N300 WiF Range Extender Model E X2700 User Manual October 2015 202-11395-02 350 East Plumeria Drive San Jose, CA 95134 USA
N300 WiF Range Extender Support Thank you for selecting NETGEAR products. After installing your device, locate the serial number on the label of your product and use it to register your product at https://my.netgear.com. You must register your product before you can use NETGEAR telephone support. NETGEAR recommends registering your product through the NETGEAR website. For product updates and web support, visit http://support.netgear.com. Phone (US & Canada only): 1-888-NETGEAR.
Table of Contents Chapter 1 Overview Meet Your Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When to Use Your Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . How the Extender Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
N300 WiF Range Extender Restore the Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Return the Extender to Its Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Update the Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Restart the Extender Remotely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 34 36 37 Chapter 5 FAQs and Troubleshooting FAQs . . . .
1. 1 Overview The WiFi Range Extender boosts your existing network range and speed. This chapter covers the following topics: • Meet Your Extender • 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. Note: Firmware updates with new features and bug fixes are made available from time to time on downloadcenter.netgear.com.
N300 WiF Range Extender Meet Your Extender Before you install your extender, familiarize yourself with its LEDs, buttons, and port. Front Panel Router Link LED Device Link LED Power LED WPS LED Power On/Off button WPS button Factory Reset button Ethernet port Figure 1. Front panel The following table describes the LEDs. Table 1. Front panel LEDs LED Router Link Device Link Description This LED indicates the connection between the extender and the router or access point: • Solid green.
N300 WiF Range Extender Table 1. Front panel LEDs (continued) LED Description Power • • • Solid amber. The extender is booting. Solid green. The extender is powered on. Off. The extender is powered off. WPS • • • Solid green. WiFi security is enabled (WPA or WPA2). Blinking green. A WPS connection is being established. Off. WiFi security is not enabled.
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N300 WiF Range Extender Use the Extender The extender repeats the signals from an existing WiFi router or access point. Place the extender, apply power, and connect it to your 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.
N300 WiF Range Extender If the Router Link LED does not light, try again. If it still does not light, see Connect With Web Browser Setup on page 10. 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. Find the new extender network name on your computer or WiFi device. The extender creates two new extended WiFi networks. The extender’s new WiFi network name is based on your existing WiFi network name, with _EXT at the end of the name.
N300 WiF Range Extender 4. Click the NEW EXTENDER SETUP button. The first time that you log in to the extender, the Create Account page displays. If the Create Account page does not display, visit www.mywifiext.net. 5. Complete the fields and click the NEXT button. 6. Select a WiFi network to extend and click the NEXT button. 7. In the Password (Network Key) field, type the existing WiFi network password (also called passphrase or security key) and click the NEXT button. 8.
N300 WiF Range Extender A message displays confirming that the extender is connected and ready. 12. Click the Next button. The registration page displays. 13. 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. 14.
N300 WiF Range Extender Connect an Ethernet-Enabled Device After the extender is connected to your existing WiFi network, you can connect a wired device to the extender using an Ethernet cable. The device can then access your existing network through the extender’s WiFi connection. Extender WiFi router Figure 3. You can connect a device to the extender’s Ethernet port Log In to the Extender After Installation After installation, you can log in to the extender to view or change the extender’s settings.
N300 WiF 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 Link LED lights solid green. 2.
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N300 WiF Range Extender View Connected Devices You can view a list of devices that are connected to the extender network. To view connected devices: 1. On a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the extender network, launch a web browser. 2. In the address field of your browser, enter www.mywifiext.net. 3. When prompted, enter your email address and password. The Status page displays. 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon , click it. The extender menu displays. 5.
N300 WiF Range Extender 5. Select Settings > WiFi. Change the WiFi Network Name To change the WiFi network name: 1. On a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the extender network, launch a web browser. 2. In the address field of your browser, enter www.mywifiext.net. 3. When prompted, enter your email address and password. The Status page displays. 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon , click it. The extender menu displays.
