Is your WiFi Router coverage spotty or simply out of range? Do you need a to connect a few devices on the other side of the house? Setting up a WiFi extender in-between can boost your WiFi enough to make up the difference. This article is a simplified guide for setting up your NETGEAR WiFi range Extender.
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Expanding Your Existing Home WiFi Network
NETGEAR WiFi range extenders are designed to enhance your home WiFi network’s coverage by connecting to your existing network router or gateway. They can be good in a pinch if you have spotty WiFi in some areas of your home. Go here – if you need help setting up a whole Mesh WiFi System instead. Below is a simplified guide to setting it up your WiFi range extender:
WiFi Extender Setup Steps
- Power Up: Plug in your NETGEAR extender. The Power LED should light up. If it doesn’t, press the Power or On/Off button.
- Connect: Use your computer or mobile device to connect to the extender’s WiFi network, named NETGEAR_EXT by default. The network may be open or use ‘password’ as the default password.
- Setup Page: Launch a web browser and enter mywifiext.net or 192.168.1.250. This will take you to the New Extender Setup page. This is similar to how the Router Login system works.
- Admin Credentials: Click on NEW EXTENDER SETUP. Choose and set your extender’s admin credentials, which are different from your WiFi network password.
- Network Selection: The extender will search for local WiFi networks. Select your network’s 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
- Network Extension: Enter your existing network’s password. You can choose to keep the default SSIDs or customize them for your extender.
- Finalize Setup: Follow the prompts to complete the setup. The extender will apply your settings, which might take a few minutes.
- Connect Devices: Connect your devices to the extender’s new network using the WiFi settings.
- Confirmation: Return to your browser and confirm the setup to start using your extended network.
Additional Extender Resources
For more information visit our Knowlegebase on on setting up a WiFi range Extender.
Can You Setup a WiFi Range Extender with a Mesh WiFi System?
Yes, a WiFi range Extender can be used with a Mesh WiFi system such as Orbi. They can work in a pinch, especially for low-bandwidth stationary IOT devices such as a WiFi Garage Door opener. However, the best option to extend an Orbi WiFi system is to add an additional Orbi Satellites matched to your existing Orbi System to allow for seamless roaming and full whole home WiFi performance for all your connected devices.
Considering Mesh WiFi as an Alternative to an Extender?
Is your WiFi range extender not meeting your needs? WiFi range extender is a decent solution for extending your WiFi network but it’s not always the most reliable in all situations. Learn more about Mesh vs WiFi Extenders. In cases where an extender does not supply the performance or features for all your WiFi needs, consider upgrading to a powerful Mesh WiFi system such as Orbi. Mesh WiFi offers several advantages:
- Seamless Coverage: Unlike extenders, Mesh WiFi provides uniform coverage without the need for separate network names (SSIDs).
- Easy Management: Manage your entire network through a single interface, making it easier to control and monitor.
- Better Performance: With dedicated WiFi radios – Mesh systems provide better speed and WiFi stability, especially in larger homes or spaces with many devices.
- Upgradable Coverage: Orbi Mesh WiFi systems can be upgraded with additional WiFi Satellites to extend full speed WiFi to any corner of your home.
In summary, while a NETGEAR WiFi range extender is an excellent choice for extending your WiFi coverage, especially if you are trying to extend the range of your existing router, a Mesh WiFi system might be a better fit for more demanding or larger homes and offices. Consider your specific needs to choose the best solution for your home network.
