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How do I set up my NETGEAR WiFi range extender?

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Your NETGEAR WiFi range extender expands your home WiFi network by connecting to your existing network and improving coverage.

Click or tap on one of the dropdown sections below for instructions on setting up your NETGEAR WiFi extender. We recommend using the WPS option if your router has a WPS button.

Not all routers support WPS. If your router does not have a WPS button, you must set up your extender using a different method.

WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you set up your NETGEAR WiFi range extender with the push of a button.

If you have previously set up your extender, perform a factory reset on the extender.
For more information, see How do I perform a factory reset on my NETGEAR WiFi range extender?

To set up your extender using WPS:

  1. If your extender has an Access Point/Extender switch, set it to Extender.
  2. Plug in your extender in the same room as your router.
    You can move the extender after completing its setup.
  3. Wait for the Power LED to stop blinking and become solid green or blue.
    This might take 1 to 2 minutes.
    If the Power LED does not light up, press the Power or On/Off button.
  4. Press the(WPS) button on your extender.
    The WPS LED blinks.
  5. While the WPS LED is blinking, press the WPS button on your router within 2 minutes.
    The extender WPS LED turns solid green or blue. This might take up to 2 minutes after both WPS buttons have been pressed.
    If the WPS LED does not turn solid green or blue, repeat Step 5.
  6. Wait for the(Router) LED to turn solid green or blue.
    This means that the extender is connected to your network.
  7. Unplug the extender and move it to a new location that is approximately halfway between your router and the area with a poor WiFi signal.
    Make sure all LEDs have stopped blinking before unplugging.
  8. Plug in the extender and wait for the Power and Router LEDs light solid green or blue.
    This might take up to 4 minutes.
  9. Connect your computer or mobile device to the extender’s network.
    Depending on your specific extender, the extended network name (SSID) is one of the following:
    • The same as your original network: YourNetworkName
    • The same as your original network but with _EXT added: YourNetworkName_EXT
    • The same as your original network with _2GEXT or _5GEXT added: YourNetworkName_2GEXT, YourNetworkName_5GEXT
    • The same as your original network with _2G or _5G added: YourNetworkName_2G, YourNetworkName_5G
    The password for the extended network is the same as the password for your original network.

Your extender is now expanding your network's coverage.

For information on how to change your extender’s settings, see How do I log in to my NETGEAR WiFi Range Extender?

We recommend this method for users that are experienced in setting up extenders or those with older NETGEAR devices.

To set up your extender using your web browser:

  1. Make sure that your current router is connected to the Internet and make a note of your WiFi network name (SSID) and password.
  2. If your extender has an Access Point/Extender switch, set it to Extender
  3. Plug in your extender in the same room as your router.
    You can move the extender after completing its setup.
  4. Wait for the Power LED to stop blinking and become solid green or blue.
    This might take 1 to 2 minutes.
    If the Power LED does not light up, press the Power or On/Off button.
  5. Connect your computer or mobile device to the extender's WiFi network.
    The extender's default WiFi network name (SSID) is NETGEAR_EXT. The extender network either has no password or the default password is password.
    If you do not see the NETGEAR_EXT SSID, perform a factory reset on your extender. For more information, see How do I perform a factory reset on my NETGEAR WiFi range extender?
    NOTE: Your device might warn you that the Internet is not available. This is expected. You are connecting directly to the extender which is not connected to the Internet yet. Select Always connect.
  6. Launch a web browser and enter mywifiext.com
  7. Either the New extender setup page displays or NETGEAR Genie begins searching for local networks.​​​​
    • If NETGEAR Genie begins searching for local networks, skip to Step 8.
    • If the New extender setup page displays, click or tap NEW EXTENDER SETUP.
      If prompted to accept terms and conditions, click or tap YES or I AGREE.
  8. Choose an administrator username and password for your extender.
    These are used to access your extender's settings with a web browser.
    We recommend setting the default username to admin and choosing a password that is different from your WiFi network password.
  9. Select and answer two security questions from the drop-down menus.
    These questions are used to recover your extender's username and password if you forget them.
  10. Click or tap NEXT.
    If your extender asks if you would like to use the NETGEAR Genie to help, click or tap YES or CONTINUE.
    Your extender searches for local WiFi networks to extend.
  11. Select your existing network's WiFi network names (SSIDs).
    If you do not see your networks, click or tap See More.
  12. Click or tap NEXT.
  13. Enter your existing network's password and click or tap NEXT.
  14. Choose SSIDs and passwords for your extender.
    The default password for each band is the same as your existing network.
  15. (Optional) For One WiFi Name extenders, you have an option to use the same WiFi name and password as your existing network. Select the Enable One WiFi Name checkbox to enable this feature if your extender supports it.
    This allows your extender to use the same network WiFi name (SSID) and password as your existing WiFi network.
  16. Click or tap NEXT.
    The extender applies your settings. This might take a few minutes.
    The extender displays the WiFi network name (SSID) and password for each of your extender's bands. Take note of these.
  17. If prompted, go to your computer or mobile device’s WiFi settings and connect to the new extended WiFi network name (SSID) that you chose.
  18. Return your web browser, select the checkbox at the bottom of the page, and click or tap CONTINUE.
  19. Wait for the Power and Router LEDs light solid green or blue.
  20. Unplug the extender and move it to a new location that is approximately halfway between your router and the area with a poor WiFi signal.
    Make sure all LEDs have stopped blinking before unplugging.