N300 WiF Range Extender 5. Select Settings > WiFi. 6. In the Network Name (SSID) field, type a network name. 7. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Turn Off the SSID Broadcast to Create a Hidden Network By default, the extender broadcasts its WiFi signal so that its WiFi network name (SSID) is easy for you to find and connect to from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. You can turn off the SSID broadcast to create a hidden WiFi network.
N300 WiF Range Extender 5. Select Settings > WiFi. 6. Clear the Broadcast the Network name (SSID) check box. 7. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Disable or Enable the WiFi Radio By default, the extender’s WiFi radio broadcasts signals in the 2.4 GHz band. If you disable the WiFi radios, then no one can connect with WiFi to the extender. To disable or enable the WiFi radio: 1. On a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the extender network, launch a web browser. 2.
N300 WiF Range Extender 5. Select Settings > WiFi. 6. Select or clear the Enable 2.4 GHz WiFi check box. 7. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Change the WiFi Speed To change the WiFi speed: 1. On a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the extender network, launch a web browser. 2. In the address field of your browser, enter www.mywifiext.net. 3. When prompted, enter your email address and password. The Status page displays. 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon , click it.
N300 WiF Range Extender 5. Select Settings > WiFi. 6. In the WiFi Speed menu, select a speed. 7. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Customize the Extender’s WiFi Coverage Area By default, the extender uses its maximum WiFi coverage area. You can select a smaller coverage area, which uses less electrical power. To customize the extender’s WiFi coverage area: 1. On a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the extender network, launch a web browser. 2.
N300 WiF Range Extender 5. Select Do More > WiFi Coverage. 6. Select a radio button for the output power. 7. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s WiFi Network WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) lets you connect a computer or WiFi device to the extender’s network without entering the WiFi network passphrase or key. Instead, you use a WPS button or enter a PIN to connect.
N300 WiF Range Extender 2. In the address field of your browser, enter www.mywifiext.net. 3. When prompted, enter your email address and password. The Status page displays. 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon , click it. The extender menu displays. 5. Select Settings > Do More > Connect Devices (WPS). 6. Leave the Push Button (recommended) radio button selected. 7. Click the WIFI PROTECTED SETUP (WPS) button.
N300 WiF Range Extender The Connect Devices (WPS) page displays. 6. Select the PIN Number radio button. 7. Type the PIN of the WiFi device in the field. 8. Click the NEXT button. For four minutes, the extender attempts to find the computer or WiFi device. 9. Within four minutes, go to the WiFi device and use its WPS software to join the WiFi network. 10. To verify that the WiFi device is connected to the extender’s WiFi network, select Settings > Connected Devices. The WiFi device displays onscreen.
N300 WiF Range Extender The extender menu displays. 5. Select Settings > Connected Devices. 6. In the WiFi Devices section, select the Enable Access Control check box. The WiFi devices table displays the names and MAC addresses of WiFi devices that are connected to the extender. 7. Select the Deny check box for the device. 8. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved and that device cannot connect to the extender’s WiFi network.
N300 WiF Range Extender 5. Select Do More > Access Schedule. 6. Select the Access Schedule On radio button. The page adjusts. 7. In the Days menu and the Time menu, select the days and time when you want to disable Internet access. 8. Click the Add Time button to add the time that you specified to the Scheduled Times table. 9. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved.
N300 WiF Range Extender 6. Scroll down and click the IP Address heading to expand the IP address settings. By default, the Dynamically get IP Address from Router radio button is selected. 7. Select the Use Static IP Address radio button. 8. Complete the fields to specify the IP network IP addresses. 9. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved.
N300 WiF Range Extender 6. On the router, add the extender’s virtual MAC address and all the virtual MAC addresses connected to the extender network to your router’s MAC filter table. 7. Enable the router’s MAC filter, WiFi access control, or ACL.
