Netgear EX6400 User Manual
User Manual
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender
Essentials Edition
Model EX6400v3
NETGEAR, Inc.
350 E. Plumeria DriveMarch 2021
San Jose, CA 95134, USA202-12177-01
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition
Support and Community
Visit netgear.com/support to get your questions answered and access the latest
downloads.
You can also check out our NETGEAR Community for helpful advice at
community.netgear.com.
Regulatory and Legal
Si ce produit est vendu au Canada, vous pouvez accéder à ce document en français
canadien à https://www.netgear.com/support/download/.
(If this product is sold in Canada, you can access this document in Canadian French at
https://www.netgear.com/support/download/.)
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.
For NETGEAR’s Privacy Policy, visit https://www.netgear.com/about/privacy-policy.
By using this device, you are agreeing to NETGEAR’s Terms and Conditions at
https://www.netgear.com/about/terms-and-conditions. If you do not agree, return the
device to your place of purchase within your return period.
Trademarks
©NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc.
Any non-NETGEAR trademarks are used for reference purposes only.
2
Contents
Chapter 1 Overview
LEDs........................................................................................................6
Side and bottom panels.......................................................................7
When to Use Your Extender................................................................8
How the Extender Works.....................................................................8
Chapter 2 Get started
Install your extender in extender mode...........................................10
Place the extender and apply power..........................................10
Connect the extender to an existing WiFi network...................10
Connect with the NETGEAR Nighthawk app..............................11
Connect with WPS..........................................................................12
Connect with the NETGEAR installation assistant......................13
Install your extender in access point mode.....................................15
Connect a device to the extender network.....................................16
Connect a device to the extender network using WiFi.............16
Connect an Ethernet-enabled device to the extender.............18
Connect a device to the extender network using WPS.............18
Log in to the extender after installation...........................................19
Run the Smart Setup installation.......................................................19
Chapter 3 Maintain and monitor the extender
Change the extender login user name and password..................22
Turn password protection off and on..............................................23
Recover a forgotten user name or password..................................24
Automatically adjust for daylight saving time.................................25
Manually set the extender clock.......................................................26
Back up and manage the extender configuration..........................27
Back up the configuration settings..............................................27
Restore the configuration settings...............................................28
Return the extender to its factory default settings.........................29
Use the Reset button on the extender........................................29
Log in and reset the extender to factory settings......................30
Update the extender firmware..........................................................31
Check for new firmware and update the extender....................31
Manually upload firmware to the extender................................32
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AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition
Restart the extender from the extender web interface..................33
Turn the LEDs On or Off....................................................................34
Chapter 4 Extender Network Settings
Enable or disable the One WiFi Name feature...............................37
Enable or disable Smart Connect.....................................................38
Enable or disable MU-MIMO............................................................40
View connected devices....................................................................41
View WiFi settings...............................................................................42
Change the WiFi network name.......................................................42
Turn off the SSID broadcast to create a hidden network..............43
Disable or enable the WiFi radios....................................................44
Change the WiFi speed.....................................................................45
Set up a guest WiFi network.............................................................47
Use WPS to add a computer to the extender’s WiFi network.......49
Use WPS with the push button method......................................49
Use WPS with the PIN method.....................................................50
Deny access to a computer or WiFi device.....................................52
Set up an access schedule.................................................................53
Change the extender’s device name...............................................54
Set up the extender to use a static IP address................................55
Configure a router with advanced MAC settings to work with your
extender...............................................................................................56
Enable FastLane technology.............................................................57
Enable or disable 20/40 MHz coexistence......................................59
Chapter 5 FAQs and Troubleshooting
FAQs.....................................................................................................62
Find the Extender’s IP address..........................................................63
Cannot connect to the extender.......................................................64
Cannot join a WiFi network and receive an error message..........64
Cannot access mywifiext.net.............................................................65
Cannot connect to extender using the Nighthawk app................66
Chapter 6 Factory Settings and Technical Specifications
Factory default settings......................................................................68
Technical and environmental specifications...................................69
4
1
Overview
The WiFi Mesh Range Extender boosts your existing network range and speed, delivering
dual-band WiFi.
This chapter covers the following topics:
• LEDs
• Side and bottom panels
• 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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AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition
LEDs
Figure 1. LEDs
The following table describes the LEDs on the extender.
