NETGEAR WN2500RPv2 User manual

350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
USA
March 2016
202-11354-02
N600 WiF Range Extender
Model WN2500RPv2
User Manual

2
N600 WiF 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.
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
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Overview
Meet Your Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Front Panel LEDs and Right Panel WPS Button. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Rear Panel Ports, Buttons, and Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Attach the Feet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
When to Use Your Extender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
How the Extender Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Chapter 2 Get Started
Use the Extender in Extender Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Place the Extender and Apply Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Connect Ethernet-Enabled Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Use the Extender in Access Point Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Access Extender Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Run Smart Setup Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Chapter 3 Extender Network Settings
View Connected Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
View WiFi Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Change the WiFi Network Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Turn Off the SSID Broadcast to Create a Hidden Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Disable or Enable the WiFi Radio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Change the WiFi Speed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s WiFi Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Use WPS With the Push Button Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Use WPS With the PIN Method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Deny Access to a WiFi-Enabled Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Set Up an Access Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Set Up the Extender to Use a Static IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Use the Extender with MAC Filtering or Access Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Chapter 4 Maintain and Monitor 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

4
N600 WiF Range Extender
Back Up and Restore the Extender Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Back Up the Configuration Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Restore the Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Return the Extender to Its Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Update the Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Restart the Extender Remotely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Chapter 5 FAQs and Troubleshooting
FAQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Cannot Connect to the Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Appendix A Factory Settings and Technical Specifications
Factory Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Technical and Environmental Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

5
1
1. Overview
The 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:
•Meet Your Extender
•When to Use Your Extender
•How the Extender Works
Note: For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the
support website at support.netgear.com.
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.

Overview
6
N600 WiF Range Extender
Meet Your Extender
Before you install your extender, familiarize yourself with its LEDs, buttons, and port.
Front Panel LEDs and Right Panel WPS Button
Use the LEDs during installation to find the best location for the extender or to monitor the
extender performance. The following figure shows the extender in upright position, with the
feet attached. (For information about attaching the feet, see Attach the Feet on page 8.)
2.4 GHz Link Rate LED
5 GHz Link Rate LED
Device to Extender LED
LAN LEDs (1–4)
WPS LED
WPS button (on the top)
Power LED
Figure 1. Front panel LEDs and right panel WPS button
The following table describes the LEDs.
Table 1. LEDs
LED Description
Power LED • Solid amber. The extender is booting.
• Solid green. The extender is powered on.
• Blinking green. The firmware is corrupt. Visit downloadcenter.netgear.com.
• Blinking amber. The firmware is upgrading or the Restore Factory
Settings button was pressed.
• Off. The extender is powered off.

Overview
7
N600 WiF Range Extender
Rear Panel Ports, Buttons, and Connector
The following figure shows the ports, buttons, and connector on the rear panel of the
extender. The figure show the extender in an upright position, with the feet attached. (For
information about attaching the feet, see Attach the Feet on page 8.)
Restore Factory Settings button
Ethernet LAN ports
Power connector
On/Off button
Figure 2. Rear panel
2.4 GHz Link and
5 GHz Link LEDs Indicates a 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz extender connection to a router or access point.
• Solid green. Best connection.
• Solid amber. Good connection.
• Solid red. Poor connection.
• Off. No connection.
Client Link LED • Solid green. The extender is connected to a WiFi-enabled device.
• Off. The extender is not connected to a WiFi-enabled device.
LAN LEDs (1–4) • Solid green. The LAN port detects a local area network (LAN) connection.
• Off. No device is detected on the LAN port.
WPS LED • Solid green. WiFi security is enabled (WPA or WPA2).
• Blinking green. A WPS connection is being established.
• Off. WiFi security is not enabled.
Table 1. LEDs (continued)
LED Description

Overview
8
N600 WiF Range Extender
Attach the Feet
If you prefer to place the extender in an upright (vertical) position, attach the feet that come
with the extender.
Although the extender functions well in either a horizontal or a vertical position, a horizontal
position might give a better performance.
To attach the feet:
1. Hold the extender in an upright position with the left side of the extender pointing down.
2. Snap the feet onto the extender.
When to Use Your Extender
We recommend that you connect through the extender network only when the WiFi device is
in a “dead zone” where connection from the existing network is poor or nonexistent. 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 access 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.

Overview
9
N600 WiF Range Extender
When the extender connects over WiFi to an existing network, it functions 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 3. Range extender in a home

10
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 Installation

Get Started
11
N600 WiF Range Extender
Use the Extender in Extender Mode
The extender repeats the signals from an existing WiFi router or access point.
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 16.
Place the Extender and Apply Power
To place the extender and apply 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. Connect the power adapter and plug the extender into an electrical outlet.
3. Wait 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 to 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 11.
•Connect with web browser setup. For more information, see Connect With the
NETGEAR Installation Assistant on page 13.
Connect With WPS
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join a secure WiFi network without 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 13.
To use WPS to connect the extender to your WiFi router:
1. Press the WPS button on the side panel of the extender.
The WPS LED blinks.

