Netgear EX7300 User manual
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender
Model EX7300
User Manual
April 2016
202-11577-01
350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 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 r
Contact your Internet service provider for technical support.
esources.
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
Contents
Chapter 1 Get to Know Your Extender
Chapter 2 Get Started
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender
Front Panel and Side Panel LEDs and Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
When to Use Your Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Support for the 802.11ac Networking Standard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Use the Extender in Extender Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Place the Extender and Apply Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Use the Extender in Access Point Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Access Extender Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Run Smart Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Chapter 3 Extender Network Settings
View Connected Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Boost Your Video Streaming With FastLane Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
View WiFi Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Change the WiFi Network Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Turn Off the SSID Broadcast to Create a Hidden Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Disable or Enable the WiFi Radios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Change the WiFi Speed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s WiFi Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Use WPS With the Push Button Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Use WPS With the PIN Method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Deny Access to a Computer or WiFi Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Set Up an Access Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Change the Extender’s Device Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Set Up the Extender to Use a Static IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Use the Extender With MAC Filtering or Access Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Chapter 4 Monitor and Maintain the Extender
Change the Extender User Name and Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Turn Password Protection Off and On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Recover a Forgotten User Name or Password. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Automatically Adjust for Daylight Saving Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Manually Set the Extender Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Back Up and Manage the Extender Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Back Up the Configuration Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Restore the Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Return the Extender to Its Factory Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Use the Factory Reset Button to Restore Factory Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
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Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender
Erase the Settings and Return to Factory Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Update the Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Restart the Extender Remotely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Chapter 5 FAQs and Troubleshooting
FAQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Cannot Connect to the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Cannot Join a WiFi Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Appendix A Supplemental Information
Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
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1. Get to Know Your Extender
1
The Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender boosts your existing network range and speed,
delivering dual-band WiFi. You can also use the extender in access point mode as a WiFi access
point and create a new WiFi hotspot by using a wired Ethernet connection.
This chapter covers the following topics:
• Front Panel and Side Panel LEDs and Buttons
• When to Use Your Extender
• Support for the 802.11ac Networking Standard
Note: For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the
support website at www.netgear.com/support.
Note: Firmware updates with new features and bug fixes are made
available from time to time on downloadcenter.netgear.com. Some
products can regularly check the site and download new firmware, or
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 guide, you might need to update your firmware.
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Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender
Front Panel and Side Panel LEDs and Buttons
The LEDs are located on the front panel. A switch, buttons, and an Ethernet port are located
on the side panel.
Router Arrow LED
Router Link LED
Factory Reset button
Power On/Off button
WPS button
Access Point/
Extender switch
Figure 1. Extender front panel and side panel
Table 1. LEDs
LED Description
Router Link
This LED indicates the connection between the extender and the router
or access point.
• Solid green. Best connection.
• Solid amber. Good connection.
• Solid red. Poor connection.
• Off. No connection.
Client Arrow LED
Client Link LED
Power LED
WPS LED
Ethernet port (on the bottom)
Client Link
Power
WPS
This LED indicates the 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.
• Solid amber. The extender is booting.
• Solid green. The extender is
• Off. The extender is
• Solid green. WiFi security is enabled (WPA or WPA2).
• Blinking green. The extender is
• Off. WiFi security is not enabled.
powered off.
Get to Know Your Extender
powered on.
making a WPS connection.
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Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender
Table 1. LEDs (continued)
LED Description
Client Arrow If no arrow LEDs are lit, the extender is in a good location.
If the Client Arrow LED is blinking, move the WiFi-enabled device
closer to the extender.
Router Arrow If no arrow LEDs are lit, the extender is in a good location.
If the Router Arrow LED is blinking, move the extender closer to the
router.
When to Use Your Extender
We recommend that you connect to the extender only when your WiFi network connection is
poor. 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.
WiFi range extender
Boosts the range of
your existing WiFi and
creates a stronger
signal in hard-to-reach
areas.
Existing WiFi
Sometimes your
router does not
provide the WiFi
coverage that you
need.
Figure 2. Range extender in a home
Get to Know Your Extender
7
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender
Support for the 802.11ac Networking Standard
The extender supports the 802.11ac networking standard. This new standard offers better
speed, improved reliability, and more range than older WiFi networking standards. The
extender is backward compatible with earlier WiFi standards. However, to get the benefits of
802.11ac, your WiFi router must support the 802.11ac WiFi networking standard.
To learn more about the 802.11ac WiFi networking standard, visit
netgear.com/landing/80211ac/.
