NETGEAR EX7300 Nighthawk X4 AC2200 User manual

Quick Start
AC2200 Nighthawk X4
WiFi Mesh Extender
Model EX7300

2
Getting Started
The NETGEAR WiFi Mesh Extender increases the distance of a WiFi
network by boosting the existing WiFi signal and enhancing the overall
signal quality over long distances. An extender repeats the signals from an
existing WiFi router or access point.
WiFi mesh
extender
Boosts the range
of your existing
WiFi and creates
a stronger signal
in hard-to-reach
areas
Existing WiFi
Sometimes your
router does not
provide the WiFi
coverage that you
need

3
Meet Your Extender
Before you install your extender, familiarize yourself with its LEDs,
buttons, and port.
Client Arrow LED
Client Link LED
Power LED
WPS LED
Ethernet port
(on bottom panel)
Access Point/
Extender switch
Power On/Off
button
Factory Reset
button
WPS button
Router Link LED
Router Arrow LED

4
LED Descriptions
LED Description
Router Link
LED
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.
• O. No connection.
Client Link LED This LED indicates the connection between the extender and
your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device.
• Solid green. Best connection.
• Solid amber. Good connection.
• Solid red. Poor connection.
• O. No connection.
Power LED • Solid amber. The extender is booting.
• Solid green. The extender is powered on.
• O. The extender is powered o.
WPS LED • Solid green. WiFi security is enabled (WPA or WPA2).
• Blinking green. A WPS connection is being established.
• O. WiFi security is not enabled.
No arrow LEDs are lit. The extender is in a good location.
Client Arrow LED blinks. Move the WiFi-enabled computer or mobile
device closer to the extender.
Router Arrow LED blinks. Move the extender closer to the router.

5
Use the Extender in Extender Mode
In extender mode, the extender repeats the signals from an existing WiFi
router or access point.
Set the Access Point/Extender switch, place the extender, supply
power, and connect it to your WiFi network.
Set the Access Point/Extender Switch
To use the extender in extender mode, set the Access Point/Extender
switch to Extender .
Place the Extender and Supply Power
1. Place your extender in the same room as your WiFi router.
Proximity to the WiFi router is required only during the initial setup
process.
2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
Wait for the Power LED to light green. This might take up to
100 seconds. If the Power LED does not light, press the Power On/
Off button on the side of the extender.

6
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network
To extend the range of your WiFi network, you must connect the extender
to your existing WiFi network. You can do this in one of two ways:
• Connect with WPS. For more information, see the following section.
• Connect with the NETGEAR installation assistant. For more
information, see Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant on
page 9.
Connect With WPS
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join a secure WiFi network without
selecting the network name and entering the 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 9.
1. Press the WPS button on the extender.
The WPS LED blinks.
2. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router or access
point.
The WPS LED on the extender lights solid green, the Router Link LED
lights, and the extender connects to your existing WiFi network.
If the Router Link LED does not light, try again. If it still does not light,
see Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant on page 9.

7
3. If your WiFi router supports the 5 GHz band, repeat Steps 1 and 2 to
connect the extender to the 5 GHz band.
Note: If your router supports the 5 GHz band, your extender
attempts to connect to the router’s 5 GHz band the first time you
press the WPS button. If your extender did not connect to the router’s
5 GHz band the first time, repeat the WPS process.
4. Unplug the extender and move it to a new location that is about
halfway between your router and the area with a poor router WiFi
signal.
The location that you choose must be within the range of your
existing WiFi router network.
5. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the
Power LED to light green.
6. Use the Router Link LED to help you choose a spot where the
extender-to-router connection is optimal.
7. If the Router Link LED doesn’t light amber or green, plug the extender
into an outlet closer to the router and try again.
Router
Extender
Computer

8
Keep moving the extender to outlets closer to the router until the
Router Link LED lights amber or green.
8. Connect your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device to the WiFi
network.
Note: Your extender uses the same WiFi network settings as your
router for its 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz extended networks.
For example, if your extender connects to the router’s 2.4 GHz WiFi
band, your extender uses your router’s 2.4 GHz WiFi settings for both
its networks:
• Router 2.4 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample
• Router 5 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample-5G
• Extended 2.4 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample
• Extended 5 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample
If your extender connects to the router’s 5 GHz WiFi band, your
extender uses your router’s 5 GHz WiFi settings for both its networks:
• Router 2.4 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample
• Router 5 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample-5G
• Extended 2.4 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample-5G
• Extended 5 GHz WiFi network name. MyWiFiExample-5G

9
Note: Since your router and extended networks share the same WiFi
network name, only one WiFi network name is broadcast.
Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant
1. Connect a computer or mobile device to the extender using a WiFi or
Ethernet connection:
• WiFi. On your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device, open the
WiFi connection manager and locate and connect to the extender
network called NETGEAR_EXT.
When your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device is connected
to the extender, the Client Link LED lights.
• Ethernet. Use an Ethernet cable to connect the Ethernet port on
the extender to an Ethernet port on your computer.
2. Launch a web browser and visit www.mywifiext.net.
The NETGEAR installation assistant displays.
3. Follow the prompts to connect your extender to your existing WiFi
network.

10
4. Unplug the extender and move it to a new location about halfway
between your router and the area with a poor WiFi signal.
The location that you choose must be within the range of your
existing WiFi router network.
5. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the
Power LED to light green.
6. Use the Router Link LED to help you choose a spot where the
extender-to-router connection is optimal.
7. If the Router Link LED doesn’t light amber or green, plug the extender
into an outlet closer to the router and try again.
Keep moving the extender to outlets closer to the router until the
Router Link LED lights amber or green.