A6210 not being detected and no led light

[koidave]

Hi, glad you got it working. It's a great powerful adapter, just shocking software and instructions.

[Glenn1951]

You are more than welcome!! I, through trial and error, got it working a few weeks back! I could not remember the "exact" steps I used.  Koidave on the other hand laid it out step by step on how to do it to rectify the problem, get the adapter working AND the Genie program to work PROPERLY! The Genie program isn't neccessary as you well know but I, personally, like having it to see what's transpiring under the hood!

I, for the life of me, CAN NOT understand what's taking Netgear so long to post a solution?? Between Koidave and I, we did their job and using his step by step instructions will have everyone up and running! I firmly believe I have the solution to this nightmare and it IS NOT a Win 10 problem. To me, I'd go to court to aver it, the problem lies in their, Netgears, program and is a very simple matter of changing the line to read from a 9050 to 9053 OR make it check for either/ both 9050 or 9053 and install the CORRECT program???

Again thanks and you're welcome but koidave deserves 99.99% of the praise for his step by step remedy!

Me, I only pointed out the problem(?) in their program!!

P.S. you really didn't have to update the driver from MediaTek to the Netgear A6210 driver. If you had looked closely in the Device Manager at the driver properties before and afer you updated, you would have noticed that they were one and the same, date and all! I did and in fact somehow I got myself switched back to the MediaTek driver and have blinding speeds! Either one works "FANTASTICLY"!! Again koidave is the man!! I give credit where credit is due!!

[Glenn1951]

See my post below yours to terrimaree! How simple if they copied "your solution" verbatim to their download page! One heck of a lot of headaches over this would vanish!

[Catt62]

Glad you all got yours working I tried this solution again today and still got nothing the adapter is listed but only the 2.4 connections show up as available.

[Glenn1951]

First let me state that I'm NO geek, guru, or IT specialist!

First off the 2.4GHz and 5GHZ are refering to your routers transmit frequency(s)/ protocols (see below) and the A6210's duel band, receiving frequency(s)/ protocols. Did a little test and there is a big difference in speeds!! Wow, I was surprised to say the least!

On the 5GHZ band my download speeds averaged approx. 172 Mbps and up loads around 12 Mbps. Using the 2.4 GHZ connection averaged around 70 Mbps down and 12 Mbps up. the uploads were about the same. Downloads were where the BIG, BIG difference came in. Needless to say I reverted back to the 5GHz band!

On their spec page I also noticed the following protocols for the different frequencies:

• IEEE® 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz
• IEEE 802.11 a/n/ac 5.0GHz

 You'll have to see what your device manger shows for your setup.

Does your router, either your own personal or what you're leasing/ renting from your provider support 5GHz?? My router from Comcast supports both! If your router only has 2.4 GHz capabilities then that is all you'll see unless you can tap into your neighbors! LOL!

When I right click on my wifi icon (task bar) and it opens, it shows 2 addresses/ names for my home router setup. One is the router name plus 2.4, the other is router name plus 5. Click on it maybe, if your router supports 5 GHZ maybe you can select to connect to the 5GHz! They are exactly the same name except for the 2.4 or 5. "IF" it does support 5 GHz maybe click the network adapter in Device Manager and tell it to update the driver!

Also note their disclaimer copied from their web page:

Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE standard 802.11 specifications. Actual data throughput and wireless coverage will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network tra°c, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate and wireless coverage. NETGEAR makes no express or implied representations or warranties about this product’s compatibility with any future standards.

Like I stated I'm no geek nor am I the moderator who seems to be missing in action here of late!! I hope this helps as it is the best I can do. I tried! Sorry if I wasn't any help. If your router is only capable of the 2.4 GHZ band then that is what you're stuck with.

[koidave]

Let's call it a joint effort. Maybe we apply to work as a solutions team for net gear. ...😂

[Glenn1951]

Might as well as it seems nobody else seems to care!! Where's the moderator?? Where's the programing team??? Hello? (crickets). Well, we'll help if "WE" can. Man, talk about a P.T. Barnum experience!!

I went back up to the top and this forum/ discussion is STILL under the blanket heading of "SOLVED"! What the hey?? "IF" it's solved "what are there still people posting"????

That's why nothing is being done! They think it's over, done, solved! What a boat load of moron!

[pdtommy]

Well after my son spending 2-3 hrs and myself the same time yesterday trying to get this damn thing working, fingers crossed your solution will do the trick. I did the standalone download about 15 times and it eventually detected it completed the download installed and then dropped out. Everytime I rebooted the computer it would be detected for a very short time and then drop out.

Fingers crossed for tonight.

Thanks in advance.

