Netgear Nighthawk EX7500 User manual
Nighthawk X4S AC2200
Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
User Manual
Model EX7500
December 2017
202-11793-02
350 E. Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA
Nighthawk X4S AC2200 Tri-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 comm unity.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. An y non-NETGEAR
trademarks are used for reference purposes only.
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Contents
Chapter 1 Overview
Meet Your Extender................................................................................................6
LEDs.................................................................................................................6
Buttons..............................................................................................................8
System Requirements............................................................................................9
When to Use Your Extender...................................................................................9
How the Extender Works.......................................................................................9
Chapter 2 Get Started
Install the WiFi Extender......................................................................................11
Place the Extender and Apply Power..............................................................11
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network..............................................................11
Connect a Device to the Extender Network.........................................................13
Connect a Device to the Extender Network Using WiFi..................................14
Connect a Device to the Extender Network Using WPS.................................14
Log In to the Extender After Installation...............................................................14
Run Smart Setup Installation...............................................................................15
Connect With WPS.....................................................................................11
Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant....................................13
Chapter 3 Extender Network Settings
Enable or Disable One WiFi Name......................................................................17
Enable or Disable Smart Connect........................................................................17
View Connected Devices.....................................................................................18
View WiFi Settings...............................................................................................19
Change the WiFi Network Name..........................................................................20
Turn Off the SSID Broadcast to Create a Hidden Network..................................21
Disable or Enable the WiFi Radios.......................................................................21
Change the WiFi Speed.......................................................................................22
Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s WiFi Network............................23
Use WPS With the Push Button Method.........................................................23
Use WPS With the PIN Method.......................................................................24
Deny Access to a Computer or WiFi Device........................................................25
Set Up an Access Schedule................................................................................26
Change the Extender’s Device Name..................................................................27
Set Up the Extender to Use a Static IP Address..................................................28
Use the Extender With MAC Filter ing or Access Control.....................................29
Chapter 4 Maintain and Monitor the Extender
Change the Extender admin User Name and Password......................................31
Turn Password Protection Off and On..................................................................31
Recover a Forgotten User Name or Password.....................................................32
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Nighthawk X4S AC2200 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
Automatically Adjust for Daylight Saving Time.....................................................33
Manually Set the Extender Clock.........................................................................34
Back Up and Manage the Extender Configuration...............................................35
Back Up the Configuration Settings................................................................35
Restore the Configuration Settings.................................................................36
Return the Extender to Its Factory Default Settings.............................................37
Use the Reset Button......................................................................................37
Log In and Reset the Extender to Factory Settings.........................................37
Update the Extender Firmware............................................................................38
Check for New Firmware and Update the Extender........................................38
Manually Upload Firmware to the Extender....................................................39
Restart the Extender Remotely............................................................................40
Turn the Extender LEDs On or Off.......................................................................41
Chapter 5 FAQs and Troubleshooting
FAQs....................................................................................................................44
Cannot Connect to the Extender..........................................................................45
Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message..............................45
Cannot Access mywifiext.net...............................................................................45
Find the Extender’s IP Address............................................................................46
Appendix A Supplemental Information
Factory Default Settings.......................................................................................49
Technical and Environmental Specifications........................................................50
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Overview
The WiFi Range Extender boosts your existing network range and speed, delivering tri-band WiFi.
This chapter covers the following topics:
• Meet Your Extender
• System Requirements
• When to Use Your Extender
• How the Extender Works
For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website at
Note
support.netgear.com.
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5
Nighthawk X4S AC2200 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
Meet Your Extender
Before you install your extender, familiarize yourself with its LEDs and buttons.
LEDs
Figure 1. Front panel
Overview
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Nighthawk X4S AC2200 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
The following table describes the LEDs.
Table 1. LED descriptions
DescriptionLED
Router Link LED
Power LED
2.4 GHz Client Link LED
This LED indicates the WiFi connection between the extender and the router.
• Solid blue. Best connection.
• Solid amber. Good connection.
• Solid red. Poor connection.
• Off. No connection.
• Blinking blue.The extender is resetting to its factory default settings.
• Blinking blue.The extender is booting.
• Solid blue.The extender is powered on.
• Off.The extender is powered off.
This LED indicates the connection between the extender and a 2.4 GHz WiFi
client:
• Solid blue. Best connection.
• Solid amber. Good connection.
• Solid red. Poor connection.
• Off. No connection.
Overview
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Nighthawk X4S AC2200 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
Table 1. LED descriptions (Continued)
DescriptionLED
5 GHz Client Link LED
WPS LED
Buttons
This LED indicates the connection between the extender and a 5 GHz WiFi client:
• Solid blue. Best connection.
• Solid amber. Good connection.
