NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX8 User manual

Quick Start
AX8 WiFi Cable Modem Router
Model CAX80
LED Description
Power • Solid white: The modem router is receiving power and is functioning
normally.
• Off: The modem router is not receiving power.
• Solid red: The modem router is too warm and might overheat.
Downstream • Solid amber: One downstream channel is locked.
• Solid white: Two or more downstream channels are locked.
• Blinking white: The modem router is scanning for a downstream channel.
• Off: No downstream channel is locked.
Upstream • Solid amber: One upstream channel is locked.
• Solid white: Two or more upstream channels are locked.
• Blinking white: The modem router is scanning for an upstream channel.
• Off: No upstream channel is locked.
Online • Solid white: The modem router is online.
• Blinking white: The modem router is synchronizing with the cable
provider’s cable modem termination system (CMTS).
• Off: The modem router is ofine.
Multi-Gig
Ethernet
The LED color indicates the speed: blue for a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet connection,
white for a 1 Gbps Ethernet connection, and amber for a 100 Mbps Ethernet
connection.
• Solid: A powered-on device is connected to the port.
• Blinking: The port is sending or receiving trafc.
• Off: No device is connected to this port.
Ethernet The LED color indicates the speed: white for a Gigabit Ethernet connection
and amber for a 100 Mbps Ethernet connection or a 10 Mbps Ethernet
connection.
• Solid: A powered-on device is connected to the Ethernet port.
• Blinking: The port is sending or receiving trafc.
• Off: No device is connected to this Ethernet port.
2.4 GHz radio • Solid white: The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is operating.
• Blinking white: The modem router is sending or receiving WiFi trafc.
• Off: The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is off.
5 GHz radio • Solid white: The 5 GHz WiFi radio is operating.
• Blinking white: The modem router is sending or receiving WiFi trafc.
• Off: The 5 GHz WiFi radio is off.
LED Description
USB • Solid white: A USB device is connected and ready.
• Blinking white: A USB device is plugged in and trying to connect.
• Off: No USB device is connected.
Button Description
WiFi button Pressing this button for two seconds turns the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi radios
on and off. If this LED is lit, the WiFi radios are on. If this LED is off, the WiFi
radios are off and you cannot use WiFi to connect to the modem router.
WPS button Pressing this button lets you use WPS to join the WiFi network without typing
the password. The WPS LED blinks during this process and then lights solid.
Support and Community
Visit netgear.com/support to get your questions answered and access the latest downloads.
You can also check out our NETGEAR Community for helpful advice at
community.netgear.com.
Customer-owned cable devices might not be compatible with certain cable networks. Check
with your cable Internet provider to conrm that this NETGEAR cable device is allowed on
your cable network.
If you are experiencing trouble installing your modem router, contact NETGEAR at
1-866-874-8924.
Cable Internet
Provider
Support and Activation Contact Information
Cox https://www.cox.com/residential/support/home.html
https://www.cox.com/activate
1-888-556-1193
Mediacom https://support.mediacomcable.com
1-855-Mediacom (1-855-633-4226)
Optimum https://www.optimum.net/support/contact-us
https://install.optimum.com/JointInstall
1-877-810-6750
Sparklight https://support.sparklight.com
1-877-692-2253
Spectrum https://www.spectrum.net/contact-us
https://activate.spectrum.net
1-833-267-6094
Xnity https://www.xnity.com/internetsetup
Use the Xnity app for Xnity activation and then use the NETGEAR
Nighthawk app for router installation.
Secure your devices with
NETGEAR Armor™
Tap the Security icon in your
Nighthawk app to verify that
NETGEAR Armor is activated.
Your Nighthawk comes with
NETGEAR Armor cybersecurity.
Armor blocks online threats like
hackers and phishing attempts on
your devices.
Download the
Nighthawk app to install
your modem router
On your mobile phone,
download the Nighthawk app
and follow the setup instructions.
If you don’t want to use the
Nighthawk app, see the other
side of this Quick Start guide.
