Recently came across a query that says “I got Netgear extender setup done at my home. It works fine. We can connect to a 2.4 GHz network but 5GHz SSID does not show up. Tried different devices, but no use.” We have a solution for this! If you have a Netgear extender and are facing Netgear 5GHz not working issue, then you will get benefitted from the information jotted down in this very guide. Stick to reading.
What is Netgear 5GHz SSID?
Before delving deep into the troubleshooting part, let us discuss some more about what 5GHz SSID implies. If you have a dual-band extender, it will operate in two different frequency bands: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. If you have enabled these two bands then you will see 2 different SSIDs to connect your devices to.
SSID is the network name of the WiFi that you use to connect your device. Netgear extenders have SSID like EX6400_NETGEAR_2GEXT for 2.4GHz and EX6400_NETGEAR_5GEXT for 5GHz. Depending upon your requirements you can connect to any of these WiFi bands.
How to Fix Netgear 5GHz Not Working Issue?
If you can not see 5GHz SSID on your connecting devices this means you can not enjoy 5GHz WiFi band. Let us tell you now how to fix Netgear 5GHz not working problem. Before trying anything else, see if any firmware update is pending. Get the update done and you should be able to use 5GHz network. If this does not help then try what’s mentioned ahead.
Verify Router Settings
You must verify if your host router supports a 5GHz network or not. Only if it does, you will be able to extend this WiFi network using the extender. So go to the settings and check the same. If it does but you can not connect to the 5GHz network from your extender then try the next step.
Check Extender WiFi Settings
First of all, go to the settings and check if the 5GHz band is enabled or not. Also, check whether the 5GHz SSID is being broadcast or not. How to check it? Well, for that you need to access the Netgear Genie login page to reach the admin dashboard. In the WiFi settings, you will see settings related to the 5GHz network. See if the checkbox before Enable 5 GHz WiFi is selected or not. If not, go ahead and select it. Scroll down a little and see the checkbox next to Broadcast this Network Name(SSID). It should also be selected. Save the changes made by you and then see if this works.
If you do not see a 5GHz network here this means you have not configured your Netgear extender for this wireless band. Hence Netgear 5GHz not working issue is for obvious reasons. Now you need to reconfigure your extender so that you can use both wireless bands.
Reset and Reconfigure Extender
To reconfigure, you need to reset your Netgear WiFi extender first. Press the Reset hole located on the extender using an oil pin or paper clip for at least 10 seconds and you are done. The extender now runs on the default values and is ready to be set up once again.
There are two ways that you can use to set up your extender:
Using WPS Button
- Bring the Netgear WiFi range extender to the same room as the host router.
- Turn on the router.
- Next, turn on the extender.
- Find a button labeled WPS on your extender.
- Push it gently.
- Within two minutes, press the WPS button on the host router.
- Wait for some time and let the 2.4GHz WiFi band configure.
- Repeat steps 5 and 6 one more time to configure the 5GHz WiFi band.
Using Web Interface
- Connect the Netgear extender to the router using an Ethernet cable.
- Turn both devices on.
- Connect your computer to the extender’s network.
- Run a browser and visit mywifext.net or the default IP address.
- On the New Extender Setup page, fill in the required details and click Next.
- Select the Extender mode that you want your extender to work on.
- In the next window, you will be asked if you want to extend both WiFi bands.
- Select the checkboxes next to both bands and assign passwords.
- Keep on following the prompts that appear next to complete the setup process.
There you go! You can now connect to both networks on your devices.
Verdict
This brings an end to our helpful troubleshooting guide on how to fix Netgear 5GHz Not Working error. You can now enjoy 2.4GHz as well as 5GHz wireless bands using your extender.