Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender Model E X7300 User Manual April 2016 202-11577-01 350 East Plumeria Drive San Jose, CA 95134 USA
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 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. Contact your Internet service provider for technical support. Conformity For the current EU Declaration of Conformity, visit http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/11621.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender Contents Chapter 1 Get to Know Your Extender Front Panel and Side Panel LEDs and Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 When to Use Your Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Support for the 802.11ac Networking Standard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Chapter 2 Get Started Use the Extender in Extender Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender Erase the Settings and Return to Factory Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Update the Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Restart the Extender Remotely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Chapter 5 FAQs and Troubleshooting FAQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1. Get to Know Your Extender 1 The Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 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. This chapter covers the following topics: • Front Panel and Side Panel LEDs and Buttons • When to Use Your Extender • Support for the 802.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender Front Panel and Side Panel LEDs and Buttons The LEDs are located on the front panel. A switch, buttons, and an Ethernet port are located on the side 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.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 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 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.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender Support for the 802.11ac Networking Standard The extender supports the 802.11ac networking standard. This new standard offers better speed, improved reliability, and more range than older WiFi networking standards. The extender is backward compatible with earlier WiFi standards. However, to get the benefits of 802.11ac, your WiFi router must support the 802.11ac WiFi networking standard. To learn more about the 802.11ac WiFi networking standard, visit netgear.
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Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 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 15. Place the Extender and Apply Power To place the extender and apply power: 1.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 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.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 9. Test the extended WiFi range by moving your computer or WiFi device to the area with a poor router WiFi signal: a. Leave your computer or WiFi device in the area with a poor router WiFi signal and return to the extender. b. Check the Client Link LED on the extender: • If the Client Link LED is solid green or amber, your extended WiFi network reaches the area with a poor router WiFi signal and your network setup is complete.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 5. Complete the fields on the page and click the NEXT button. 6. Verify that the Access Point/Extender switch Continue button. is set to Extender and click the 7. Select a WiFi network to extend and click the NEXT button. If you do not want to extend both WiFi bands, clear the 2.4 GHz WiFi Networks or the 5 GHz WiFi Networks check box. 8.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 17. Use the Router Link LED connection is optimal. to help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router 18. If the Router Link 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 Link LED lights amber or green. 19. Reconnect your computer or WiFi device to the new extended WiFi network. 20.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range 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 5. 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.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 9. Connect you WiFi-enabled device to the new access point WiFi network using the SSID and password that you created in Step 8. 10. Click the CONTINUE button. A page displays that says you successfully created an access point. 11. Click the NEXT button. The registration page displays. 12. Follow the onscreen instructions to register your extender. Access Extender Settings After installation, you can log in to the extender to view or change the extender’s settings.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 4. Enter your user name and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 5. Click the SMART SETUP button. The Welcome page displays. 6. Select your WiFi network and click the NEXT button. 7. When prompted, enter the password to connect to your WiFi network and click the NEXT button. A message displays when the extender connects to your existing router’s WiFi network. 8. Click the NEXT button.
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Nighthawk X4 AC2200 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. On your WiFi-enabled 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. Enter your user name and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 5.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 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.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender View WiFi Settings To view the WiFi settings: 1. On your WiFi-enabled 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. Enter your user name and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 5. Select Settings > Wireless.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender The Status page displays. 5. Select Settings > Wireless. 6. In each Network Name (SSID) field, type a network name. 7. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Turn Off the SSID Broadcast to Create a Hidden Network By default, the extender broadcasts its WiFi signal so that its WiFi network names (SSIDs) are easy to find from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. You can turn off the SSID broadcast to create a hidden WiFi network.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 5. Select Settings > Wireless. 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. To enable or disable the WiFi radios: 1.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 5. Select Settings > Wireless. 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 To change the WiFi speed: 1. On your WiFi-enabled 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.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 5. Select Settings > Wireless. 6. In each WiFi Speed menu, select a speed. 7. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s WiFi Network WPS (Wi-Fi 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.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range 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 computer or WiFi device to the extender’s WiFi network: 1. On your WiFi-enabled device, open the WiFi connection manager and locate and connect to the new extender WiFi network. 2.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 2. Launch a web browser. 3. Enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser. A login window opens. 4. Enter your user name and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 5. Select Settings > Do More > Connect Devices (WPS). The Connect Devices (WPS) page displays. 6. Select the PIN Number radio button. 7. Type the PIN of the WiFi device in the field. 8. Click the NEXT button.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender To use WiFi access control to deny access: 1. On your WiFi-enabled 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. Enter your user name and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 5. Select Settings > Connected Devices. 6.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 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. On your WiFi-enabled 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.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender Change the Extender’s Device Name The default name is EX7300. To change the extender’s device name: 1. On your WiFi-enabled 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. Enter your user name and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 5. Select Settings > Wireless Settings.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender A login window opens. 4. Enter your user name and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 5. Select Settings > Wireless Settings. The WiFi Settings page displays. 6. Scroll down and click the IP Address heading. 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.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender b. Enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser. A login window opens. c. Enter your user name and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 5. 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. 6.
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Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 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. On your WiFi-enabled 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. Enter your user name and password and click the LOG IN button.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 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. On your WiFi-enabled 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.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 6. Click the BACK button. A login window opens. Log in to the extender. Automatically Adjust for Daylight Saving Time 1. On your WiFi-enabled 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. Enter your user name and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. 5.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender Back Up and Restore the Extender Configuration When the extender works correctly after initial setup, we recommend that you back up the extender configuration settings. After you back up the settings, if you change the 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.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender Restore the Configuration Settings You can restore the configuration file of the extender to a previously saved configuration file. To restore the extender configuration settings: 1. On your WiFi-enabled 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.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender Return the Extender to Its Factory Settings To reset the extender to its factory settings, you can use the Factory Reset button or log in to the extender and reset it to factory settings. For information about the factory settings, see Factory Default Settings on page 47. Use the Factory Reset Button to Restore Factory Settings CAUTION: This process erases any settings that you have configured in the extender. To restore factory settings: 1.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 5. Select Settings > Other Settings. 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. 6. Click the RESET button. A confirmation pop-up window opens. 7. Confirm your decision. The extender returns to its factory settings and restarts. This process takes about one minute.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 5. Select Settings > Firmware Update. 6. Click the CHECK ONLINE button. 7. If new firmware is available, follow the onscreen prompts to download it onto your computer. Note: You might need to unzip the firmware file. 8. Click the BROWSE button. 9. Locate and select the new firmware file. The firmware file name ends with a .img extension.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 5. Select Settings > Other Settings. 6. Click the RESTART button. 7. When prompted, click the Yes button to confirm. The extender restarts, which takes about two minutes.
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Nighthawk X4 AC2200 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 the place the extender, see Find the Best Location on page 14.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 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 44. • 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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Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 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 39.) Table 2.
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender Table 3. Technical specifications (continued) Feature Description Environmental • • • Interface • • Operating temperature: 32° to 140°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.
