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Forum Discussion
Network changed from secure to open
I suddenly lost my secure Netgear Wi-Fi connection and can only connect to an “open” Netgear network now. How do I restore my previous secure connection? Or do I need to set up an entirely new connect...
KayeV wrote:
I suddenly lost my secure Netgear Wi-Fi connection and can only connect to an “open” Netgear network now.
Where is this "open" network? Something in Windows? Which version?
My router model is a RangeMax Next Wireless-N WNR834B v2
That is an ancient (2007) device. It has slow WAN and LAN ports and does not deliver 5 GHz wifi.
Its support for 2.4 GHz may not be secure enough to satisfy whatever wifi clients you are using.
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:
SMART Wi-Fi, General and Legacy Routers - NETGEAR Communities
You might like to search there for messages related to your problem.
I will ask the Netgear moderator to move your message.
In the meantime you could visit the support pages:
Support | NETGEAR
Feed in your model number and check the documentation for your hardware. Look at the label on the device for the model number.
Check for various troubleshooting tips.
An immediate first move would be to reset the router and set it up from scratch.
How do I perform a factory reset on my NETGEAR router? | Answer | NETGEAR Support
Thank you so much for your reply. It just occurred to me that my ISP, Comcast, upgraded their Xfinity network in my area last week and that might explain what happened?
Anyway, yes - my router is ancient and needs to be replaced. I’ll take a look at what NetGear offers and order one right away. Are there any models you’d recommend for basic household use? 🙂
To answer your question, I have Windows 10. I’m not on my PC at the moment - I’m on my iPhone.
Thanks again for the info!
Anyway, yes - my router is ancient and needs to be replaced. I’ll take a look at what NetGear offers and order one right away. Are there any models you’d recommend for basic household use? 🙂
To answer your question, I have Windows 10. I’m not on my PC at the moment - I’m on my iPhone.
Thanks again for the info!
KayeV wrote:
Thank you so much for your reply. It just occurred to me that my ISP, Comcast, upgraded their Xfinity network in my area last week and that might explain what happened?Very much so.
Your 15-years old router is almost certainly several generations behind the technology that Comcast/Xfinity now uses.
Did they provide you with a new modem? What was it? Sometimes they provide modem routers.
You could also look for a router that appears on some sort of list of compatible devices with Xfinity.
- Quick update: I just ordered a new router - the NetGear AC1200. Once I get it installed it should make a big difference. 🙂
KayeV wrote:
Quick update: I just ordered a new router - the NetGear AC1200.That is not a Netgear model number.
Many devices come with an AC tag, but it is essentially a label that Netgear, and other brands, attach to hardware to describe wifi speeds.
It may not matter to you, but AC1200 is an old wifi technology.
AC devices first appeared around a decade ago. There have been three or four generations of wifi technology since then. Newer routers will have "AX" wifi.
But AC is certainly newer than Wireless-N.