Get Started
12
N600 WiF Range Extender
2. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router or access point.
The WPS LED on the extender lights solid green and the 2.4 GHz Link LED lights.
If the 2.4 GHz Link LED does not light, try again. If it still does not light, see Connect With
the NETGEAR Installation Assistant on page 13.
3. If your WiFi router supports the 5 GHz band, repeats Steps 1 and 2 to connect the extender
to the 5 GHz band.
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.
DO DON’T
5. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the Power LED to light green.
6. Use the 2.4 GHz Link LED and the 5 GHz Link LED to help you choose a spot where
the extender-to-router connection is optimal.
7. If the 2.4 GHz Link LED does not 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 this LED lights amber or
green.
8. On your WiFi-enabled device, open the WiFi connection manager and locate and connect to
the new extender WiFi network.
The extender creates two new extender WiFi networks. The extender’s new WiFi network
names are based on your existing WiFi network name, with _2GEXT and _5GEXT at the
end of the name.
For example:
•Existing WiFi network name. MyNetworkName
•New extender WiFi network names. MyNetworkName_2GEXT and
MyNetworkName_5GEXT.
Use the same WiFi password that you use for your WiFi router.
9. Test the extender WiFi range by moving your WiFi-enabled device to the area with a poor
router WiFi signal:
a. Leave your WiFi-enabled device in the area with a poor router WiFi signal and return
to the extender.

Get Started
13
N600 WiF Range Extender
b. Check the Client Link LED on the extender:
•If the Client Link LED is solid green or amber, your extender WiFi network reaches
the area with a poor router WiFi signal and your network setup is complete.
•If the Client Link LED is red, your extender WiFi network does not reach the area
with a poor router WiFi signal.
You must move the WiFi-enabled device closer to the extender until the Client
Link LED turns solid green or amber.
Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant
You can use a web browser to log in to the extender and set up its WiFi connection to your
existing WiFi router.
To connect with the NETGEAR installation assistant:
1. Connect your device to the extender using a wired Ethernet or WiFi connection:
•To connect with a wired Ethernet connection, use an Ethernet cable to connect an
Ethernet port on the extender to an Ethernet port on your computer.
•To connect with WiFi, on your WiFi-enabled device, open the WiFi connection
manager and locate and connect to the extender network called NETGEAR_EXT.
After the connection with your WiFi-enabled device is established, the Client Link LED
lights.
2. Launch web browser.
3. Enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser.
The User Login page displays.
4. Enter admin as the user name and password for the password.
The New Extender Setup page displays.
5. Click the NEW EXTENDER SETUP button.

Get Started
14
N600 WiF Range Extender
The first time that you log in to the extender, the Create Account page displays. If the
Create Account page does not display, visit www.mywifiext.net.
6. Complete the fields on the Create Account page and click the NEXT button.
7. Click the WIFI RANGE EXTENDER button.
The extender searches for WiFi networks in your area and displays a list.
8. Select a WiFi network to extend and click the NEXT button.
If you do not want to extend both WiFi bands, clear the 2.4 GH WiFi Networks or 5 GHz
WiFi Networks check box.
9. In the Password (Network Key) field, type the existing WiFi network password (also called
passphrase or security key) and click the NEXT button.
10. Set the network name (SSID) and password for your new extender WiFi network and click
the NEXT button.
Note: Werecommend that you usea network name (SSID)for your extender
that is different from the network name (SSID) that your router uses.
Wait for the page to display the list of available extender WiFi networks, which might take
up to one minute.
11. Connect your WiFi-enabled device to the new extender WiFi network using the extender
SSID and password that you created in Step 10.
12. Make sure that your WiFi-enabled device is connected before you click the Continue button.
13. Click the Continue button.
A message displays confirming that the extender is connected and ready.
14. Click the Next button.
The registration page displays.
15. Complete the registration fields and click the Finish button to complete the setup.
If you do not want to register your extender, click the Skip Registration link. Note that
you must register your extender before you can use NETGEAR telephone support.
The Status page displays.
16. 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.

Get Started
15
N600 WiF Range Extender
The location that you choose must be within the range of your existing WiFi router
network.
DO DON’T
17. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the Power LED to light green.
18. Use the 2.4 GHz Link LED to help you choose a spot where the extender-to-router
connection is optimal.
19. If the 2.4 GHz 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 2.4 GHz Link LED lights
amber or green.
20. Reconnect your WiFi-enabled device to the new extender WiFi network.
21. Test the extended WiFi range by moving your WiFi-enabled device to the area with a poor
router WiFi signal:
a. Leave your WiFi-enabled device in the area with a poor router WiFi signal and return
to the extender.
b. Check the Client Link LED on the extender:
•If the Client Link LED is solid green or amber, your extender WiFi network reaches
the area with a poor router WiFi signal and your network setup is complete.
•If the Client Link LED is red, your extender WiFi network does not reach the area
with a poor router WiFi signal.
You must move the WiFi-enabled device closer to the extender until the Client
Link LED turns solid green or amber.

