Netgear WiFi Extender Setup Without WPS – Complete Guide

Looking for the ultimate Netgear WiFi Extender setup without WPS? You’ve found it already!

In this guide, we’ll get you familiar with how to set up your Netgear Extender, without having to bother with the WPS feature.

Netgear has made it possible to completely bypass the usage of WPS and get your extender up and running manually, through the Netgear web setup!

To set up Netgear Extender without the WPS feature, plug the device into power and connect it using your PC/laptop. Head to “mywifiext.net”, create your Netgear account and once you’re done, select which networks you want to boost.

To understand more about this WPS-free setup, keep reading our complete guide!

Is it Possible to Setup Netgear WiFi Extender Without WPS?

If setup through WPS isn’t accessible to you, it is possible to have the extender’s profile and connectivity created, without using the wireless function.

All you need is a device that is already connected to WiFi, along with the extender itself and an electrical outlet.

To answer your question, yes, it is doable to set up your Netgear Wireless Extender without using the WPS feature. 

Although we must mention that using WPS makes things a lot easier than avoiding the feature, it is also possible to bypass it and set up the extender directly on the Netgear website.

After mentioning the essentials, let’s learn how to set up your Extender without WPS!

Netgear WiFi Extender Setup Without WPS – Complete Guide

The procedure is really simple as long as you don’t skip any of the steps!

Step #1 Plug the Extender

We’ll begin with the first and most easy step to plug in your Extender.

Assuming you’re just taking out the device from the delivery box and want to learn how to avoid using the WPS feature for setup, the extender must first be plugged in.

In that set of thoughts, pick a comfortable electrical outlet in your household and connect the extender there.

• If the extender manages to receive power, its power LED will turn in green color.

Once the power LED has turned green, it means that the extender is successfully receiving power and could now work.

Once the extender gets connected, it will automatically host a WiFi network, which is used for an alternative setup, rather than with the WPS feature.

Note: If no lights come on your extender, reconnect it from the electrical outlet and try again.

Step #2 Connect with your Extender

Once you’ve set up the extender’s power, your next task is to connect to the wireless network of the device.

If we’re not going to perform a WPS-supported setup, then you should connect with the extender in order to configure its settings.

You’ll only go to need a PC or a laptop that runs Windows, in order to later complete the web setup of the device.

Here’s how to connect with your Netgear Extender in easy steps:

1. Turn on your PC or laptop.
2. Navigate to the WiFi Settings.
3. Activate the WiFi feature.
4. Search for a network labelled with “NETGEAR_EXT” (ext stands for “extender”).
5. Press on the WiFi hosted by your extender.
6. Hit the “Connect” button, in order to pair with the extender.
7. Wait…

Keep in mind that connecting with the extender will disconnect your device from the internet. However, for the setup of your extender, we won’t be needing the internet at this point.

Note: Make sure that the connection to your extender is “Secured” before proceeding.

Step #3 Create your Netgear Account

In order to set up your new Netgear Extender, you must first create a Netgear account and get it to recognize your connected extender.

For this purpose, you’ll only need a laptop that runs the default Microsoft browser – Microsoft Edge.

Many users had been experiencing issues with this very setup on Chrome and other browsers, so make sure to use Microsoft Edge.

Here’s how to create your Netgear account in easy steps:

1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser on your PC or laptop.
2. In the search field, type “mywifiext.net”.
3. Once there, press the “Create Account” button.
4. Input a Username, Password and add a Security Question in the appropriate field.
5. Once done with writing the credentials, tap “Next” at the bottom of the screen.
6. On the next page, select “Yes” to request help from the NETGEAR Genie.
7. Wait…

If connected with your extender, you’ll not be required to be connected with WiFi in order to access the Netgear page and configure your extender’s settings.

Alert: If your device is not connected to the extender, your access to the page will be denied.

Step #4 Host the Extended Networks

Since Netgear Wireless Extenders could both boost 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi threads, in this step we’ll be doing exactly that – selecting the boosted networks.

Based on whether your router is multi-thread supported, you could either boost both of your networks or just one.

Here’s how to host the extender networks and select them on the Netgear page:

1. Press “Next” to navigate to the networks page.
2. In the left column (under 2.4GHz WiFi Networks), select your 2.4GHz thread.
3. In the right column (under  5GHz WiFi Networks) select your 5GHz thread.
4. At the bottom of the page, press “Next”.
5. Wait…

In order for your router’s WiFi threads to appear in the following list, you must make sure that your network device is up and running.

Double-check if all lights on your router are green and everything is working normally, before selecting which networks shall be extended.

Note: You should also be careful not to select inappropriate networks that must be boosted.

Step #5 Insert the WiFi Password for the Extended Networks

Once your router’s WiFi has been selected on the previous page, it’s time to insert the password for your networks.

Based on whether you selected one or two networks to be boosted, you must type down the corresponding amount of passwords.

In the next field, tap “2.4GHz WiFi Network” and type down the password for the WiFi. Repeat the same for the 5GHz WiFi, if you’ve selected one to be boosted.

Once you’ve written down the passwords of your WiFi threads, press “Continue” at the bottom of the page, and you’ll be taken to the info tab.

There, you’ll see information about the newly hosted and boosted networks, their SSID, Security Keys and the Network Key.

Alert: Take a screenshot or photo of the credentials in the info tab before exiting.

Step #6 Finalize the Setup & Connect

Although your networks are already hosted, one last thing you should check and verify – is whether you can connect with the boosted networks.

• The original thread hosted by the router (not boosted WiFi) will remain active at all times

Among the credentials you photographed from the information tab is the password key for both of your networks (or the only one you’ve boosted).

Therefore, this piece of information will be used by you and all of your family members and friends, to connect with the boosted WiFi.

• The WiFi password for the boosted networks looks like this “8586990583” but with different symbols

In that regard, grab a device of your own and head to Settings > WiFi and press the boosted network that goes by the name “Original Network Name-5G_5GEXT”.

Select this WiFi network and input the network key you’ve photographed in the info tab during the last setup step.

Alert: The extender must remain plugged in for the extender networks to function!

Quick Recap:

Thus, to undergo Netgear WiFi Extender setup without WPS, connect the extender to an electrical outlet and connect with it through your PC or laptop. Head to “mywifiext.net” create your Netgear account and host the boosted networks.

You should visit our online blog if you’re in need of more technical assistance!

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