Table 1. LED descriptions
DescriptionLED
Power LED
WPS LED
Router Link LED
Client Link LED
•
•
•
•
•
•
This LED indicates the WiFi connection between the extender and the router.
•
•
•
•
This LED indicates the connection between the extender and a WiFi-enabled
computer or mobile device.
•
•
•
•
Solid green. The extender is powered on.
Solid amber. The extender is booting.
Off. The extender is powered off.
Solid green. WiFi security is enabled (WPA or WPA2).
Blinking green. A WPS connection is being established.
Off. WiFi security isn’t enabled.
Solid green. Best connection.
Solid amber. Good connection.
Solid red. Poor connection.
Off. No connection.
Solid green. Best connection.
Solid amber. Good connection.
Solid red. Poor connection.
Off. No connection.
User Manual6Overview
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition
Side and bottom panels
A switch and buttons are located on the side panel. An Ethernet port is located on the
bottom panel.
Figure 2. Side and bottom panel
The side panel contains the following components:
1. Factory Reset button. Pressing this button resets the extender. If the Factory Reset
button is pressed for at least seven seconds, the Power LED blinks amber, and the
extender returns to its factory settings.
2. Power On/Off button. Press the Power On/Off button to provide power to the
extender. The Power LED lights green when the extender is ready.
3. WPS button. Use this button to connect WPS-enabled devices to the extender.
4. Access Point/Extender switch. Use this switch to set your extender in access point
mode or extender mode. To use your extender in access point mode, set the switch
to Access Point. To use your extender in extender mode, set the switch to Extender.
5. Ethernet port. Use an Ethernet cable to connect a router or Ethernet-enabled device
to the Ethernet port on the extender.
User Manual7Overview
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition
When to Use Your Extender
We recommend that you connect through the extender network only when your 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
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.
Figure 3. Range extender in a home
User Manual8Overview
2
Get started
This chapter covers the following topics:
• Install your extender in extender mode
• Install your extender in access point mode
• Connect a device to the extender network
• Log in to the extender after installation
• Run the Smart Setup installation
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AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition
Install your extender in extender mode
To install your extender in extender mode, you must set the Access Point/Extender
switch to Extender, place and power on your extender, and then connect your extender
to an existing WiFi network.
Place the extender and apply power
To place the extender and apply power:
1.
Set the Access Point/Extender switch to Extender.
2. For the initial setup, place your extender in the same room as your WiFi router.
3. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
4.
Wait for the Power LED to light amber and then turn green.
This might take up to two minutes. If the Power LED does not light, press the Power
On/Off button on the extender.
Connect the extender to an existing WiFi network
To extend the range of your WiFi network, you must connect the extender to your
existing WiFi network.
Note: If your router’s WiFi security is set to WPA enterprise or WPA2 enterprise, your
extender can’t connect to your router. You must change your router’s WiFi security
setting.
You can connect the extender in one of two ways:
Connect with the NETGEAR Nightawk app. For more information, see Connect
•
with the NETGEAR Nighthawk app on page 11
Connect with WPS. For more information, see Connect with WPS on page 12.
•
Note: WPS does not support WEP network security or a hidden SSID network. If
your router WiFi network uses WEP security or its SSID is hidden, follow the
instructions in Connect with the NETGEAR installation assistant on page 13.
Connect with web browser setup. For more information, see Connect with the
•
NETGEAR installation assistant on page 13.
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AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition
Connect with the NETGEAR Nighthawk app
You can use the NETGEAR Nighthawk app to connect your extender to your existing
WiFi router network. To use the Nighthawk app, you need a smartphone or tablet that
supports iOS or Android apps.
To use the NETGEAR Nighthawk app to connect the extender to your WiFi router:
1. On your smartphone or tablet, go to the Google Play™ store or the Apple App
Store® and download the NETGEAR Nighthawk app.
2. Open the WiFi connection manager, then locate and connect to the extender network
called NETGEAR_EXT.
3. Launch the Nighthawk app.
4. Follow the step-by-step instructions to set up your extender.
5. When you're done with the installation, unplug the extender and move it to a new
location about halfway between your router and the area with a poor WiFi signal.
The location that you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router
network.
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, move the extender closer to the
router and try again.
Keep moving the extender closer to the router untilthe Router Link LED lights amber
or green.
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AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition
8. Reconnect your computer or mobile device to the new extender WiFi network.
Connect with WPS
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join a secure WiFi network 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 13.