Get Started
16
N600 WiF Range Extender
Connect Ethernet-Enabled Devices
After the extender is connected to your existing WiFi network, you can connect wired devices
to the extender using Ethernet cables. The devices can then access your existing network
through the extender’s WiFi connection.
Extender
Blu-ray player
TV
Gaming console
WiFi router
Figure 4. Ethernet LAN port
Use the Extender in Access Point Mode
You can use the extender as a WiFi access point, which creates a new WiFi hotspot by using
a wired Ethernet connection.
Extender
WiFi router
Figure 5. Extender in access point mode

Get Started
17
N600 WiF Range Extender
To use the extender in access point mode:
1. Use an Ethernet cable to connect the Ethernet port on the extender to an Ethernet LAN
port on a router or a remote Ethernet LAN jack with LAN access.
2. Plug the extender into an electrical outlet and wait for the Power LED to light green.
3. If the Power LED does not light, press the Power On/Off button.
4. On your WiFi-enabled device, open the WiFi connection manager and locate and connect to
one of the following WiFi extender networks:
•2.4 GHz network. NETGEAR_EXT
•5 GHz network. NETGEAR_5GEXT
When you join the network, the extender Client Link LED lights to show that you are
connected.
5. Launch a web browser and enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field.
The New Extender Setup page displays.
6. Click the NEW EXTENDER SETUP button.
7. Complete the fields on the page and click the NEXT button.
8. Click the ACCESS POINT button.
The extender checks for an Internet connection.
9. When prompted, set the network name (SSID), security option, and password for each
access point network and click the NEXT button.
Your settings are applied and the extender is ready to be used as an access point.
10. Connect your WiFi-enabled device to the new access point WiFi network using the SSID
and password that you created in Step 9.
11. Click the Continue button.
A page displays that says you successfully created an access point.
12. Click the Next button.

Get Started
18
N600 WiF Range Extender
The registration page displays.
13. Follow the onscreen instructions to register your extender.
Access Extender Settings
After installation, you can log in to the extender to view or change the extender’s settings.
To log in to the extender:
1. On your WiFi-enabled device, open the WiFi connection manager and locate and
connect to the new extender WiFi network.
After the connection with the WiFi-enabled device is established, the Client Link
LED lights.
2. Launch a web browser.
3. Enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser.
A login window opens.
4. Enter your user name and password and click the LOG IN button.
The Status page displays.
Run Smart Setup Installation
You can use Smart Setup to change the extender settings. This is an easy way to connect the
extender to a different router or to change the extender WiFi network name (SSID) or WiFi
password.
To run Smart Setup:
1. Use a WiFi network manager on a WiFi-enabled device to find and connect to the new
extender WiFi network.
After the connection with the WiFi-enabled device is established, the Device Link LED
lights solid green.
2. Launch a web browser.
3. Enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser.
A login window opens.
4. Enter your email address and password and click the LOG IN button.
The Status page displays.
5. Click the SMART SETUP button.
The Welcome page displays.
6. Click the WIFI RANGE EXTENDER button.

Get Started
19
N600 WiF Range Extender
The extender scans for WiFi signals and finds the WiFi networks in your area and
displays a list.
7. Select your WiFi network and click the NEXT button.
8. When prompted, enter the password to connect to your WiFi network and click the NEXT
button.
A message displays when the extender connects to your existing router’s WiFi network.
9. Click the NEXT button.
The extender applies your settings to its WiFi network names and WiFi passwords.
During this change, the extender disconnects you from its WiFi network.
10. When prompted, connect your WiFi devices to the extender WiFi network and click the
CONTINUE button.
The registration page displays.
11. Complete the registration fields and click the FINISH button to complete the setup.
If you do not want to register your extender, click the Skip Registration link. Note that
you must register your extender before you can use NETGEAR telephone support.
The Status page displays.

20
3
3. Extender Network Settings
This chapter covers the following topics:
•View Connected Devices
•View WiFi Settings
•Change the WiFi Network Name
•Turn Off the SSID Broadcast to Create a Hidden Network
•Disable or Enable the WiFi Radio
•Change the WiFi Speed
•Use WPS to Add a Computer to the Extender’s WiFi Network
•Deny Access to a WiFi-Enabled Device
•Set Up an Access Schedule
•Set Up the Extender to Use a Static IP Address
•Use the Extender with MAC Filtering or Access Control