Getting WiFi in outbuildings
Discussion
You could try a wi-fi range extender in the shed, but it may only be marginally better than the built in wi-fi on the PC.
I put a splice in the power leading to my shed and put a wi-fi extender in a perspex box attached to my fence half way down. Works okay, and easier than running a network cable.
I put a splice in the power leading to my shed and put a wi-fi extender in a perspex box attached to my fence half way down. Works okay, and easier than running a network cable.
I needed something similar and ended up using one of these, designed for getting wifi in a caravan. It isn't a hotspot/repeater, it plugs in via usb to a laptop, so no good for phones as well. I think they do a hotspot version, but its more money.
Surprisingly effective, finds neighbours networks I hadn't even seen in the house. It's fairly directional, but works ok for my use to the bottom of the garden.
https://www.primaleisure.com/product/1998535?gclid...
Surprisingly effective, finds neighbours networks I hadn't even seen in the house. It's fairly directional, but works ok for my use to the bottom of the garden.
https://www.primaleisure.com/product/1998535?gclid...
Works perfectly for me in the same situation - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Devolo-Powerline-Starter-...
Put one of these at each end and you'll have a full speed wifi link that works perfectly.
KuWFi 150Mbps WDS Wireless Bridge CPE waterproof Outdoor Point to Point Distance WiFi Wireless Access Point CPE
Or, as I did, one of those at one end and one of these at the other:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-CPE210-Outdoor-Ac...
i did that as I wanted PoE at one end, and 12v at the other.
IF, you can get plug in lan extenders (powerline) to work at that distance, great, go for that. Much cheaper and easier to setup
KuWFi 150Mbps WDS Wireless Bridge CPE waterproof Outdoor Point to Point Distance WiFi Wireless Access Point CPE
Or, as I did, one of those at one end and one of these at the other:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-CPE210-Outdoor-Ac...
i did that as I wanted PoE at one end, and 12v at the other.
IF, you can get plug in lan extenders (powerline) to work at that distance, great, go for that. Much cheaper and easier to setup
BT "Mini Home Hotspot" powerline extenders work perfectly for me in a similar scenario - detached garage with electricity supplied from the same fuse box as the house. Give them the same settings (SSID etc.) as the main network and everything just seamlessly roams between the two.
I've heard anecdotally if the outbuilding has its own fuse box, the extenders might not work - but I've never been able to test this.
I've heard anecdotally if the outbuilding has its own fuse box, the extenders might not work - but I've never been able to test this.
^^^
We get on OK with Powerline/Homeplug adapters across fuse boxes here, so the router lives in the main building, with TP-Link Powerline plugs across to a second cheap un-managed switch in the outbuilding.
I think Powerlines don't (didn't) work across buildings on different phases, but they do work across consumer units ('fuseboxes') on the same phase, cable length dependent.
These TP-link AV600 Powerlines provide wifi at the remote end, one plugs into the home ADSL/FTTH router and a mains socket, the other at the remote end to provide wifi.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TL-WPA4220KIT-Powerline-B...
We get on OK with Powerline/Homeplug adapters across fuse boxes here, so the router lives in the main building, with TP-Link Powerline plugs across to a second cheap un-managed switch in the outbuilding.
I think Powerlines don't (didn't) work across buildings on different phases, but they do work across consumer units ('fuseboxes') on the same phase, cable length dependent.
These TP-link AV600 Powerlines provide wifi at the remote end, one plugs into the home ADSL/FTTH router and a mains socket, the other at the remote end to provide wifi.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TL-WPA4220KIT-Powerline-B...
I've got a similar issue where the wifi from my current router barely reaches half way down the garden. My current solution is a second router in an outbuilding which extends the network OK, but it means having to switch between SSIDs as you walk down the garden so it isn't ideal.
I'm looking at mesh wifi solutions now, and trying to do the man-maths to justify the wince-inducing cost.
The Netgear Orbi looks great but is bloody expensive.
I'm looking at mesh wifi solutions now, and trying to do the man-maths to justify the wince-inducing cost.
The Netgear Orbi looks great but is bloody expensive.
Excuse the random photo of the dog etc., at work and it's the best photo I could think of on my FB that illustrates it:
I have a (NetGear?) range extender in the conservatory which provides adequate wifi for browsing/emails in the summer house. Is that the sort of distance you are talking, or further?
