How to Set up the Netgear Wi-Fi Extender
How to Set up the Netgear Wi-Fi Extender
One of the most annoying events of any day includes internet interruption when you are trying to get work done. You push every possible button on the router in anticipation of an unmatched internet speed, spend every penny to fix the router but it is all the same in the end. If you truly wish to battle a poor Wi-Fi connection, pushing buttons is not all. What you need is a Netgear Wi-Fi range extender. Wi-Fi extenders are devices specially designed to boost the range of your router significantly so that your work is never interrupted by a poor connection again. If you are wondering if your Wi-Fi range is the real problem, that is not all the Netgear Wi-Fi extenders help with. Any interruption in the transmission of a Wi-Fi network is taken care of by Netgear extenders. These interruptions could be as silly as the waves from your microwave or the basic furniture at your home.
The installation of the Netgear extender setup is a very convenient process and can usually be handled by a layman. Some things that require your attention include deciding the location for your extender. To ensure maximum connectivity and coverage, the Wi-Fi extender must be placed halfway between the router and the device by which the network is being accessed. While placing the Netgear wifi extender, make sure that it is in the range of your wireless router as it needs to identify the signals transmitted from it as the first step. Although, if your router has a range up to the device accessing the network, placing the Netgear extender beside the device can help establish a strong and reliable connection. Do consider other devices that are accessing the network while undertaking this type of installation.
While setting up your Netgear extender via a Macbook, one must ensure zero interruptions in the process otherwise a successful set up remains far-fetched. Installing your extender via Macbook can be a little overwhelming than via Windows but it remains within the limitations of a layman. The steps to set up your extender via Mac comprise the following:
Plug the extender to a power source. An LED bulb on the extender lights up as an indication of successful plugging. If it does not light up, try switching the extender off and then on or check your power source.
The extender sends out a Wi-Fi range to help you connect with it. If you have enabled the feature of MAC address filtering or Access Control List on your router, disable it as it can block the internet access.
Switch on your Mac and click on the AirPort icon in your Menu Bar so that a list of available wireless networks displays. Select the SSID of the Netgear extender to connect with it. By default, Netgear extenders have the SSID or Wi-Fi name as NETGEAR_EXT. If a password is required for pairing with the Wi-Fi, you need to put in the default password that is ‘password’.
Open any browser on your Mac and launch the website ‘mywifiext.local’. A setup page must display on launching the site.
As the setup page appears, tap on ‘New Extender Setup’. simply known as netgear extender setup. Remember to accept the terms and conditions if asked.
After having accepted the terms and conditions, the page would ask you to update your login credentials. It is recommended to choose an easy username and a strong password which is different from your Wi-Fi password. Make sure you save or remember these credentials as you may need it to access the extender’s settings.
The page would ask you to add two security questions that would help you to retrieve your credentials in case you forget them. The answers must be easy to remember for you as it is important to answer correctly if you want to recover your credentials.
As you tap the ‘next’ button after feeding in your credentials, you would be asked if you want the help of Netgear Genie. Answer positively to this as you would require this help.
After you tap ‘yes’ for the help of Netgear Genie, the extender begins to scrounge for available Wi-Fi network connections. Select your Wi-Fi’s name or SSID according to the radio bandwidth required and tap ‘next’. It would then ask you to enter your network password. After doing so, tap ‘next’ again.
In the next page, you would have to set up the SSID and password for your extender. The default name for the extender in case of 2.4 GHz bandwidth is ‘_2GEXT’ and for 5 GHz, it is ‘_5GEXT’. The passwords for both of these networks are the same as your existing Wi-Fi network. Tap on the ‘next’ button so that your extender saves these changes in settings. This step might take some minutes. After updating these changes, the page displays the SSID and password for each band of the extender. Remember to make a note of these.
For connecting other devices to the extender’s network, you need to open the Wi-Fi settings in that device and pair with the new network presented by the extender.
The next step is to launch the browser again and ticking the last checkbox that says ‘continue’ and you are all set to use your extender’s services.
