@downedbear 

I believe  you may have the extender with the exact same name of the original wireless network. What is likely happening is that your device is still connected to the router even though it is physically close to the extender giving the impression the extender is not working. The wireless password will need to be the same so that is fine.

Download our Tether app on your smart phone, connect to your Wi-Fi network then when you load the app you will find the extender. You will go to tools > extended network, and change the names there. I would recommend adding -ext at the end of each name so you know what network is what. Yes, you will need to manually switch over, but you will at least know for sure what device you are connected to.