AC1750 unable to do anything but power on

Got this as a gift and so far have not been able to do much else aside from plug it in and get solid power light.  I have the app downloaded, and cannot connect via app or laptop to NETGEAR_EXT to move to next step in set up.  We were so excited to get the extender and make wifi in the loft more user friendly for video and game connections.  However, that has not been the case at all.  I am hoping that there is some brilliant idea or step that I am missing to help expedite this process.