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Netgear nighthawk connected to router...or is it ?

ThatBloke
Tutor

Netgear nighthawk connected to router...or is it ?

 

 

Model EX6410 ..had to type it here as its not listed in the above

 

I've followed everything to the book and getting no joy in getting any connection

Extender> Power outlet

Waits for power LED to go green.

 

Tried both methods

With Nighthawk app

Installed said app on phone only to be continuously get the error message im not connected to any network.

Now is the phone supposed to be up the extender via the wifi even though the Netgear isnt connect to the internet ?

If it is well my phone does not pick up NETGEAR_EXT no matter how many times ive tried

 

Connect with WPS

Pressed the WPS button on the Extender. WPS LED blinks

I then press the WPS button on my router

Extender LED is green...Router LED wifi light is also green

So according to the manual all fine and dandy . i have a connection....

Pick up my phone, do a WIFI scan and all I can see and pick up is the original router. no NETGEAR_EXT showing whatsoever

 

Any advice please ?

 

 

Message 1 of 13
plemans
Guru

Re: Netgear nighthawk connected to router...or is it ?

that extender is a mesh extender. Meaning it uses the same ssid as the router and devices roam between it and the router as needed. 

It defaults sets up that way if you use wps or use the installation assistant. 

EX6410 | AC1900 WiFi Range Extender | NETGEAR Support

 

you can log into your router and check your attached devices page (or equivelent). It should list the extender and its ip address. You can use that IP address to access the extender. 

Message 2 of 13
ThatBloke
Tutor

Re: Netgear nighthawk connected to router...or is it ?

What I am connected to is something called VM3687074. That is the name of my router .

Ive just unplugged the Extender and i had a brief disconnection then re-connected to the same Signal

Are you saying the extendere carries the same name ? If so how would you know what you are connected to? The Extender or the router itself ?

 

Message 3 of 13
plemans
Guru

Re: Netgear nighthawk connected to router...or is it ?

to know which you're connected to, you'd either need to log into the router or the extender and they show you connected devices. 

 

Message 4 of 13
ThatBloke
Tutor

Re: Netgear nighthawk connected to router...or is it ?

I don't follow. In order to see what im connected to i only need to look on wifi connection on my phone or any other device.

Its looking clear Ive bought a lemon because this thing does not work.

As you can see in my screen shot all lights are showing green. Yet on my phone the only connection on offer is the original router name.

I followed all instructions even looking on Youtube.

 

Message 5 of 13
plemans
Guru

Re: Netgear nighthawk connected to router...or is it ?

You're not understanding. 

Because its a mesh extender, it sets up using the same ssid as the router. it won't show as a seperate network under a standard wireless scan. Thats the whole purpose of a mesh extender or mesh network. 

It relies on your devices to roam between the router and the extender as needed. 

Because of this, to tell if you're connected to the router or the extender, you can log into the router/extender and check their attached devices list. 

 

If you don't like that, you can disable "one ssid" which is the mesh feature. 

How do I enable or disable One WiFi Name on my Nighthawk Mesh WiFi Range Extender? | Answer | NETGEA...

 

Misunderstanding how something functions doesn't make it a lemon.

It still works as an extender but its supposed to be a seamless device and not something you have to go into your phone/tablet to change networks. 

Message 6 of 13
ThatBloke
Tutor

Re: Netgear nighthawk connected to router...or is it ?

Ok fair enough but this where im being thrown.

On two "help" videos the user actually looks for a wifi connection that had their router name with EXT on the end.

Also on the nighthawk app it tells you to look for the extender network called NETGEAR_EXT

So that instantly tells me it would be showing on wifi connections list

Easily to misunderstand but then its easy to be when you have that instruction in the manual

 

I have now plugged in the Extender in another room. Several in fact . Connection no different . Sparodic to very weak.

Sadly its not doing what I expected. Best to look at other alternatives

But thank you for taking the time out to advise

 

 

Message 7 of 13
plemans
Guru

Re: Netgear nighthawk connected to router...or is it ?

Try this. 

Factory reset the extender. Push and hold reset for 7-15 seconds while its powered on.

That should get you back to the _ext setup. Connect to that and set it up using that method. 

During setup, don't use the one ssid feature or the smart connect feature (combines the 2.4ghz and 5ghz into one ssid). 

Then you can test speeds on the extenders 2.4ghz and the 5ghz to compare speeds

5ghz is much faster than 2.4ghz but doesn't broadcast as far. 

 

if you have it setup in mesh mode, it uses the same ssid as the router and it combines the 2.4ghz and 5ghz. It then steers devices between the 2.4ghz and the 5ghz as needed. And as I said, 2.4ghz is slow. Its also sensitive to interference. So it'll make the extender seem slow if your devices are on the 2.4ghz. 

 

One other thing to keep in mind with all (not just netgear) single/dual band extenders. They drop speeds 50% of what the extender is getting. Reason this happens is they have to use the same chip to go router---->extender and then extender----->device. And they don't fuction at the same time. So they run at half the speed of the routers connection.  This is the same for all single/dual band. The tribands dedicate a chip just for router--->extender communication so have higher throughput and lower speeds. 

Message 8 of 13
ThatBloke
Tutor

Re: Netgear nighthawk connected to router...or is it ?

But that is what I've been doing. Constantly factory resetting before making an attempt to connect

You say "don't use the one ssid feature or the smart connect feature".

I can only see two methods. The WPS method which if it is connected has no improvement to signal or via the app that tells there is no internet connection and too go to settings and look for Netgear_EXT (which you say doesnt exist)

That said the latter did finally give me info that I had a collection and upon moving the Extender downstairs the signal became weak.

Then ontop of that i get logged off the app and being to told to sign back in which seems to keep giving me the an error message "logon timed out" within one second of attempt.

 

 

Message 9 of 13
ThatBloke
Tutor

Re: Netgear nighthawk connected to router...or is it ?

Now get this. After attempt No.2352 NETGEAR_EXE flashed up on the list of available networks...then disappeared 2 seconds later

 

Message 10 of 13
plemans
Guru

Re: Netgear nighthawk connected to router...or is it ?

what router is it connecting to? 

Message 11 of 13
ThatBloke
Tutor

Re: Netgear nighthawk connected to router...or is it ?

Message 12 of 13
plemans
Guru

Re: Netgear nighthawk connected to router...or is it ?

Message 13 of 13
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