NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi Range Extender

LED Descriptions

Configure Router with Advanced MAC Settings

If you have enabled a WiFi MAC filter, WiFi access control, or Access Control List (ACL) on your router, you may need to add translated MAC addresses to your router's settings for devices connecting through the extender to access the internet.

When a WiFi device connects through the extender, its MAC address is translated. If your router's MAC filter, WiFi access control, or ACL is enabled, the device might connect to the extender but fail to get an IP address or access the internet.

To allow devices to receive IP addresses and access the internet:

1. Log in to your router and disable the MAC filter, WiFi access control, or ACL. Consult your router's documentation for specific instructions.
2. Power on the extender and connect your WiFi devices to it. Ensure the Link Status LED remains lit.
3. Log in to your extender:
   • Launch a web browser from a device connected to the extender network.
   • Enter the appropriate URL:
     • If One WiFi Name is not enabled: www.mywifiext.net
     • If One WiFi Name is enabled:
       • Windows: http://mywifiext.local/ or http://mywifiext/
       • Mac/iOS: http://mywifiext.local/
       • Android: http://<extender's IP address>/ (e.g., http://192.168.1.3/)
   • Enter your admin username and password, then click LOG IN. The Status page will display.
4. Navigate to Settings > Connected Devices. This page shows the MAC addresses and virtual MAC addresses for devices connected to the extender network.
5. On your router, add all of the extender's virtual MAC addresses and the virtual MAC addresses of connected devices to your router's MAC filter table.
6. Note: To reserve a specific IP address for the extender, specify the first virtual MAC address displayed for the extender's 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz network in your router's IP reservation table. This virtual MAC address is the same for both bands.
7. Enable your router's MAC filter, WiFi access control, or ACL.

Support

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

For Canadian French documentation, visit http://downloadcenter.netgear.com/other/.

For regulatory compliance information, including the EU Declaration of Conformity, visit https://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory/. Please see the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.

NETGEAR, Inc.
350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134, USA

NETGEAR INTL LTD
Building 3, University Technology Centre
Curraheen Road, Cork, Ireland

NETGEAR, Inc., NETGEAR, and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. Other trademarks are used for reference purposes only.

Getting Started

For initial setup, place your extender in the same room as your router. You can move your extender to a new location after setup.

[Placement warning symbol] Do not place the extender too far from the router.

Connect with the Nighthawk App

1. Download the Nighthawk app on your mobile device from [App Store] or [Google Play].
2. Connect your mobile device to the extender network, typically named NETGEAR_EXT.
3. Launch the Nighthawk app and follow the on-screen prompts to connect your extender to your router's WiFi network.
4. After setup is complete, move your extender to a new location (see "Find a good spot for your extender").
5. Connect your WiFi-enabled devices to the extended network.

For more information about the Nighthawk app, visit Nighthawk-app.com.

Connect with WPS

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) allows connection without typing network names or passwords, provided your router supports WPS. WPS does not support WEP security or hidden WiFi networks.

1. Press the [WPS button] on the extender until the WPS LED blinks.
2. Within two minutes, press the [WPS button] on your router.

When the extender connects, the Link Status LED will light. A solid white light indicates a good connection. If the LED is amber or red, move the extender closer to the router and try again.

Note: If your router supports the 5 GHz band, the Maximum Throughput LED will light when the extender connects to it. If it does not light, repeat the WPS process.

After connecting via WPS, move your extender to a new location (see "Find a good spot for your extender") and connect your WiFi devices.

Find a Good Spot for Your Extender

1. Unplug your extender and move it to a new location. A recommended spot is halfway between your router and the area with a weak WiFi signal.
2. Ensure the extender is within the range of your router's WiFi network.
3. Power on your extender.
4. Use the Link Status LED to find the optimal placement for the extender-to-router connection. Refer to the "LED Descriptions" section for details.

Connect Your Device to the Extended Network

The "One WiFi Name" feature is enabled by default after setup, allowing your extender to use the same WiFi network settings as your router.

Example Extended WiFi Names:

If you used the Nighthawk app:

If you used WPS:

If the extender connects to the 2.4 GHz network, the extended name will be based on that. If it connects to the 5 GHz network, the extended name will be based on that.