NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Solved
Help with new router wired connections
I just set up my new router - WAX204 - WiFi 6 AX1800. It replaced an older different brand one. It was super easy. WiFi connections are great but having trouble with wired connections.
My Home Network is as follows:
ISP Cable Modem <---> WAX204 Router <---> Netgear GS108 Switch <---> Devices (TV, Fire TV Cube, Access point, Desktop computer).
I first noticed a problem using the FireCube as it showed connected to WiFi. When I try to switch to a wired connection, it says to plug in a network cable. Of course, the network cable is plugged in and had been working fine on wired connection with the older router.
When I tried plugging a laptop into different ethernet wall ports in my house (which all run into the switch), I cannot get an ethernet connection. Previously working fine.
The only wired connection that works is my desktop computer which is plugged into an access point which then plugs into an ethernet port.
Here is another really strange thing: when I log into the router and display all connected devices, under connection type (wired, wireless) it is listing my wireless devices such as my wireless printer, surface book laptop, and cell phones as wired.
Not sure what to try next. Any help and guidance would be appreciated.
Regards,
Jeff
Thank you to everyone for their responses and suggestions and feedback.
My problem is solved, and it was a simple (duh) solution. Apparently when my cable provider & ISP provider was out recently for a different issue (TV problem) he must have inadvertently tugged on a group of network cable plugged into my switch box. I found an old laptop and plugged it into a wall network connection and was surprised it said network cable unplugged. So, on a whim I tried pushing in on the network cable switch box connections that were dark, and guess what? Several of them seemed not quite in all the way and they lit up with green blinking lights! I had looked at the switch box before, but all the connections looked connected and for some reason I didn't check to make sure they were all tight and securely connected.
Thanks again everyone!!
Jeff
8 Replies
JeffreyY wrote:
I just set up my new router - WAX204 - WiFi 6 AX1800.
The WAX204 is not a router. It is a Wireless Access Point.
By default it is configured in router mode, but you may have to play around with it to make it work with your modem.
Visit the support pages:
Support | NETGEAR
Feed in your model number and check the documentation for your hardware.
You might get more help, and find earlier questions and answers specific to your device, in the appropriate section for your hardware. That's probably here:
Business Wireless - NETGEAR CommunitiesThank you for the response. Interesting that when I bought it from Amazon it was advertised as a router. So when I got it I noticed the box said Access Point; but it also states on the box it is Configurable as a Router. And, during the setup I never thought it couldn't function as a router as it has WAN and LAN ports and during the setup it asks me to choose if I want to use it as a router or access point.
JeffreyY wrote:
Interesting that when I bought it from Amazon it was advertised as a router.
Amazon has been advertising one Netgear router as a DSL modem/router for years. It has been told, but the confusion continues. So I wouldn't place too much trust in what Amazon promises.
So when I got it I noticed the box said Access Point; but it also states on the box it is Configurable as a Router. And, during the setup I never thought it couldn't function as a router as it has WAN and LAN ports and during the setup it asks me to choose if I want to use it as a router or access point.Indeed, I saw that in the manual too. It even said that it will run as a router out of the box.
But something designed to be an AP probably isn't going to have the same capability as a purposes built router. Throw in the "business" tag and you end up in unknown territory.
The best place to seek help with that box is in the section that I linked to.
michaelkenward for once, Amazon is right - the WAX204 can indeed be configured as a router. When I have it right, by default it IS a router. Odd if you think about the box does state it's an AP.
Very correct, the router does mark any wireless devices associated wireless to another AP as "wired" - because that other AP is indeed connected on a wired link.
To add some more confusion, the WAX204 does come with certain isolation features active, being wireless isolation, being certain special default configs for the SSID 2 and 3 in relation to the LAN port access. Consult the fine user manual around P.70...75.
schumaku wrote:
michaelkenward for once, Amazon is right - the WAX204 can indeed be configured as a router. When I have it right, by default it IS a router. Odd if you think about the box does state it's an AP.
That's what I said when I quoted the manual.
Thanks.
It is confusing marketing, but it seems to be working as a router. I did have a call with Netgear tech support to confirm.
At this point, it seems all is well except my Fire TV Cube device still cannot connect as a wired connection. With my previous router and since I have owned the cube (2 yrs), it has been a wired connection. It will only connect wirelessly. It states basically that it is unplugged and I need to plug in a cable. Contacted amazon device support and the basic t-shooting was done - the restarts and power cycles. The problem is I can't get into the Network settings when it is not connected with a wired connection. They want me to do a factory reset but I view that as last resort because it will erase everything that will take a bunch of time to redo. But I can at least view the network settings and they all seem like they should be. The Cube connects to an ethernet adaptor which plus into the network cable. Could the Cube or the ethernet adaptor be holding onto the previous IP or something?
NETGEAR Academy
Boost your skills with the Netgear Academy - Get trained, certified and stay ahead with the latest Netgear technology!
Join Us!
