Can anyone tell me if there is any part of the Nighthawk app that works without issues? It seems like anytime I switch between various features within the app is very unstable. Just get the app to connect to router stinks most of the time. Trying to switch between router and extenders stinks, trying to turn on smart connect stinks, trying to switch from WPA2 to WPA3 stinks. I have not found anything using the Nighthawk app that really works without some kind of connection issue.

Update to my previous inquiry.I now understand why I sometimes see the Network Map and other times when I don’t when I open up the Nighthawk app.It turns out that depending on how your phone is either connected to the router or connected to extender, will change what is being displayed on the app.The Extender is EAX80 which is a mesh system, so if my phone is connected to the router, I don’t see this Network Map. However, if my phone is connected to the Extender, then the Network Map will show up on the app.Mystery solved!

You're not alone! I have also had these same issues from day 1. When I talked to Netgear, they admitted they have issues with the app. They wanted to upload a firmware for my router that might fix the issues. I declined as it was brand new and I just finished hours or adding all my wifi devices and naming them on my network. Didn't want to start all over again. They told me I could do it later (in the future) but they declined to tell me it was only in the next 20 days! As far as loging in on the web, that also works once in a while for me. Website keeps telling me I need the Nighthawk app installed (yes, even in a Windows Environment) If I knew there was so many KNOWN issues with this app, I would never have bought it! Otherwise, this modem (CAX80) is great!

Netgear has released updates of the Android apps since this discussion started. Here at least, they seem to fix the previous problems that prevented my Samsung phone from using the apps at all.

I own a Samsung S21+ and the Nighthawk App is the only app that gets worse after each subsequent release. It only connects to my CAX80 once it a while and when it does its functionality is limited. The Speedtest fails misserably to connect and when it does, it does not display results. While the S21+ is connected to the 5Ghz radio, the app reports that it's connected to the 2.4GZ radio. The device list is never accurate or at least it always differs from the device list shown in the Web interface. Lately, I only use the Web interface to make changes or check the status of the router. I'm using the latest firmware release in my CAX80 and the latest version of the App. I avoid rebooting the CAX80 to try to fix issues as it sometimes looses its configuration when rebooted.

tamanaco I agree with you 100%!

Nighthawk App | NETGEAR Communities

20 Replies

plemans
Guru - Experienced User
Sep 22, 2021
I'm not a fan of the nighthawk or the orbi app. Seems like half the time it works, then it gets updated and breaks.

I prefer to just log in through the browser to manage the router/devices.
- Copejack
  Guide
  Sep 22, 2021
  Yes, I use a bowser as well and perform some tasks that way as well.
  However, from a end user perspective, I expect the Nighthawk app to function properly with minimal issues. Any feature you use inside app works, at best, 50% of the time. It struggles with page switching when using the app.
FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
Sep 22, 2021
Has A reset been performed?
- Copejack
  Guide
  Sep 22, 2021
  Yes, I have reset the router and extender several times.
  I believe that who ever built the Nighthawk app for Iphones, did not do a very good job.
  I think it is not a hardware issue with their products, but a software issue with the app.
  It is by far the worst app I have ever used.
  It seems like regardless of what you are doing inside the app, it struggles with page switching. It struggles to stay connected to router or extender. Most times, it loses connection all together and I can’t even login. I end up closing out the app and restart it again at least 3-4 times before It finally connects to router or extender again.
AmyAlexander
Tutor
Sep 25, 2021
I'm actually impressed you can open the app. I installed it and it just crashes. Over and over and over. Uninstalled and reinstalled. Same thing. Dozens of reviews of the app on GooglePlay calling it complete junk. I'm seriously considering returning the router.
- michaelkenward
  Guru - Experienced User
  Sep 26, 2021
  AmyAlexander wrote:
  
  I'm actually impressed you can open the app. I installed it and it just crashes.
  
  The latest version of the Android app seems to work on some devices but falls over on others. My Samsung crashes but a Huawei soldiers on.
  
  Is the Model: A7000|Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi USB Adapter - USB 3.0 listed in your footer involved in this in anyway? Or did you just click the first thing that popped up when you wrote your message?
  - AmyAlexander
    Tutor
    Sep 26, 2021
    Yes, but I'm not sure why you find that relevent when the discussion is about the app that is garbage.
Homeuser66
Guide
Sep 28, 2021
You're not alone! I have also had these same issues from day 1. When I talked to Netgear, they admitted they have issues with the app. They wanted to upload a firmware for my router that might fix the issues. I declined as it was brand new and I just finished hours or adding all my wifi devices and naming them on my network. Didn't want to start all over again. They told me I could do it later (in the future) but they declined to tell me it was only in the next 20 days! As far as loging in on the web, that also works once in a while for me. Website keeps telling me I need the Nighthawk app installed (yes, even in a Windows Environment) If I knew there was so many KNOWN issues with this app, I would never have bought it! Otherwise, this modem (CAX80) is great!

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Nighthawk App