User Manual
AC1200 WiFi Range Extender
Model EX5000
|
NETGEAR, Inc. |
January 2020 |
350 E. Plumeria Drive |
202-12048-01 |
San Jose, CA 95134, USA |
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
ForregulatorycomplianceinformationincludingtheEUDeclarationofConformity,visit https://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory/.
See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.
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 Overview |
|
Meet Your Extender.............................................................................. |
6 |
LEDs................................................................................................... |
6 |
Buttons............................................................................................... |
7 |
When to Use Your Extender................................................................ |
7 |
How the Extender Works..................................................................... |
7 |
Chapter 2 Get Started |
|
Install the WiFi Extender.................................................................... |
10 |
Place the Extender and Apply Power.......................................... |
10 |
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network.......................................... |
10 |
Connect with WPS..................................................................... |
10 |
Connect with the NETGEAR Installation Assistant................ |
12 |
Find the Best Location................................................................... |
13 |
Log In to the Extender After Installation.......................................... |
13 |
Run Smart Setup Installation............................................................. |
14 |
Chapter 3 Maintain and Monitor the Extender |
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Change the Extender admin User Name and Password............... |
16 |
Turn Password Protection Off and On............................................. |
17 |
Recover a Forgotten User Name or Password................................ |
17 |
Automatically Adjust for Daylight Saving Time.............................. |
18 |
Manually Set the Extender Clock...................................................... |
19 |
Back Up and Manage the Extender Configuration........................ |
20 |
Back Up the Configuration Settings............................................ |
20 |
Restore the Configuration Settings............................................. |
21 |
Return the Extender To Its Factory Default Settings...................... |
22 |
Use the Reset Button..................................................................... |
22 |
Log In and Reset the Extender to Factory Settings.................... |
22 |
Update the Extender Firmware......................................................... |
23 |
Check for New Firmware and Update the Extender................. |
24 |
Manually Upload Firmware to the Extender............................... |
24 |
Chapter 4 Extender Network Settings |
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View Connected Devices................................................................... |
27 |
Boost Your Video Streaming with FastLane Technology.............. |
27 |
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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..................................................................... |
32 |
Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s WiFi Network.... |
33 |
Use WPS with the Push Button Method...................................... |
33 |
Use WPS with the PIN Method..................................................... |
34 |
Deny Access to a Computer or WiFi Device................................... |
35 |
Set Up an Access Schedule............................................................... |
36 |
Change the Extender’s Device Name.............................................. |
37 |
Set Up the Extender to Use a Static IP Address.............................. |
38 |
Use the Extender with MAC Filtering or Access Control............... |
39 |
Chapter 5 FAQs and Troubleshooting |
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FAQs..................................................................................................... |
42 |
Cannot Connect to the Extender...................................................... |
42 |
Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message....... |
43 |
Cannot Access mywifiext.net............................................................ |
43 |
Find Extender's IP Address............................................................... |
44 |
Chapter 6 Factory Settings and Technical Specifications |
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Factory Default Settings..................................................................... |
47 |
Technical and Environmental Specifications.................................. |
47 |
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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.
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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 |
|
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router or access point. |
|
|
• |
Solid green. Best connection. |
|
• |
Solid amber. Good connection. |
|
• |
Solid red. Poor connection. |
|
• |
Off. No connection. |
Overview |
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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.
Buttons
The side panel contains the following buttons:
•Resetbutton.PressingtheResetbuttonforaboutfivesecondsresetstheextender.
•WPS button. Pressing the WPS button let's the extender connect to your existing WiFi network through WPS. You can also connect WPS-enabled devices to the extender using the WPS button.
•Power button. Pressing the Power button turn the extender on or off.
When to Use Your Extender
NETGEARrecommendsthatyouconnectthroughtheextendernetworkonlywhenthe WiFi device is in a “dead zone” where connection from the existing network is poor or nonexistent. Data traffic routed through the extender is inherently slower than traffic routed directly from the network.
How the Extender Works
The extender works like a bridge between a WiFi router (or a WiFi access point) and a WiFideviceoutsidetherangeoftheWiFirouter.Theextenderperformstwomainjobs:
•The extender connects to a working WiFi network.
