Netgear EX6000 User Manual

AC750 Dual Band
WiFi

Range Extender

Model EX6000
User Manual

September 2015

202-11554-01

350 East Plumeria Drive

San Jose, CA 95134

USA

AC750 Dual Band 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.

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.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.

2

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Overview

Meet Your Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Side Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

When to Use Your Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

How the Extender Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Chapter 2 Get Started

Use the Extender in Extender Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Place the Extender and Apply Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Check for Extender Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Connect to an Existing WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Find the Best Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Connect an Ethernet-Enabled Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Use the Extender in Access Point Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Log In to the Extender After Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Run Smart Setup Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Chapter 3 Network Settings

View Connected Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Boost Your Video Streaming With FastLane Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

View WiFi Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Change the WiFi Network Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Turn Off the SSID Broadcast to Create a Hidden Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Disable or Enable the WiFi Radios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Change the WiFi Speed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s WiFi Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Use WPS With the Push Button Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Use WPS With the PIN Method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Deny Access to a Computer or WiFi Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Set Up an Access Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Change the Extender’s Device Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Set Up the Extender to Use a Static IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Use the Extender With MAC Filtering or Access Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Chapter 4 Maintain and Monitor the Extender

Change the Extender User Name and Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Turn Password Protection Off and On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

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AC750 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender

Recover a Forgotten User Name or Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Automatically Adjust for Daylight Saving Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Manually Set the Extender Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Back Up and Manage the Extender Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Back Up the Configuration Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Restore the Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Return the Extender to Its Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Update the Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Restart the Extender Remotely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Chapter 5 FAQs and Troubleshooting

FAQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Cannot Connect to the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Appendix A Factory Settings and Technical Specifications

Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Technical and Environmental Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

4

1. Overview

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.

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.

1

Note: Firmware updates with new features and bug fixes are made

available from time to time at
products can regularly check the site and download new firmware, or
you can check for and download new firmware manually.

downloadcenter.netgear.com. Some

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AC750 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender

Meet Your Extender

Before you install your extender, familiarize yourself with its LEDs, buttons, and port.

Front Panel

Router
Link LED

Device
Link LED

Power LED

WPS/Mode LED

Figure 1. Front panel LEDs

The following table describes the LEDs.

Table 1. Front panel LEDs

LED Description

This LED indicates the connection between the extender and the router or

Router Link LED

access point:

• Solid green. Best connection.

• Solid amber. Good connection.

• Solid red. Poor connection.

• Off. No connection.

Device Link LED

This LED indicates the connection between the extender and a computer or WiFi
device:

• Solid green. Best connection.

• Solid amber. Good connection.

• Solid red. Poor connection.

• Off. No connection.

Overview

6

AC750 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender

Table 1. Front panel LEDs (continued)

LED Description

Power LED • Solid amber. The extender is booting.

• Solid green. The

• Blinking green.

access point mode.

• Off. The

extender is powered off.

extender is powered on.

The extender is switching between extender mode and

WPS/Mode

LED • Solid green. The extender is in extender mode.

Side Panels

Power connector
(varies by region)

• Blinking green.

switching between extender mode and access point mode.

• Off. The

Factory
Reset
Button

WPS/Mode button

Power On/Off
button

A WPS connection is being established or the extender is

extender is in access point mode.

Power connector
(varies by region)

Ethernet port

Figure 2. Buttons and port on the side panels

When to Use Your Extender

We recommend that you connect through the extender network only when the WiFi device is
in a “dead zone” where the 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.

Overview

7

AC750 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender

How the Extender Works

The extender works like a bridge between a WiFi router (or a WiFi access point) and a WiFi
device outside the range of the WiFi router. The extender performs two main jobs:

• The extender connects to a working WiFi network.

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.

WiFi Range Extender

Boosts the range of
your existing WiFi and
creates a stronger
signal in hard-to-reach
areas.

Figure 3. Range extender in a home

Existing WiFi

Sometimes your

router does not

provide the WiFi
coverage that you
need.

Overview

8

2. Get Started

This chapter covers the following topics:

• Use the Extender in Extender Mode

• Use the Extender in Access Point Mode

• Log In to the Extender After Installation

• Run Smart Setup Installation

2

9

AC750 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender

Use the Extender in Extender Mode

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

Extender in Access Point Mode on page 15.

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.

Use the

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.

Check for Extender Mode

To make sure that the extender is in extender mode, check to see if the WPS/Mode LED is
solid green. If the WPS/Mode LED is off, press the WPS/Mode button for more than five
seconds.

