User Manual AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Model EAX20 June 2020 202-12035-02 NETGEAR, Inc. 350 E.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Support and Community Visit netgear.com/support to get your questions answered and access the latest downloads. You can also check out our NETGEAR Community for helpful advice at community.netgear.com. Regulatory and Legal Si ce produit est vendu au Canada, vous pouvez accéder à ce document en français canadien à https://www.netgear.com/support/download/. (If this product is sold in Canada, you can access this document in Canadian French at https://www.netgear.
Contents Chapter 1 Overview Unpack Your Extender.........................................................................6 LEDs........................................................................................................7 Back Panel..............................................................................................9 System Requirements........................................................................10 How the Extender Works........................................................
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Set up the extender to use a static IP address................................37 Adjust the WiFi coverage..................................................................38 Enable FastLane technology.............................................................39 Configure a router with advanced MAC settings to work with your extender...............................................................................................
1 Overview The WiFi Range Extender boosts your existing network range and speed, delivering tri-band WiFi. This chapter covers the following topics: • • • • • Unpack Your Extender LEDs Back Panel System Requirements How the Extender Works Note: For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website at support.netgear.com.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Unpack Your Extender Your package contains an extender and power adapter. Figure 1.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender LEDs The following table describes the LEDs. Figure 2.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Table 1. LED descriptions LED Description Ethernet LED • Solid white. An Ethernet device is connected to an Ethernet port. • Off. An Ethernet device is not connected to the extender. 5 GHz LED • Solid white. The extender’s 5 GHz WiFi radio is operating. • Off. The extender’s 5 GHz WiFi radio is off. 2.4 GHz LED • Solid white. The extender’s 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is operating. • Off. The extender’s 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is off.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Back Panel The back panel of the extender provides a Reset button, Ethernet ports, and a DC power connector. Figure 3. Back panel The back panel contains the following components: 1. Reset button. Pressing this button resets the extender. If the Reset button is pressed for at least seven seconds, the Power LED blinks amber, and the extender returns to its factory settings. 2. Ethernet ports.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender System Requirements You need the following to install your extender: • 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax wireless router or gateway • Compatible web browser: - Microsoft Internet Explorer® 8.0 or higher - Firefox 2.0 or higher - Safari 5.1 or higher - Google Chrome 25.0 or higher How the Extender Works The extender works like a bridge between a WiFi router (or a WiFi access point) and a WiFi device outside the range of the WiFi router.
2 Get started This chapter covers the following topics: • • • • • • • Install the WiFi extender Place the extender and apply power Connect to an existing WiFi network Use the extender in access point mode Connect a device to the extender network Log in to the extender after installation Run the Smart Setup installation 11
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Install the WiFi extender Place the extender, apply power, and connect the extender to your existing WiFi network. Place the extender and apply power To place the extender and apply power: 1. Place your extender in the same room as your WiFi router. Proximity to the WiFi router is required only during the initial setup process. 2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet. 3. Wait for the Power LED to light solid white.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Connect with the Nighthawk app You can connect your extender to your router using the NETGEAR Nighthawk app. To connect with the Nighthawk app: 1. Download the Nighthawk app on your mobile device. For more information about the Nighthawk app, visit Nighthawk-app.com. 2. On your mobile device, open the WiFi connection manager, then locate and connect to the extender network called NETGEAR_EXT. 3. Launch the Nighthawk app. 4.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender The following tables show an example of what your 2.4 and 5 GHz extender WiFi names might look like if your extender connects to both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi networks from a dual-band router: Table 2. Existing dual-band router WiFi names example Dual-band router WiFi networks Example router WiFi names 2.4 GHz router WiFi network MyWiFiexample 5 GHz router WiFi network MyWiFiExample-5G Table 3.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender If the Router Link LED lights white, the connection between your router and extender is good. If the Router Link LED lights amber or red, move the extender closer to the router and try again. Note: If your router supports the 5 GHz band and your extender didn’t connect to that band, repeat the WPS process. 3. Unplug your extender and move it to a new location. We recommend that the new location be about halfway between your router and the area with a poor WiFi signal.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender For example, if your extender connects to the router’s 2.4 GHz WiFi band only, your extender uses your router’s 2.4 GHz WiFi settings for both its networks. The following tables show an example of what your extender WiFi network names might look like: Table 4. Existing dual-band router WiFi names example Dual-band router WiFi networks Example router WiFi names 2.4 GHz router WiFi network MyWiFiexample 5 GHz router WiFi network MyWiFiExample-5G Table 5.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Note: Since your router and extender networks share the same WiFi network name, only one WiFi network name is broadcast. Connect with the NETGEAR installation assistant You can use the NETGEAR installation assistant to connect your extender to your existing WiFi router network. To use the NETGEAR installation assistant, you must launch a web browser on your computer or mobile device.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Use the extender in access point mode You can use the extender as a WiFi access point, which creates a new WiFi hotspot by using a wired Ethernet connection. Figure 4. Extender in access point mode To use the extender in access point mode: 1. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet. 2. Wait for the Power LED to light amber and then turn white. 3. Connect a computer or mobile device to the extender using a WiFi or Ethernet connection: • WiFi.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Connect a device to the extender network After you complete the setup process, you can connect all your devices to the new extender network using a WiFi or WPS connection. Connect a device to the extender network using WiFi If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, your extender uses the the same WiFi network name and password as your router. To connect to the extender WiFi network: 1.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender To log in to the extender: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter http://www.mywifiext.net/ in the address field of the browser. • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext.local/ or http://mywifiext/ - Mac computers and iOS devices.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender 3. Enter your admin user name and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 4. Click the SMART SETUP button. 5. Follow the prompts.
