Several years ago I installed a WN2000RPTv2 extender. It basically works but bandwidth seems slow. I recently downloaded an app on my Android (Speedtest) and it shows the extender download at 26 KB/s while Xfinity unit that I am trying to extend shows 1.6 MB/s. My question is basic (I am not an expert in this area): Is this what to expect from this extender? Did I set it up incorrectly? Or if I want more bandwidth do I need to get a newer unit?
26 KB/s seems really low. It's possible that radio interference has increased over the years. Your neighbors may have deployed their own Wi-Fi networks. Baby monitors and certain cordless telephones also interfere with Wi-Fi.
I would first try changing the Wi-Fi channel used by your extender and/or main router. There are loads of tools that can help you survey your area for the best Wi-Fi channel to use. Macbooks have built-in tools (option click the Wi-Fi icon). Windows has free tools like vistumbler.net and Acrylic Wi-Fi. iOS has a free Wi-Fi scanner in their Airport Utility. Android, I'm sure, has something, too.
Try moving the extender closer to the router.
If these don't help much, then a newer model may help. If your router supports 5 GHz, then a dual-band extender can make a big difference. While 5 GHz has less range, it is generally much less used by people, so it may be a way to escape a crowded, 2.4 GHz spectrum.
