How to Setup Wi-Fi Extender With Xfinity?
Tags: wifi, extender, setup
Published: 2022-01-11 11:17:43

If you’re wondering how to improve your user experience by adding one or more Wi-Fi extenders to your home wireless network, you’ve come to the right place. This article will explain how to set up a Wi-Fi extender with your Xfinity router, where to place it, and give you a few recommendations on a few extenders that definitely work with Xfinity routers.

Many Comcast users, sooner or later, are faced with the problem of inadequate Wi-Fi signal in some areas of their homes. This problem is more frequent in large and multistory houses. One of the most recommended solutions is to purchase one or more Wi-Fi extenders and cover those dark areas with a stronger, more reliable wireless signal. 

If you opted for a Wi-Fi extender to solve your problem, you are pressed to make one significant choice. 

Should you get an [Xfinity xFI-pod wi-fi extender](https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/wifi/xfi-pod), or you should look for some other brand and model?

Judging by most users, xFI-pod is a way to go because you can integrate it, set it up, and operate easily using just a phone app.

However, in case you are loyal to some other brand or just happen to have an up-to-date wi-fi extender laying around, we will show you how you can set it up as well.

Let’s start with the xFi-pod.

**How to Setup Xfinity Xfi-Pod Wi-Fi Extender**

The xFI-pod is a WI-FI extender designed to seamlessly integrate with the xFi gateway. That being said, it presents an excellent option to cover all areas in and sound the house with a strong, reliable wi-fi signal. The current second-generation xFi-pods offer stronger, tri-band wi-fi antennas and two gigabit ethernet ports. 
 
They also integrate with Xfi gateway in a specific way, excellent for user experience, which we will discuss later in the article.

Comcast recommends getting one xFi-pod for houses up to four bedrooms and two if the house is larger than four bedrooms or a multi-story building.

Once you get them, the installation process is straightforward. 

First, you need to plug the xFi-pod into the power outlet halfway between the gateway and the area you wish to cover with Wi-Fi.

Next, you need to go to the google play store or App store and [download Xfinity app](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xfinity.digitalhome&hl=en_US&gl=US) to your phone. Ensure the xFi gateway is online and that you turn on the Bluetooth on your phone.

Lastly, log in to the Xfinity app and follow instructions. 

Now, there are a few things you should know before you try activating your xFi-pod.

1.	xFi gateway mustn’t be in a bridge mode
2.	You can’t activate xFi-pod if it’s connected to the gateway via ethernet cable. It must be a wireless connection. Ethernet connection between the gateway and the pod or between two pods is not supported.
3.	You can’t use xFi-pod outdoors. If you need to cover an outside area, plug in the xFi-pod to the closest outer wall.
4.	You’ll have to create the same SSID and password for both 2,4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. xFi-pod and xFi gateway will then decide what device will use which band and when. Channels will change automatically as well when needed.

Once you activate the pod, you effectively create a mesh network with all the benefits of having one. The pod and the gateway will constantly communicate and exchange information about the number and needs of connected devices, providing the best solutions regarding speed and frequency band for each individual device. Furthermore, you will seamlessly switch between the router and the pod as you move through the house. 

**Do Other Wi-Fi Extender Brands and Models Work with Xfinity?**

In general - Yes. The compatibility will depend on the model, but most major brands will have a couple of models compatible with the xFi gateway. However, if you choose to go down this lane, keep in mind that you won’t be able to create a mesh network. 
 
In other words, every device you wish to connect to Wi-Fi will have to drop the connection, then reconnect to a stronger signal as you move it around the house. This may cause some issues like temporarily losing connection to a server, lags and connection drop when you are using a connected device while moving around the house. 

**How to Set up Other Brands of Wi-Fi Extenders with the Xfinity Router?**

Even doe it’s not as simple as using xFi-pod, setting up a different brand of an extender is not a complicated process.

There are two ways you can do this. 

The first way utilizes a feature called WPS. The [WPS stands for Wi-Fi protected setup](https://www.makeuseof.com/wps-button-on-router/) and it allows connecting compatible devices with a press of a button.

If both extender and your xFi gateway have a WPS button ([it depends on model](https://routerctrl.com/xfinity-router-wps-button/)), you’ll need to do the following:

Plug the extender into the power socket somewhere close to the xFi gateway. Next, press the WPS button on the extender, then press the WPS button on the xFi gateway. Repeat the process for the 5 GHz band if the extender and xFi support two bands. Finally, unplug the extender from the power socket and plug it in its final location. The most newer models will have LED indicator lights that will show if the signal is strong enough at that new location. If the signal is bad, just plug the extender into a power socket that is a bit closer to the xFi gateway.

If the xFi gateway or the extender don’t support the WPS feature, you can set up the extender through the admin panel. Some steps may be slightly different, depending on the brand and model, but the principle will remain the same. We will show you how to do it with Netgear, TP-Link and Tenda extenders. Let’s start with Netgear.

**How to Setup Netgear Wi-Fi Extender with Xfinity**

Plug the extender in and make sure it’s turned on. Then use the phone or other Wi-Fi enabled device to scan for available Wi-Fi networks. Once you [locate NETGEAR_EXT](https://community.netgear.com/t5/WiFi-Range-Extenders-Nighthawk/NETGEAR-EXT-does-not-appear-in-my-network-list/m-p/1643808), connect to it. Next, open up the browser and type in www.mywifiext.net and follow the steps in the installation assistant.
 
**How to Setup Tp-Link Wi-Fi Extender with Xfinity**

Plug the TP-Link extender into the power outlet and use a Wi-Fi enabled device to search for available wireless networks. Look for something like TP-Link extender. Once you find it, connect to it. Next, open the internet browser and type in 192.168.0.254. You will be welcomed and asked to create the password to access the settings.
 
The extender will now search for your xFi gateway. Once you find it on the list, click on it and enter the password. If you have two bands, set up both 2,4 GHz and 5 GHz.

**How to Setup Tenda Wi-Fi Extender with Xfinity** 

Just like with previous brands, plug the extender into the power outlet, then scan for available Wi-Fi networks. Once you see the SSID of the extender, connect to it. Open the browser and enter re.tenda.cn in the address bar. Follow the steps within setup assistant, and you’re done.
 
**Summary**

Setting up the Wi-Fi extender [is a fairly simple process](https://www.pcworld.com/article/394819/how-to-set-up-a-wi-fi-extender.html) after you decide will you use Comcast’s xFi-pods or some other brand. If you choose the xFi-pod, plug it into the wall to power up, then download and open the Xfinity app from Google Play or the App Store. Follow the steps inside the app and you’re done. You created a mesh wireless network with all the benefits it brings.

If you choose to go with the other brand, there are a couple of ways you can set up the extender. First is using the WPS button if both your xFi gateway and extender have one, the second is through the setup assistant.  

WPS is much simpler if it is available. Simply plug the extender into the wall, wait until it powers up, then press the WPS button. Next, press the WPS button on the xFi gateway and you’re done.

If there isn’t a WPS button on the extender or the xFi gateway, plug the router into the power outlet near the gateway. Scan for available wireless networks and connect to the one with the same name as the extender. Then use the internet browser and default IP address to launch the setup assistant. Follow the instructions and finish the setup. 

That is it. We hope this article was helpful and that you’ve managed to set up your wireless extender with the xFi gateway.