[pdtommy]

You ripper, success thanks guys. It took two attempts but got there in the end. About 10mins after connected an upgrade actually popped up, so installed and still works.

Thanks Guys

[pdtommy]

Thank you Koidave

[koidave]

No problem, glad you got it working.

Cheers

[Glenn1951]

Just glad that we, koidave and I, could be of assistance! I still want to know where, oh where are ANY moderators, programers, or someone that can make decisions for Netgear so that this nagging problem can be cleared up "Once and for ALL"??

Crickets, crickets and even more crickets! Hello? Anybody home??

"This bloody well SHOULD be handled by NetGear itself"!!   Not, repeat NOT have to be solved by 2 other users/ owners!!

Hopefully koidaves set by step post will help countless others!

[pdtommy]

Yes glenn, Very poor support by Netgear. We are still experiencing some drop out problems and some times on start up it takes awhile to connect. So still not 100% happy.

It is definely conflict issue with Windows 10

[terrimaree]

I think if we want Netgear Support, we need to use support directly and bypass the forums, but sometimes that's such a pain because they ask you tons of things even already been through. Maybe we should all contact them and tell them the problem...and what works. Tell them to fix their issue with the install....

[Glenn1951]

I think I'd uninstall the whole thing and use some sort of registry cleaner plus do a search for ANY instances of the "uninstalled" Netgear program. In a lot of instances the uninstall program does a MISERABLE job of uninstalling! This isn't just a Netgear issue.

Delete any and all files relating to Netgear. I found out long ago Windows is a little lax in installing and other programs very, very lax in UNinstalling themselves!!. If Win sees the file name it will skip over the install of that file. Now sometimes it will ask if you want to "overwrite" the file but not always. Ergo if the file is corrupt, it will still be corrupt if Win does not overwrite it!

I've uninstalled something and still found remnants in both the registry and program files.

Maybe I'm just lucky in that I haven't experienced much of the problems your having since getting it installed. It seems for whatever reason it is ONLY an issue after people have done the Anniversary update to Win 10!

Another thing I read/ found and I don't recall if you and I believe your son are running desktops or laptops but it "should" stop the drop out problem(s). If laptops it may eat a little more battery power, so you'll have to monitor it!

#1) In your taskbar lower right, right click on your Wi-Fi icon and then click on  Open Network and Sharing Center.

#2) On that page next to connections right click on your connection and it should open a page called Wi-Fi status.

#3) on this page click on proprties lower left and you should see a page called Wi-Fi properties.

#4) on this page select the configure box, this should show ALL the properties of the Netgear card.

#5) go to and click on the power management tab. On this page I've unchecked/ deselected the "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power"! I believe it's selected by default?

I'm guessing you're getting a lot of "Netgear connecting to internet messages"?? I don't know what the time out to save power setting is but I used to get those messages quite often. Since I unchecked the box, no more! I stay connected, no nag messages! Also make sure in the connections the "connect automatically when in range" is selected!

***************

I'd do the steps 1 through 5 BEFORE doing a uninstall. It's a whole lot simpler than the other way!

GOOD LUCK!! Hopefully it cures your problem(s)!

[koidave]

Excellent advice Glenn1951. That should hopefully get it working.

[Glenn1951]

It looks like it's you and I STILL doing the Netgears job! I, like you, do not mind helping others out BUT like I and I believe you also stated; "Where are the REPRESENTATIVES of Netgear"??

I can NOT believe NO ONE from Netgear monitors these forums! What the hey, over!!

[pdtommy]

Well unfortunately I'm still having issues. I have contacted Netgear support to see what they can do. Sometimes on start up it connects other times adapter cant be detected and other times it was connected until the computer starts and then disconnects and then cant be found. After several start ups, driver reloads, it eventually starts.The Genie though has never succesfully found the Adapter.. When it is working it seems awesome, great range and speed. Just evey time you turn the computer on it takes an hour to get it working.

I will keep you posted on Netgars feedback.

By the way I downloaded latest  driver from Netgear site and reloaded after uninstall, I changed power managment for USB root hub, still having issues

Cheers

Pete

[Glenn1951]

Just out of dumb curiousity are you having trouble with both computers or just one?? I think, if I remember correctly it was two, yours and your sons(?) initially. If his works and yours doesn't try your adapter on his. It is not out of the realm of possibility that your adapter could be defective hence the on again off again or I think you would have tried different USB ports! Could be a bad port or contact in the port. I know mine came with an extension cable, try using it WITHOUT the extension!! The cable could be at fault!!  I'm sorry to say I'm grasping at straws here and running out of ideas other than to go back and redo koidaves step by step install.

