Knowing how to connect to Verizon network extender is ideal when you have a weak signal. Mobile network carriers provide signals from cell towers, but they cannot provide a perfect signal everywhere.
Homes, offices, and buildings reduce the signal strength. But a network extender sends and receives cell signals to mitigate the gap in transmission power.
Before connecting with your mobile device, it is crucial to place the Verizon network extender where it receives the strongest signal.
Connecting With Verizon Network Extender
Knowing how to connect to your Verizon network extender involves two main steps.
Firstly, you must supply power to the extender via a wall outlet and connect it to your router (which must have an internet connection). The network extender must also have a GPS signal.
Secondly, your phone needs to establish a connection with the extender. The LCD panel displays how many mobile devices have made a successful connection in the top right corner.
The symbol in the top right displays a numeral to the right of the smartphone icon, which shows how many mobile devices are currently connected to the extender.
How to Connect to Verizon Network Extender
To verify your device’s connection to a Verizon network extender, your device requires a confirmation keycode. After setting up the extender, after your mobile devices have connected successfully, you can enter a verification code.
Enter #48 on your mobile device to receive a confirmation from Verizon Wireless that your mobile devices are connected.
The pairing process is automatic, given that the network extender has acquired a GPS signal first.
The extender must have at least four satellite connections to become stable. If it cannot acquire a valid signal, use the GPS antenna cable to connect your mobile devices to the Verizon network extender.
Step #1: Configure Your Home Network
In order to use a Verizon network extender, you must first have a wireless router. In addition, you also need an ISP (Internet Service Provider) subscription.
The mobile device is not routed through your home network, however; instead, the network extender sends it through the Verizon mobile towers.
To power on your network extender and connect it to your router, use the following steps:
- Place your extender within 100 meters from the router.
- Connect the router and extender with an Ethernet cable.
- Connect the power adapter to a wall socket.
- Connect the power adapter to the extender.
- Wait for the display panel to power on.
Note: The maximum distance for Ethernet cabling is 100 meters.
A cable longer than 100 meters causes attenuation, which degrades the signal from the router to the extender. Using too long of a cable will cause the extender to fail.
Step #2: Install the Network Extender
Find a clear area to install the network extender. Ideally, its location is free of metal objects and obstructions (ductwork, filing cabinets, concrete, etc.).
Otherwise, the network extender’s signal will be drastically reduced, causing a poor connection with mobile devices.
In addition, be patient after connecting the extender to the router and to a power source. It may take as long as an hour for the firmware to complete its automatic process. To complete installation, use the following steps:
- Wait for up to 60 minutes.
- The display panel light will flash blue.
- Wait for the light to stop flashing.
- Wait for the indicator panel to display “In Service.”
- Wait for the extender panel to display “Verizon.”
Note: A flashing light indicates that the extender is still acquiring a signal. If the blue light status indicator continues to flash, wait for at least an hour. After one hour, if the blue light is still flashing, try relocating the extender.
Step #3: Check the LCD Panel
The network extender’s LCD panel shows two important pieces of information.
First, it shows if it has a satellite connection (and how many satellites it is connected to). Second, it shows how many mobile devices are connected to the extender.
The indicator in the top left is a satellite icon, which displays the current number of satellite connections. If the satellite indicator shows no connections, you may need to reposition the extender to a higher and more clear location.
Also, note that the top-right icon indicates the number of wirelessly connected devices. Furthermore, note that the blue LED light should be solid to allow mobile devices to connect to the extender.
Step #4: Mobile Device Connection
Though the maximum distance of the Ethernet cable is 100 meters, the range of wireless communication between the mobile device and the extender is shorter.
When first connecting your phone, Verizon Wireless recommends placing your phone within 15 feet.
Depending on the signal strength of the extender and the proximity of your phone, it can take up to 3 minutes to pair. For the best signal strength, Verizon recommends keeping mobile devices within 40 feet of the extender.
However, the recommendation of 40 feet is a theoretical advisory. Objects like doors and metal will decrease the signal strength.
Step #5: Resetting Your Device
After installing a new Verizon network extender, your phone or table may not automatically pair.
In addition, new mobile devices from guests to your home or business may have mobile devices that fail to automatically pair.
In this case, it is best to restart your mobile device to re-establish a connection.
Additionally, if your mobile device doesn’t pair after rebooting it, you may simply be too far away from the extender.
Wi-Fi-Only Devices
If your device doesn’t pair with the extender, it could be a Wi-Fi-only device.
Some mobile devices, which lack SIM cards and subscriptions to a mobile carrier, can be used exclusively through Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi-only devices cannot pair to a network extender.
Instead, they require a connection to a wireless router with a valid internet connection.
Without a SIM card locked to the Verizon network, all of the voice, video, and text data uses the wireless router’s connection.
Read Next: How to Get Rid of Verizon Surcharges?
Bottom Line
We hope you have understood how to connect to Verizon network extender the correct way!
Connecting to the Verizon network extender increases the range and quality of your phone’s signal. Remember to be patient when installing the physical network extender.
It can take up to an hour for the automatic extender to connect, though Verizon recommends between 30 and 60 minutes.
As the automatic setup firmware connects, do not turn off or unplug the extender. Doing so will restart the installation process. Furthermore, unplugging the extender from power may cause it to lose connections with GPS satellites.
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.