EX7300 – AC2200 Nighthawk X4 WiFi Mesh Extender Optimal Setup with Virgin Media Hub 3.0

Hello,

After several trials/errors of different ways to configure my Netgear AC2200 WiFi Range Extender (EX7300) wity my Virgin Media Hub 3.0, I would like to share with you what worked best for me and my learnings throughout the process.

Virgin Media Hub 3.0 device information
Hardware version : 10
Software version : 9.1.1811.401

Netgear AC2200 WiFi Range Extender (EX7300)
Hardware Version: EX7300
Firmware Version: V1.0.2.144

1- The Extender should be placed at a location where the signal from the Wireless Source (in my case Virgin Media Hub 3.0) is not too weak such that connection breaks from time to time. It needs to at least as close that it receives at worst a medium signal.

2- If your priority is continuous connectivity and stability as in my case, you should make sure that your Extender connects to the Wireless Source in the 2.4Ghz range only, and that it also extends the signal in the 2.4Ghz only (no 5.0 Ghz anywhere). This setup is most stable. In my trials when I used the 5.0Ghz option, I have achieved faster connection speeds but the devices continuously lost connection as the range of 5Ghz is shorter. I strongly advise to leave 5Ghz connection outside your configuration if you don`t want headaches.

3- For the Virgin Media Hub 3.0, Disable Channel Optimization, Choose Channel 1, 6 or 11 whichever is less crowded in your flat, Choose Channel Width as 20 Mhz (no 20/40Mhz co-existence), choose Wireless Security as WPA2-PSK.

4- In setting up your EX7300, make sure you only enter the password for the 2.4Ghz signal of your Virgin Media Hub. Make sure it cant connect via 5.0Ghz signal. Also make sure that your EX7300 extends the signal only in 2.4Ghz. See screenshot attached.

5- Set up your EX7300 with following settings:

- Use a Static IP Address: I used 192.168.0.50 so that there is not constant change of IP between the router due to DHCP.

- Disable One Wifi Name

- Disable Smart Connect

- Disable 5Ghz channel on EX7300

- Disable 20/40 Mhz Coexistence

- Make sure the Network Name (SSID) is different than your original Virgin Media SSID. This is crucial as if you use "One Wifi" name, my experience is that the signals get confused and there are drop outs in connection.

By doing these I have been able to achive a stable connection with somewhat ok speed. I have 50Mbit Virgin connection and the furthest point in my flat is abount 22-24 meters apart. I placed the EX7300 at the hallway right in the middle between the router and the furthest room. I can achieve 10-15Mbit speed connection at the furthest room which is not great but still better than eveything else I tried.

Hope this is helpful.

Sarp