NETGEAR R6400 Smart WiFi Router Quick Start Manual

LEDs

The LEDs on the top of the router light to indicate router activity:

LED	Description
Power	Solid white. The router is ready. Solid amber. The router is starting. Blinking amber. The firmware is upgrading, or the Reset button was pressed. Blinking white. The firmware is corrupted. Off. Power is not supplied to the router.
Internet	Solid white. The Internet connection is ready. Solid amber. The router detected an Ethernet cable connection to the modem. Off. No Ethernet cable is connected between the router and the modem.
2.4 GHz WiFi	Solid white. The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is operating. Blinking. The router is sending or receiving WiFi traffic. Off. The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is off.
5 GHz WiFi	Solid white. The 5 GHz WiFi radio is operating. Blinking. The router is sending or receiving WiFi traffic. Off. The 5 GHz WiFi radio is off.
USB 3.0‑Storage port	The USB 3.0‑Storage LED is for the USB 3.0‑Storage port on the front panel. NETGEAR recommends that you connect a USB storage device to the USB 3.0‑Storage port and connect a USB printer to the USB 2.0‑Printer port. Solid white. A USB storage device is connected to the USB 3.0‑Storage port and is ready. Blinking. A USB storage device is plugged in and is trying to connect. Off. No USB storage device is connected to the USB 3.0‑Storage port, or someone clicked the Safely Remove Hardware button and it is now safe to remove the attached USB storage device.
USB 2.0‑Printer port	The USB 2.0‑Printer LED is for the USB 2.0‑Printer port on the front panel. NETGEAR recommends that you connect a USB storage device to the USB 3.0‑Storage port and connect a USB printer to the USB 2.0‑Printer port. Solid white. A USB printer is connected to the USB 2.0‑Printer port and is ready. Blinking. A USB printer is plugged in to the USB 2.0‑Printer port and is trying to connect. Off. No USB printer is connected to the USB 2.0‑Printer port, or someone clicked the Safely Remove Hardware button and it is now safe to remove the attached USB printer.
Ethernet ports 1–4	The LED color indicates the speed: white for Gigabit Ethernet connections and amber for 100 Mbps or 10 Mbps Ethernet connections. Solid. A powered‑on device is connected to the Ethernet port. Blinking. The port is sending or receiving traffic. Off. No device is connected to this Ethernet port.
WiFi On/Off button with LED	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 turned off and you cannot use WiFi to connect to the router.
WPS button	This button lets you use WPS to join the WiFi network without typing the WiFi password. The WPS LED blinks white during this process and then lights solid white.

To install your router:

1. Position the antennas.
   
   Position the antennas for the best WiFi performance. NETGEAR recommends that the center antenna be vertical and that you aim the others outward at 45‑degree angles as shown.
   Note: The antennas are not detachable. Attempting to detach the antennas will damage the router.
2. Prepare your modem.
   
   1. Unplug your modem's power.
   2. If the modem uses a battery backup, remove its batteries.
   3. If your modem was already connected to another router, disconnect the cable between your modem and that router.
      Make sure that your modem is turned off and is cabled only to the wall jack for your Internet service.
3. Connect your modem.
   
   1. Plug in, then turn on your modem.
   2. If you removed the batteries, replace them.
   3. With the Ethernet cable that came with the router, connect your modem to the yellow WAN (Internet) port on your router.
4. Add power to the router.
   
   1. Connect the power adapter to the router and plug the power adapter into an outlet.
   2. Wait for the Power LED on the front panel to light amber and turn white.
      If no LEDs are lit, press the Power On/Off button on the rear panel of the router.
5. Connect a device.
   
   You can use an Ethernet cable to connect a computer to the router or you can use WiFi to connect a computer or WiFi device to the router:
   • For a wired connection, use an Ethernet cable (not included) to connect your computer to an Ethernet port on your router.
   • To connect your computer or WiFi device to the router with WiFi, use the WiFi settings on the product label.
     
6. Launch a web browser.
   The first time that you connect to the router, the genie page displays. Follow the genie steps to connect to the Internet. If the genie page does not display, try the following:
   • Close and reopen the browser.
   • Make sure that your computer is connected to one of the four Ethernet ports on the router, or that you are connected to your router's WiFi network.
   • Make sure that the router has full power, and that its Power LED is lit.
   • If your computer is set to a static or fixed IP address (this is uncommon), change it to obtain an IP address automatically from the router.
     If you still do not see the genie page, log in to the router so that genie can detect your Internet connection.

To log in to the router:

1. Launch a web browser.
2. Enter www.routerlogin.net in the address field of the browser. A login window opens.
3. Enter admin for the user name and password for the password.
   The BASIC Home page displays. If your Internet connection is not set up yet, genie automatically detects your Internet connection.

WiFi Network Name and Password

The preset WiFi network name (SSID) and password (network key) are unique to your router, like a serial number. Because the router automatically uses WiFi security, you don't need to set it up. The WiFi settings are on the product label.

NETGEAR recommends that you use the preset WiFi settings because you can check the product label if you forget them. NETGEAR genie lets you change these settings. If you do so, write down the new WiFi settings and store them in a safe place.
You can write the WiFi settings from your product label in this space for easy reference.
WiFi network name (SSID):
Network key (password):
If you change the WiFi settings, write the new settings here for easy reference and store this booklet in a safe place.
WiFi network name (SSID):
Network key (password):

Join the WiFi Network

You can either use Wi‑Fi Protected Setup (WPS) or select your WiFi network and type its password. For help with the WPS button on your computer or WiFi device, check the instructions or online help that came with that computer or device. Some older equipment cannot use WPS.

