NETGEAR Universal WiFi Range Extender WN3000RP

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Introduction

This document is the installation guide for the NETGEAR WN3000RP Universal WiFi Range Extender. When connected to a wireless network, the range extender expands the network's coverage area beyond the router's existing range.

The diagram shows an example of a home network setup. A router is placed at the entrance of the house, providing WiFi coverage. The range extender is placed in a central location, extending the WiFi signal to areas like the living room and a bedroom where the router's signal might be weak or non-existent. Devices like laptops, smartphones, and gaming consoles are shown connecting to the extended network.

Key components shown in the diagram:

Router's range (indicated by a green circle)
Extended wireless network's coverage area (indicated by a blue circle)
Devices connected to the network (laptops, smartphone, tablet, gaming console)

Device Features

The front panel of the WN3000RP features several indicator lights and ports:

WPS Button: Used for establishing a wireless connection.
Status Light: Indicates if the range extender is powered on.
Speed/Link Rate Light: Shows the status of the connection between the range extender and the router.
PC-to-Extender Light: Indicates if the range extender is connected to a computer.

The side panel includes:

Device On/Off Button: Powers the device on or off.
WPS Button: Press to establish a wireless connection with the router or wireless adapter.
Factory Reset Button: Press with a paper clip to reset the device to factory settings.
Ethernet Port: Allows you to connect the range extender to a computer or other device via cable.

Note: Antenna performance is best when they are pointed upwards.

Understanding the Indicator Lights

The front panel indicator lights provide information about the range extender's operation:

WPS Light: Indicates the status of the wireless WPS connection. It lights up green when WPA or WPA2 security is used. It blinks green during the WPS connection process.
PC-to-Extender Light: Lights up when the range extender is connected to a computer.
Status Light: Lights up when the range extender is powered on.
Speed/Link Rate Light: Indicates the status of the connection between the range extender and the router.
- Green: Best connection
- Orange: Good connection
- Red: Weak connection
- Light off: No connection between the range extender and the router.

The side panel has the following parts:

Ethernet Port: Use this port to connect the range extender to a computer or other device with a cable, following the instructions in the user manual.
Factory Reset Button: Insert a paper clip into the opening and press the reset button until the Status light blinks.
WPS Button: Establish a wireless connection with the router or wireless adapter by pressing the WPS button.
Device On/Off Power Button: Turns the device on or off.

Getting Started

Placing the Range Extender and Connecting Power

Place the range extender equidistant from the router and the wireless device that is outside the router's coverage area.

The diagram illustrates correct and incorrect placement. The correct placement shows the range extender positioned between the router and the device, within both their ranges. The incorrect placement shows the range extender too far from the router, outside its coverage area.

If you need to move the range extender, move it closer to the device, but ensure it remains within the router's wireless network coverage area. Point the range extender's antennas upwards as shown in the "Device Features" section.

Connect the range extender to power and wait for a minute. The Status light will turn green.

Configuring Two Wireless Connections

First, a wireless connection is established between the range extender and the router. Then, a wireless connection is established between the computer or wireless device and the range extender. The configuration method depends on whether your system supports WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup).

Connecting the Range Extender to the Router Using WPS

First, press the WPS button on the router.
Within 2 minutes, press the WPS button on the range extender until its front panel WPS light starts blinking.

Once the range extender is connected to the router, the Speed/Link Rate light will turn on. The range extender's wireless network name (SSID) will change to the router's SSID with "_EXT" appended. The range extender will have the same security settings as the router.

After the range extender is connected to the router, connect your computer or wireless device to the range extender's wireless network.

Connecting Manually Without WPS

Connect your computer to the wireless network named NETGEAR_EXT. The PC-to-Extender light will turn green.
When you open a browser on your computer, the Smart Wizard setup function will open automatically. Connect the range extender to the router's network following the Smart Wizard setup instructions.
Then, using the setup function, connect your computer to the range extender's network, whose name has been updated (Smart Wizard name with "_EXT" at the end).
If you want to change the settings after using Smart Wizard, go to www.mywifiext.net in your browser.
When prompted, log in with the username 'admin' and the password 'password'.

Wireless Network SSIDs and Passwords

Write down your wireless connection information here:

Router Network Name (SSID): _________________________
Router Security Password: _________________________
Range Extender Network Name (SSID): _________________________
Range Extender Security Password: _________________________

When to Use the Range Extender

NETGEAR recommends using the range extender only to establish a wireless connection when your computer or wireless device is in a dead zone with a very weak or no connection to the router. This is because wireless data transfer through the range extender's network is slower than direct transfer through the original router's network.

If you cannot establish a connection from the wireless device to the range extender, move the range extender to a location equidistant from the device and the router. If, after trying several locations, the device still cannot connect to the range extender, move the range extender closer to the device.

Range Extender Performance

The Speed/Link Rate light and the PC-to-Extender light indicate performance:

Performance is best when both lights are green.
Performance is usable when the Speed/Link Rate light is orange and the PC-to-Extender light is green.
The connection is weak when the Speed/Link Rate light is red.
If the Speed/Link Rate light is off, there is no connection between the range extender and the router.
If the PC-to-Extender light is off, no computer is connected to the range extender.

You can improve the range extender's performance as follows:

Move the range extender closer to the router or to another location with fewer obstacles between devices.
When moving the range extender, find the best location by observing the front panel Speed/Link Rate and PC-to-Extender lights, as described in the "Placing the Range Extender and Connecting Power" section.

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information about the product, refer to the user manual available at http://support.netgear.com.

The Smart Wizard setup asks for a password, but I am sure I entered the correct password. What can I do?
The range extender is likely at the very edge of the router's operating range. Resolve the issue according to the instructions in the previous section. If you are using WEP security, ensure you have entered the wireless network key in the correct field.
I connected to the NETGEAR_EXT network and opened my browser. Why doesn't Smart Wizard open?
First, ensure your computer is configured to use DHCP (most are). Then, check that the PC-to-Extender light is green and that an IP address is allowed. Finally, reopen your browser and enter www.mywifiext.net in the address bar.
Does the range extender work if I connect it to the router with an Ethernet cable?
No. The range extender is designed to connect wirelessly to the router.
What username and password are used to log in to the range extender?
By default, the username is 'admin' and the password is 'password'. Both are case-sensitive.

Compliance

Declarations of Conformity

All Declarations of Conformity can be read on the NETGEAR EU Declarations of Conformity website (in English) at: http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/11621/.

More information about the GNU GPL (General Public License) is available at: http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/open_src.asp

This symbol indicates that the product complies with European Union Directive 2002/96/EC (WEEE Directive) on the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment. If this product is disposed of within the European Union, it must be handled and recycled in accordance with the laws of the member states that have implemented the WEEE Directive.

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