Mywifiext.local is the web address used for installing your Netgear Extender via Mac. Setting up your extender is about more than just connecting a device; you are required to update multiple settings that concern the performance and accessibility of your extender. Some of the requirements of setting up your extender include deciding on a Wi-Fi name or SSID, a password for the extender’s network, the network band of your router, etc. These settings are crucial to the functionality of a Netgear extender; hence, the web address mywifiext.local becomes the most important part of the installation process while dealing with a Mac. Netgear extender setup is easy and simple, provided that you follow the instructions.
The Default Username and Password for Netgear Extenders
The default username for logging in to your Netgear extender’s network is ‘admin’ and the default password is ‘password’. Both of these credentials are case-sensitive.
Gone are the days when the only way to install a device was by an Ethernet connection. If we have a multitude of ways to connect any other device, why should the Netgear extender lag behind! A Netgear extender can be set up via Ethernet, a dedicated application called Nighthawk, Wi-Fi, and even via a WPS button. Based on the properties of the Netgear extender model and your convenience, you can choose any of these ways to have your extender running.
Most of the models of Netgear extenders are effortlessly made ready for use via the Nighthawk app. The steps to follow while installing your extender using the Nighthawk app include the following:
Connect your router with Internet and make a note of its SSID and password.
Switch on your Netgear extender setup. The indication of successful switching on is the blink of a green LED light on the extender.
Download the Nighthawk application from the application store of your android or iOS device.
Turn on the Wi-Fi on your device and connect with the extender’s Wi-Fi network. The default name of the extender’s network is NETGEAR_EXT.
Launch your Nighthawk app and follow the steps as prompted to install your Netgear extender setup and connect to the internet.
After you set up your NETGEAR WiFi range extender, you can log in to the extender to view and change the settings.
If you have not installed and connected your WiFi range extender to your existing WiFi network, visit NETGEAR Support and download your model’s quick start guide before continuing.
Verify that your model is tagged under the “This article applies to:” section. If you have a Mesh or Nighthawk Mesh WiFi Extender, see How do I log in to my WiFi Mesh Extender or Nighthawk Mesh Extender?.
To log in to your WiFi range extender:
Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender’s network.
Note: Your router and extender might have different WiFi network names (SSIDs). Verify that you are connected to your extender’s network.
If your extender and router use different WiFi network names (SSIDs), type www.mywifiext.net into the address field of your web browser.
If your extender and router use the same WiFi network name (SSID), type http://<extender’s IP address> (for example, http://192.168.1.3) into your browser’s address field.
For more information, see How do I find the IP address of a device connected to my router?.
Click or tap Enter.
A login page displays.
Enter your admin user name and password.
Note: Your user name might be an email address.
If you forgot your user name and password, click the Username & Password Help link.
To reset your login credentials, see How do I perform a factory reset on my NETGEAR range extender?.
Click or tap LOG IN.
The Status page displays.
If your browser displays the Menu icon, click or tap it.
The extender menu displays.
Select Settings to view and adjust the extender’s settings.
Installing Netgear Wi-Fi extender setup using mywifiext.net or windows has one of the easiest steps to a successful setup. These steps are as follows:
The first logical step in the setup of your Netgear extender would be to plug it to a power source. An LED bulb on the extender lights up as an indication of successful plugging. If it does not light up, try switching the extender off and then on or check your power source.
The extender sends out a Wi-Fi range to help you connect with it. You need to switch on any device capable of connecting to a Wi-Fi and pair with the extender’s connection. By default, Netgear extenders have the SSID or Wi-Fi name as NETGEAR_EXT. If a password is required for pairing with the Wi-Fi, you need to put in the default password that is ‘password’. Your device might try to alert you about the Wi-Fi providing no internet access, you must ignore this warning and go on anyway.
Open any browser on your connected device and launch the website ‘mywifiext.net’. A setup page must display on launching the site.
As the setup page appears, tap on ‘New Extender Setup’. Remember to accept the terms and conditions if asked.
After having accepted the terms and conditions, the page would ask you to update your login credentials. It is recommended to choose an easy username and a strong password which is different from your Wi-Fi password. Make sure you save or remember these credentials as you may need it to access the extender’s settings.
The page would ask you to add two security questions that would help you to retrieve your credentials in case you forget them. The answers must be easy to remember for you as it is important to answer correctly if you want to recover your credentials.