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 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 lights solid green, the connection between your router and
extender is good. If the Router Link LED doesn't light, move the extender closer to
the router and try again.
If it still does not light, see Connect with the NETGEAR installation assistant on page
13.
Note: If your router supports the 5 GHz band and your extender didn’t connect to
that band, repeat the WPS process.
User Manual12Get started
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition
3.
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.
4.
Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the Power LED to light green.
5. Use the Router Link LED to help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router
connection is optimal.
6.
If the Router Link LED doesn’t light amber or green, move the extender closer to the
router and try again.
Keep moving the extender closer to the router until the Router Link LED lights amber
or green.
7. Connect your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device to the extended network.
Your extender uses the same WiFi name as your router, based on the WiFi band that
it connects to first.
Dual-band router WiFi
names
MyWiFiExample-5G
MyWiFiExample-5G
Extender connects to
this network first
Extender WiFi name
for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
MyWiFiExampleMyWiFiExampleMyWiFiExample
MyWiFiExample-5GMyWiFiExample-5GMyWiFiExample
Connect with the NETGEAR installation assistant
You can use the NETGEAR installation assistant to connect your extender to your existing
WiFi router network. To use the NETGEAR installation assistant, you must launch a web
browser on your computer or mobile device.
User Manual13Get started
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition
To use the NETGEAR installation assistant to connect the extender to your WiFi
router:
1. Make sure that your computer or mobile device is set up to obtain an IP address
automatically from a DHCP server.
2. Connect a computer or mobile device to the extender using a WiFi or Ethernet
connection:
WiFi. On your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device, open the WiFi connection
•
manager and locate and connect to the extender network called NETGEAR_EXT.
When your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device is connected to the extender,
the Client LED lights solid green.
Ethernet. Use an Ethernet cable to connect the Ethernet port on your extender
•
to an Ethernet port on your computer.
3. Launch web browser.
4.
Enter http://www.mywifiext.net.
The NETGEAR installation assistant displays.
5. Follow the prompts to connect your extender to your existing WiFi network.
6. When you're done with the installation, Unplug the extender and move it to a new
location about halfway between your router and the area with a poor WiFi signal.
The location that you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router
network.
7. Use the Router Link LED to help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router
connection is optimal.
8.
If the Router Link LED doesn’t light amber or green, move the extender closer to the
router and try again.
Keep moving the extender closer to the router until the Router Link LED lights amber
or green.
9. Reconnect your computer or mobile device to the new extender WiFi network.
User Manual14Get started
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition
Install your 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. The following instructions assume that this is the
first time you're setting up the extender.
Figure 4. Extender in access point mode
To install your extender in access point mode:
1. Make sure that your computer or mobile device is set up to obtain an IP address
automatically from a DHCP server.
2.
Set the Access Point/Extender switch to Access Point.
3. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
4.
Wait for the Power LED to light amber and then turn green.
This might take up to two minutes. If the Power LED does not light, press the Power
On/Off button on the extender.
5. Connect a computer or mobile device to the extender using a WiFi or Ethernet
connection:
WiFi connection to the extender. Connect your computer to your extender with
•
a WiFi connection.
a. On your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device, open the WiFi connection
manager and connect to the extender network called NETGEAR_EXT.
When your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device is connected to the
extender, the Client LED lights solid green.
b.
Launch a web browser and visit www.mywifiext.net.
When you join the network, the Client Link LED lights to show that you are
connected.
The NETGEAR installation assistant displays.
c. Use an Ethernet cable to connect your router to an Ethernet port on the
extender.
User Manual15Get started
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition
Note: Do not connect your extender directly to your DSL or cable modem.
The extender does not function as a router. If your network includes a DHCP
server, you can connect the extender to a switch or hub that is connected to
the DHCP server.
d.
Return to the NETGEAR installation assistant and follow the prompts to finish
setting up your extender as an access point.
Ethernet connection to the extender using a router. You can connect both
•
your computer and extender to your router with an Ethernet connection.
Note: Do not connect your extender directly to your DSL or cable modem. The
extender does not function as a router. If your network includes a DHCP server,
you can connect the extender to a switch or hub that is connected to the DHCP
server.
a. Use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer's Ethernet port to an Ethernet
port on your router.
b. Use another Ethernet cable to connect your extender's Ethernet port to another
Ethernet port on your router.
c.
Launch a web browser and visit www.mywifiext.net.
The NETGEAR installation assistant displays.
d. Follow the prompts to set up your extender in access point mode.
