NETGEAR Nighthawk X4 Mesh AC2200 WiFi Range Extender EX7300 Quick Start Guide

Introduction

The NETGEAR WiFi Mesh Extender enhances your WiFi network's range by strengthening the existing WiFi signal and improving overall quality over long distances. It repeats the signals emitted by an existing WiFi router or access point.

WiFi Mesh Extender: Extends the range of your existing WiFi network and creates a stronger signal in hard-to-reach areas.

Existing WiFi Network: Sometimes, your router's WiFi coverage may not be sufficient to meet your needs.

Discover Your Extender

Familiarize yourself with the extender's lights, buttons, and port before installation.

Router Link Light: Indicates the connection status between the extender and the Internet box, router, or access point.

• Solid Green: Optimal connection.
• Solid Orange: Good connection.
• Solid Red: Poor connection.
• Off: No connection.

Client Link Light: Indicates the connection status between the extender and your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device.

• Solid Green: Optimal connection.
• Solid Orange: Good connection.
• Solid Red: Poor connection.
• Off: No connection.

Power Light:

• Solid Orange: The extender is starting up.
• Solid Green: The extender is powered on.
• Off: The extender is powered off.

WPS Light:

• Solid Green: WiFi security is enabled (WPA or WPA2).
• Blinking Green: WPS connection is being established.
• Off: WiFi security is not enabled.

No light arrow: The extender is in an appropriate location.

Blinking Client light arrow: Move your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device closer to the extender.

Blinking Router light arrow: Move the extender closer to the router.

Buttons:

• Reset Button: Resets the extender to factory default settings.
• On/Off (Power) Button: Powers the extender on or off.
• WPS Button: Initiates a Wi-Fi Protected Setup connection.

Switch: Access Point/Extender switch allows you to select the operating mode.

Ethernet Port: Connects wired devices to the network.

Using the Extender in Repeater Mode

In repeater mode, the extender replicates the signals emitted by an existing Internet box, router, or WiFi access point. Set the Access Point/Extender switch to the Extender position, position the extender, plug it in, and then connect it to your WiFi network.

Setting the Access Point/Extender Switch: For repeater mode, set the switch to the Extender position.

Extender Placement and Power:

1. Position the extender in the same room as your Internet box. Immediate proximity to the Internet box is only required during the initial setup process.
2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet. Wait for the power light to turn green. This process may take up to 100 seconds. If the power light does not turn on, press the Power button on the side of the extender.

Connecting to an Existing WiFi Network

To extend your WiFi network's range, connect the extender to your current WiFi network. You can do this in two ways:

• Connect via WPS: For more information, see the following section.
• Connect with the NETGEAR Installation Assistant: For more information, see the "Connect with the NETGEAR Installation Assistant" section on page 9.

Connecting via WPS

WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) allows you to join a secure WiFi network without selecting the network name or entering a password. Note: WPS does not support WEP network security. If you use WEP security, follow the instructions in the "Connect with the NETGEAR Installation Assistant" section on page 9.

1. Press the WPS button on the extender. The WPS light blinks green.
2. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your box or router. The extender's WPS light stays solid green, the router link light turns on, and the extender connects to your existing WiFi network.

If the router link light does not turn on, try again. If it still does not turn on, consult the "Connect with the NETGEAR Installation Assistant" section on page 9.

3. If your WiFi router supports the 5 GHz band, repeat steps 1 and 2 to connect the extender to the 5 GHz band. Note: If your router supports the 5 GHz band, your extender attempts to connect to the router's 5 GHz band the first time you press the WPS button. If your extender did not connect to the router's 5 GHz band the first time, repeat the WPS process.

4. Unplug the extender and move it to a new location approximately halfway between your router and the weak WiFi signal area. Your chosen location should be within the coverage area of your router's existing WiFi network.

5. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the power light to turn green.

6. Use the router link light to help choose a location for an optimal connection between the extender and the Internet box.

7. If the router link light is not orange or green, plug the extender into a wall outlet closer to the Internet box and try again. Continue moving the extender to outlets closer to the Internet box until the router link light turns orange or green.

