Netgear N300 Setup: Ensure the Best WiFi Connection at Your Fingertips

Netgear n300 extender broadcasts its own WiFi signal to connect your device when you are too far from the network’s WiFi signal. In simple words, your device can connect to the WiFi of the range extender when it fails to access a particular network. 

The network connection router through the extender is slower than the traffic routed directly from the network. Netgear n300 range extender states that you must connect to the extender only when the WiFi network connection is poor. 

Since the Netgear n300 setup involves a lot of steps, users find it difficult to do the setup on their own. If you are having the same issue, then use the guide given below.

Netgear n300 Setup Process in Detail:

We have discussed how to setup Netgear n300 at your home or workplace. 

Step 1: Place the Extender

The extender must be placed near the router during the initial setup. After completing the initial setup, you can move the router to increase the area of the WiFi signal. 

Make sure that you have placed the Netgear n300 extender and WiFi router in the same room. Then, connect the extender to an electrical outlet and check its Power LED lights. Press the Power button if the Power LED doesn’t display a green light. 

Step 2: Connect the Extender to an Existing WiFi Network

Connect the extender to your existing WiFi network in order to extend the range of your WiFi network. You can even carry on this step by either with the WPS or Netgear Genie Smart Setup. 

Connect with the WPS

WiFi Protected Setup helps you to connect the extender to a secure WiFi network without using the network name and password. Remember that WPS isn’t compatible with the WEP network security. 

In that case, you must use the Netgear Genie Smart setup. Let’s see how can you use the WPS feature of your range extender. 

1. The WPS button generally lies on the side panel of your Netgear n300. Locate and press the button for once. 
2. As the WPS LED blinks green, press the WPS button on your router or access point. 
3. The WPS LED on the extender lights solid green when the extender is connected to your WiFi network.  
4. Open a web browser on your computer or device and find the new extender network name. 
5. The extender’s wireless network name changes to the network name of the WiFi that you are using. For example, if your existing WiFi network name is ‘MyNetworkName,’ then the new extended network name will be ‘MyNetworkName_EXT.’
6. Now, enter the username and password you use for your WiFi router. 
7. Your existing WiFi devices are connected to the new extended network. 
8. Unplug the extender from your router and move it to an area with poor WiFi signal. 
9. Make sure the location you are selecting is not beyond the range of your existing WiFi router network.
10. Plug the extender to a power outlet and see whether the Power LED lights green or not. 
11. Press the Power button if the LED light doesn’t light up automatically. 
12. Press the Router link LED button on the front panel of the extender to choose a spot with an optimal connection. 

Netgear Genie Smart Setup

1. Use the WiFi network manager on your computer or device to connect it to the WiFi of the range extender. 
2. The Client Link LED lights solid green indicating that your computer or device successfully connected to Netgear n300. 
3. Open a web browser and you will automatically come across the NETGEAR genie smart setup. 
4. If the Netgear genie smart setup doesn’t appear, then enter ‘ www.mywifiext.net’ in the address bar. 
5. After accessing the login page, enter ‘admin’ as the username and ‘password’ as the password. 
6. Scroll through the list of available networks, select a proper network and tap the ‘Continue’ button. 
7. On the next window, enter the network password and hit the ‘Continue’ button. 
8. Similarly, enter the SSID for your new extender WiFi network and click ‘Continue’ again. 
9. Select a WiFi network manager, enter the correct password, and tap the ‘Continue’ button. 
10. Unplug Netgear n300 from your device/computer and move to another location. 
11. The location must not be beyond the range of your existing WiFi router network. 
12. Connect the extender to a power outlet and check the Power LED. 
13. Press the Power button if the LED doesn’t display a green light. 
14. Select a spot where the connection between your extender and router is optimal.  

Also Recommended: Netgear Genie Password Recovery

Step 3: Find the Best Location

When you connect to the extender network, the LED blinks for two minutes due to a weak WiFi signal. Thus, adjust the position of the extender so that it can offer a strong WiFi connection. You can even determine your course of action depending upon the following factors:

• The extender is in good condition if no arrow LED lights and hence you don’t have to take any action. 
• However, the extender must be moved towards the router if the router arrow blinks. 
• Now, if the client arrow blinks, then move your router closer to your computer or device. 

Step 4: Extender WiFi Performance

The LED lights on the extender indicate how strong is the WiFi signal between your extender and computer/device. The LEDs are color-coded so that you can understand the status of your network connection. 

• Green indicates the best network connection
• Amber indicates a standard connection
• Whereas, red indicates a poor network connection
• There is no connection if the LED light remains off. 

The Router Link LED indicates the strength of the wireless connection between the extender and router. On the other hand, the Client Link LED indicates the strength of a wireless connection between your extender and computer/device. 

Step 5: Connect to a Computer or Device

You might wish to connect your computer or device to the ethernet port of the router if you are unable to connect to the extender’s WiFi network. So, you can use an ethernet cable to connect to the ethernet port of the range extender. 

Moreover, it will enable you to view and change the extender’s settings as well. Thus, we have explained both the instances separately. 

Cable a Computer to the Extender’s Ethernet port

Make sure that Netgear n300 is connected to the existing network with a WiFi link. Connect one end of the ethernet cable to the ethernet port on the extender and the other end to the ethernet port of your computer. 

Then your computer connects to the extender and displays a message for the successful ethernet connection. 

Cable a Device to the Extender’s Ethernet port

Install Netgear n300 and connect it to your existing WiFi network. Connect the ethernet cable to the ethernet port on your extender as well as your computer/device. The device connects to the extender and can now access your existing WiFi network. 

Step 6: Manage the Extender Network and Settings

After being successful with the Netgear n300 setup, you can take care of the following aspects:

• Log in to your range extender and change the admin password if you want. 
• You can even use the setup wizard of Netgear n300 for connecting it to the desired network. 
• A WPS client is a computer or wireless device. You can also add a WPS client to the extender’s WiFi network by using the WPS button. 
• You can view or change the wireless settings of your range extender when required. 
• Get a view or change advanced wireless settings of your range extender. You have to be extremely cautious otherwise, incorrect settings might disable the extender’s WiFi network permanently. 
• Set up an access list of the wireless devices that can access your range extender. 
• By default, the extender obtains its IP address from the router available in the network you are using. But, you have the option to set up a static IP address for your range extender. 

Here, ends the Netgear n300 setup. Leave your feedback about whether the given information was useful to you or not. Connect with a technician to monitor or maintain your extender after completing the setup.