The NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Range Extender boosts your existing network range
and speed, delivering dual-band WiFi at speeds up to 1900 Mbps. The Nighthawk combines
excellent range with maximum WiFi performance. It works with any standard WiFi router and is
ideal for HD video streaming and gaming. Get the whole-home connectivity you need for tablets,
smartphones, laptops and more.
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:
•Unpack Your Extender
•Top Panel LEDs and Front Panel USB Port
•Rear Panel
•Attach the Stand
•Attach the Rubber Feet
•Attach the Antennas
•Retrieve and Display the Product Label
•When to Use Your Extender
•How the Extender Works
•Support for the 801.11ac Networking Standard
Note: For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the
support website at support.netgear.com.
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.
6
AC1900 WiFi Range Extender
Unpack Your Extender
Your box contains the following items:
Stand
Rubber feet (4)
Power adapter
Extender
Antennas (3)
Top Panel LEDs and Front Panel USB Port
Use the LEDs during installation to find the best location for the extender or to monitor the
extender performance. The following figure shows the extender in an upright position, with
the stand attached. (For information about attaching the stand, see Attach the Stand on
page 9.)
NETGEAR Logo LED
2.4 GHz Link Rate LED
5 GHz Link Rate LED
Device to Extender LED
LAN LEDs (1 through 5)
USB LED
USB 3.0 port
Figure 1. LEDs and USB port
Overview
7
AC1900 WiFi Range Extender
The following table describes the LEDs.
Table 1. Front panel LEDs
LEDDescription
• Green. The 2.4 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and
the WiFi router is optimum.
2.4 GHz Link Rate
5 GHz Link Rate
• Amber.
the WiFi router is good.
• Red.
WiFi router is poor.
• Off.
2.4 GHz WiFi band.
• Green. The 5 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the
WiFi router is optimum.
• Amber. The
WiFi router is good.
• Red.
WiFi router is poor.
• Off.
5 GHz WiFi band.
The 2.4 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and
The 2.4 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the
The extender and the WiFi router are not connected using the
GHz WiFi connection
5
The 5 GHz WiFi connection between the extender and the
The extender and the WiFi router are not connected using the
between the extender and the
LAN (1 through 5)
Device to Extender
USB
• Green. An Ethernet device is connected to the LAN port.
• Off. No Ethernet device is connected to the LAN port.
• Green. The extender is connected to a computer or WiFi device.
• Amber. The extender is starting or
about one minute, the LED turns green.
• Off.
• Solid green. A USB device is connected to the USB port.
• Off. No USB device is connected to the USB port.
The extender is not connected to a computer or WiFi device.
is applying WiFi settings. After
When the extender is powered on, the LEDs light amber for about one minute.
If you press the WPS button, the Link Rate LEDs
and the Device to Extender LED blink
green for two minutes. For information about using WPS, see Use WPS to Connect the
Extender to Your WiFi Router on page 14.
The Device to Extender LED blinks amber during a firmware update.
Overview
8
AC1900 WiFi Range Extender
Rear Panel
The following figure shows the ports, buttons, antennas, and connector on the rear panel of
the extender.
Ethernet LAN
ports (5)
Reset button
WPS button
Power On/Off
button
Power connector
Figure 2. Rear panel
Antennas
Attach the Stand
If you prefer to place the extender in the upright (vertical) position, attach the stand that
comes with the extender.
To attach the stand:
1. Place the stand on a flat surface.
2. Hold the extender in upright position with
the left side of the extender pointing down.
The left side is the one with three
rectangular openings.
The top panel of the extender and the
three vertical support posts of the stand
must face the same direction.
3. Lower the extender onto the stand until the
support posts of the stand snap into the
rectangular openings of the extender.
Overview
9
AC1900 WiFi Range Extender
Attach the Rubber Feet
If you prefer to place the extender in horizontal position, you can attach the rubber feet that
come with the extender.
To attach the rubber feet:
1. Place the extender upside down, with the red panel facing you.
The red panel is the bottom.
2. In each corner, attach a rubber foot in such a way that it covers the triangle.
Attach the Antennas
To attach the antennas:
1. Align the antennas with the antenna posts on the extender.
2. Attach the antennas on the threaded antenna posts.
3. Position the antennas for the best WiFi performance.
Overview
10
AC1900 WiFi Range Extender
Retrieve and Display the Product Label
The product label that you can retrieve from the extender contains the login URL, serial
number, security PIN, MAC addresses of the radios, and other information.
To retrieve the product label from the extender:
1. Place the extender upside down, with the red panel facing you.
The red panel is the bottom.
2. Locate the label handle with NETGEAR printed on it, and pull out the product label.
Label handle
Figure 3. Pulling out the product label
When to Use Your Extender
NETGEAR recommends that you connect through the extender network only when the 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.
