User Manual AC1200 WiFi Range Extender Model EX5000 January 2020 202-12048-01 NETGEAR, Inc. 350 E.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender Support Thank you for purchasing this NETGEAR product. You can visit https://www.netgear.com/support to register your product, get help, access the latest downloads and user manuals, and join our community. We recommend that you use only official NETGEAR support resources. Compliance and Conformity For regulatory compliance information including the EU Declaration of Conformity, visit https://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory/.
Contents Chapter 1 Overview Meet Your Extender..............................................................................6 LEDs...................................................................................................6 Buttons...............................................................................................7 When to Use Your Extender................................................................7 How the Extender Works...............................................................
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender View WiFi Settings..............................................................................29 Change the WiFi Network Name......................................................29 Turn Off the SSID Broadcast to Create a Hidden Network...........30 Disable or Enable the WiFi Radios...................................................31 Change the WiFi Speed.....................................................................
1 Overview The WiFi Range Extender boosts your existing network range and speed, delivering dual-band WiFi. This chapter covers the following topics: • • • Meet Your Extender When to Use Your Extender How the Extender Works Note: For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website at support.netgear.com.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender Meet Your Extender Before you install your extender, familiarize yourself with its LEDs and buttons. LEDs The following table describes the LEDs. Table 1. LED descriptions LED Description Power • Solid green. The extender is powered on. • Solid amber. The extender is booting. • Off. The extender is powered off. Router This LED indicates the network connection between the extender and the router or access point. • Solid green. Best connection. • Solid amber. Good connection.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender Table 1. LED descriptions (Continued) LED Description Device This LED indicates the network connection between the extender and a computer or mobile device. • Solid green. Best connection. • Solid amber. Good connection. • Solid red. Poor connection. • Off. No connection. WPS • Solid green. WiFi security is enabled (WPA or WPA2). • Blinking green. A WPS connection is being established. • Off. WiFi security is not enabled.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender When the extender connects over WiFi to an existing network, it functions as a network client, similar to how a WiFi device connects to a network. • The extender acts as an access point for WiFi devices. The extender broadcasts its own WiFi network that WiFi devices can join. In its role as an access point, the extender performs tasks that WiFi routers do, such as broadcasting its network name (SSID).
2 Get Started This chapter covers the following topics: • • • Install the WiFi Extender Log In to the Extender After Installation Run Smart Setup Installation 9
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender Install the WiFi Extender Place the extender, apply power, and connect the extender to your 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 amber and then turn green.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender If the Router Link LED does not light, try again. If it still does not light, see Connect with the NETGEAR Installation Assistant on page 12. 3. If your WiFi router supports the 5 GHz band, repeat Steps 1 and 2 to connect the extender to the 5 GHz band. 4. Unplug the extender and move it to a new location that is about halfway between your router and the area with a poor router WiFi signal.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender 8. Test the new extender WiFi range by moving your computer or mobile device to the area with a poor router WiFi signal: a. Leave your computer or mobile device in the area with a poor router WiFi signal and return to the extender. b. Check the Device LED on the extender: • If the Device LED is solid green or amber, your new extender WiFi network reaches the area with a poor router WiFi signal and your network setup is complete.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender 8. If the Router LED doesn’t light amber or green, plug the extender into an outlet closer to the router and try again. Keep moving the extender to outlets closer to the router until the Router LED lights amber or green. 9. Reconnect your computer or mobile device to the new extender WiFi network. 10. Test the new extended WiFi range by moving your computer or mobile device to the area with a poor router WiFi signal: a.
AC1200 WiFi Range 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. When you are connected to the extender, the Device Link LED lights. 2. Log in to your extender: • If your extender and router use different WiFi network names (SSIDs), enter www.mywifiext.net. • If your extender and router use the same WiFi network name (SSID), enter http:// (for example, http://192.168.1.3).
3 Maintain and Monitor the Extender This chapter covers the following topics: • • • • • • • • Change the Extender admin 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 Return the Extender To Its Factory Default Settings Update the Extender Firmware 15
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender Change the Extender admin User Name and Password You can change the admin user name and password to log in to the extender. To add an extender user: 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 your extender and router use different WiFi network names (SSIDs), enter www.mywifiext.net.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender Turn Password Protection Off and On NETGEAR recommends 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 your extender and router use different WiFi network names (SSIDs), enter www.mywifiext.net.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender To recover your password 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 your extender and router use different WiFi network names (SSIDs), enter www.mywifiext.net. • If your extender and router use the same WiFi network name (SSID), enter http:// (for example, http://192.168.1.3).
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender For more information about how to find your extender's IP address, see Find Extender's IP Address on page 44. A login page displays. 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 Do More > Access Schedule. The Access Schedule page displays. 6. Select the Automatically adjust for daylight savings time check box. 7.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender 5. Select Do More > Access Schedule. The Access Schedule page displays. 6. In the Extender Clock section, select the Manual radio button. 7. To specify the time, complete the fields or click the Sync Clock button to synchronize the extender time to the time on the computer or mobile device that you are using. 8. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender 5. Select Settings > Other. The Other Settings page displays. 6. Click the BACKUP button. Your browser extracts the configuration file from the extender. The backup file uses an .cfg extenstion. 7. If your browser is not set up to save downloaded files automatically, locate where you want to save the file. 8. Click the OK button. The extender configuration settings are backed up.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender CAUTION: After you click the RESTORE 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! 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.
AC1200 WiFi Range 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 your extender and router use different WiFi network names (SSIDs), enter www.mywifiext.net. • If your extender and router use the same WiFi network name (SSID), enter http:// (for example, http://192.168.1.3).