3 Extender Network Settings This chapter covers the following topics: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Enable or disable the One WiFi Name feature Enable or disable Smart Connect View connected devices View WiFi settings Change the WiFi network name Turn off the SSID broadcast to create a hidden network Disable or enable the WiFi radios Change the WiFi speed Use WPS to add a computer to the extender’s WiFi network Deny access to a computer or WiFi device Set up an access schedule Change the extender’s devic
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Enable or disable the One WiFi Name feature The One WiFi Name feature enables your extender to use the same WiFi network settings as your router. If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, your extender uses the same WiFi network name and password as your router. The following is an example of what your WiFi network names might look like if One WiFi Name is enabled: • Router 2.4 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample • Router 5 GHz WiFi network name.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon The extender menu displays. , click it. 5. Select Settings > Wireless. The WiFi Settings page displays. 6. Enable or disable the One WiFi Name feature: • Enable the One WiFi Name feature. To enable the One WiFi name feature, select the Yes radio button. If this is the first time you’re enabling the One WiFi Name feature, you must run the Smart Setup.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext/ or http://mywifiext.local/ - Mac computers, iOS devices, and Linux devices. http://mywifiext.local/ - Android devices. http:/// (for example, http://192.168.1.3/) For more information about how to find your extender’s IP address, see Find the Extender’s IP address on page 59. A login page displays. 3.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender To view connected devices: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter http://www.mywifiext.net/ in the address field of the browser. • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext/ or http://mywifiext.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext/ or http://mywifiext.local/ - Mac computers, iOS devices, and Linux devices. http://mywifiext.local/ - Android devices. http:/// (for example, http://192.168.1.3/) For more information about how to find your extender’s IP address, see Find the Extender’s IP address on page 59. A login page displays. 3.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender 3. Enter your admin user name and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon The extender menu displays. , click it. 5. Select Settings > Wireless. The WiFi Settings page displays. 6. In the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Network Name (SSID) field, type a new network name. 7. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender The Status page displays. 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon The extender menu displays. , click it. 5. Select Settings > Wireless. The WiFi Settings page displays. 6. In the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Network section, clear the Broadcast the Network Name (SSID) check box. 7. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Disable or enable the WiFi radios By default, the extender’s WiFi radios broadcast signals in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender 5. Select Settings > Wireless. The WiFi Settings page displays. 6. Select or clear the Enable 2.4 GHz WiFi check box. 7. Select or clear the Enable 5 GHz WiFi check box. 8. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Change the WiFi speed When the extender's 2.4 GHz WiFi backhaul is connected to the root access point (root AP), the extender's 2.4 GHz fronthaul WiFi speed is the same as the root AP's 2.4 GHz WiFi speed. The extender cannot change its 2.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext/ or http://mywifiext.local/ - Mac computers, iOS devices, and Linux devices. http://mywifiext.local/ - Android devices. http:/// (for example, http://192.168.1.3/) For more information about how to find your extender’s IP address, see Find the Extender’s IP address on page 59. A login page displays. 3.