8. Connect your computer or WiFi-enabled mobile device to the WiFi network. Note: Your extender uses the same WiFi network settings as your router for its extended 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. For example, if your extender is connected to the router's 2.4 GHz WiFi band, your extender uses your router's 2.4 GHz WiFi settings for both its networks. If your extender is connected to the router's 5 GHz WiFi band, your extender uses your router's 5 GHz WiFi settings for both its networks. Note: Since your router and the extended networks share the same WiFi network name, only one WiFi network name is broadcast.

Connecting with the NETGEAR Installation Assistant

1. Connect a computer or mobile device to the extender using a WiFi or Ethernet connection:

• WiFi: On your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device, launch the WiFi connection manager, search for, and connect to the extender's network called NETGEAR_EXT. When your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device is connected to the extender, the client link light blinks green.
• Ethernet: Connect the Ethernet port of your extender to the Ethernet port of your computer using an Ethernet cable.

2. Open a web browser and go to www.mywifiext.net. The NETGEAR Installation Assistant appears.

3. Follow the instructions to connect your extender to your existing WiFi network.

4. Unplug the extender and move it to a new location approximately halfway between your router and the weak WiFi signal area. Your chosen location should be within the coverage area of your router's existing WiFi network.

5. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the power light to turn green.

6. Use the router link light to help choose a location for an optimal connection between the extender and the Internet box.

7. If the router link light is not orange or green, plug the extender into a wall outlet closer to the Internet box and try again. Continue moving the extender to outlets closer to the Internet box until the router link light turns orange or green.

Connecting an Ethernet Device

Once the extender is connected to your existing WiFi network, you can connect a wired device to the extender using an Ethernet cable. This device can then access your existing network via the WiFi connection.

Using the Extender in Access Point Mode

You can use the WiFi extender as an access point to create a new WiFi hotspot via a wired Ethernet connection.

1. Set the Access Point/Extender switch to the Access Point position.
2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the power light to turn green. If the power light does not turn on, press the Power button.
3. Connect a computer or mobile device to the extender using a WiFi or Ethernet connection:
   • WiFi: On your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device, launch the WiFi connection manager, search for, and connect to the extender's network called NETGEAR_EXT. When your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device is connected to the extender, the client link light blinks green.
   • Ethernet: Connect the Ethernet port of your extender to the Ethernet port of your computer using an Ethernet cable. Note: If you want to use an Ethernet connection, you must do so before connecting your extender to your modem router or router.
4. Open a web browser and go to www.mywifiext.net. The NETGEAR Installation Assistant appears.
5. Connect your router to an Ethernet port on the extender with an Ethernet cable. Note: Do not connect your extender directly to your DSL or cable modem. The extender does not function as a router. If your network includes a DHCP server, you can connect the extender to a switch or hub connected to the DHCP server.
6. Return to the NETGEAR Installation Assistant and follow the instructions to complete the setup of your extender as an access point.

Connecting and Accessing Extender Settings

After installation, you can connect to the extender to view or modify its settings.

To connect to the extender:

1. Open a web browser from a computer or mobile device connected to your extender's network.
2. Connect to your extender:
   • If you have not activated the One WiFi Name function, enter www.mywifiext.local in the browser's address field.
   • If you have activated the One WiFi Name function, enter one of the following URLs:
     • Windows Computer: http://mywifiext or http://mywifiext.local
     • Mac Computers and iOS and Linux devices: http://mywifiext.local
     • Android Devices: http:// (e.g., http://192.168.1.3)
3. Enter your administrator email address and password, then click the LOG IN button. The Status page appears.

To find your extender's IP address, perform the following operations:

1. Connect to your router.
2. Search for the page in your router's web interface that lists the devices connected to your router.
3. Search for your extender in the list and note your extender's IP address.
4. Enter your extender's IP address in your web browser's address field. A connection page appears.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can find additional information about your product in the user manual available at www.netgear.com/support.

The NETGEAR Installation Assistant continuously asks for the network password (passphrase) or network security key even though I entered it correctly. What should I do?

The extender is likely placed at the edge of the router or access point's range. For more information, consult the "Extender Placement and Power" section on page 5. If you are using WEP security, ensure you are entering the network password in the correct field.

