Hi,I currently have my Netgear Ex6120 setup in AP mode via ethernet cable running directly from my router with a Cat6 cable. My Internet speeds via the router are around 360Mbps which is what I am currently paying for however the speeds from the Netgear booster is around 50Mbps.If I select the Extender into WPS mode to run off the WiFi, the speeds are much better around 150Mbps. Am I doing something wrong when having my booster hardwired directly to my router?Thank you

makes me suspect hardware failure in the EX6120. I'd check the ethernet jack in the ex6120 to see if any pins are bent/broken. If its within its 1 year warranty (longer in some areas), you could open a support case.

Chris9393 wrote:Again, if I plug a device directly into the socket via ethernet cable I get full speeds but as soon as I set up the EX6120 as an access point via ethernet the max speed is around 40-50mbs. Are we really talking about the EX6120? This is an ageing (2015) device. (Does Netgear still sell them?) The specifications aren't great. (I looked at the manual.) For example, Ethernet is limited to 100BASE-TX. And that's top whack for the specifications. Real life probably won't get near that. It certainly won't get 100 Mbps. This is why your router is showing a 100 Mbps link. IThe router is just reflecting the extender's Ethernet specifications. So your wired connection with the EX6120 is slower than your 360 Mbps Internet service. The wifi through that repeater may be faster internally, on your local network, but it won't beat that for an Internet connection in AP mode. Seems like time to buy something designed for the speed of your Internet service.

When you're testing in AP mode, are you testing on 5ghz or 2.4gh? 2.4ghz is much much slower. Have you tried testing the cable that's connected to the EX6120 to ensure the cable supports full speeds?

This is from running on the 5GHz connection. I hadn't actually thought about trying another cable, albeit I don't have one spare as they were provided by the electrician when we had our house rewired and installed the etherenet sockets.I've just ordered 2 Cat6 cables and will give them a try tomorrow

Just an update, I've replaced both cables WITH Cat6 and still getting the same speeds around 40-50Mmbps. If I plug my laptop or computer directly into the ethernet wall socket I get my full speeds so it is definitely the booster holding it back.What I have noticed is that on Netgear 7800 router, the connection flashes orange when it's connecting into the Ex6120. If I remove the ethernet cable and plug it directly into a computer or laptop it goes white.

Netgear Ex6120 AP Mode Speed | NETGEAR Communities

24 Replies

plemans
Guru - Experienced User
Jan 20, 2021
When you're testing in AP mode, are you testing on 5ghz or 2.4gh?
2.4ghz is much much slower.

Have you tried testing the cable that's connected to the EX6120 to ensure the cable supports full speeds?
- Chris9393
  Tutor
  Jan 20, 2021
  This is from running on the 5GHz connection. I hadn't actually thought about trying another cable, albeit I don't have one spare as they were provided by the electrician when we had our house rewired and installed the etherenet sockets.
  
  I've just ordered 2 Cat6 cables and will give them a try tomorrow
  - Chris9393
    Tutor
    Jan 21, 2021
    Just an update, I've replaced both cables WITH Cat6 and still getting the same speeds around 40-50Mmbps. If I plug my laptop or computer directly into the ethernet wall socket I get my full speeds so it is definitely the booster holding it back.
    
    What I have noticed is that on Netgear 7800 router, the connection flashes orange when it's connecting into the Ex6120. If I remove the ethernet cable and plug it directly into a computer or laptop it goes white.

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Netgear Ex6120 AP Mode Speed