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N300 WiF Range Extender Change the Extender User Name and Password You can change the user name and password to log in to the extender. To add an extender user: 1. On a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the extender network, launch a web browser. 2. In the address field of your browser, enter www.mywifiext.net. 3. When prompted, enter your email address and password. 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon , click it. The extender menu displays. 5. Select Settings > Password. 6.
N300 WiF Range Extender Turn Password Protection Off and On We recommend that you leave password protection on to help keep your network secure. You can turn password protection off and on. To turn password protection off or on: 1. On a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the extender network, launch a web browser. 2. In the address field of your browser, enter www.mywifiext.net. 3. When prompted, enter your email address and password. 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon , click it.
N300 WiF Range Extender A login window opens. 7. Log in to the extender. Automatically Adjust for Daylight Saving Time To set up the extender to automatically adjust for daylight saving time: 1. On a computer or WiFi device that is connected to the extender network, launch a web browser. 2. In the address field of your browser, enter www.mywifiext.net. 3. When prompted, enter your email address and password. 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon , click it. The extender menu displays. 5.
N300 WiF Range Extender Back Up and Manage the Extender Configuration When the extender works correctly after initial setup, we recommend that you back up the extender configuration settings. After you back up the settings, if you change the extender configuration settings but are not content with the new settings, you can restore the extender configuration to the backed-up settings. Back Up the Configuration Settings You can back up the configuration file of the extender.
N300 WiF Range Extender 4. If your browser displays the Menu icon , click it. The extender menu displays. 5. Select Settings > Other Settings. 6. Click the BROWSE button. 7. Locate and select the previously saved backup file. By default, the name of the backup file is NETGEAR_EX2700.cfg. CAUTION: After you click the RESTORE button, do not try to go online, turn off the extender, shut down the computer, or do anything else to the extender until it finishes restarting. 8. Click the RESTORE button.
N300 WiF Range Extender 1. Insert a straightened paper clip into the hole of the Factory Reset button and hold it for about seven seconds. Factory Reset button 2. Release the button. CAUTION: Do not try to go online, turn off the extender, shut down the computer, or do anything else to the extender until it finishes restarting. The extender resets and restarts. This process takes about one minute.
N300 WiF Range Extender 5. Select Settings > Other Settings. CAUTION: After you click the RESET button, do not try to go online, turn off the extender, shut down the computer, or do anything else to the extender until it finishes restarting. 6. Click the Factory Reset button. A confirmation pop-up window opens. 7. Confirm your decision. The extender returns to its factory settings and restarts. This process takes about one minute.
N300 WiF Range Extender 5. Select Settings > Firmware Update. 6. Click the CHECK ONLINE button. 7. If new firmware is available, follow the onscreen prompts to download it onto your computer. Note: You might need to unzip the firmware file. 8. Click the BROWSE button. 9. Locate and select the new firmware file. The firmware file name ends with a .img extension.
N300 WiF Range Extender The Other Settings page displays. 6. Click the RESTART button and click the Yes button to confirm. The extender restarts, which takes about two minutes.
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N300 WiF Range Extender FAQs This section provides answers for difficulties you might experience with the extender. I forgot my login email address and password. What can I do? In the login window, click the Username & Password Help link to answer the security questions that you set up during the initial setup. If you forgot the answers to your security questions, do the following to set up your login credentials again: 1. Restore the extender to its factory default settings. 2. Launch a web browser. 3.
N300 WiF Range Extender Cannot Connect to the Extender If you cannot connect to the extender, determine what prevents you from connecting: • If you forgot your user name or password, click the Username & Password Help link. For more information, see FAQs on page 40. • If your browser displays an error page, include http:// in the address field of your browser by typing http://www.mywifiext.net.
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N300 WiF Range Extender Factory Default Settings The following table includes the factory settings for the extender. You can use the Factory Reset button or the Erase feature to return the extender to these settings. (See Return the Extender to Its Factory Default Settings on page 34.) Table 2.