Overview |
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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).
The extender must do each of these jobs so that both ends of the bridge are in place.
Figure 1. Connect your extender
Overview |
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User Manual |
2
Get Started
This chapter covers the following topics:
•Install the WiFi Extender
•Log In to the Extender After Installation
•Run Smart Setup Installation
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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.
If the Power LED does not light, press the Power On/Off button on the side of the extender.
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 Connect with WPS on page 10.
•Connect with web browser setup. For more information, see Connect with the NETGEAR Installation Assistant on page 12.
ConnectwithWPSWi-FiProtectedSetup(WPS)letsyoujoinasecureWiFinetwork without typing the network name and password. For help with the WPS button on your WPS-enabled device, check the instructions or online help that came with that device. Some older equipment cannot use WPS.
Note: WPS does not support WEP network security or a hidden SSID network. If your existing WiFi network uses WEP security or its SSID is hidden, follow the instructions in Connect with the NETGEAR Installation Assistant on page 12.
To use WPS to connect the extender to your WiFi router:
1.Press the WPS button on the extender. The WPS LED blinks.
2.Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router.
When the extender connects to your existing WiFi network, the WPS LED on the extender lights solid green and the Router LED lights.
Get Started |
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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.
The location that you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router network.
5.Use the Router LED to help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router connection is optimal.
6.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.
7.On your computer or mobile device, find and connect to a new extender WiFi network.
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 _5GEXT at the end of the name.
For example:
•Existing WiFi network name. MyNetworkName
•New extender WiFi network names. MyNetworkName_2GEXT and MyNetworkName_5GEXT
Use the same WiFi password that you use for your WiFi router.
Get Started |
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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.
•If the Device LED is red, your new extender WiFi network does not reach the area with a poor router WiFi signal.
You must move your computer or mobile device closer to the extender until the Device LED turns solid green or amber.
ConnectwiththeNETGEARInstallationAssistantYoucanusetheNETGEAR installation assistant to connect your extender to your existing WiFi router network. To usetheNETGEARinstallationassistant,youmustlaunchawebbrowseronyourcomputer or mobile device.
To use the NETGEAR installation assistant to connect the extender to your WiFi router:
1.On a computer or mobile device, open the WiFi connection manager and find and connect to the extender network called NETGEAR_EXT.
When you are connected to the extender, the Device LED lights.
2.Launch web browser.
3.Enter http://www.mywifiext.net.
The NETGEAR installation assistant displays.
4.Follow the prompts to connect your extender to your existing WiFi network.
5.Unplug the extender and move it to a new location about halfway between your router and the area with a poor WiFi signal.
6.PlugtheextenderintoanelectricaloutletandwaitforthePowerLEDtolightgreen.
7.Use the Router LED to help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router connection is optimal.
Get Started |
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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.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.
•If the Device LED is red, your new extender WiFi network does not reach the area with a poor router WiFi signal.
You must move your computer or mobile device closer to the extender until the Device LED turns solid green or amber.
11.PlugtheextenderintoanelectricaloutletandwaitforthePowerLEDtolightgreen.
Find the Best Location
If the WiFi signal is weak, the first time you join the extender network, the Router LED or Device LED is amber or red. If this happens, adjust the position of the extender:
•If the Router LED is amber or red, move the extender closer to the router.
•If the Device LED is amber or red, move the computer or mobile device closer to the extender.
Log In to the Extender After Installation
Afterinstallation,youcanlogintotheextendertovieworchangetheextender’ssettings.
Get Started |
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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://<extender’s IP address> (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.
Run Smart Setup Installation
YoucanuseSmartSetuptochangetheextendersettings.Thisisaneasywaytoconnect the extender to a different router or to change the extender WiFi network name (SSID) or WiFi password.
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 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://<extender’s IP address> (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.
3.Enter your admin email and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays.
4.Click the SMART SETUP button.
5.Follow the prompts.
Get Started |
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User Manual |
3
MaintainandMonitortheExtender
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
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