Figure 3. Speed comparison between the 802.11n and 802.11ac standards
Get to Know Your Extender
8
2. Get Started
This chapter covers the following topics:
• Use the Extender in Extender Mode
• Use the Extender in Access Point Mode
• Access Extender Settings
• Run Smart Setup
2
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Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender
Use the Extender in Extender Mode
The extender repeats signals from an existing WiFi router or access point. 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 Use the
Extender in Access Point Mode on page 15.
Place the Extender and Apply Power
To place the extender and apply power:
1. Set the Access Point/Extender switch
2. Place your extender in the same room as your WiFi router.
Proximity to the WiFi router is required only during the initial setup process.
3. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
4. Wait for the Power LED
If the Power LED does not light, press the Power On/Off button on the extender.
to light green.
to the Extender position.
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.
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 the NETGEAR
Installation Assistant on page 12.
Get Started
10
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender
To use WPS to connect the extender to your WiFi router:
1. Press the WPS button on the side panel of 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
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. 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 does not 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.
8. On your WiFi-enabled device, open the WiFi connection manager and locate and connect to
the new extender 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 _EXT at the end of
the name.
For example:
• Existing W
iFi network name. MyNetworkName
• New extended 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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Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender
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 Client Link LED
on the extender:
• If the Client 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 Client 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 Client
Link LED turns solid green or amber.
Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant
To connect with the NETGEAR installation assistant:
1. Connect your device to the extender using a wired Ethernet or WiFi connection:
• To connect with a wired Ethernet connection, use an Ethernet cable to connect the
Ethernet port on the extender to an Ethernet port on your computer.
• To connect with WiFi, on your WiFi-enabled device, open the WiFi connection
manager and locate and connect to the extender network called NETGEAR_EXT..
After the connection with your WiFi-enabled device is established, the Client Link LED
lights.
2. Launch a web browser.
3. Enter www.mywifiext.net
in the address field of the browser
The New Extender Setup page displays.
4. Click the NEW EXTENDER SETUP button.
.
Get Started
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Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender
5. Complete the fields on the page and click the NEXT button.
6. Verify that the Access Point/Extender switch
is set to Extender and click the
Continue button.
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 extender and click the NEXT button.
Note: Note: We recommend that you use a different network name (SSID) for
your extender than the network name (SSID) that your router uses.
Wait for the page to display a list of new extender WiFi networks, which might take up to
one minute.
10. Connect your WiFi-enabled device to the new extender WiFi network using the extender
SSID and password that you created in Step 9.
11. Make sure that your WiFi-enabled device is successfully connected before you click the
CONTINUE button.
12. Click the CONTINUE button.
A message displays confirming that the extender is connected and ready.
13. Click the NEXT button.
The registration page displays.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the Power LED to light green.
Get Started
13
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender
17. Use the Router Link LED to help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router
connection is optimal.
18. 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.
19. Reconnect your computer or WiFi device to the new extended WiFi network.
20. 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 Client Link LED
on the extender:
• If the Client 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 Client 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 Client
Link LED turns solid green or amber.
Connect Ethernet-Enabled Devices
After the extender is connected to your existing WiFi network, you can connect a device to
the extender using an Ethernet cable. Then that device can access your existing network
through the extender-to-router WiFi connection.
Extender
WiFi router
Figure 4. Ethernet connection to the extender
Get Started
Blu-ray player
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Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender
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 as an access point
To install the extender as an access point:
1. Set the Access Point/Extender switch to Access Point
2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the Power LED
If the Power LED does not light, press the Power On/Off button.
3. Use an Ethernet cable to connect the Ethernet port on the extender to a router Ethernet LAN
port or a remote Ethernet LAN jack with LAN access.
The extender joins the LAN and creates a WiFi hotspot.
4. On your WiFi-enabled device, open the WiFi connection manager and locate and connect to
one of the following WiFi extender networks:
• 2.4 GHz network. NETGEAR_EXT
• 5 GHz network. NETGEAR_5GEXT
When you join the network, the extender Client Link LED
connected.
5. Launch a web browser and enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field.
The New Extender Setup page displays.
6. Click the NEW EXTENDER SETUP button.
.
to light green.
lights to show that you are
The Create Account page displays.
7. Complete the fields on the Create
8. When prompted, set the network name (SSID), security option, and password for each
access point network and click the NEXT button.
Your settings are applied and the extender is ready to be used as an access point.
Account page and click the NEXT button.
Get Started
15
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