I have a (NetGear?) range extender in the conservatory which provides adequate wifi for browsing/emails in the summer house. Is that the sort of distance you are talking, or further?
Any decent AP with a moderately directional aerial will do 100 meters. I'm currently monitoring a barn owl box that is 200 meters from the house using a pair of Unifi Mesh APs, and some decent aerials. I get 160 Mbit on a clear day, and about 130 Mbit if it is raining.
Look up the broadcast pattern for the device you are currently using - it may be that simply turning it round to face the shed will make a difference.
Look up the broadcast pattern for the device you are currently using - it may be that simply turning it round to face the shed will make a difference.
Slushbox said:
^^^
I think Powerlines don't (didn't) work across buildings on different phases, but they do work across consumer units ('fuseboxes') on the same phase, cable length dependent.
That's good to know, and makes more sense than the fusebox anecdote I heard. Come to think of it, I did once try putting a powerline extender in a neighbour's flat so they could borrow ours when their internet was down. Despite being much closer than my garage is now, it didn't work, presumably because they were supplied from a different phase and/or behind a different meter. I think Powerlines don't (didn't) work across buildings on different phases, but they do work across consumer units ('fuseboxes') on the same phase, cable length dependent.
Slushbox said:
^^^
We get on OK with Powerline/Homeplug adapters across fuse boxes here, so the router lives in the main building, with TP-Link Powerline plugs across to a second cheap un-managed switch in the outbuilding.
I think Powerlines don't (didn't) work across buildings on different phases, but they do work across consumer units ('fuseboxes') on the same phase, cable length dependent.
These TP-link AV600 Powerlines provide wifi at the remote end, one plugs into the home ADSL/FTTH router and a mains socket, the other at the remote end to provide wifi.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TL-WPA4220KIT-Powerline-B...
Just to say thank you for the above recommendation. Thought I would give this a try after numerous failed attempts to get wifi down to our garden room.We get on OK with Powerline/Homeplug adapters across fuse boxes here, so the router lives in the main building, with TP-Link Powerline plugs across to a second cheap un-managed switch in the outbuilding.
I think Powerlines don't (didn't) work across buildings on different phases, but they do work across consumer units ('fuseboxes') on the same phase, cable length dependent.
These TP-link AV600 Powerlines provide wifi at the remote end, one plugs into the home ADSL/FTTH router and a mains socket, the other at the remote end to provide wifi.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TL-WPA4220KIT-Powerline-B...
Arrived today, installed and instant wifi down there. Brilliant. Cheers
Thanks for all the replies!
In response to the poster with the photo of their garden (and dog) its quite a bit further than that, and with a bunch of trees and shrubs etc in the way. Our garden is very narrow, but quite long!
Looks like the options at the cheaper end of the market are something link the £40 TP link poweline kit, or for about the same money a wifi booster. The summerhouse has its own fusebox, but i think it comes of directly from the fusebox in the house. Im certain we only have 1 meter.
I can actually "see" our WiFi network from the end of the garden, but the signal is so weak it won't connect, maybe shifting the router about a bit will be enough!
In response to the poster with the photo of their garden (and dog) its quite a bit further than that, and with a bunch of trees and shrubs etc in the way. Our garden is very narrow, but quite long!
Looks like the options at the cheaper end of the market are something link the £40 TP link poweline kit, or for about the same money a wifi booster. The summerhouse has its own fusebox, but i think it comes of directly from the fusebox in the house. Im certain we only have 1 meter.
I can actually "see" our WiFi network from the end of the garden, but the signal is so weak it won't connect, maybe shifting the router about a bit will be enough!
Try these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07349P1TX/ref=twister...
I use the same across consumer units and they work flawlessly.
Mains pass-through means you don't lose plug sockets and the remote end also has three Ethernet sockets available for devices. For wireless use, you'll just need to set it up as an Access Point.
Very easy to set it up.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07349P1TX/ref=twister...
I use the same across consumer units and they work flawlessly.
Mains pass-through means you don't lose plug sockets and the remote end also has three Ethernet sockets available for devices. For wireless use, you'll just need to set it up as an Access Point.
Very easy to set it up.
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