Netgear Ex7300 Nighthawk X4 Wifi Range Extender User Manual

							350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134 
USAApril 2016
202-11577-01
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range 
Extender
Model EX7300
User Manual 
						

							 
2 Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 
Support
Thank you for purchasing this NETGEAR product. You can visit www.netgear.com/support to register your product, get help, access the latest downloads and user manuals, and join our community. We recommend that you use only official NETGEAR 
support resources.
Contact your Internet service provider for technical support.
Conformity
For the current EU Declaration of Conformity, visit http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/11621.
Compliance
For regulatory compliance information, visit http://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory.
See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.
Trademarks
© NETGEAR, Inc., NETGEAR and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. Any non-NETGEAR trademarks are 
used for reference purposes only. 
						

							 
3  Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender
Contents
Chapter 1 Get to Know Your Extender
Front Panel and Side Panel LEDs and Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
When to Use Your Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
Support for the 802.11ac Networking Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
Chapter 2 Get Started
Use the Extender in Extender Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
Place the Extender and Apply Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
Use the Extender in Access Point Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
Access Extender Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
Run Smart Setup  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
Chapter 3 Extender Network Settings
View Connected Devices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
Boost Your Video Streaming With FastLane Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
View WiFi Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
Change the WiFi Network Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
Turn Off the SSID Broadcast to Create a Hidden Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
Disable or Enable the WiFi Radios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
Change the WiFi Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
Use WPS With the Push Button Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
Use WPS With the PIN Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
Deny Access to a Computer or WiFi Device  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
Set Up an Access Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
Change the Extender’s Device Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
Set Up the Extender to Use a Static IP Address  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
Use the Extender With MAC Filtering or Access Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
Chapter 4 Monitor and Maintain the Extender
Change the Extender User Name and Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
Turn Password Protection Off and On  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
Recover a Forgotten User Name or Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
Automatically Adjust for Daylight Saving Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
Manually Set the Extender Clock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
Back Up and Manage the Extender Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37
Back Up the Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37
Restore the Configuration Settings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  38
Return the Extender to Its Factory Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39
Use the Factory Reset Button to Restore Factory Settings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39 
						

							 
4 Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 
Erase the Settings and Return to Factory Settings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39
Update the Firmware  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
Restart the Extender Remotely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  41
Chapter 5 FAQs and Troubleshooting
FAQs  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Cannot Connect to the Extender  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  45
Cannot Join a WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  45
Appendix A Supplemental Information
Factory Default Settings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
Technical Specifications  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47 
						

							5
1
1.   Get to Know Your Extender
The Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender boosts your existing network range and speed, 
delivering dual-band WiFi. You can also use the extender in access point mode as a WiFi access 
point and create a new WiFi hotspot by using a wired Ethernet connection.
This chapter covers the following topics: 
•Front Panel and Side Panel LEDs and Buttons 
•When to Use Your Extender 
•Support for the 802.11ac Networking Standard 
Note:For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the 
support website at www.netgear.com/support.
Note:Firmware updates with new features and bug fixes are made 
available from time to time on 
downloadcenter.netgear.com. Some 
products can regularly check the site and download new firmware, or 
you can check for and download new firmware manually. If the 
features or behavior of your product does not match what is 
described in this guide, you might need to update your firmware. 
						

							Get to Know Your Extender 6
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 
Front Panel and Side Panel LEDs and Buttons
The LEDs are located on the front panel. A switch, buttons, and an Ethernet port are located 
on the side panel.
Router Link LED Client Link LED
Power LED
WPS LED
Access Point/
Power On/Off button
WPS button
Ethernet port (on the bottom)
Factory Reset button
Router Arrow LED Client Arrow LED
Extender switch
Figure 1. Extender front panel and side panel
Table 1.  LEDs 
 
LEDDescription
Router Link
This LED indicates the connection between the extender and the router  or access point.
•  Solid green . Best connection.
•  Solid amber . Good connection.
•  Solid red . Poor connection.
•  Off. No connection.
Client Link
This LED indicates the connection between the extender and a  computer or mobile device.
•  Solid green . Best connection.
•  Solid amber . Good connection.
•  Solid red . Poor connection.
•  Off. No connection.
Power
•  Solid amber . The extender is booting.
•  Solid green . The 
 extender is powered on.
•  Off. The 
 extender is powered off.
WPS
•  Solid green . WiFi security is enabled (WPA or WPA2).
•  Blinking green . The 
 extender is making a WPS connection.
•  Off. WiFi security is not enabled. 
						

