The Xiaomi AC1200 WIFI Extender: A Budget-Friendly Solution for Your Wifi Woes

INTRODUCTION

WIFI coverage problems are more common than you might think. Dead zones in the home can be caused by a number of factors including the size and layout of your home, the type of building materials used in your home, and the location of your router.

Having Wi-Fi coverage problems can have an impact on your daily life. For example, you may have trouble streaming music, and you may experience slow download speeds or you may even be unable to connect to the Wi-Fi network at all, hence this can be really frustrating

EXPERIENCING WIFI ISSUES AT HOME CAN BE QUITE FRUSTRATING.HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS YOU MIGHT ENCOUNTER:

1.   Dead Zones: 

    These are specific areas in your home where the Wi-Fi signal is non-existent. It’s like walking into a room where Wi-Fi fears to tread.

2.   Slow Speeds:

There’s nothing more annoying than a slow internet connection. Even with Wi-Fi, you might find that the signal strength is not strong enough to give you the speed you need.

3.   Buffering Issues: Imagine settling down for a movie night, only to have your video constantly buffering or restarting. This is a common problem when streaming video or music over WIFI.

4.   Dropped Connections: Picture this - you’re in the middle of an important online meeting or a heated multiplayer game, and suddenly, your internet connection drops out completely. It’s not just frustrating; it can impact your work and leisure time

XIAOMI AC1200 WIFI EXTENDER AN AFFORDABLE SOLUTION

Introducing the Xiaomi AC 1200, a budget-friendly, easy-to-set-up Wi-Fi extender that’s perfect for eliminating common Wi-Fi problems. This device is ideal for extending your existing Wi-Fi connections to those hard-to-reach dead zones in your home or office.Here are some key specifications of the Xiaomi AC 1200:

1. Dual-Band Speeds: The AC 1200 operates on both 5GHz (up to 867Mbps with 802.11ac 22 @80Mhz) and 2.4GHz (up to 300Mbps with 802.11n, 22 @40MHZ) frequencies, capable of reaching combined speeds of up to 1,167 Mbps.
2. Access Point Mode: This feature allows the AC 1200 to extend the range of existing wireless networks, ensuring you have Wi-Fi coverage wherever you need it.
3. Range Extender Mode: The AC 1200 receives Wi-Fi signals from your router and re-transmits the data to devices that may have difficulty connecting directly to the router.
4. Memory: The device comes with up to 64MB of RAM, ensuring smooth operation.
5. Ethernet Port: The AC 1200 includes an Ethernet port that supports speeds of up to 100Mbps.
6. WPS and Reset Buttons: The WPS button simplifies the process of connecting devices to wireless networks, while the reset button allows you to restore the device to factory settings if you encounter any issues.
7. Smart Link: This stand-by connection feature improves network reliability, ensuring you stay connected when you need it most

HOW THE XIAOMI AC 1200 IMPROVES WIFI COVERAGE.

The Xiaomi AC1200 has been a game-changer in my home. It has effectively eliminated all dead zones, providing consistent coverage and maintaining the same speeds as my subscribed package. The dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies ensure constant speeds throughout my home, even through thick walls.

The included Ethernet port allows for a direct connection to the main router, enabling the AC 1200 to act as an access point. This setup ensures optimal connection speeds, as the network is transmitted via the Ethernet cable.

The AC 1200 is particularly beneficial for large homes with thick walls that can block Wi-Fi signals. It not only improves overall coverage but also provides faster speeds. On paper, it promises up to 1200Mbps combined speeds for the dual bands. In reality, you’re likely to experience speeds of up to 1,167Mbps, which is more than sufficient for most users.

However, to achieve these speeds, your internet package needs to support the same speed or higher.

Another advantage of the Xiaomi AC 1200 is its ability to reduce latency. Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from one device to another, measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower latency means faster data travel and a more responsive network.

Xiaomi’s dual-band frequencies (2.4GHz and 5GHz) help reduce latency and facilitate speeds of up to 1,167Mbps. The 2.4GHz band provides a longer range but might be slower, while the 5GHz band offers seamless short-distance frequency at higher speeds

HOW TO SET THE XIAOMI AC1200 WIRELESS EXTENDER

The Xiaomi AC1200 is a user-friendly device that ensures a seamless internet experience. It comes with an intuitive LED light indicator system that provides real-time status updates. Here’s what each light signifies:

• Solid Blue: The range extender is successfully connected to your network and is receiving a strong signal. This indicates optimal performance.
• Solid Orange: The range extender is receiving weak signals. To improve connectivity, consider relocating the device closer to your router.
• Solid Red: The range extender is disconnected from the network. Try moving it within the range of your router to re-establish the connection.
• Flashing Red: The range extender is ready for initialization. This is typically seen during the setup process.
• Off: The range extender is not ready for connections. Check your device setup and connections.