12

Before you begin:
• Collect your cable Internet service provider (ISP) account information, such
as your account mobile phone number, user name, password, and account
number, and the modem router’s MAC address (on the modem router label).
• If you use Xnity, download the Xnity app from the App store or from
Google Play™. If you already have the Xnity app, make sure you have the
latest version.
Connect your modem router
1. Turn off and disconnect existing modems and routers.
If you are replacing a modem that is currently
connected in your home, unplug the modem and
plug the new modem router into the same outlet.
2. Connect a coaxial cable.
Use a coaxial cable to connect the coaxial cable
connector on the modem router to the cable wall
outlet. Make sure the cable is tightly connected.
We recommend connecting directly to the cable wall outlet. If
you must share the connection, use a 3.5dB (1 to 2) splitter.
Coaxial cable
connector
Power connector
Install using the modem router web interface
3. Connect the power adapter.
Connect the power adapter to modem router and plug the power adapter
into an electrical outlet.
4. Wait for the Online LED to light solid white for at least one minute.
Note: This process might take up to 10 minutes and the modem router
might reset several times.
Note: When the Online LED lights, your modem router is still not connected
to the Internet. You must activate your modem router with your ISP.
If after 10 minutes the LED is still not solid white, verify that the cable outlet is
working or call your ISP to make sure you have a connection.
Set up and activate your modem router
1. If you use Xfinity:
a. Make sure that your mobile device is using an LTE Internet connection (do
not connect to a WiFi network).
b. Open the Xnity app and sign in with your Xnity ID.
c. Follow the steps to get online.
The activation process takes about 5 minutes.
d. On your mobile device, launch a web browser and enter routerlogin.net
or 192.168.1.1 in the address eld.
e. Go to Step 5.
2. If you use another Internet service provider:
a. Connect your computer or mobile device to the modem router with WiFi
or Ethernet:
WiFi: Use the WiFi network name (SSID) and password on the modem
router label to connect.
Ethernet: Use an Ethernet cable to connect a computer to an Ethernet
port on the modem router. (Your computer must have an Ethernet port.)
b. Launch a web browser and enter routerlogin.net or 192.168.1.1 in the
address eld.
3. When the Activate Internet Service page displays, select your ISP.
4. Either follow your ISP’s online activation procedure or call your ISP for
activation.
The page displays this information about your modem router:
• Model number CAX80
• Serial number
• MAC address
If you phone your ISP for activation, the person you speak to might need
this information.
5. After activation is complete and the Internet Status is ONLINE in the browser,
click NEXT.
The NETGEAR account page displays and you are prompted to change your
modem router’s admin credentials and set up security questions.
6. Follow the prompts to:
• Change your modem router’s admin credentials and set up security
questions.
• Register your modem router.
• Review your WiFi network name and password.
Package contents
Cable modem router
Ethernet cable
Power adapter
A sticker on the side of your
modem router displays the
preset WiFi network name,
password, and QR code.
Your Preset Wireless Settings
WiFi Network Name (SSID):
Network Key (Password):
NETGEAR, Inc.
350 East Plumeria Drive
San Jose, CA 95134, USA
NETGEAR INTERNATIONAL LTD
Floor 1, Building 3
University Technology Centre
Curraheen Road, Cork,
T12EF21, Ireland
December 2020
Regulatory and Legal
For regulatory compliance information including the EU Declaration of Conformity, visit
https://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory/.
See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.
For NETGEAR’s Privacy Policy, visit https://www.netgear.com/about/privacy-policy.
By using this device, you are agreeing to NETGEAR’s Terms and Conditions at
https://www.netgear.com/about/terms-and-conditions. If you do not agree, return the device to your
place of purchase within your return period.
Note to CATV system Installer- This reminder is provided to call the CATV systems installer’s attention
to Section 820-93 of the National Electrical Code, which provides guidelines for proper grounding
and in particular, species that coaxial cable shield shall connected to the grounding system of the
building, as close to the point of cable entry as practical.
© NETGEAR, Inc., NETGEAR and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. Any
non-NETGEAR trademarks are used for reference purposes only.