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Use WPS with the push button method For you to use the push button method to connect a WiFi device to the extender’s WiFi network, the WiFi device that you are trying to connect must include a physical WPS button or an onscreen WPS button that you can click. To use WPS to add a WPS-enabled device to the extender’s WiFi network: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Use WPS with the PIN method To use the PIN method to connect a WiFi device to the extender’s WiFi network, you must know the PIN of the WiFi device that you are trying to connect. To add a computer or WiFi device to the extender’s WiFi network: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter http://www.mywifiext.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender 10. To verify that the WiFi device is connected to the extender’s WiFi network, select Settings > Connected Devices. The WiFi device displays onscreen. Deny access to a computer or WiFi device By default, access control is disabled so that it is easy for you to connect to the extender’s WiFi networks. You can deny network access to specific computers and WiFi devices based on their MAC addresses.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender 5. Select Settings > Connected Devices. The Connected Devices page displays. 6. In the WiFi Devices section, select the Enable Access Control check box. The WiFi devices table displays the names and MAC addresses of WiFi devices that are connected to the extender. 7. Select the Deny check box for the device. 8. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved and that device cannot connect to the extender’s WiFi network.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender 5. Select Do More > Access Schedule. The Access Schedule page displays. 6. Select the Access Schedule On radio button. The page adjusts. 7. In the Days menu and the Time menu, select the day and time when you want to disable the extender’s wireless or wired connection to the router. 8. Click the Add Time button to add the time that you specified to the Scheduled Times table. 9. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender 5. Select Settings > Wireless. The WiFi Settings page displays. 6. Scroll down and click the IP Address heading. The page expands. 7. In the Device Name field, type a name. 8. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Set up the extender to use a static IP address The extender comes set up to use a dynamic IP address, which is the correct setting for most home networks. To set up the extender to use a static IP address: 1.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender 6. Scroll down and click the IP Address heading. The page expands. By default, the Dynamically get IP Address from Router radio button is selected. 7. Select the Use Static IP Address radio button. 8. Complete the fields to specify the IP network IP addresses. 9. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Adjust the WiFi coverage You can adjust the extender output power percentage and range of your extended WiFi network.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon The extender menu displays. , click it. 5. Select Do More > WiFi Coverage. The WiFi Coverage page displays. 6. Select a WiFi Output Power radio button 7. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Enable FastLane technology Get the most out of your HD entertainment with FastLane technology. With FastLane technology, the extender connects to your router using one band and connects to your devices using another band.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon The extender menu displays. , click it. 5. Select Do More > FastLane. The FastLane Technology page displays. 6. Select the FastLane Technology radio button. The page adjusts and displays two more radio buttons. 7. Select a radio button: • Router-to-Extender in 2.4 GHz only and Extender-to-Device in 5 GHz only. The 5 GHz band is used to connect the extender to the WiFi devices, and the 2.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender To add a translated MAC address to your router and reserve an IP address for your extender 1. Log in to your router and disable the MAC filter, WiFi access control, or ACL. For more information about how to disable your router’s MAC filter, WiFi access control, or ACL, see your router’s documentation. 2. Power on the extender and connect all of your WiFi devices to the extender. 3. Make sure that the Router Link LED remains lit. 4. Log in to your extender: a.