SYSTEM INDICATOR

1. Solid blue: The system runs normally
2. Flashing blue: WPS is processing
3. Solid orange: The system is booting
4. Flashing orange:The system is upgrading
5. Off: No power

Now that you know what each color indicates let's set up the range extender up and running.

First, you have to download the MIHOME app from the Play Store or the App Store to be able to configure it.

1. Once you open the MI Home app you will be greeted with a nice-looking interface like below.

2. Open the MI HOME app and click the + sign at the top right.

1.

3. After clicking the plus sign a pop-up will appear with three options, click on the first option which is ‘Add a device’

4. Once you open the app, you’ll be greeted with an interface showcasing a variety of devices that Xiaomi offers. 

These devices can all be configured using the app. If you’re looking to set up the Mi WIFI Range Extender AC1200, simply navigate to the top right corner of the screen and click on the search icon. 

Enter “MI WIFI Range Extender AC1200” in the search bar, and the app will guide you to the device.

5. To locate the MI WIFI Range Extender AC1200 in the app, it’s crucial to enter the device name exactly as it appears on the box. 

So, go ahead and type ‘MI WIFI Range Extender AC1200’ or ‘MI WIFI’ into the search bar. Make sure every letter is correct, or the device might not show up in the search results. Once you’ve entered the name correctly, the range extender should appear on your screen.

6. Now you will need to reset the device. To do this you need a SIM ejector pin and at the bottom left of the Range Extender, there is a reset button. Insert the sim ejector tool and press the reset button for at least 4 seconds until you see the orange light blink continuously

7. Now enter the password of the current WIFI network then click next

8. For optimal connectivity, it’s recommended to position the Range Extender close to your router. This ensures a strong and stable connection. You can easily track the setup progress via the app. Remember, a well-placed Range Extender can significantly enhance your internet experience.

9. Once the Range Extender and the Wi-Fi are all connected together, the extender will display two blue lights meaning that the signal is strong and is connected to a network.

ADDITIONAL SETTINGS

• Indicator Control: If you find the AC1200’s indicator light inconvenient, perhaps when you’re trying to sleep, you can easily turn it off. Simply open the MI Home app, select the device icon, scroll down to ‘Indicator’, and toggle it on or off as needed.
• Access Point (AP) Mode: This mode allows the internet port to connect to your existing network and extend it into a wireless network. It’s particularly useful when you need a reliable Wi-Fi network.
• Smart Link: This feature provides a backup connection by adding another signal source. It automatically kicks in if the primary source gets disconnected unexpectedly.
• Configuration: This feature lets you customize the signal’s location based on your needs. Whether you want a strong signal in your bedroom, kitchen, or bathroom, the Configuration feature has got you covered.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF THE MI WIFI RANGE EXTENDER AC1200 STOPS WORKING?

1. Poor Signal: If you’re experiencing a weak signal, try relocating the range extender. Ideally, it should be placed in a location free from large obstacles that could interfere with the connection between the extender and the router.
2. Offline Extender: If your range extender appears to be offline, first verify that your router is emitting a Wi-Fi signal. If your router is functioning normally, try restarting the range extender.
3. Blacklisted Extender: In some cases, your router may have blacklisted the range extender. It’s worth checking this if you’re having persistent issues.
4. Persistent Issues: If none of the above solutions work, you can reset the range extender. To do this, hold down the reset button for at least 5 seconds until the indicator light turns a steady orange. After this, you’ll need to reconfigure the settings

HOW TO CONFIGURE SETTINGS IF YOU WANT TO CONNECT THE RANGE EXTENDER TO NEW WI-FI NETWORK

1. Reset the range extender to factory settings and reconfigure the settings

CONCLUSION

If you are in the market for a cost-effective solution to enhance your home WIFI, look no further than the Xiaomi Ac1200 WIFI Extender. This device is designed to address common WIFI issues such as dead zones and slow internet speed to the dual-band technology

One of the stand-out features of the AC1200 is its impressive speed, reaching up to 1,167Mbps. The speed ensures a smooth online experience but significantly reduces latency, making it ideal for streaming, light gaming, and downloading

Ease setup is another advantage of the AC1200 with the MI HOME app, you can have your Wi-Fi extender up and running in no time. Plus it offers a variety of customization options, allowing you to tailor your user experience to your specific needs

In conclusion, for its convenience and high performance, the Ac1200 WIFI extender comes highly recommended. Upgrade your home wifi network with the AC1200 and experience a faster, more reliable internet connection