A wireless repeater incorporates a gain management block to implement a multi-parameter gain management algorithm. The gain management algorithm receives gain settings from at least a gain control metric for stability and output signal quality and signal headroom values associated with circuitry of the repeater. The gain management block provides secure and robust boot-up of the repeater as well as oscillation detection and prevention. Furthermore, the gain management block implements repeater stability control, output signal-to-noise level control, uplink and downlink gain balance control and compensation for device constraints.