AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition Model E X6400 User Manual July 2018 202-11611-03 350 East Plumeria Drive San Jose, CA 95134 USA
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition Support Thank you for purchasing this NETGEAR product. You can visit 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. Conformity For the current EU Declaration of Conformity, visit http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/11621. Compliance For regulatory compliance information, visit http://www.netgear.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition Contents Chapter 1 Get to Know Your Extender Front Panel and Side Panel LEDs and Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 When to Use Your Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Chapter 2 Get Started Use the Extender in Extender Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Place the Extender and Apply Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition Update the Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Restart the Extender Remotely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Chapter 5 FAQs and Troubleshooting FAQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Find Extender’s IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1. Get to Know Your Extender 1 The AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition boosts your existing network range and speed, delivering dual-band WiFi. You can also use the extender in access point mode as a WiFi access point and create a new WiFi hotspot by using a wired Ethernet connection.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition Front Panel and Side Panel LEDs and Buttons The LEDs are located on the front panel. A switch and buttons are located on the side panel and an Ethernet port is located on the bottom panel. Client Arrow LED Router Arrow LED Client Link LED Router Link LED Factory Reset button Power On/Off button WPS button Access Point/ Extender switch Power LED WPS LED Ethernet port (on the bottom) Figure 1. Extender front panel and side panel Table 1.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition Table 1. LEDs (continued) LED Description Client Arrow If no arrow LEDs are lit, the extender is in a good location. If the Client Arrow LED is blinking, move the WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device closer to the extender. Router Arrow If no arrow LEDs are lit, the extender is in a good location. If the Router Arrow LED is blinking, move the extender closer to the router.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition The extender must do each of these jobs so that both ends of the bridge are in place. Existing WiFi Sometimes your router does not provide the WiFi coverage that you need WiFi mesh extender Boosts the range of your existing WiFi and creates a stronger signal in hard-to.reach areas Figure 2.
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AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition Use the Extender in Extender Mode The extender repeats signals from an existing WiFi router or access point. Place the extender, apply power, and connect the extender to your WiFi network. Note: You can also use the extender as a WiFi access point and create a new WiFi hotspot by using a wired Ethernet connection. See Use the Extender in Access Point Mode on page 14. Place the Extender and Apply Power To place the extender and apply power: 1.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition To use WPS to connect the extender to your WiFi router: 1. Press the WPS button on the side panel of the extender. The WPS LED blinks. 2. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router or access point. When the extender connects to your existing WiFi network, the WPS LED on the extender lights solid green and the Router Link LED lights. If the Router Link LED does not light, try again.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition • Extended 5 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample If your extender connects to the router’s 5 GHz WiFi band, your extender uses your router’s 5 GHz WiFi settings for both its networks: • Router 2.4 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample • Router 5 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample-5G • Extended 2.4 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample-5G • Extended 5 GHz WiFi network name.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition The location that you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router network. 5. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the Power LED 6. Use the Router Link LED connection is optimal. to light green. to help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router 7. If the Router Link LED does not light amber or green, plug the extender into an outlet closer to the router and try again.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition 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 as an access point To install the extender as an access point: 1. Set the Access Point/Extender switch to Access Point . 2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the Power LED to light green. If the Power LED does not light, press the Power On/Off button. 3.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition Note: Do not connect your extender directly to your DSL or cable modem. The extender does not function as a router. If your network includes a DHCP server, you can connect the extender to a switch or hub that is connected to the DHCP server. 6. Return to the NETGEAR installation assistant and follow the prompts to finish setting up your extender as an access point.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition To run Smart Setup: 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://mywifiext.local in the address field of the browser. • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computer. http://mywifiext or http://mywifiext.
