Linksys RE6500 User Manual

User Guide

RE6500

Linksys AC1200 Max Wi-Fi Range Extender

Introduction

This User Guide can help you connect the extender to your network and solve
common setup issues. You can find more help from our award-winning, 24/7
customer support at Linksys.com/support.

Contents

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

How to install the range extender ................ 2

How to access the browser-based utility ...........3

Using Wi-Fi Protected Setup ..................... 4

How to use Site Survey .......................... 6

Cross-Band ...................................... 7

Wireless Music Playback .......................... 7

Troubleshooting ................................. 7

Specifications ................................... 9

Overview

Front

Power Light

The light on the front of the range extender gives you information about power
and Wi-Fi Protected Setup. Use Wi-Fi Protected Setup to automatically and securely
connect client devices such as wireless printers that support Wi-Fi Protected
Setup. Note: Your antennas might look different from those pictured here.

Power Light Status/ description

Blinking white When the extender is powered on,

is resetting to factory defaults, or
upgrading its firmware

Solid white When the extender is ready to use

Blinking amber for two minutes When the extender cannot establish a

connection or encounters a problem

Fix: Unplug the power from the
extender, plug it back in, wait two
seconds, and then reconnect it to
your network

1

How to install the range extender

1.5A

12VDC

Before setup, unplug or disconnect any range extenders on the network.

1. Connect the antennas and power cable as pictured. Antennas should be
upright for best results. Note: Your antennas might look different from those
pictured here.

Linksys AC1200 Max Wi-Fi Range Extender

Audio Jack

Ethernet Power

Wi-Fi Protected
Setup™ button

Back

Power Switch European versions only.

Wi-Fi Protected Setup Button Use Wi-Fi Protected Setup to automatically and

securely add wireless devices to your network. Refer to Using Wi-Fi Protected
Setup on page 7.

Ethernet (blue) Connect wired devices to your wireless network with
Ethernet (network) cables. The green light turns on when an Ethernet device
is connected and active on this port. The light blinks when the extender is
sending or receiving data over the Ethernet port.

Audio Port Connect the extender to your speaker.

Bottom

Reset button

12VDC

1.5A

2. Plug in the range extender midway between your router and the area
without Wi-Fi. Be sure you have at least 50% of your router’s Wi-Fi signal at
that point on the device you will use for setup.

Range Extender

3. Wait for a solid light on the cover of the range extender. It could take up to
two minutes. On a computer, phone or tablet, connect to the Wi-Fi network
“Linksys Extender Setup.”

• Windows 7 and Windows 8 will ask you, “Do you want to set up your
network?” Click the link, “Connect to network without setting it up.”

Reset Press and hold this button for about five seconds to reset the extender to
its factory defaults. You can also restore the defaults from the Administration >
Factory Defaults screen in the extender’s browser- based utility.

4. If setup doesn’t start automatically, open a browser to http://192.168.1.1.

TIP

You can also connect the range extender by using Wi-Fi Protected Setup. For
more information, see “Using Wi-Fi Protected Setup” on page 7.

2

Linksys AC1200 Max Wi-Fi Range Extender

How to access the browser-based utility

After setting up the extender use the extender’s browser-based utility to
change any settings.

Windows XP:

TIP

To follow these instructions, UPnP needs to be enabled in

Windows XP. To enable UPnP:

1. Click Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Program, then click Add/
Remove Windows Components.

2. Select Network Services, then click Details.

3. Select UPnP User Interface, then click OK

1. Open Windows Explorer. Click My Network Places on the left panel.

2. Look for the RE6500 icon on the right panel. (You might be required to
change the firewall settings to allow the display of networked computers.
Refer to your operating system’s help for instructions.)

3. Double-click the RE6500 icon. A web browser will open and prompt you
to enter your User name and Password.

Mac OS X

1. Open Safari. Click the book icon. Click Bonjour on the left panel. Look for
the RE6500 icon on the bottom right panel.

2. Double-click the RE6500 icon.

3. Leave the User name blank, and enter the default password “admin.”

4. Click OK.

Changes to settings will not be effective until you click Save Settings at the
bottom of the screen. You also can click Cancel Changes to clear any changes.
Click Help on the right side of the screen for additional information on the
screen’s options.

4. Leave the User name field blank, and enter the default password “admin.”

5. Click OK.

Windows 8, Windows 7, or Vista:

1. Open Windows Explorer (File Explorer in Windows 8). Click Network. Look
for the RE6500 icon on the right panel. (You might be required to change
the firewall settings to allow the display of networked computers. Refer to
your operating system’s help for instructions.)

2. Right-click the RE6500 icon. Click Properties. Click on the address link in

Device webpage. A web browser will open and prompt you to enter a
User name and Password.

3. Leave the User name blank, and enter the default password “admin.”

4. Click OK.

3