As you tap the ‘next’ button after feeding in your credentials, you would be asked if you want the help of Netgear Genie. Answer positively to this as you would require this help.
After you tap ‘yes’ for the help of Netgear Genie, the extender begins to scrounge for available Wi-Fi network connections. Select your Wi-Fi’s name or SSID according to the radio bandwidth required and tap ‘next’. It would then ask you to enter your network password. After doing so, tap ‘next’ again.
In the next page, you would have to set up the SSID and password for your extender. The default name for the extender in case of 2.4 GHz bandwidth is ‘_2GEXT’ and for 5 GHz, it is ‘_5GEXT’. The passwords for both of these networks are the same as your existing Wi-Fi network. Tap on the ‘next’ button so that your extender saves these changes in settings. This step might take some minutes. After updating these changes, the page displays the SSID and password for each band of the extender. Remember to make a note of these.
For connecting a device to the extender’s network, you need to open the Wi-Fi settings in the device and pair with the new network presented by the extender.
The next step is to launch the browser again and ticking the last checkbox that says ‘continue’ and you are all set to use your extender’s services.
Yet another way to set up your Netgear extender is via WPS or Wi-Fi Protected Setup button that is located on your Netgear extender. This is the most convenient method of installation for your Netgear extender. The few simple steps to be followed are:
Plug in your extender to a power source.
Press the WPS button on your extender for a few seconds until the LED flashes a blinking green color.
Press the WPS button on your router within 2 minutes. If your extender and router have successfully configured, the LED of extender flashes a solid green light and the router link LED also lights up.
These steps suffice for the router using 2.4 GHz band but in case of 5 GHz, the steps 2 and 3 need to be repeated once again.
Switch on a device with Wi-Fi access and connect to the extender’s new Wi-Fi network by entering the same password as your router to install your extender successfully.
WPS or Wi-Fi Protected Setup is a button on your Internet source like a router. With its help, any wireless device can connect to the Internet source if they know the SSID and the password key for the network. The only exception to this is if the wireless network uses a WEP or Wired Equivalent Privacy system which is usually unsecured. Simply put, WPS system is a network security standard that helps to establish strong and reliable wireless connections.
How to Set up Netgear Extender using Ethernet –H3
The installation process of Netgear extender via Ethernet cables is fluently performed with these few simple steps:
Plug in your extender to a power source. An LED bulb on the extender lights up as an indication of successful plugging.
Connect the router and extender using an Ethernet cable.
Open a browser on any device and search mywifiext. A setup page must display on launching the site.
As the setup page appears, tap on ‘New Extender Setup’. Remember to accept the terms and conditions if asked.
After having accepted the terms and conditions, the page would ask you to update your login credentials. Make sure you save or remember these credentials as you may need it to access the extender’s settings.
As you tap the ‘next’ button after feeding in your credentials, you would be asked if you want the help of Netgear Genie. Answer positively to this as you would require this help.
After you tap ‘yes’ for the help of Netgear Genie, the extender begins to scrounge for available Wi-Fi network connections. Select your Wi-Fi’s name or SSID according to the radio bandwidth required and tap ‘next’. It would then ask you to enter your network password. After doing so, tap ‘next’ again.
In the next page, you would have to set up the SSID and password for your extender. The default name for the extender in case of 2.4 GHz bandwidth is ‘_2GEXT’ and for 5 GHz, it is ‘_5GEXT’. The passwords for both of these networks are the same as your existing Wi-Fi network. Tap on the ‘next’ button so that your extender saves these changes in settings.
For connecting a device to the extender’s network, you need to open the Wi-Fi settings in the device and pair with the new network presented by the extender.
The next step is to launch the browser again and ticking the last checkbox that says ‘continue’ and you are all set to use your extender’s services.
The Netgear extender can either be reset simply by pushing down the Factory button, for 7 seconds, that is located on the side panel of the extender or the following steps can be used to reset the extender using its web interface:
Log in to the extender.
Open the extender’s menu and select Settings then Other and then Reset.
Confirm this step on the next page and your extender will reset.
Reconnecting the Netgear extender helps to battle any issues that recur. It aids in fixing connectivity, speed, range, and other technical issues. Reconnecting can be done either via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
Reconnecting the Netgear Extender via Ethernet –H4
The side panel of the Netgear Wi-Fi extender inhabits a Factory button. Push down this button for 7 seconds to reset your extender.