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AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition 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 you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter http://mywifiext.local in the address field of the browser.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition To activate FastLane mode: 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://mywifiext.local in the address field of the browser. • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computer. http://mywifiext or http://mywifiext.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition - Android devices. http:// (for example, http://192.168.1.3) For information about how to find the extender’s IP address, see Find Extender’s IP Address on page 43. A login page displays. 3. Enter your admin email address and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 4. Select Settings > Wireless. The Wireless page displays the WiFi settings. Change the WiFi Network Name To change the WiFi network name: 1.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition broadcast to create a hidden WiFi network. To connect to a hidden network you must know its SSID and password and manually enter them. To turn off the SSID broadcast to create a hidden network: 1. On your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device, open the WiFi connection manager and locate and connect to the new extender WiFi network. 2. Launch a web browser. 3. Enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser. A login window opens. 4.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition The Status page displays. 4. Select Settings > Wireless. The Wireless page displays. 5. Select or clear the Enable 2.4 GHz WiFi check box. 6. Select or clear the Enable 5 GHz WiFi check box. 7. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Change the 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.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s WiFi Network WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) lets you connect a WiFi-enabled computer or mobile 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.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition 9. To verify that the WiFi device is connected to the extender’s WiFi network, select Settings > Connected Devices. The WiFi device displays on the page. 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 connect to the WiFi network using the WPS PIN method: 1.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition separated by colons (for example, 00:09:AB:CD:EF:01). Typically, the MAC address is on the label of the WiFi device. If you cannot access the label, you can display the MAC address using the network configuration utilities of the computer. You might also find the MAC addresses on the Connected Devices page (see View Connected Devices on page 18). To use WiFi access control to deny access: 1.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition Set Up an Access Schedule You can control WiFi access during specific periods of the day. You can set up an access schedule that prevents Internet access through the extender network based on the times that you set. To set up an access schedule: 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://mywifiext.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition Change the Extender’s Device Name The default name is EX6400. To change the extender’s device name: 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://mywifiext.local in the address field of the browser. • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computer.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computer. 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 information about how to find the extender’s IP address, see Find Extender’s IP Address on page 43. A login page displays. 3.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition For information about how to find the extender’s IP address, see Find Extender’s IP Address on page 43. A login page displays. 3. Enter your admin email address and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 4. Select Settings > Connected Devices. The Connected Devices page displays the MAC addresses and virtual MAC addresses for computers and WiFi devices that are connected to the extender network. 5.
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AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition Change the Extender User Name and Password You can change the user name and password to log in to the extender. To change the extender user name: 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://mywifiext.local in the address field of the browser.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition 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://mywifiext.local in the address field of the browser.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition - Windows-based computer. 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 information about how to find the extender’s IP address, see Find Extender’s IP Address on page 43. A login page displays. 3. Click the Username & Password Help link.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition The Access Schedule page displays. 5. Select the Automatically adjust for daylight savings time check box. 6. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Manually Set the Extender Clock 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://mywifiext.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition 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. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter http://mywifiext.local in the address field of the browser.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter http://mywifiext.local in the address field of the browser. • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: - Windows-based computer. 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.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition Use the Factory Reset Button to Restore Factory Settings CAUTION: This process erases any settings that you configured in the extender. To restore factory settings: 1. Insert a paper clip into the Factory Reset hole and hold it until the Power LED blinks amber. 2. Release the button. All the LEDs turn off for about 3 seconds. The Power LED lights solid amber for about 30 seconds. The Power LED lights solid green.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition 4. Select Settings > Other Settings. The Backup Settings page displays. CAUTION: After you click the RESET 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. 5. Click the RESET button. A confirmation pop-up window opens. 6. Confirm your decision. The extender returns to its factory settings and restarts. This process takes about one minute.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition 6. If new firmware is available, follow the onscreen prompts to download it onto your computer. Note: You might need to unzip the firmware file. 7. Click the BROWSE button. 8. Locate and select the new firmware file. The firmware file name ends with a .chk extension. 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. 9.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition The Backup Settings page displays. 5. Click the RESTART button. 6. When prompted, click the Yes button to confirm. The extender restarts, which takes about two minutes.