• Solid red. Poor connection.
• Off. No connection.
• Blinking blue.The extender is attempting to connect with a router or
WPS-enabled device:
• Solid blue.The extender is connected to a router or WPS-enabled device.
• Off.The extender is not connected to a router or WPS-enabled device.
Figure 2. Extender buttons
The side panel contains the following buttons:
• WPS/Power button. This button acts as a WPS or Power button depending on how long you press it:
- WPS. Press the button for less than five seconds to connect WPS-enabled device.
- Power. Press the button for more than five seconds to turn the extender on or off.
• Reset button. Pressing the Reset button for about five seconds resets the extender.
Overview
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Nighthawk X4S AC2200 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
System Requirements
You need the following to install your extender:
• 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac wireless router or gateway
• Compatible web browser:
- Microsoft Internet Explorer® 8.0 or higher
- Firefox 2.0 or higher
- Safari 5.1 or higher
- Google Chrome 25.0 or higher
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 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 netw ork 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.
Overview
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Get Started
This chapter covers the following topics:
• Install the WiFi Extender
• Connect a Device to the Extender Network
• Log In to the Extender After Installation
• Run Smart Setup Installation
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Nighthawk X4S AC2200 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
Install the WiFi Extender
Place the extender, apply power, and connect the extender to your existing 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 solid blue.
If the Pow er LED does not light, press the WPS/Po wer button on the extender f or more than five seconds.
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network
To extend the range of your WiFi network, you must connect the extender to your existing WiFi network.
If your router’s WiFi security is set to WPA enterprise or WPA2 enterprise, your
Note
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 WPS. For more information, see Connect With WPS on page 11.
WPS does not support WEP network security or a hidden SSID network. If your router
Note
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. F or more inf ormation, see Connect With the NETGEAR Installation
Assistant on page 13.
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 de vice , chec k the instructions or online help
that came with that device. Some older equipment cannot use WPS.
WPS does not support WEP network security or a hidden SSID network. If your
Note
existing WiFi network uses WEP security or its SSID is hidden, follow the instructions
in Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant on page 13.
Get Started
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Nighthawk X4S AC2200 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
To use WPS to connect the extender to your WiFi router:
1. Press the WPS/Power 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
blue.
If the Router Link LED lights blue, the connection between the router and e xtender is good. If the Router
Link LED lights red, move the extender closer to the router and try again.
If your router supports the 2.4 GHz band only, the extender connects to your router's 2.4 GHz band. If
your router supports the 5 GHz band only, the extender connects to your router's 5 GHz band. If your
router supports the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band, the extender connects to your router's 5 GHz band.
3. If your router supports both the 2.4 GHz band and 5 GHz band and you want the extender to connect
to both router's 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, repeat Steps 1 and 2.
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 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 blue, 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 blue or amber.
7. Take your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device to the location with poor WiFi router coverage.
8. Connect your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device to the extended network.
Your extender uses the same WiFi netw ork settings as y our 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:
• Router 2.4 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample
• Router 5 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample-5G
• Extended 2.4 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample
• Extended 5 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample
If your extender connects to the router’s 5 GHz WiFi band, your extender uses y our router’ s 5 GHz WiFi
settings for both its networks:
Get Started
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Nighthawk X4S AC2200 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
• Router 2.4 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample
• Router 5 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample-5G
• Extended 2.4 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample-5G
• Extended 5 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample-5G
Since your router and extended networks share the same WiFi network name, only
Note
one WiFi network name is broadcast.
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.
To use the NETGEAR installation assistant to connect the extender to your WiFi router:
1. On your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device, open the WiFi connection manager and locate and
connect to the extender network called NETGEAR_EXT.
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 mov e it to a new location about halfw ay betw een your router and the area with
a poor WiFi signal.
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 blue or amber, 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 blue or amber.
8. Reconnect your computer or mobile device to the new extender WiFi 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.
Get Started
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Nighthawk X4S AC2200 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender
Connect a Device to the Extender Network Using WiFi
If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, your extender uses the the same WiFi network name and
password as your router.
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 extender’s WiFi network name (SSID) and enter your extender’s WiFi password.
This is the SSID and password that you set up during the installation process. If you enabled the One
WiFi Name feature, use your router’s SSID and password.
Connect a Device to the Extender Network Using WPS
For help with the WPS button on y our WPS-enab led 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/Power button on the extender for less than five seconds.
The WPS LED blinks blue.
2. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your WPS-enabled device.
When the extender connects to your WPS-enabled device, the WPS LED lights solid blue.
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
- 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 46.
Get Started
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Nighthawk X4S AC2200 Tri-Band 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. 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
- 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 46.
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.
Get Started
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