Strengthen Your Wi-Fi With the AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender

If your home Wi-Fi is currently serviced by AT&T in an area with a weak signal, you do not need to worry. Invest in a Wi-Fi extender for your home and see the difference it makes. Adding an AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender will increase your coverage by up to 1,000 square feet. It’s a great option for those in weak signal locations or with a large number of people in the household, as it works to reduce network congestion.

AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender's Features & Benefits
How to Install Your AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender
AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender Setup Confirmation
Troubleshooting Smart Wi-Fi Extender
Alternate Setup Methods
FAQ

Summary

You can use this article as a guide on how to set up and install your new AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender. It covers the reasons why you might want a Wi-Fi Extender for your home, the benefits, what type of equipment you will need and the easy steps it takes to install it.

The Benefits of Adding an Extender

When you get the AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender, you can trust that you’re getting one of the best from your trusted provider. Its mesh technology allows each of your in-home devices to stream music and videos faster and in more locations. Download the Smart Home Manager app for guided instruction on identifying weak signal areas within your home, as well as determining how many extenders your home might need. As an additional bonus, more than one extender can be installed if needed!

AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender Features

Covers a wide area
Gives a strong signal
Eliminates dead zones
Easy setup

Installing Your AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender

What You’ll Need

Power supply (two parts)
Wi-Fi Extender
Yellow Ethernet cable (optional)

Easy Setup Process

Download the Smart Home Manager app and sign in.
Sign in and select “Network”
Then select “Home Network Hardware”
Choose “Add Extender”
To install it, follow the instructions on the app.

How to Know When Your AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender has Been Installed Properly

You will know when the Wi-Fi Extender is installed and working when the light is a solid green color. A solid green light means that the Extender is paired and functioning properly. Other light signals and their meanings are as follows:

Flashing Green - the extender has not synced with the Gateway. To fix this issue: Press the WPS button on the front of the gateway, then press the WPS button on the extender.
Solid red - Not paired, has a bad connection, or is too far from your gateway. Try connecting with the alternate setup method below or with the optional Ethernet cable method and move extender closer to your gateway.
Blinking yellow - Updates to software in process. Do not move it or turn it off.

AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender Troubleshooting

Here are some techniques to help you troubleshoot any issues that may have occurred:

Double check that all cables and cords are properly connected to power.
Unplug cords from the Gateway and the Extender for 20 seconds before plugging back in. Wait until they completely reboot which may take up to 10 minutes.

Alternate Setup Method

Aside from troubleshooting any errors, you can also try an alternative setup method listed here:

Plug in the Extender near the Gateway.
Then push the button on the back of the Extender and wait approximately three minutes. When the green light is a solid color, it is finished.
Now you can unplug the Extender from power and place it somewhere in between the Gateway and the weak signal area. Then plug it in to a nearby wall outlet and wait for the solid green light.

Adding Additional Extenders

If you have a bigger house, you might be wondering if the extender will still work within the space that you wish. Here is a set of guidelines to follow for how many Extenders your home might need based off its square footage:

between 2,000-3,000 square feet OR two floors: one extender
between 3,000-4,000 square feet OR three floors: two extenders
larger than 4,000 square feet: three extenders

For large homes that might not get a strong enough signal from a traditional Wi-Fi router, there are other solutions that do not involve investing in a Wi-Fi extender. Larger homes can benefit from long-range Wi-Fi routers which are much stronger than traditional routers. Installing mesh Wi-Fi is another suitable option for bigger homes as it can be arranged strategically to maximize coverage throughout a large space. For more information on long-range Wi-Fi routers and mesh Wi-Fi, you can visit our related post, The Best Wi-Fi Technology for Large Homes to learn more.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I place my Wi-Fi Extender?

The ideal place is somewhere in the middle of in between your wireless router and your computer.

What is the yellow cable cord for?

The yellow Ethernet cable is for if you want to connect to the Gateway directly rather than pairing with the WPS.

How do I see if the Extender is on my network?

See if it is visible in the "Devices" section or through the "Assistant" on the AT&T Smart Home Manager app.

Will the AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender work with my gateway?

The Smart Home Extender works with these gateway models: 5268AC, BGW210, BGW320, NVG599.

How do I find the model of my gateway?

It is a six-digit code located on the front of your gateway.

Written by Jessica Moore

Edited by Henry St. Pierre