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Duaneomatt's avatar
Duaneomatt
Follower
Jul 24, 2026

CAX80- Login/firmware/smartconnect

To whom this may concern:

 

      I have a few issues that I could use assistance with.


  1. I wanted to login in to my router...I got past the UN/PW page, then, entered my serial number.  I got to the page that asked for my answers to my sercurity questions:  Nothing worked?  How do I get around this?
  2. I want to update my firmware?  How?
  3. How do I disable smarconnect?  I have a few things in my house that will only connect to the 2.4ghz band, and not the 5ghz?  


    Any help is appreciated!


    Thank you,

Duane

cax80

2 Replies

  • HappyCat's avatar
    HappyCat
    Apprentice
    Jul 24, 2026

    I got caught in this trap once myself.  Somehow.... (???) I managed to configure the system and did not actually "pull down" the security question choices and deliberately select which to use.

    As FURRYe38​ indicated, when Password Recovery does not work, then the only recourse is to perform that Factory Reset and configure the system from scratch.  (This time, being very deliberate when the recovery section comes along.)

     

    Duaneomatt wrote:

    I have a few things in my house that will only connect to the 2.4ghz band, and not the 5ghz?

    This statement is a bit ambiguous.

    • Are there devices which are capable of using both 2.4G and 5G WiFi, but fail to connect to 5G?
      or
    • Are there devices which are capable of using only 2.4G WiFi?
      If this is the case, Smart Connect is not relevant.  A 2.4G only device simply cannot detect or connect to 5G.  (nor to AM/FM radio, police radar, color television.....  When there is no hardware for 5G, there is NO 5G)

     

  • FURRYe38's avatar
    FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User
    Jul 24, 2026

    Factory reset the gatway and setup from scratch using a ethernet PC and web browser: 

    https://kb.netgear.com/22697/How-do-I-install-my-NETGEAR-router-using-the-router-web-interface

    Press the reset button in back for 15 seconds then release. 

    Access the setup web page at 192.168.1.1

     

    https://kb.netgear.com/23960/How-do-I-manually-update-the-firmware-on-my-NETGEAR-router

     

    One the Gateways web page, you can disable Smart Connect under Basic/Wireles Settings. There will be a check box to uncheck.