Overview
11
AC1900 WiFi Range Extender
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 you need.
Figure 4. Range extender in a home
Support for the 801.11ac 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
http://www.netgear.com/landing/80211ac/.
Figure 5. Speed comparison between the 802.11n and 802.11ac standards
Overview
12
2. Get Started
This chapter covers the following topics:
•Install the Extender to Boost Your WiFi Range
•Install the Extender as an Access Point
•Log In to the Extender After Installation
•Run Smart Setup Installation
2
13
AC1900 WiFi Range Extender
Install the Extender to Boost Your WiFi Range
The most common way to use the extender is to boost the range of your existing WiFi
network. You can also use the extender as a WiFi access point and create a new WiFi
hotspot by using a wired Ethernet connection. For information about access point installation,
see Install the Extender as an Access Point on page 18.
Set Up the Extender Hardware
To set up the extender hardware:
1. Attach the stand or the rubber feet.
For more information, see Attach the Stand on page 9 or Attach the Rubber Feet on
page 10.
2. Attach the antennas.
For more information, see Attach the Antennas on page 10.
3. T
urn on your extender.
Place the extender close to your WiFi router. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
Press the Power button if necessary
The NETGEAR LED lights white and the Link Rate LEDs and the Device to Extender LED
light amber and then turn off.
.
Use WPS to Connect the Extender to Your WiFi Router
You can use WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) to connect the extender to your WiFi router without
typing your existing router’s WiFi network name (SSID) or WiFi password. If you do not want
to use WPS, see Use a Web Browser to Connect the Extender to Your WiFi Router on
page 15.
To use WPS to connect the extender to your WiFi router:
1. Make sure that the extender is powered on.
2. Press the WPS button on the extender
Both Link Rate LEDs
minutes.
3. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your WiFi router.
4. Add a WiFi band.
and the Device to Extender LED blink green for two
.
If your WiFi router supports the 5 GHz band (not all routers do), and you want to extend
that band, repeat and check that the 5 GHz Link Rate LED lights green to confirm the
connection.
Get Started
14
AC1900 WiFi Range Extender
Use a Web Browser to Connect the Extender to Your WiFi
Router
You can use a web browser to log in to the extender and set up its WiFi connection to your
existing WiFi router.
To use a web browser to connect the extender to your WiFi router:
1. On a computer, tablet, or smartphone, open the WiFi connection manager and connect
to the extender network called NETGEAR_EXT.
When you are connected to the extender, the Device to Extender LED
green.
2. Launch a web browser.
The first time that you log in to the extender, the Create Account screen displays. If the
Create Account screen does not display, go to www.mywifiext.net.
3. Complete the fields and click the NEXT button.
lights solid
4. Click the WiFi RANGE EXTENDER button.
The extender scans for WiFi signals and finds the WiFi networks in your area and
displays a list.
5. If you do not want to extend both WiFi bands, clear the 2.4GHz WiFi Networks or the 5
GHz WiFi Networks check box.
6. Select your WiFi network and click the NEXT
Get Started
button.
15
AC1900 WiFi Range Extender
If your existing WiFi network is hidden, select the Manually input my wireless SSID
radio button and type your WiFi network name.
7. When prompted, enter the password to connect to your WiFi network and click the NEXT
button.
The extender connects to your existing router’s WiFi network.
8. Complete the fields to name your extended networks and click the NEXT button.
The extender applies your settings. This means that its WiFi network names and WiFi
passwords change to the ones that you entered. To make this change, the extender must
disconnect the computer or WiFi device that you are using from its WiFi network.
The following screen displays:
9. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or WiFi device to connect to the new
extended WiFi network, and click the Continue button.
Get Started
16
AC1900 WiFi Range Extender
10. Click the Next button.
You are prompted to log in and register your product.
Choose a Location and Check the Signal Strength
Now that the extender is connected to your WiFi router, you can move it to a location that will
boost your WiFi range. The location that you choose must be within the range of your existing
WiFi router network. The ideal location to place the extender is halfway between your WiFi
router and your WiFi device.
Figure 6. Extender location
The best connection is established with a clear line of sight between the extender and the
WiFi router and a clear line of sight between the extender and the WiFi device that you are
using.
To move the extender to a good location and check the signal strength:
1. Move the extender to a location where you can boost your WiFi range.
The location you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router network.
2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet at the new location and restart the extender.
Unless the extender is outside the range of your WiFi router, the extender connects
automatically to the WiFi router
.
The Link Rate LEDs help you choose a spot with a good connection between the
extender and the router. The following tables describe how the LEDs show the quality of
the connection.
2.4 GHz and 5 GHZ LED StatusLED ColorPerformance
Both the Link Rate LED and the Device
to Extender LED are green.
and The extender provides the best performance.
The Link Rate LED is amber and the
Device to Extender LED is green.
The Link Rate LED is red.