AC1200 WiFi Range 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. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If your extender and router use different WiFi network names (SSIDs), enter www.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender You might need to unzip the firmware file. 3. Log in to your extender: • If your extender and router use different WiFi network names (SSIDs), enter www.mywifiext.net. • If your extender and router use the same WiFi network name (SSID), enter http:// (for example, http://192.168.1.3). For more information about how to find your extender's IP address, see Find Extender's IP Address on page 44. A login page displays. 4.
4 Extender Network Settings This chapter covers the following topics: • • • • • • • • • • • • • View Connected Devices Boost Your Video Streaming with FastLane Technology 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 Device Name Set Up the Extender to
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender View Connected Devices You can view a list of devices that are connected to the extender network. 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 your extender and router use different WiFi network names (SSIDs), enter www.mywifiext.net.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender When you enable FastLane Technology, two options are available: • Use the 2.4 GHz band to connect the extender to the WiFi devices and use the 5 GHz band to connect the extender to the WiFi router. Use this mode if your WiFi router supports the 5 GHz band but the devices that you want to use for gaming and streaming support the 2.4 GHz band. • Use the 5 GHz band to connect the extender to the WiFi devices and use the 2.4 GHz band to connect the extender to the WiFi router.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender View WiFi Settings To view the WiFi 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 your extender and router use different WiFi network names (SSIDs), enter www.mywifiext.net. • If your extender and router use the same WiFi network name (SSID), enter http:// (for example, http://192.168.1.3).
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender A login page displays. 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 each Network Name (SSID) field, type a network name. 7. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved.
AC1200 WiFi Range 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. 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. If you disable the WiFi radios, then no one can connect with WiFi to the extender.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender Your settings are saved. Change the WiFi Speed The 2.4 GHz network WiFi speed to set to a specific WiFi speed. You can only change the 5 GHz WiFi speed. To change the WiFi speed: 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 your extender and router use different WiFi network names (SSIDs), enter www.mywifiext.net.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s WiFi Network WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) lets you connect a computer or WiFi device to the extender’s network without entering the WiFi network passphrase or key. Instead, you use a WPS button or enter a PIN to connect. If you use the push button method, the WiFi device that you are trying to connect must include a physical button or a software button.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender The Connected Devices (WPS) page displays. 6. Leave the Push Button (recommended) radio button selected. 7. Click the WIFI PROTECTED SETUP (WPS) button. For two minutes, the extender attempts to add the computer or WiFi device to its WiFi network. 8. Within two minutes, go to the computer WiFi device and press or click its WPS button. 9. To verify that the WiFi device is connected to the extender’s WiFi network, select Settings > Connected Devices.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender 7. Type the PIN of the WiFi device in the field. 8. Click the NEXT button. For four minutes, the extender attempts to find the computer or WiFi device. 9. Within four minutes, go to the WiFi device and use its WPS software to join the WiFi network. 10. To verify that the WiFi device is connected to the extender’s WiFi network, select Settings > Connected Devices. The WiFi device displays onscreen.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender The extender menu displays. 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.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender 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 Internet access. 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. Change the Extender’s Device Name The default name is EX3800. To change the extender’s device name: 1.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender 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. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If your extender and router use different WiFi network names (SSIDs), enter www.mywifiext.net.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender Use the Extender with MAC Filtering or Access Control When the WiFi device connects through the extender to your router, the MAC address of the wireless device that is shown on the router is translated to another MAC address. If your router's MAC filter, wireless access control, or ACL is enabled, the WiFi device connects to the extender but cannot get an IP address from the extender and cannot access the Internet.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender 8. On the router, add the extender’s virtual MAC address and all the virtual MAC addresses connected to the extender network to your router’s MAC filter table. 9. Enable the router’s MAC filter, wireless access control, or ACL.
5 FAQs and Troubleshooting This chapter covers the following topics: • • • • • FAQs Cannot Connect to the Extender Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message Cannot Access mywifiext.
AC1200 WiFi Range 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. For more information about where to place the extender, see Find Extender's IP Address on page 44.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message To join a WiFi network, you must know its network name (also called the SSID) so that you can select it. If the network is secure, you must know the passphrase or key. If the extender does not connect to the network that you select, the cause might be one of the following: • It is possible that you typed the network name, passphrase, or key incorrectly.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender Try these troubleshooting tips to connect to www.mywifiext.net: • If you're trying to access www.mywifiext.net for the first time to set up your extender, see Connect with the NETGEAR Installation Assistant on page 12 and follow the instructions. • After you connect your computer or mobile device to the extender network, make sure that the extender's Device LED is solid green or amber.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender To log in to your extender and find your extender's IP address: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to the router network. 2. Enter http://www.routerlogin.net. A login window opens. 3. Enter the router admin user name and password. The user name is admin. The password is the one that you specified the first time that you logged in. The user name and password are case-sensitive. The BASIC Home page displays. 4. Select Attached Devices.
6 Factory Settings and Technical Specifications This appendix covers the following topics: • • Factory Default Settings Technical and Environmental Specifications 46
AC1200 WiFi Range 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 22. The following table shows the factory default settings. Table 2.
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender Table 3. Technical specifications Technical Specifications Network protocol and standards compatibility Data and routing protocols: TCP/IP, DHCP server and client, DNS relay, Physical specifications • Dimensions: 72.5 x 72.5 x 64.8 mm (2.85 x 2.85 x 2.55 in.) • Weight: 152 g (0.34 lb) Environmental • Operating temperature: 32° to 104°F (0° to 40°C) • Operating humidity: 90% maximum relative humidity, noncondensing Interface 802.11ac, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.
