How I Turned my Raspberry Pi into a Wi-Fi extender

It is essential that Pi connects to your main Wi-Fi network and then broadcasts that connection to extend coverage.After setting everything up, it’s time to test. Connect a device to the extended Wi-Fi network you just created (phone, laptop, etc.) .Check if it provides consistent internet access and if the range now reaches the previously weak areas. This will help verify that your extender is working correctly.iwconfig

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

• These commands will fetch the latest package lists and upgrade any out-of-date packages, ensuring your Pi is ready for the task.
• After updating, check if you’re connected to the Wi-Fi you wish to extend. If not, go to the Raspberry Pi’s Wi-Fi settings and connect to it.

Getting the Wi-Fi interface name

nmcli con show

Faced with spotty coverage, I had an idea: why not put my old Raspberry Pi 3B+ to good use as a Wi-Fi extender?

Setting up the Raspberry Pi

sudo nmcli d wifi hotspot ifname <DEVICE> ssid <SSID> password <PASSWORD>

Using Network Manager, it is surprisingly straightforward to set up the Pi as an extender.

1. Run the command below to see a list of network devices:

nmcli -f WIFI-PROPERTIES.AP device show <DEVICE>

📋

Configuring the Raspberry Pi as a Wi-Fi Extender

I SSH’d into my Pi, but you can definitely use a monitor & keyboard.Yes, it is possible to do that 🤯You should now see your Raspberry Pi broadcasting a new Wi-Fi network!

• <DEVICE> with the interface that supports AP mode in my case wlan0
• <SSID> with the network name you want for your extended Wi-Fi, and
• <PASSWORD> with your chosen password.

The best part? This project gives a new purpose to older tech. Not only does it expand your Wi-Fi range without costly hardware, but it is also a fun DIY task that deepens your understanding of networking basics.

I have also connected my phone with it:Although I did notice some speed reduction, I found it worth it for reliable coverage in a previously unreachable area.

Whether you live in a large house or just struggle with weak Wi-Fi signals in certain rooms, you may have thought — “How can I extend my Wi-Fi range without breaking the bank?”

Testing your Wi-Fi Extender

Execute the following command:To verify that the hotspot is up and running, run:

Well, that was certainly the case with me when I visited my parents’ house during a recent vacation. They have only one router set up on the ground floor, and my room is up on the first floor.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Cannot Connect to the Extended Network: If you’re unable to connect to the new network, the issue may lie with Protected Management Frames (PMF), a security feature some adapters don’t fully support. Disable it with the following command:

Speaking of putting older tech to some good use, let me share another fun project I did to transform my old Wi-Fi dongle into a wireless traffic capture device.sudo nmcli con modify Hotspot wifi-sec.pmf disable

2. Slow Internet Speeds: Remember, you may notice some drop in speed. This is because data travels to your Pi over Wi-Fi, and then gets retransmitted, effectively halving the available bandwidth.

Conclusion

Let me show you how to use Raspberry Pi as a Wi-Fi extender in this tutorial.💭 Share your thoughts about my experiment in the comments below!

How I Used Monitor Mode on TP-Link WN722N for FunHere’s a little demo of using monitor mode to capture wireless traffic and use it to your advantage.

This command places the Pi’s first Wi-Fi adapter into hotspot mode, which effectively extends your Wi-Fi network.