I'm glad someone FINALLY got some help from support!! Genie, even on mine, since the Anniversary update NEVER worked from the download page driver update. That is why to get it to work one had to do the stand-alone Genie download, even now it doesn't show the A6210 adapter!

At this point of the game, I'd give Netgear support the benefit of the doubt for a bit. If all else fails I think I'd do a COMPLETE uninstall of their program, DELETING ALL references of Netgear, do a search on Netgear to make doublely sure there isn't some Netgear file/ folder still there on your computer and do a complete virgin install following koidaves advice.

I don't know how familiar you are dealing with the registry so I won't go there as you could REALLY mess things up there!

I'd keep an eye on the Device Manager/ Network Adapter tab also. On mine it shows 802.11ac Wireless LAN CARD. When it dies or can't locate the adapter from boot on your computer, see what if anything is showing up for the Network adapter. That "SHOULD" tell you if Win is seeing your adapter or not.

All I can say is good luck! I wish I had some other tips or tricks for you to try but my well ran dry and I'm stymied. Sorry!

[koidave]

Hi pdtommy,

I have just recently installed another one of these on my friends pc (I know, a glutton for punishment, but they are quick once they work), and it would not work at all. The window 10 PC couldn't or wouldn't see it. In the end it was simple. The cable thagt came with it was dodgy. I removed the extension cable, removed all the netgear software, reinstalled, plugeed in and voila, it worked firsat time and has been fine ever since.

You could also make sure that you have all the updates installed for windows 10 as the latest one fixed a few wifi issues, I know this as I spent 6 hours at my dad's house fixing his virgin super hub 2 after virgin told me about the Windows 10 issue.

I have actually ordered one for my son's new PC that we have bought him for Christmas, so that a Christmas day to look forward too.

I hope this helps. if not let me know and Ill dig deep to think of something else.

Thanks again.

[pdtommy]

Hi Glenn,

I have a second computer running Windows 7 that I have twice plugged the adapter in and it has instantly connected.

I have tried all possible 8 USB ports, and all with and without the extension cable/docking station. (Which I think is quite a good idea.)

Netgear support is currently asking all the questions in establishing issue, so will keep you posted.

As much as I would like to delete all references to Netgear in registry files I also have a Netgear Modem /Router which I would like to keep at this stage till NBN connected.And, yes not that confident to muck around too much in registry files. (I dabble) 

I have done a full Uninstall which seemed to be succesful. And reinstalls from Disc, Online and also a downloaded version for Netgear website onto a Flash drive.

Yes, mine also shows the 802.11ac Wireless LAN CARD when the Adapter is not working, and cant find the adapter software when you try and update the driver. So I turn off the computer and after a couple of on/offs it works.

I have put all my hammers in a locked tool box for short term protection.... haha

[pdtommy]

Hi Koidave,

Its funny as the other night, after uninstalling and reinstalling I got it working. After a couple of power on and offs it still worked, I thought you ripper. Sadly last night it didnt work(Adapter not found).

I will check Windows 10 Updates are up to date. We are running Nortons protection so I turned their Firewall off as well. Hopefully the "Good" people at Netgear will resolve my issue soon. Other wise the toolbox will be unlocked and that little adapter will live no more.

[Glenn1951]

All I can say is "I'm out of suggestions"! Good luck and keep the toolbox locked! LOL! I did see koidave replied back to you about the Win updates and that one of the latest did have some fixes for WiFi issues and he also had problems with the cable being, as he called it, dodgy! After hearing that and with all the problems you've been having I think the cable should be put in the toolbox with the hammer NEVER to be used again unless it is really needed!

In your reply back to koidave I saw that you're running Norton software. I too am running their software, Norton Security Suite to be exact. I don't remember if I disabled it or not when installing the Netgear software but I do know that it (NSS) is FULLY functional at present and is not causing me any problems with the adapter! Call me cheap but I get it for free via Comcast cable, phone and internet.

As a side note for both you and koidave. Would you believe they had the AUDACITY to send me a survey asking how I liked Netgear?? They asked if i'd be interested in some other product and I said NO. If the answer was no they asked for a brief explanation as to why.

I STATED "LOUSY" AFTER PURCHASE SUPPORT!!! Lets see how they like that one!! LOL!

Also I saw on either ZDnet or Cnet that there was a big todo over one their router(s). I don't recall as my router is from ComCast so it didn't really stick with me. I don't recall if it was over security issues or working issues.

Today was Win 10 update, actually yesterday, but there is/ was according to ZDNet a big patch about some computers not being able to connect to the internet!

Good luck, hopefully you'll get it working first time, every time!!

