Netgear A6150 User Manual
User Manual
AC1200 WiFi USB Adapter
USB2.0, Dual Band
Model A6150
NETGEAR, Inc.
350 E. Plumeria DriveJanuary 2019
San Jose, CA 95134, USA202-11951-01
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/.
See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.
Do not use this device outdoors. If you connect cables or devices that are outdoors to
this device, see http://kb.netgear.com/000057103 for safety and warranty information.
Trademarks
© NETGEAR, Inc., NETGEAR, and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc.
Any non-NETGEAR trademarks are used for reference purposes only.
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Contents
Chapter 1 Install Your Adapter and Connect to a WiFi Network
Package contents..................................................................................5
Status LED..............................................................................................5
Use the adapter with a Windows-based computer..........................6
Set up your adapter with a Windows-based computer..............6
Join a WiFi network using the built-in Windows tool..................7
Use the adapter with a Mac.................................................................8
Set up your adapter with a Mac......................................................8
Join a WiFi network on a Mac.........................................................9
Use WPS to join a WiFi network on a Mac....................................9
Use WPS with the PBC method to join a WiFi network on a
Mac..............................................................................................10
Use WPS with the PIN method to join a WiFi network on a
Mac..............................................................................................10
View information about or change a WiFi network on a Mac...11
Join a hidden WiFi network on a Mac.........................................12
Chapter 2 Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions
The adapter LED does not light........................................................15
The adapter does not connect to a WiFi network..........................15
When I connect the adapter to a WiFi network, I cannot access the
Internet.................................................................................................15
When I connect the adapter to a WiFi network, I cannot access a
shared resource..................................................................................16
How can I improve the speed of the WiFi connection?.................16
How do I view the speed of the WiFi connection on a
Windows-based computer?..............................................................17
How do I view the speed of the WiFi connection on a Mac?........17
Where can I find more information about the built-in Windows
tool?......................................................................................................18
Appendix A Factory Default Settings and Technical Specifications
Factory default settings......................................................................20
Technical specifications.....................................................................20
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1
Install Your Adapter and Connect to a WiFi Network
The NETGEAR AC1200 WiFi USB Adapter Model A6150, in this manual referred to as
the adapter, is a USB2.0, dual band WiFi adapter that provides a combined throughput
of 1200 Mbps (300 Mbps at 2.4 GHz and , 866 Mbps at 5 GHz). The adapter supports
multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO) and beamforming and integrates and internal antenna in
a nano size format.
When you insert the adapter in a Windows-based computer or Mac, the adapter enables
that computer to join an 802.11 a/b/g/n or ac WiFi network.
This chapter contains the following sections:
• Package contents
• Status LED
• Use the adapter with a Windows-based computer
• Use the adapter with a Mac
Note: For more information about the topics that are covered in this manual, visit the
support website at netgear.com/support/.
Note: Firmware updates with new features and bug fixes are made available from time
to time at netgear.com/support/download/. You can check for and download new
firmware manually. If the features or behavior of your product does not match what is
described in this manual, you might need to update the firmware.
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AC1200 WiFi USB Adapter Model A6150 User Manual
Package contents
The package contains the adapter and the resource CD.
Figure 1. Package contents
Status LED
The adapter contains a small status LED that lights when you insert the adapter into the
USB port of your computer.
Figure 2. Status LED
Table 1. Status LED
DescriptionLED behavior
The adapter is installed and ready to connect to a WiFi network.Blinking blue slowly
The adapter is connected to a WiFi network.Solid blue
The adapter is processing WiFi traffic.Blinking blue fast
Off
Connect to a WiFi Network
The adapter is not correctly installed or (on a Mac only) is turned off. For more information,
see Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions on page 14.
User Manual5Install Your Adapter and
AC1200 WiFi USB Adapter Model A6150 User Manual
Use the adapter with a Windows-based computer
Other than driver software, the adapter does not come with NETGEAR adapter software.
That is, it does not come with an adapter-specific graphical user interface. Instead, to
establish a WiFi connection with the adapter, use the software that is already built-in
into your Windows-based computer.
The adapter supports Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, and Windows 7.
Set up your adapter with a Windows-based computer
You can install the drivers that support Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, and
Windows7.
After you install the Windows drivers, you can insert the adapter in your Windows-based
computer, and use the built-in Windows configuration tool to connect the adapter to a
WiFi network.
To set up your adapter with a Windows-based computer:
1. Insert the resource CD in your computer CD drive.
Note: If your computer does not include a CD drive, visit
https://www.netgear.com/support/product/A6150 to download the adapter software.
The NETGEAR Resource CD window opens.
Note: If the NETGEAR Resource CD window does not open, browse the files on the
CD and double-click the autostart.exe file.
2.
Click the Install Windows Driver button.
All Windows drivers are installed on your computer.
3.
Wait for the installation windows to show that the drivers are successfully installed.
4. Insert your adapter into your computer’s USB port.
The adapter device driver software for your Windows version is installed.
5.
Connect your adapter to a WiFi network using a built-in Windows configuration tool.
For more information, see Join a WiFi network using the built-in Windows tool on
page 7.
User Manual6Install Your Adapter and
Connect to a WiFi Network
AC1200 WiFi USB Adapter Model A6150 User Manual
Join a WiFi network using the built-in Windows tool
After you install the adapter (see Set up your adapter with a Windows-based computer
on page 6), you can use the built-in Windows configuration tool (the Connect to a
network tool) to connect the adapter to a WiFi network.
To join a WiFi network on a Windows-based computer:
1.
Depending on the Windows version, select the Network or icon in the notification
area of your screen.
The Connect to a network tool opens and a list of WiFi networks in your area displays.
Note: You can also open the Connect to a network tool from the Network and
Sharing Center at the following path:
Windows 10. Select Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network
•
and Sharing Center, and click Connect to a network.
Windows 7, 8, or 8.1. Select Start > Control Panel > Network and Sharing
•
Center, and click Connect to a network.
2.
From the list of networks, select the WiFi network, and click the Connect button.
A pop-up window opens
3.
If the WiFi network is secured, enter the security key (and, if applicable, other required
security information), and click the OK button.
The security key is also referred to as the WiFi passphrase or WiFi password.
If the security key is identical to the one that is defined for the WiFi network, the
adapter lets the computer join the network, which can take a few minutes.
Connect to a WiFi Network
User Manual7Install Your Adapter and
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