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AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition 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 the place the extender, see Find the Best Location on page 14.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition Find Extender’s IP Address If your extender and router use the same WiFi network name (SSID) and you want to log in to your extender using an Android device, you must use the extender’s IP address. You can log in to your router to find your extender’s IP address. If you own a NETGEAR router, use the following procedure to find the extender’s IP address. If you do not own a NETGEAR router, see your router's documentation.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition Cannot Connect to the Extender If you cannot connect to the extender, determine what prevents you from connecting: • If you forgot your user name or password, click the Username & Password Help link. For more information, see FAQs on page 42. • If your browser displays an error page, include http:// in the address field of your browser by typing http://www.mywifiext.net.
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AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition Factory Default Settings The following table includes the factory settings for the extender. You can use the Factory Reset button or the log in to the extender and reset it to these settings. (See Return the Extender to Its Factory Settings on page 36.) Table 2.
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition Table 3. Technical specifications (continued) Feature Description Environmental • • • Interface • • Operating temperature: 32° to 104°F (0° to 40°C) Operating humidity: 90% maximum relative humidity, noncondensing Electromagnetic emissions: Meets requirements of FCC Part 15 Class B Local: 10BASE-T, 100/1000BASE-Tx, RJ-45 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.
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Getting Started The NETGEAR WiFi Range Extender increases the distance of a WiFi network by boosting the existing WiFi signal and enhancing the overall signal quality over long distances. An extender repeats the signals from an existing WiFi router or access point. Wifi range extender tne a· l;;;le of yJur t~xrc t llCJ W1h d~ld uedte~ d stror1yer <, 'dr'al rn 1-,r~rd- to - rPad"' a e1s Boo~t~ Existing Wifi • 2 Sometrmes your . - - - - - - ro..Jter does not prov1de the WiFi coverage that you need l..
Meet Your Extender Before you install your extender, familiarize yourself with its LEOs, buttons, and port. Router Arrow LED Client Arrow LED Router Link LED ~ Client Link LED Factory Reset button (< Power On/Off --------- il' )I button l!l WPS button ~ • j.:. • )) -----1---- Power LED -----~----- WPSLED !1.
LED Descriptions LED Description Router Link LED This LED indicates the connection between the extender and the router or access point. • Solid green. Best connection . • Solid amber. Good connection. • Solid red . Poor connection . • Off. No connection . (~>) ~~:j Client Link LED (< fi~l >) This LED indicates the connection between the extender and your WiFi-enabled device, such as a computer or mobile device. • Solid green. Best connection . • Solid amber. Good connection . • Solid red .
Use the Extender in Extender Mode In extender mode, the extender repeats the signals from an existing WiFi router or access point . Set the Access Point/Extender switch, place the extender, supply power, and connect it to your WiFi network. Set the Access Point/ Extender Switch To use the extender in extender mode, set the Access Point/ Extender switch to Extender ."~- . """ Place the Extender and Supply Power 1. Place your extender in the same room as you r WiFi router.
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network To extend the range of your WiFi network, you must connect the extender to your existing WiFi network. You can do this in one of two ways: • Connect with WPS. For more information, see the following section. • Connect with the NETGEAR installation assistant. For more information, see Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant on page 9.
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. .. Router Extender Computer The location that you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router network. 5. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the Power LED <.!) • to light green. 6.
The extender creates two new extender WiFi networks. The extender's new WiFi network names are based on your existing WiFi network name, with _2GEXT and _SGEXT at the end of the name. For example: • • Existing WiFi network name. MyNetworkName New extender WiFi network names. MyNetworkName_ 2GEXT and MyNetworkName_ SGEXT Use the same WiFi password that you use for your WiFi router. 9. Test the new extended WiFi range by moving your WiFi-enabled device to the area with a poor router WiFi signal: a.
Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant 1. Connect your device to the extender using a wired Ethernet or WiFi connection: To connect with a wired Ethernet connection, use an Ethernet cable to connect the Ethernet port on the extender to an Ethernet port on your computer. To connect with WiFi, on your WiFi-enabled device, open the WiFi connection manager and locate and connect to the extender network called NETGEAR_EXT.
7. Select a WiFi network to extend and click the NEXT button. If you do not want to extend both WiFi bands, clear the 2.4GHz WiFi Networks or the SGHz WiFi Networks checkbox . 8. In the Password (network key) field, type the existing WiFi network password (also called passphrase or security key) and click the NEXT button. 9. Set the network name (SSID) and password for your extender and click the NEXT button.
14. Complete the registration fields and click the FINISH button to complete the setup. If you do not want to register your extender, click the Skip Registration link. Note that you must register your extender before you can use NETGEAR telephone support . The Status page displays. 1 5. Unplug the extender and move it to a new location about halfway between your router and the area with a poor WiFi signal. The location that you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router network.
19. Reconnect your WiFi-enabled device to the new extender WiFi network . 20. Test the new extended WiFi range by moving your WiFi-enabled device to the area with a poor router WiFi signal: a. Leave your WiFi-enabled device in the area with a poor router WiFi signal and return to the extender. b.
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. Extender /'1 . • Router :'\'\ .•. " . m t .;r. ------.--~- -------!W] -.-..---. ' 1. Set the Access Point/Extender switch to Access Point l -b~-1· 2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the Power LED ~ • to light green. If the Power LED does not light, press the Power On/Off button. 3.
4. On your WiFi-enabled device, open the WiFi connection manager and locate and connect to one of the following WiFi extender networks: • 2.4 GHz network. NETGEAR_EXT • 5 GHz network. NETGEAR_SGEXT When you join the network, the extender Client Link LED to show that you are connected. 5. (< >) lights Launch a web browser and enter www.mywifiext .net in the address field. The New Extender Setup page displays. 6. Click the NEW EXTENDER SETUP button. The Create Account page displays. 7.
11 . Click the NEXT button. The registration page displays. 1 2. Follow the onscreen instructions to reg ister your extender. Access Extender Settings After installation, you can log in to the extender to view or change the extender's settings. 1. On your WiFi-enabled device, open the WiFi connection manager and locate and connect to a new extender WiFi network. After the connection with the WiFi-enabled device is established, the Client Link LED (< >) lights. 2. Launch a web browser. 3. Enter www.
Frequently Asked Questions You can find more information about your product in the user manual, which is available at www.netgear.com/support. The NETGEAR installation assistant 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, see Place the Extender and Supply Power on page 5.
I forgot my login email and password. What can I do? On the login page, click the Username & Password Help link to answer the security questions you set up during the initial setup. If you forgot the answers to your security questions, do the following to set up your login credentials again: 1. Restore the extender to its factory default settings. 2. Launch a web browser and in the address field, enter www. mywifiext. net. The New Extender Setup page displays. 3. Click the NEW EXTENDER SETUP button .
I enabled a WiFi MAC filter, wireless access control, or access control list (ACL) on my router. What should I do when installing the extender? When a device connects through the extender to your router, the MAC address of the device shown on the router is translated to another MAC address. If your router's MAC filter, wireless access control, or ACL is enabled, the device connects to the extender but cannot get an IP address from the extender and cannot access the Internet.
b. 5. Enter your email address and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. Select Settings >Connected Devices. The Connected Devices page displays the MAC addresses and virtual MAC addresses for the extender, wired devices, and WiFi devices that are connected to the extender. 6. On the router, add the extender's virtual MAC addresses and all the virtual MAC addresses of the devices connected to the extender to your router's MAC filter table. 7.
Support Thank you for purchasing this NETGEAR product. You can visit 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. Trademarks © NETGEAR, Inc., NETGEAR and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. Any non-NETGEAR trademarks are used for reference purposes only. Compliance For regulatory compliance information, visit www. netgear.