Struggling with weak Wi-Fi signals or limited coverage? The Reolink Wi-Fi Extender RLA-WE1 is the perfect solution to enhance your network and eliminate dead zones. In this article, we’ll guide you through how to initialize and pair the RLA-WE1 based on the devices you're using:

1. Pairing Wi-Fi Extender with Reolink RLN12W for Mesh Network

2. Pairing Wi-Fi Extender with Reolink Home Hub for Mesh Network

3. Pairing Wi-Fi Extender with Reolink Cameras only, Home Hub, or Non-Reolink Devices

1. Pairing Wi-Fi Extender with Reolink RLN12W for Mesh Network

Step 1. Power on the Reolink WiFi Extender and connect it to the NVR's downstream port using an Ethernet cable. At this point, the power, CPU, and LAN indicator lights should all be on.

Note: Make sure the repeater is in factory settings.

Step 2. Connect a monitor to the NVR with VGA/HDMI cable. Go to Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Repeater Connection(s).

settingsinitialize device

Step 3. Wait for the auto-adding process to complete. Once you see the following prompt, it means the Repeater has been successfully added.

auto add

Step 4. Click the "Installation Method" in the image above to learn how to install the Repeater. You can unplug the Ethernet cable and place the repeater between NVR and camera to extend the signal. Then, go to Network Topology to check if the camera has correctly received the extended signal.

install guide firstsecond install guide

Note: When Reolink Wi-Fi extender is added to RLN12W, the Wi-Fi extender can only be managed on the monitor, and cannot be managed or operated through the Reolink App.

2. Pairing Wi-Fi Extender with Reolink Home Hub for Mesh Network

Prerequisites:

  • Make sure your Reolink Home Hub is updated to the latest firmware version.
  • Ensure the Reolink App is updated to version 4.53 or above.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1. Plug the Reolink Wi-Fi Extender into a wall outlet and make sure it is powered on and functioning properly.

Step 2. Launch the Reolink App and add Reolink Home Hub to the App. Go to the Home Hub settings page and tap the "+" icon in the top-right corner.

Choose "Scan" to scan the QR code on the Wi-Fi Extender, or select "Add Device" > "Manual Input" to manually enter the Extender’s UID.

Scan extender QR code

Step 3. The App will guide you step-by-step to complete the pairing process between the Home Hub and the Wi-Fi Extender.

Make sure the extender is in factory settings. Reset the extender if it has been set up before. When the CPU indicator light is flashing slowly, press and hold the 2.4G or 5G WPS button on the extender until the CPU indicator light stays on.

CPU flash slowly press WPS button

Step 4. Tap "Next" to start initialization after the extender successfully connects to the hub.

Then you can find the Wi-Fi extender in the "Others" section on the Settings page of the hub.

You can tap the extender to check the details.

connection succeededhub others section

Tap the gear icon in the top right corner to go to the Settings page of the extender.

Then you can tap the extender's name to check its system information, and tap "Advanced" to reboot the extender.

wifi password repeater settings page

3. Pairing Wi-Fi Extender with Reolink Cameras only, Home Hub, or Non-Reolink Devices

Note: For RLN12W users, you can also configure the Wi-Fi extender and camera using this method, but we recommend the Mesh network connection for a simpler setup.

Step 1. Initially Set up Reolink Wi-Fi Extender

Preparation: Download the latest Reolink App from App store.

1. Adding the Reolink Wi-Fi Extender to the Reolink App.

  • Place the Reolink Wi-Fi extender near your NVR/router and power it on. The power and CPU indicator lights should both turn on.
  • Tap the “+” icon at the App’s homepage’s top right corner and tap the Manual input button. app addmanual input
  • Input UID of the Reolink Wi-Fi extender, and tap Next. UID can be found in the extender.app UID

2. Choose a wired or wireless setup method to set up the Reolink Wi-Fi Extender.

Choose your connection method based on your needs. We will start with a Hotspot connection, followed by an introduction to a Wired connection. Tap Through Wired connection to proceed.

  • Method 1. Through a Hotspot connection

    1. Tap on Hotspot connection.

    WIFI connect

    2. After the Reolink Wi-Fi extender is powered on, wait for the CPU indicator to flash slowly and tap Next. If this is not the first time use, reset the Wi-Fi extender before proceeding with the next step.

    reset wifi

    3. Select the Wi-Fi network you need to extend and tap Next.

    wifi app

    4. Tap Go to Connect to connect your phone to the extender network.

    conect wificonnect wifi

    5. Wait for a while.

    wait

    6. Create a password and name your extender.

    PASSWORD EXTENDERNAME EXTENDER

    7. Now, click Finish to complete the initialization.

    FINISH

  • Method 2. Through Wired connection

    To initialize the extender through a wired connection, follow the instruction below.

    1. Tap Wired connection.

    wired connection

    2. Wait for a while, then configure the password and name for the extender, at last, tap Finish.

    PASSWORD EXTENDERNAME EXTENDERFINISH

    3. Tap IoT and select the extender, then tap Go to configure.

    choose extender cable EDconfigure extended wife second

    4. Set a password for 2.4g and 5g extended Wi-Fi, then tap Save and Confirm.

    configure extended wife settingsconfirm wifi configuration

    5. Please wait for a few minutes as the Wi-Fi extender restarts. Once finished, in the RLA-WE1 main interface, you can see the already configured Extended Wi-Fi.

    extended wifi configured

Step 2. Find Out Optimal Placement for the Extender RLA-WE1

1. Position the Extender for Optimal Coverage. Position the initialized extender to a midpoint between your NVR/router and the area where you need to extend the network. 

2. Check Connection Stability via Indicator Lights. Based on the configuration method of the Wi-Fi extender, observe the status of the corresponding lights on Wi-Fi extender to determine if the connection is stable:

  • For a wireless connection, if the 2.4G/5G indicator light is not on or is orange, move the extender closer to the NVR/router for a better signal.
  • For a wired connection, if the LAN indicator light is not on, check the connections at both ends of the cable.

Step 3. Connect Reolink Wi-Fi Extender RLA-WE1 with your Device

The RLA-WE1 extender creates a new extended Wi-Fi network. You can connect any device to this extended Wi-Fi just like you would with a regular Wi-Fi network on the Reolink App, making it easy to use as needed. The following will describe how to connect devices to the Wi-Fi extender using Wi-Fi or wired connections.

  • Method 1. Through Wi-Fi

    On Reolink App t ap IoT, then select your extender. You can find the name and password of the extended Wi-Fi and connect your devices, like Reolink camera, with this Wi-Fi.

    For changing Wi-Fi for your Reolink camera, please click How to Change WiFi for Battery-Powered and WiFi Cameras via Reolink App.

    choose extendernew name

  • Method 2. Through a Wired connection

    Step 1. Power on the extender and connect your device, like Reolink camera, to the extender using an Ethernet cable. Wait until the light of LAN of the extender is on.

    Step 2. Done! Now, you can access the device.

With the Reolink Wi-Fi Extender RLA-WE1 properly set up, you can enjoy extended coverage and improved connectivity. Follow these steps to optimize the placement and usage of your extender for the best performance.