Your extender is now expanding your network's coverage.

For information on how to change your extender’s settings, see How do I log in to my NETGEAR WiFi Range Extender?

For our newer devices, the NETGEAR Nighthawk app is an excellent way to both set up and manage your extender. For a list of supported models, see Which products support the NETGEAR Nighthawk app?

To install your extender using the Nighthawk app:

  1. Make sure that your current router is connected to the Internet and make a note of your WiFi network name (SSID) and password.
  2. If your extender has an Access Point/Extender switch, set it to Extender.
  3. On your iOS or Android mobile device, download and install the Nighthawk app here: nighthawk-app.com
  4. Launch the Nighthawk app on your mobile device.
  5. Tap the Menu button at the top left.
  6. Select SET UP A NEW NIGHTHAWK SYSTEM.
  7. Tap GET STARTED!
  8. Select Range Extender.
  9. Plug in your extender in the same room as your router.
    You can move the extender after completing its setup.
  10. Wait for the Power LED to stop blinking and become solid green or blue.
    This might take 1 to 2 minutes.
    If the Power LED does not light up, press the Power or On/Off
  11. Tap NEXT.
    The Join Nighthawk network page displays.
  12. Tap CONTINUE.
    The Nighthawk app attempts to connect to the extender.
  13. If the Connect your device to Nighthawk WiFi page displays:
    1. Tap the Choose Network
      Your mobile device’s WiFi network selection screen displays.
    2. Select the NETGEAR_EXT WiFi network name (SSID).
      If you do not see the NETGEAR_EXT SSID, perform a factory reset on your extender. For more information, see How do I perform a factory reset on my NETGEAR WiFi range extender?
      NOTE: Your device might warn you that the Internet is not available. This is expected. You are connecting directly to the extender which is not connected to the Internet yet. Select Always connect.
    3. Return to the Nighthawk app.
  14. Tap WIFI IS CONNECTED.
    The Personalize your settings page displays.
  15. Tap NEXT until the Nighthawk app searches for local WiFi networks to extend.
  16. Select your router’s WiFi network names (SSIDs) for each of the frequencies it uses.
    For example, you might select a 2.4GHz SSID and a 5 GHz SSID.
    The Enter Your Password To Verify page displays.
  17. Enter your router’s network password into each password text field.
  18. Tap NEXT.
    The Nighthawk app verifies and configures your extended network. This might take a few minutes.
  19. Tap NEXT.
    The Set Up Administrator Login page displays.
  20. Choose an administrator username and password for your extender.
    These are used to access your extender's settings with the Nighthawk app.
    We recommend setting the default username to admin and choosing a password that is different from your WiFi network password.
  21. Tap NEXT.
  22. Select and answer two security questions from the drop-down menus.
    These questions are used to recover your extender's username and password if you forget them.
  23. Tap NEXT.
    The Nighthawk app checks for firmware updates for your extender.
  24. If an update is found, tap UPDATE.
    The Nighthawk app downloads and updates your extender with the latest firmware. This can take a few minutes.
  25. Wait for the Power and Router LEDs light solid green or blue.
  26. Unplug the extender and move it to a new location that is approximately halfway between your router and the area with a poor WiFi signal.
    Make sure all LEDs have stopped blinking before unplugging.

Your extender is now expanding your network's coverage.

For information on how to change your extender’s settings, see How do I log in to my NETGEAR WiFi Range Extender?

Last Updated:10/09/2024 | Article ID: 23517

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