General questions about Wi-Fi range of TP-Link wireless product

Q1: What’s the range of an 11AC/11AX wireless product or how far can it cover?

A1: Same as the 11N product, the range of 11AC/11AX will be influenced by kinds of environmental interferences. Relatively speaking, a 5GHz signal is less powerful than 2.4GHz to go through walls.

Under unknown environmental factors, we can say that range of 2.4GHz is about 60feets(20 meters) and 5GHz is within 45feets(15 meters) to guarantee a good networking experience.

We can adjust the location of the router or angle of antennas to increase the Wi-Fi range. (refer to Q3) Moreover, choosing a least used channel based on the scanning result of wireless networks nearby would also help. (refer to Q4)

Note for Q1:

1. For portable products, such as Mi-Fi M7350/M5350 or TL-WR710N/TL-WR702N, the range is about 10 meters.

2. Range of high-power products, such as TL-WR841HP, is generally better than standard products like TL-WR841N, and detailed value is published on the official website.

3. Product equipped with internal antennas has a shorter range than the standard one, but not too much. For example, compared with C20, C20i’s range is a little bit shorter.

4. Beamforming feature helps make a product such as C3200 has better range than those 11AC products without Beamforming in terms of 5GHz.

Q2: How to place your wireless device for optimal reception and performance?

A2: http://www.tp-link.com/en/faq-455.html

Q3: How to find the free channel?

A3:

http://www.tp-link.com/en/faq-468.html

http://www.tp-link.com/en/faq-469.html

（Note: we could use the router's WDS function to detect the SSIDs around, and choose a free channel to set.） 

Q4: Why do Wi-Fi signals nearby affect the range and performance of my router?

A4: In theory, Wi-Fi interference will not greatly shorten range, however, Wi-Fi interference will cause channel congestion and packet loss, thus decrease Wi-Fi speed. When there is Wi-Fi interference, even if the reception signal strength is the same as when there is no interference, the internet speed of wireless clients will be slower. It may be too slow to access the internet when there is too much interference and the distance is too far. Therefore, it seems like the range is too short.

Q5: What physical impediments can interfere with the wireless network?

A5: http://www.tp-link.com/en/faq-427.html

Q6: Why some clients can receive signals but some cannot at the same location?

A6: Wireless network adapters installed in various wireless clients have different reception sensitivity, so wireless adapters with good reception sensitivity will receive good signals for pleasant internet activity. It depends on the wireless client, not the router.

Q7: Why the actual range is shorter or longer than what’s announced on the poster of the product?

A7: The range announced on the poster is the result of the test in an open and favorable environment with the optimal wireless network adapter. In reality, the range will be affected by wireless interference and physical impediments, reception sensitivity of wireless network adapter, and place of product, therefore the actual range sometimes does not match that on the poster.