When the extender is in extender mode, the WPS/Mode LED and Power LED blink and then
light solid green.

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 11.

• Connect with web browser setup. For more information, see Connect With Web

Browser Setup on page 12.

Get Started

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AC750 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender

Connect With WPS

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join a secure WiFi network without typing the network
name and password.

Note: WPS does not support WEP network security. If you are using WEP

security, follow the instructions in Connect With Web Browser Setup
on page 12.

 To use WPS to connect the extender to your WiFi router:

1. Press the WPS/Mode button on the extender for less than five seconds until the

WPS/Mode LED blinks.

Note: If you press the WPS/Mode button for more than five seconds, the

extender switches to access point mode. When the extender switches
to access point mode, the WPS/Mode LED and Power LED blink and
then the WPS/Mode LED turns off and the Power LED lights solid
green.

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/Mode LED on the
extender lights solid green and the Router Link LED lights. If the Router Link LED does
not light, try again. If it still does not light, see Connect With Web Browser Setup 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. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the Power LED to light green.

6. Use the Router Link LED to help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router connection

is optimal.

7. If the Router Link LED doesn’t light amber or green, plug the extender into an outlet closer

to the router and try again.

Get Started

11

AC750 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender

Keep moving the extender to outlets closer to the router until the Router Link LED lights
amber or green.

8. On your computer or WiFi device, find and connect to the new extended WiFi network.

The extender creates two new extended 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 extended network names. MyNetworkName_2GEXT and

MyNetworkName_5GEXT

Use the same WiFi password that you use for your WiFi router.

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 Device Link LED on the extender:

• If the Device 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.

• If the Device Link LED is red, your extended WiFi network does not reach the area

with a poor router WiFi signal.
You must move the computer or WiFi device closer to the extender until the

Device Link LED turns solid green or amber.

Connect With Web Browser Setup

You can use a web browser to log in to the extender and set up its WiFi connection to your
existing WiFi router.

 To connect with web browser setup:

1. Use a WiFi network manager on a computer or WiFi device to find and connect to the

extender WiFi network NETGEAR_EXT.
After the connection with the computer or WiFi device is established, the Device Link LED

lights.

2. Launch web browser.

3. Enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser.

The New Extender Setup page displays.

Get Started

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AC750 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender

4. Click the NEW EXTENDER SETUP button.

5. Complete the fields and click the NEXT button.

A message displays saying that the extender switch is set to extender mode.

6. Click the NO button if you want to continue with the extender mode setup.

The extender searches for WiFi networks in your area and displays a list.

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 W

iFi Networks or the

5 GHz WiFi Networks check box.

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 new extender WiFi network and click

the NEXT button.
Wait for the page to display a list of available extended WiFi networks, which might take

up to one minute.

10. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or WiFi device to connect to the new

extended WiFi network.
You must connect your computer or WiFi device before you click the Continue button.

11. Click the Continue button.

A message displays confirming that the extender is connected and ready.

12. Click the Next button.

The registration page displays.

13. 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.

Get Started

13

AC750 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender

14. Unplug the extender and move it to a 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.

15. 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.

16. Use the Router Link LED to help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router connection

is optimal.

17. 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.

18. Reconnect your computer or WiFi device to the new extended WiFi network.

19. T

est 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 Device Link LED on the extender:

• If the Device Link LED is solid green or amber

reaches the area with a poor router WiFi signal and your network setup is
complete.

• If the Device Link LED is red, your extended WiFi network does not reach the area

with a poor router WiFi signal.
You must move the computer or WiFi device closer to the extender until the

Device Link LED turns solid green or amber

.

, your extended WiFi network

.

Find the Best Location

If the WiFi signal is weak, the first time you join the extender network, the Router Link LED or
Device Link LED is amber or red. If this happens, adjust the position of the extender:

• If the Router Link LED is amber or red, move the extender closer to the router.

• If the Device Link LED is amber or red, move the computer or WiFi device closer to the

extender

.

Get Started

14

AC750 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender

Connect an Ethernet-Enabled Device

After the extender is connected to your existing WiFi network, you can connect a wired
device to the extender using an Ethernet cable. The device can then access your existing
network through the extender’s WiFi connection.

Figure 4. Connect a device to the extender’s Ethernet port

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 in access point mode

Get Started

15