Pick a device and connect it with the extender via an Ethernet cable. Launch a web browser on the connected device and search http://mywifiext.net on it.
For troubleshooting, select ‘I can’t access www.mywifiext.net; what do I do?’ and enter your login credentials.
Follow the steps as prompted on the next page.
Reconnect your devices and router to the Netgear extender.
Reconnecting the Netgear Extender via Wi-Fi –H4
To reconnect or troubleshoot your Netgear Wi-Fi extender using Wi-Fi, the following steps need to be traced:
The side panel of the Netgear Wi-Fi extender inhabits a Factory button. Push down this button for 7 seconds to reset your extender.
Pick a device and connect it with the default Wi-Fi network of the extender i.e. NETGEAR_EXT.
Launch a web browser on the connected device and search http://mywifiext.net on it.
For troubleshooting, select ‘I can’t access www.mywifiext.net; what do I do?’ and enter your login credentials.
Follow the steps as prompted on the next page.
Reconnect your devices and router to the Netgear extender.
How to Update the Netgear Extender’s Firmware –H2
Like any other electronic device, Netgear routinely launches latest updates in the firmware of the Netgear extenders to ensure up-to-date performance and to add new features. To manually update your extender’s firmware, undertake the following steps:
Connect a device with your extender’s Wi-Fi network and launch a web browser.
Open the site http://mywifiext.net and enter your credentials on the login page.
Tap the menu icon.
Go to Settings or Maintenance and then Firmware Update.
Select the Check option and then follow the prompts on the page to update your extender’s firmware.
Issues with the Netgear Extender –H2
With every machine, there is a certain expectation of errors and issues. Thankfully, the basic issues of the Netgear extender can be easily resolved with some simple troubleshooting steps. Some of the most common issues faced by the extender’s users and the appropriate troubleshooting steps include:
Inability of Netgear to Detect the 5 GHz Band
Here’s how this can be resolved:
Login to your router’s web user interface and go to Wireless Settings.
Go to the Channel option and select your router’s channel between 149-161 or 36-48.
Inability to Update the Netgear Extender’s SSID
To resolve this:
On your browser, log in to your Netgear extender and go to the Wireless Settings option.
Add the new SSID and password.
Click Save to apply the new SSID and password.
Blinking Power LED on the Netgear Extender
This could mean that either the extender is not getting sufficient power supply or its firmware has gotten corrupted. To fix this:
Check its connectivity to the power source.
Restart the extender.
Update the firmware.
The Netgear Extender Keeps Disconnecting
Check the power supply.
Correct the position of the extender.
Update its firmware.
Inability to Select the Wi-Fi Coverage on the Netgear Extender
Factory reset the extender.
Open a browser and log in to the extender.
Select the Wi-Fi Coverage option and click on the suitable output power percentage based on the area that needs to be covered.
The Nighthawk app is available on both iOS and android application stores and is very well supported by both. As in the case of routers, the following are compatible with the Nighthawk app:
RAX15
RAX20
RAX35
RAX40
RAX45
RAX48
RAX50
RAX75
RAX80
RAX120
RAX200
AC2100
AC2400
AC2600
R6020
R6080
R6120
R6220
R6250
R6250v2
R6260
R6230
R6330
R6350
R6400
R6400v2
R6700
R6700v2
R6700v3
R6800
R6850
R6900
R6900P
R6900v2
R7000
R7000P
R7000S
R7250
R7350
R7400
R7450
R7500v2
R7800
R7850
R7900
R7900P
R7960P
R8000
R8000P
R8300
R8500
R8900
R9000
RS400
XR300
XR450
XR500
XR700
XR1000
The extenders that support the Nighthawk app include:
EAX15
EAX20
EAX80
EX8000
EX7700
EX7320
EX7300v2
EX6500
EX6400v2
EX6420
EX6410
EX6250
EX6150v2
EX6100v2
RBS40V Universal
The cable products supporting the Nighthawk app are:
CAX80
C7000V2
C6300V2
C6250
C6220
C3700v2
A Mesh extender called MR60 is also compatible with the Nighthawk app.