4 Maintain and monitor the extender This chapter covers the following topics: • • • • • • • • • • • • Change the extender login user name and password Turn password protection off and on Recover a forgotten user name or password Automatically adjust for daylight saving time Manually set the extender clock Back up and manage the extender configuration Back up the configuration settings Restore the configuration settings Return the extender to its factory default settings Update the extender firmware Restart
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Change the extender login user name and password You can change the admin user name and password that you use to log in to the extender. To change the extender's login user name and password: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter http://www.mywifiext.net/ in the address field of the browser.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender 9. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Turn password protection off and on We recommend that you leave password protection on to help keep your network secure. You can turn password protection off and on. To turn password protection off or on: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter http://www.mywifiext.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Recover a forgotten user name or password If you changed the password that you use to access the extender and you set up password recovery, you can recover your password if you lose it. To recover your password that you use to access the extender: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter http://www.mywifiext.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Automatically adjust for daylight saving time To set up the extender to automatically adjust for daylight saving time: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter http://www.mywifiext.net/ in the address field of the browser. • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computers.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender To manually set the extender clock: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter http://www.mywifiext.net/ in the address field of the browser. • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext/ or http://mywifiext.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender extender configuration settings but are not content with the new settings, you can restore the extender configuration to the backed-up settings. Back up the configuration settings You can back up the configuration file of the extender. To back up the extender configuration settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Restore the configuration settings You can restore the configuration settings of the extender to a previously saved configuration file. To restore the extender configuration settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter http://www.mywifiext.net/ in the address field of the browser.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender 8. Click the RESTORE button. A confirmation pop-up window opens. 9. Confirm your decision. The extender configuration is restored and the extender restarts. This process takes about one minute. Return the extender to its factory default settings Under some circumstances (for example, if you lose track of the changes that you made to the extender settings), you might want to erase the configuration and reset the extender to factory default settings.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender To log in to the extender and reset the extender’s factory settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter http://www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser. • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext/ or http://mywifiext.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Update the extender firmware You can log in to the extender and check to see if new firmware is available, or you can manually load a specific firmware version to your extender. Check for new firmware and update the extender Unless you changed the settings in the Firmware Update page previously, the extender is set up to check for new firmware automatically at login. To check manually for new firmware and, if available, update the firmware: 1.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Note: You might need to unzip the firmware file. The firmware update process takes about two minutes. Manually upload firmware to the extender If you want to upload a specific firmware version, follow these instructions. To manually upload a firmware file to your extender: 1. Download the firmware file for your extender from the NETGEAR Download Center, save it to your desktop, and unzip the file if needed. Note: The correct firmware file uses an .img or .chk extension.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender The firmware file name ends with a .img or .chk extension. 9. Click the UPLOAD button. CAUTION: After you click the UPLOAD button, do not try to go online, turn off the extender, shut down the computer, or do anything else to the extender until it finishes restarting. The firmware update starts and the extender restarts. The firmware update process takes about two minutes. Restart the extender from the extender web interface You can log in to the extender and restart it.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender 5. Select Settings > Other. The Other Settings page displays. 6. Click the RESTART button and click the Yes button to confirm. The extender restarts, which takes about two minutes. Turn the LEDs On or Off If you turn the LEDs off, the Power LED remains on. To turn the LEDs on or off: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender 7. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved.
5 FAQs and troubleshooting This chapter contains the following topics: • • • • • • FAQs Find the Extender’s IP address Cannot Connect to the Extender Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message Cannot access mywifiext.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender FAQs This section provides answers for difficulties you might experience with the extender. The web browser setup keeps asking me for my network password (passphrase) or security key, and I am sure that I entered the correct password. What can I do? The extender is probably placed at the borderline of the range covered by the router or access point.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender To restore factory settings: 1. Use a sharp object such as a pen or paper clip to press and hold the Reset button on the extender for seven seconds until the Power LED blinks amber. 2. Release the Reset button and wait for the extender to reboot. The extender resets and returns to the factory default settings.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Cannot Connect to the Extender If you cannot connect to the extender, determine what prevents you from connecting: • If you cannot access the extender settings using the Nighthawk app, you can access the extender using the extender web interface at http://www.mywifiext.net/, see Cannot access mywifiext.net on page 61 for more information. • If you forgot your user name or password, click the Username & Password Help link. For more information, see FAQs on page 58.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender To run Smart Setup again, click the YES button. To manually configure the extender, click the NO, CONFIGURE MANUALLY button. Cannot access mywifiext.net When you try to access http://www.mywifiext.net/ to set up your extender, you might receive an error message that says you are not connected to the extender's WiFi network. This website is not a regular Internet website.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Cannot connect to extender using the Nighthawk app You can use the Nighthawk app to set up your extender and access your extender settings. If the Nighthawk app is unable to connect to your extender, try these troubleshooting tips: • If you're setting up your extender for the first time, make sure your mobile device is connected to the extender WiFi network called NETGEAR_EXT.
6 Supplemental Information This appendix covers the following topics: • • Factory Default Settings Technical and Environmental Specifications 63
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Factory Default Settings To reset the extender to factory default settings, you can use the Reset button on the side panel or you can log in and click the onscreen RESET button. For more information, see Return the extender to its factory default settings on page 50. The following table shows the factory default settings. Table 9.
AX1800 4-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Technical and Environmental Specifications The following table shows the technical and environmental specifications. Table 10. Technical specifications Technical Specifications Network protocol and standards compatibility Data and routing protocols: TCP/IP, DHCP server and client, DNS relay Physical specifications • Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.7 x 2.5 in (241.7 x 169.5 x 63.4 mm) • Weight: 1.1 lb (504.
