The Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Extender aids to reduce dead spots and boost coverage, however many users have trouble connecting it to their router.
And there could be many reasons, that hinder you from connecting your device to WiFi. You may be restricted to connect because of the improper configuration, the wrong placement of the device, an outdated firmware, or maybe your router settings are not matching with the extender’s settings.
Knowing and addressing these issues one by one makes it simpler to use the extender and restore WiFi coverage in your house or workplace. Therefore, to know the exact reason and to find an appropriate solution to it, dive in!
Why the AC1900 Extender Has Trouble Connecting?
The Nighthawk AC1900 is a good extender. When it’s working well, you may get WiFi to reach parts of your home that usually don’t have it. But there are a lot of reasons why connection problems happen:
- Missed some steps while creating a Nighthawk extender setup.
- The primary router’s WiFi signal is weak.
- Entering the incorrect password (this occurs more often than you realize).
- The extender’s firmware is out of date.
- The extender was put too far away from or too near to the router.
- A conflict between the settings on the extender and the router
Most of the time, the problem comes down to either bad placement or not following a setup step correctly. What is the good news? It normally doesn’t take long to fix this.
Take a step back and check the basics.
It’s advised to try the basic checks first before; you begin looking at the other settings:
- Power Cycle the device: Unplug the extender for 30 seconds and plug it back in to power cycle. This addresses minor issues.
- Your router has working WiFi: The extender won’t connect if there is an issue with the router.
- Enter appropriate credentials: Ensure that the password you’ve entered is the correct WiFi password while you are setting up the network. There might be errors with the credentials.
People don’t understand that these simple fixes are the solution could be the solution to many issues occurring with your device.
Placement is more important than most people think.
Creating the Nighthawk extender setup in the incorrect place is one of the most frequent errors people make while setting it up. It doesn’t stretch too far if it’s too near to the router. If you go too far, it won’t be able to hold the signal. Try to choose a spot that is about midway between your router and the dead zone. If your phone or laptop displays at least 2–3 WiFi bars in that area, the extender should work there.
Also, don’t put it next to microwaves, cordless phones, or thick walls. These items mess up signals.
Check the Nighthawk extender Setup Process
The extender didn’t always complete synchronizing correctly. Resetting is worthwhile. Short version:
- Connect the extender to a wall outlet.
- Connect to the default network, often known as NETGEAR_EXT.
- Enter 192.168.1.250 or mywifiext.net in your browser.
- Select your router’s WiFi, input the correct password, and save.
- Connect to the extended network and test after restarting.
If you still can’t connect, try resetting the extender to its factory settings. There is generally a little reset pinhole. Press and hold it for approximately 10 seconds, or until the lights flicker. Then start the Nighthawk extender setup process again from the beginning.
You can’t ignore firmware updates.
This extender has been around for a long, thus there are firmware upgrades that cure faults and make it more stable. Your AC1900 may not be able to connect since it has outdated firmware.
- Go to mywifiext.net to log in to the extender.
- Go to the settings or firmware area.
- Install any updates that are available.
This is all it takes to fix weird behavior sometimes.
Router settings that might cause issues
Not all routers work well with extenders. If you have tried everything else and still can’t connect to WiFi, try the router:
- Routers with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands may cause confusion.
- Connect your device to the correct extension.
- If your router is set up not to show its name, the extender won’t see it.
- WPA2 is typically the best choice. That might be the problem if you’re still using WPA or WEP.
- If this is turned on, the router can block the extender.
Changing these settings may be the difference between a connection that always fails and one that works well.
Don’t Forget About Interference
It isn’t always the extender, however. WiFi networks that are next to one other and on the same channel might mess with each other. This occurs a lot in apartment buildings or places with a lot of WiFi. To prevent overlap, change the channel settings on your router by hand.
Try the Ethernet Backhaul
If your WiFi connection continues dropping, you may also connect your router and extender using an Ethernet cable. This is supported by the AC1900. The extender works more like an access point when it has a cable backhaul. This gives you a stable connection without having to worry about weak wireless signals.
When It’s Time to Start Over
Reset the extender to factory settings if nothing works. This step is unpopular, as it eliminates half-finished or faulty settings. Start again and carefully read the Nighthawk extender setup instructions. Though it takes a few minutes, it typically works when nothing else does.
When to think there could be a problem with the hardware
If your extender still won’t connect after being reset, updated, and put in the right spot, it may be broken. The WiFi radio inside may die or the hardware may be broken. At that point, the only thing you may be able to do is contact Netgear support or get a new extender.
Wrap Up
Nighthawk AC1900 extender usually works, however it sometimes connects poorly. Usually it’s Nighthawk extender setup, its placement, or firmware updates.
Don’t rush, take your time and things will begin to work. If everything else fails, a reset or ethernet cable would be of help.