[pdtommy]

Well, I have finally had the problem found. It has taken a good week and finally had terrific support from Netgear support. The problem is that the A6200 will not work with Windows 10 that has been upgraded from Windows 7. So until windows come up with a fix its a no go.. New windows 10 version should be no problem, but if there is a problem Netgear have a trial driver that when contacted they will forward you the link to update. The issue is the Auto WLAn config command keeps stopping and wont restart(i think thats right) USB adapter works fine on Windows 7 with packaged driver and works well on wifes laptop (win 10) with the Trial driver.

So I have ran a new phone line to computer and hard wired to network, I do have the WIn7 computer I can use the adapter on so not all lost. This last week has proved to be a painful week coupled with the USB issues I had NBN connected on Monday but not actually working till thursday, lousy computers!!! Lucky that hammer was locked away.

Merry Christmas everyone

[Glenn1951]

You'll have to forgive me as I'm not 100% sure but I think the computer I'm responding to you on was a Win 7 that was upgraded to Win 10! I think Netgear is blowing smoke up your butt!! Not to mention that just about everyone that had problems had Win 10 and the A6210 stopped working AFTER the Win 10 Anniversary update! Seems you have a more direct contact with them so PLEASE ask them why the following occurs! They wish to push it off on MS and I DO NOT BELIEVE IT'S MS's problem!

If you talk to them again ask them why the following occurs:

I firmly believe I have the solution to this nightmare and it IS NOT a Win 10 problem. To me, I'd go to court to aver it, the problem lies in their, Netgears, program and is a very simple matter of changing the line to read from a 9050 to 9053 OR make it check for either/ both 9050 or 9053 and install the CORRECT program???

If I do a file explorer I find the NetGear file/ folder under Programs Files(86) and see the installed program, numerous files so I "assume" it loaded the program but couldn't find the device. In it,  it shows [RT3070] DeviceID_1=USB\VID_0846&PID_9053

I then went and found/ opened the NetGearInstallLog.txt

Scrolling through it I keep seeing this in the install log report;

RetrieveHWID(): USB\VID_0846&PID_9050 hardware information is not retrieved.
RetrieveHWID() finished.
Device not found.
CheckDeviceExist() finished
RemoveInfFiles(): started. szParam=USB\VID_0846&PID_9050
Install completed successfully at 10-25-2016 15:00:39.

To me it appears their asinine install programs DOES NOT know what it's looking for! Like I said, I'm 98% sure this machine was upgraded from Win 7 To 10 and I have it working using koidaves step by step fix!! Why does it seem this SNAFU only occurs AFTER the Win 10 Anniversary Update???

Sorry but I think/ FIRMLY BELIEVE THEY'RE BLOWING SMOKE UP YOUR BUTT! NOT TO MENTION they SHOULD have been on this WAY, WAY, WAY earlier than this!

TO ME THIS IS NOT A WINDOWS PROBLEM, NETGEAR IS TO FREAKING LAZY TO FIND THE PROBLEM WITH THEIR INSTALL PROGRAM!! Sorry for shouting at you but it pisses me off that they now lay the problem on MS's doorstep and wash their hands of it yet AGAIN! Believe me I'm NO super duper MS Windows Butt Kisser, in fact on either ZDNet or Cnet my moniker is  "Disgruntled MS user"! So I'm NOT sleeping with them and get 0(ZERO) compensation/ rewards from them for sticking up for them! NETGEAR blew it and passing the buck! Ask them for me how soon the supposed fix?? When the come out with a A6220??

I went and checked the install log AGAIN, this morning, in the ProgramData/NETGEAR/NetgearInstallLog.txt and it states it's looking for a ***9050 device yet under Program Files(X86)/NETGEAR/A6210/NetgearSwitchUSB.ini  It's (A6210) being reported as a DeviceID_1=USB\VID_0846&PID_9053

It further states in the install log that since it CAN NOT find device equals ***9050 "Install STOPS and files removed!!!

How in the name of God and all that is Holy does this become a MS Win 10 problem????

If you have a more expediant way to contact these twits forward the above info and maybe they can fix their install programs in under 10 minutes with a programer that's worth their salt!! Win 10 problem my BUTT! "IF" their program CAN find the device the install SHOULD CONTINUE!

Sorry if I seem a little peeved but I really, really hate it when the buck gets passed when it IMHO should have stopped in THEIR LAP! If you contact them again PLEASE forward/ pass along this reply! I'd love to see them pooh pooh/ respond to "FACTS"!

IMHO THEY CAN NOT BLAME MS FOR THIS! If you contact them again, however your conversing with them, pass along the above FACTS!