The Link Rate LED is off.The extender is not connected to the router.
and The extender provides a workable performance.
The extender provides a poor performance.
Get Started
17
AC1900 WiFi Range Extender
3. If the extender is not connected or the connection is poor, move the extender closer to
your WiFi router and try again until the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Link Rate LED is green, or at least
amber.
4. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or mobile device to connect to the extender’s
newly created WiFi network.
By default, the extender adds _2GEXT to the end of the 2.4 GHz network name and
_5GEXT to the end of the 5 GHz network name, for example:
5. Select the new network and use your WiFi router password to connect.
You are now using your extended WiFi network.
MyNetworkName_2GEXT
Connect Ethernet-Enabled Devices
After the extender is connected to your existing WiFi network, you can connect wired devices
to the extender using Ethernet cables. Those devices can then access your existing network
through the extender’s WiFi connection.
Ethernet LAN ports (5)
Figure 7. Rear panel Ethernet LAN ports
Install the Extender as an Access Point
You can cable your extender to your existing router and then set up the extender in access
point mode to work to create a new WiFi hotspot.
To use the extender in access point mode:
1. Attach the stand or the rubber feet.
For more information, see Attach the Stand on page 9 or Attach the Rubber Feet on
page 10.
2. Attach the antennas.
For more information, see Attach the Antennas on page 10.
Get Started
18
AC1900 WiFi Range Extender
3. Use an Ethernet cable to connect your router to the Ethernet port on the extender.
Ethernet
Extender Ethernet LAN port
WiFi router
4. Turn on your extender.
Plug the extender into an electrical outlet. Press the Power button if necessary.
The NETGEAR LED lights white and the Link Rate LEDs and the Device to Extender LED
light amber and then turn off.
5. Use a WiFi network manager on a computer or WiFi device to find and connect to the
NETGEAR_EXT (SSID) WiFi network.
After the connection with the computer or WiFi device is established, the Device to
Extender LED
lights solid green.
Note: In access point mode, you can connect your computer or WiFi device
to the extender only using a WiFi connection.
6. Launch a web browser
7. Enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser
.
.
The first time that you log in to the extender, the Create Account screen displays.
Get Started
19
AC1900 WiFi Range Extender
8. Complete the fields and click the NEXT button.
9. Click the ACCESS POINT button.
The extender checks for an Internet connection through the router that you connected to
the extender.
10. When prompted, set the network name (SSID), security option, and password for each WiFi
band, and click the NEXT button.
Your settings are applied.
11. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or WiFi device to connect to the new access
point WiFi network.
12. Click the CONTINUE
button.
A message displays that you successfully created an access point.
Log In to the Extender After Installation
You can log in to the extender to view or change the extender’s settings.
To log in to the extender:
1. Use a WiFi network manager on a computer or WiFi device to find and connect to the
new extended WiFi network.
After the connection with the computer or WiFi device is established, the Device to
Extender LED
2. Launch a web browser.
3. Enter www.mywifiext.net
A login screen displays.
4. Enter your email address and password and click the LOG IN button.
The Status screen displays.
lights solid green.
in the address field of the browser.
Get Started
20
AC1900 WiFi Range Extender
Run Smart Setup Installation
You can use 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 Smart Setup:
1. Use a WiFi network manager on a computer or WiFi device to find and connect to the
new extended WiFi network.
After the connection with the computer or WiFi device is established, the Device to
Extender LED
2. Launch a web browser.
3. Enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser
A login screen displays.
4. Enter your email address and password and click the LOG IN button.
lights solid green.
.
The Status screen displays.
5. Click the SMART SETUP button.
The Welcome screen displays.
6. Click the
WIFI RANGE EXTENDER button.
The extender scans for WiFi signals and finds the WiFi networks in your area and
displays a list.
7. If you do not want to extend both WiFi bands, clear the 2.4GHz W
iFi Networks or the 5
GHz WiFi Networks check box.
8. Select your WiFi network and click the NEXT
button.
9. When prompted, enter the password to connect to your WiFi network and click the NEXT
button.
The extender connects to your existing router’s WiFi network.
10. Complete the fields to name your extended networks and click the NEXT button.
The extender applies your settings to its WiFi network names and WiFi passwords.
During this change, the extender disconnects you from its WiFi network.
Get Started
21
AC1900 WiFi Range Extender
The following screen displays:
11. Use a WiFi network manager on the computer or WiFi device to connect to the new
extended WiFi network and click the Continue button.
12. Click the Next button.
The Status screen displays.
Get Started
22
3. Optimize Extender Performance
This chapter covers the following topics:
•Boost Your Video Streaming
•Adjust the WiFi Coverage
3
23
Loading...
+ 53 hidden pages
You need points to download manuals.
1 point = 1 manual.
You can buy points or you can get point for every manual you upload.