At the end of the installation, the NETGEAR installation assistant displays the
extender's WiFi network credentials. Use the extender's WiFi credentials to
connect your WiFi-enabled devices to the extender network.
Connect a device to the extender network
After you complete the setup process, you can connect all your devices to the new
extender network using a WiFi, wired, or WPS connection.
Connect a device to the extender network using WiFi
If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, your extender uses the same WiFi network
name and password as your router. The following table is an example of what your WiFi
network names might look like if One WiFi Name is enabled:
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AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition
Table 2. WiFi network names
Router or Extender WiFi Network NameRouter or Extender WiFi Network
MyWiFiExampleRouter 2.4 GHz WiFi network name
MyWiFiExample-5GRouter 5 GHz WiFi network name
MyWiFiExampleExtender 2.4 GHz Extended WiFi network name
MyWiFiExample-5GExtender 5 GHz Extended WiFi network name
If you set up your extender using WPS, your extender uses the same WiFi network
settings as your router for its 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz extended networks. For example, if
your extender connects to the router’s 2.4 GHz WiFi band, your extender uses your
router’s 2.4 GHz WiFi settings for both its networks:
Table 3. WiFi network names
Router or Extender WiFi Network NameRouter or Extender WiFi Network
MyWiFiExampleRouter 2.4 GHz WiFi network name
MyWiFiExample-5GRouter 5 GHz WiFi network name
MyWiFiExampleExtender 2.4 GHz Extended WiFi network name
MyWiFiExampleExtender 5 GHz Extended WiFi network name
If your extender connects to the router’s 5 GHz WiFi band, your extender uses your
router’s 5 GHz WiFi settings for both its networks:
Table 4. WiFi network names
Router or Extender WiFi Network NameRouter or Extender WiFi Network
MyWiFiExampleRouter 2.4 GHz WiFi network name
MyWiFiExample-5GRouter 5 GHz WiFi network name
MyWiFiExample-5GExtender 2.4 GHz WiFi network name
MyWiFiExample-5GExtender 5 GHz WiFi network name
Since your router and extended networks share the same WiFi network name, only one
WiFi network name is broadcast.
User Manual17Get started
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition
To connect to the extender WiFi network:
1. On your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device, open the WiFi connection
manager that manages your WiFi connections.
The WiFi connection manager scans for WiFi networks in your area.
2. Find and select your WiFi network name (SSID) and enter your WiFi password.
This is the SSID and password that you set up during the installation process.
Connect an Ethernet-enabled device to the extender
After the extender is connected to your existing WiFi network, you can connect a wired
device to the extender using an Ethernet cable.
Figure 5. Ethernet-enabled device connected to the extender
Connect a device to the extender network using WPS
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.
To connect to the extender using a WPS connection:
1. Press the WPS button on the extender.
The WPS LED blinks green.
2. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your WPS-enabled device.
If your WPS enabled device successfully connects to extender, the WiFi connection
manager on your device will show connection status.
User Manual18Get started
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition
Log in to the extender after installation
After installation, you can log in to the extender to view or change the extender’s settings.
To log in to the extender:
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 you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter www.mywifiext.net in
•
the address field of the browser.
If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs:
•
-
Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext/ or http://mywifiext.local/
-
Mac computers and iOS devices. http://mywifiext.local/
-
Android devices. 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
the Extender’s IP address on page 63.
Login page displays.
3. Enter your admin user name and password and click the LOG IN button.
The Status page displays.
Run the Smart Setup installation
You can use the Smart Setup to change the extender settings. This is an easy way to
connect the extender to a different router or to change the extender WiFi network name
(SSID) or WiFi password.
To run the 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 you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter www.mywifiext.net in
•
the address field of the browser.
User Manual19Get started
AC1900 WiFi Mesh Extender Essentials Edition
If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs:
•
-
Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext/ or http://mywifiext.local/
-
Mac computers, iOS devices, and Linux devices. http://mywifiext.local/
-
Android devices. 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
the Extender’s IP address on page 63.
A login page displays.
3. Enter your admin user name and password and click the LOG IN button.
The Status page displays.
4. Click the SMART SETUP button.
5. Follow the prompts.
User Manual20Get started
3
Maintain and monitor the extender
This chapter covers the following topics:
• Change the extender login 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
• Restart the extender from the extender web interface
• Turn the LEDs On or Off
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