Need procedure to connect Linksys E2500 > EX5000 extender

[DGehman]

My Linksys E2500 dual band won't connect with the Netgear EX5000 extender using WPS. I've enabled WPS in the Linksys and it uses WPA/WPA2 security.  The Linksys won't connect to the extender either with the WPS button on the router or via the Linksys browser-based control app.

Product docs say to try to connect to the Netgear installation assisttant, by finding NETGEAR_EXT on my Win 10 64 pro computer but it's nowhere to be found. I can't find a place to download it, if it's an app.

Looks like a good extender, but will have to go back if I can't install or connect it to my router.

[plemans · Accepted solution]

They don't require new passwords. But I would try changing the ssid/password. 

Avoid using special characters or spaces as some (poorly coded ) devices have issues with those

[plemans]

You tried using wps? 

If so, factory reset the extender  and set it up using the installation assistant.

To factory reset, push and hold the reset button for 7-15 seconds while powered on. 

Here's a video of how to use the assistant. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJVklshxBMk

[DGehman]

It worked to the point where the extender is now seen. (The extended networks can be seen - [old network name]_2GEXT and [old network name]_5GEXT).

However, I can't get my wi-fi device (Amazon Echo Gen4) to connect.  It sees the new EXT networks. All 4 LEDS on the extender are green.

Maybe this is the issue? I simply carried over my non-ext (that is, the old) network password to both the new _2GEXT and _5GEXT extended networks. Do these new extended networks require new passwords?

[plemans · Accepted solution]

They don't require new passwords. But I would try changing the ssid/password. 

Avoid using special characters or spaces as some (poorly coded ) devices have issues with those

[DGehman]

plemans, many thanks for your help.

We are now up and running. Our far bedroom Amazon Echos are seeing a very strong wifi signal, where before, we were getting dropouts with a touch of off-into-the-ether.

My situation was not normal because the engineering workstation that's my main computer does not have wifi and thus no way to find or connect to the extender's built-in local network NETGEAR_EXT. The workstation connects to the wifi router via Ethernet and the NETGEAR_EXT didn't show in any understanding place on the router's dashboard. 

Very much appreciated.