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Carl-C's avatar
Carl-C
Guide
Sep 05, 2022

Router Connection to Extenders Going Crazy...

I have the RAX80 Nighthawk Router, and I have some AX1800 WiFi Mesh Extender (EAX15) units connected to it.  When I log into my Nighthawk app this evening to try to fix connectivity problems, I see that the network map now shows the router connected to an EX8000 extender.  I do not have (nor have I ever had) the EX8000 extender.  All the connectivity lights on my EAX15 extender units are green, but the network map in the app still shows an EX800 unit connected to the RAX80 router.  I can't get my mobile devices to connect to the wifi network, and I'm wondering if this is related...  I have rebooted the RAX80 router, and the issue persists...  Any thoughts on my situation?

8 Replies

  • michaelkenward's avatar
    michaelkenward
    Guru - Experienced User
    Sep 06, 2022
    Carl-C wrote:

     

    When I log into my Nighthawk app this evening to try to fix connectivity problems, I see that the network map now shows the router connected to an EX8000 extender. 

    Apps are not 100 per cent reliable when it comes to reporting what they find.

     

    I can't get my mobile devices to connect to the wifi network, and I'm wondering if this is related...  I have rebooted the RAX80 router, and the issue persists...  Any thoughts on my situation?

    I'd troubleshoot that. Has this behaviour just started?

     

    Unfortunately, "can't connect" provides few diagnostic clues. What happens when you try? Have you true the usual "forget this connection" trick with the wifi clients?

     

    While many questions about routers are generic and could be answered anywhere, some things need specialist knowledge.

    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:

    WiFi Range Extenders & Nighthawk Mesh - NETGEAR Communities

    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.

    You may have done this already. I can't tell from your message.

    I mention it because Netgear stopped supplying printed manuals and CD versions some years ago and people sometimes miss the downloads.

    • Carl-C's avatar
      Carl-C
      Guide
      Sep 06, 2022

      Thanks for the reply, Michael.  This problem just started this weekend.  When I say unable to connect, the situation was that the mobile devices could "see" the network, but could not establish a connection - they just sat there with the spinning icon next to the network name...  A couple times I did get a connection, but then it said "no internet" which was strange since all my wired devices had active internet connections.  I "rebooted" each of the extender units (unplug, wait, replug), and at least the network map now showed them as EAX15's.  I will check again the situation later today, and update the discussion thread here.  I did not try the "forget network" idea, but I will do so if there is still an issue.

      • michaelkenward's avatar
        michaelkenward
        Guru - Experienced User
        Sep 06, 2022
        Carl-C wrote:

        I "rebooted" each of the extender units (unplug, wait, replug), and at least the network map now showed them as EAX15's. 

         

        When you do that, start at the beginning. Restart the whole network in the right order:

         

        Be sure to restart your network in this sequence:

        • Turn off and unplug modem.
        • Turn off router and computers.
        • Plug in and turn on modem. Wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
        • Turn on the router and wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
        • Turn on your satellites one at a time
        • Turn on computers and rest of network.