Are you struggling with weak Wi-Fi in your garage? Well, you’re not the only one facing this problem.
Whether you’re planning to turn it into a home office, private gym, recording studio, game room, or just a place to unwind; a steady internet connection is a must.
In this guide, I’ll explain how you can extend Wi-Fi to garage areas. We’ll uncover everything from choosing the right Wi-Fi range extender for the garage to exploring the best way to get Wi-Fi in a detached garage.
So, without any further delay, let’s get into all the garage Wi-Fi solutions you need to know.
Why Wi-Fi Signals Often Fail to Reach the Garage?
Before we explore solutions, let’s cover all possible reasons why your home Wi-Fi network is singling out the garage.
1. Distance
Typically, Wi-Fi network signals don’t go beyond 150 feet; hence, a detached garage or other part of the house outside this range is excluded.
2. Incorrect Router Placement
Placing the router near the ground, within a confined space, or at a closed-off spot can hinder Wi-Fi transmission. As a result, Wi-Fi dead zones may occur in a relatively small house with an attached garage.
3. Physical Obstructions & Electromagnetic Interference
Wi-Fi signals are often blocked by bulky objects and thick walls/surfaces. Moreover, electrical appliances in the way tend to disrupt Wi-Fi signals.
Tired of Slow Wi-Fi?
Try these DIY Solutions for Faster Wi-Fi Now
Best Methods to Extend Wi-Fi to Your Garage
Getting excellent Wi-Fi signals in a detached part of the house can be a challenge, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. More than a few ways to get around the problem exist, though some are pricier than others.
The solution that best suits you depends on your unique situation or how far away the garage is from your main living area.
1. Optimizing Router Placement
Sometimes, a quick fix like repositioning or relocating the router is all it takes to improve Wi-Fi coverage throughout the home. Small houses with an attached garage have fewer wireless connectivity issues, which is why placing the router in a centralized, elevated, and unobstructed spot makes a huge difference.
👍 Pros:
- Quick and simple fix
- No technical knowledge or professional help required
- Costs nothing
👎 Cons:
- Limited effectiveness
- Unlikely to work for large houses with a disconnected garage
2. Wi-Fi Range Extender
Wi-Fi extenders, boosters, or repeaters are self-explanatory – they are designed to improve Wi-Fi reach and internet connectivity in areas of the house that are furthest from the router. The range extender you purchase needs to be compatible with your router and be fixed within 20 feet of it to work. You can get a Wi-Fi booster for as low as $20, though high-quality options with better range are expensive.
👍 Pros:
- Budget-friendly option
- Easy to set up
- Fixes Wi-Fi dead zones
- You can install multiple extenders around the house
- Eliminates the need for a second router
👎 Cons:
- Re-broadcasts Wi-Fi signals from the router, resulting in reduced bandwidth and speeds
- Might create separate networks and require users to manually switch from one to another
- Ineffective for large/spread-out homes
3. Mesh Wi-Fi System
A mesh Wi-Fi system can offer powerful Wi-Fi connectivity in large and expansive spaces. It consists of a primary router and several nodes (access points) that act as secondary routers. These nodes ensure strong and uniform Wi-Fi signals in every part of the house; you are automatically connected to the nearest node offering the best connection.
👍 Pros:
- Ideal for large or extensive properties with detached portions
- Scales wells and supports a large number of devices
- Seamless Wi-Fi connectivity everywhere
- Excellent for robust and high-speed internet plans
👎 Cons:
- High Cost
- Can be overkill for small to medium households
- Unsuitable for basic/mediocre internet speed plans
4. Ethernet Cable + Access Point
For a fast and stable internet connection in your detached garage, consider running an ethernet cable from the router and creating an access point in the garage. This method may require underground hardwiring, but it’s super effective unless the distance between the router and garage is too great (100 meters or more).
👍 Pros:
- Provides the most reliable connection
- Perfect for a garage used as a home office
👎 Cons:
- Time-consuming and complicated procedure
- Potentially expensive
5. Powerline Adapters
Powerline adapters are tools that let you utilize your home’s existing electrical wiring to transport internet signals instead of laying down ethernet cables. It can extend your internet connection to any power outlet around the house; an adapter at one end is connected to the router, and an adapter at the other end is connected to your device, such as a Smart TV.
👍 Pros:
- Stable wired connection
- Easy to set up
- Help reduce congestion on the Wi-Fi network
👎 Cons:
- Only works if both power outlets are on the same circuit
- Not as fast as an ethernet connection
Things to Consider
- Repositioning of router may only work for a small house with an attached garage.
- A Wi-Fi extender may prove to be futile if your garage is too far off from the router’s location.
- Mesh Wi-Fi systems don’t come cheap; they are only practical for large estates equipped with a robust internet plan.
- Running an ethernet cable to a detached garage may entail digging trenches and damaging your floors
- Powerline adapters won’t work if the isolated garage is not connected to same electric circuit as the router.
Best Products to Get Wi-Fi In Your Detached Garage
Best Wi-Fi Extender
TP-Link AC1900 Wi-Fi Extender (RE550)
- Range up to 2800 square feet
- Supports up to 35 devices
- Compatible with most routers
Best Mesh Wi-Fi System
TP-Link Deco AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh System (Deco X55)
- Covers up to 6500 square feet
- Connects up to 150 devices
- Easy setup + management
Best Powerline Adapters
TP-Link AV1000 Powerline Ethernet Adapter Kit
- Easy setup – plug, pair, & play
- Power-saving
- Secure wired connection
Do You Seek Better Wi-Fi Speeds?
Perhaps it’s time to Upgrade Your Home Internet Plan!
FAQs
How can I extend the internet to a garage without cable?
You can extend the internet to your garage without running a cable by installing a Wi-Fi booster or wireless mesh Wi-Fi system.
What is the best way to get Wi-Fi in a detached garage?
The best method to get Wi-Fi in a detached garage may vary by situation. In general, running an ethernet cable and creating an access point in the garage can provide the most stable and fast connection.
What is the cheapest way to extend Wi-Fi to the garage?
Using a Wi-Fi extender or repeater is an inexpensive solution to improve Wi-Fi coverage in distant parts of the house.
