to be a complicated process. With the methods discussed in this guide, you can easily extend Wi-Fi to your detached garage and enjoy a strong and stable connection. Whether you choose a Wi-Fi range extender, powerline adapters, a wireless access point, or an outdoor Wi-Fi access point, you can be sure to get the best possible signal for your detached garage. If you have any further queries about extending the Wi-Fi signal, you can directly contact me.

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