Can I configure the extender in repeater mode if I connect it to the router or access point with an Ethernet cable?

No. The extender is designed to connect wirelessly to the Internet box or access point when in repeater mode. If the extender is in access point mode, you can connect it to the router or access point with an Ethernet connection. For more information on access point mode, refer to the "Using the Extender in Access Point Mode" section on page 11.

I forgot my login email address and password. What should I do?

On the login page, click the Username & Password Help link and answer the security questions you set during the initial configuration. If you have forgotten the answers to the security questions, perform the following operations to reconfigure your login credentials:

1. Reset the extender to its factory default settings.
2. Open a web browser from a computer or mobile device connected to your extender's network.
3. Connect to your extender:
   • If you have not activated the One WiFi Name function, enter www.mywifiext.net in the browser's address field.
   • If you have activated the One WiFi Name function, enter one of the following URLs:
     • Windows Computer: http://mywifiext or http://mywifiext.local
     • Mac Computers and iOS and Linux devices: http://mywifiext.local
     • Android Devices: http:// (e.g., http://192.168.1.3)
4. Click the NEW EXTENDER SETUP button. When prompted, fill in the fields on the page to reconfigure your login credentials.

How to reset the extender to its factory default settings?

1. Use a pointed object, such as a pen or unfolded paperclip, to press and hold the Factory Reset button on the extender for at least five seconds, until the power light blinks orange.
2. Release the Factory Reset button and wait for the extender to reset. The extender resets and its factory default settings are restored.

I have enabled WiFi MAC filtering, wireless access control, or an access control list (ACL) on my router. What should I do during extender installation?

When connecting a device to your router through the extender, the device's MAC address displayed on the router is translated into another MAC address. If MAC filtering, wireless access control, or an access control list (ACL) is enabled on your router, the device connects to the extender but cannot obtain an IP address from the extender or connect to the Internet. To allow your device to receive an IP address from the extender and access the Internet, you must provide the router with the translated MAC address.

1. Connect to your Internet box and disable MAC filtering, wireless access control, or the access control list (ACL). For more information on how to disable MAC filtering, wireless access control, or your Internet box's access control list (ACL), refer to your Internet box's documentation.
2. Turn on your extender and connect all your devices to the extender's network.
3. Verify that the router link light remains lit.
4. Connect to your extender:
   • Open a web browser from a computer or mobile device connected to your extender's network.
   • Connect to your extender:
     • If you have not activated the One WiFi Name function, enter www.mywifiext.net in the browser's address field.
     • If you have activated the One WiFi Name function, enter one of the following URLs:
       • Windows Computer: http://mywifiext or http://mywifiext.local
       • Mac Computers and iOS and Linux devices: http://mywifiext.local
       • Android Devices: http:// (e.g., http://192.168.1.3)
   • Enter your administrator email address and password, then click the LOG IN button. The Status page appears.
   • Select Settings > Connected Devices. The Connected Devices page displays the MAC addresses and virtual MAC addresses of the extender, wired devices, and WiFi devices connected to the extender.
   • On the router, add the extender's virtual MAC address and the virtual MAC addresses of all devices connected to the extender to the MAC filtering table.
   • Enable MAC filtering, wireless access control, or your Internet box's access control list (ACL).

I am connected to NETGEAR_EXT and have opened a browser. I cannot display the NETGEAR Installation Assistant. What can I do?

Try these troubleshooting steps:

• Verify that your WiFi-enabled computer is configured to use the DHCP protocol (this is the case for most computers).
• Ensure that the client link light is green and that your IP address is valid.
• Restart the web browser and enter www.mywifiext.net in the address bar. Enter your email address and password, then click the LOG IN button.

Assistance

Thank you for purchasing this NETGEAR product. Visit www.netgear.com/support to register your product, get help, access the latest user manuals and downloads, and join our community. We recommend using only official NETGEAR support resources.

Trademarks

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Compliance

To view the current declaration of conformity, visit http://support.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/11621/. To obtain legal compliance information, visit www.netgear.com/about/regulatory/. Before plugging in the power, refer to the legal conformity document.

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