							Get to Know Your Extender 7
 Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender
When to Use Your Extender
We recommend that you connect to the extender only when your WiFi network\
 connection is 
poor. Data traffic routed through the extender is inherently slower than traffic routed directly 
from the network.
How the Extender Works
The extender works like a bridge between a WiFi router (or a WiFi acces\
s point) and a WiFi 
device outside the range of the WiFi router. The extender performs two main jobs:
• The extender connects to a working WiFi network.
When the extender connects over WiFi to an existing network, it function\
s as a network 
client, similar to how a WiFi device connects to a network.
• The extender acts as an access point for WiFi devices. 
The extender broadcasts its own WiFi network that WiFi devices can join.\
 In its role as an  access point, the extender performs tasks that WiFi routers do, such as \
broadcasting its 
network name (SSID).
The extender must do each of these jobs so that both ends of the bridge \
are in place.
Existing WiFi 
Sometimes your  router does not 
provide the WiFi 
coverage that you 
need.
WiFi range extender 
Boosts the range of 
your existing WiFi and 
creates a stronger 
signal in hard-to-reach 
areas.
Figure 2. Range extender in a home
Client Arrow
If no arrow LEDs are lit, the extender is in a good location.
If the Client Arrow LED is blinking, move the WiFi-enabled device 
closer to the extender

.
Router ArrowIf no arrow LEDs are lit, the extender is in a good location.
If the Router Arrow LED is blinking, move the extender closer to the 
router

.
Table 1.  LEDs  (continued)
LEDDescription 
						

							Get to Know Your Extender 8
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 
Support for the 802.11ac Networking Standard
The extender supports the 802.11ac networking standard. This new standard offers better 
speed, improved reliability, and more range than older WiFi networking standards. The 
extender is backward compatible with earlier WiFi standards. However, to get the benefits of 
802.11ac, your WiFi router must support the 802.11ac WiFi networking standard.
To learn more about the 802.11ac WiFi networking standard, visit  netgear.com/landing/80211ac/ .
Figure 3. Speed comparison between the 802.11n and 802.11ac standards 
						

							9
2
2.   Get Started
This chapter covers the following topics: 
•Use the Extender in Extender Mode 
•Use the Extender in Access Point Mode 
•Access Extender Settings 
•Run Smart Setup  
						

							Get Started 10
Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender 
Use the Extender in Extender Mode
The extender repeats signals from an existing WiFi router or access poin\
t. Place the 
extender, apply power, and connect the extender to your WiFi network.
Note: You can also use the extender as a WiFi access point and create a 
new WiFi hotspot by using a wired Ethernet connection. See Use the 
Extender in Access Point Mode  on page
  15.
Place the Extender and Apply Power
To place the extender and apply power:
1. Set the  Access Point/Extender switch 
 to the Extender position.
2.  Place your extender in the same room as your WiFi router
 .
Proximity to the WiFi router is required only during the initial setup p\
rocess.
3.  Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
4.  W
ait for the Power LED  to light green. 
If the Power LED does not light, press the Power On/Off button on the extender
 .
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network
To extend the range of your WiFi network, you must connect the extender t\
o your existing 
WiFi network. You can do this in one of two ways:
• Connect with WPS. For more information, see  Connect With WPS on page
  10.
• Connect with web browser setup. For more information, see Connect With the 
NETGEAR Installation Assistant  on page
  12.
Connect With WPS
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join a secure WiFi network withou\
t typing the network 
name and password.
Note:WPS does not support WEP network security. If you are using WEP 
security, follow the instructions in Connect With the NETGEAR 
Installation Assistant  on page
  12.