To join the network using WPS:

1. Press the WPS button on the router for 3–5 seconds. The WPS LED on the router blinks white.
2. Within two minutes, on your computer or WiFi device, press its WPS button or click its onscreen WPS button. The WPS LED on the router lights solid white when the computer or WiFi device connects to your router.
3. Repeat this process to add other computers or WiFi devices.

To select your network and enter its password:

1. Open the software utility that manages your WiFi connections on the computer or WiFi device that you want to connect to your router. This utility scans for WiFi networks in your area.
2. Find and select your router's WiFi network name (SSID). The SSID is on the product label.
3. Enter the router's password (or your custom password if you changed it) and click the Connect button. The password is on the product label.
4. Repeat Step 1 through Step 3 to add other computers or WiFi devices.

View or Change the Router Settings

After you use genie to set up the router, you can log in to the router to view or change its settings.

Log In to the Router

To log in to the router:

1. Connect a computer or WiFi device to the router. You can use an Ethernet cable or connect with WiFi.

• For a wired connection, use an Ethernet cable (not included) to connect your computer to an Ethernet port on your router.
• To connect with WiFi, select and join your WiFi network.

2. Launch a web browser.
3. Enter www.routerlogin.net in the address field of the browser. A login window opens.
4. Enter admin for the user name and password for the password.
   The BASIC Home page displays.

Change the admin Password

To change the admin password:

1. Launch a web browser.
2. Enter www.routerlogin.net in the address field of the browser. A login window opens.
3. Enter admin for the user name and password for the password. The BASIC Home page displays.
4. Select ADVANCED > Administration > Set Password. The Set Password page displays.
5. Type your old password and type the new password twice.
6. To be able to recover the password, select the Enable Password Recovery check box. NETGEAR recommends that you enable password recovery.
7. Select two security questions and provide answers to them.
8. Click the Apply button. Your changes are saved.

Recover a Forgotten admin Password

The default password for the admin user name is password. If you changed the password and enabled the password recovery feature, you can retrieve this password.

To retrieve a forgotten admin password:

1. Launch a web browser.
2. Enter www.routerlogin.net in the address field of the browser. A login window opens.
3. Click the Cancel button. If password recovery is enabled, you are prompted to enter the serial number of the router.
4. Enter the serial number of the router. The serial number is on the product label.
5. Click the Continue button. A page displays requesting the answers to your security questions.
6. Enter the saved answers to your security questions.
7. Click the Continue button. A page displays your recovered password.
8. Click the Login button. A login page displays.
9. With your recovered password, log in to the router.

Find a Forgotten WiFi Security Password

The preset WiFi password is on the product label. If you changed your WiFi password and forgot what it is, log in to the router to view its current WiFi password.

To connect to the router and view its WiFi password:

1. Launch a web browser.
2. Enter www.routerlogin.net in the address field. A login window opens.
3. Enter the router user name and password. The default user name is admin and the default password is password. You can use the default credentials if you did not change them. The BASIC Home page displays.
4. Select Wireless Settings. The Security Options section of the page displays your WiFi password.

Share a USB Device on the WiFi Network

ReadySHARE lets you access and share a USB storage device connected to the router's USB 3.0‑Storage port. (If your USB device has special drivers, it is not compatible.)
Note: NETGEAR recommends that you connect a USB storage device to the USB 3.0‑Storage port and connect a USB printer to the USB 2.0‑Printer port.

To access the USB storage device from a Windows computer:

1. Connect your USB storage device to the USB 3.0‑Storage port on the router.
   If your USB storage device uses a power supply, you must connect its power supply. When you connect the USB storage device to the router's USB 3.0‑Storage port, it might take up to two minutes before it is ready for sharing. By default, the USB storage device is available to all computers on your local area network (LAN).
2. On a Windows computer that is connected to the network, select Start > Run, enter \\readyshare in the dialog box, and click the OK button. A window displays the files and folders on the device.

To access the USB storage device from a Mac:

1. Connect your USB storage device to the USB 3.0‑Storage port on the router.
   If your USB storage device uses a power supply, you must connect its power supply.
   When you connect the USB storage device to the router's USB 3.0‑Storage port, it might take up to two minutes before it is ready for sharing. By default, the USB storage device is available to all computers on your local area network (LAN).
2. On a Mac that is connected to the network, launch Finder and select Go > Connect to Server.
   The Connect to server page displays.
3. Enter the smb://readyshare in the Server Address field and click the Connect button.
4. When prompted, select the Guest radio button.
   If you set up access control on the router and you allowed your Mac to access the network, select the Registered User radio button and enter admin for the name and password for the password. For more information about access control, see the user manual, which is available online at http://downloadcenter.netgear.com or through a link in the router's user interface.
5. Click the Connect button.
   A window displays the files and folders on the device.

ReadySHARE Vault Backup App

Your router comes with free backup software for all the Windows computers in your home. Connect a USB hard disk drive (HDD) to the USB 3.0‑Storage port on your router for centralized, continuous, and automatic backup.
Note: NETGEAR recommends that you connect a USB storage device to the USB 3.0‑Storage port and connect a printer to the USB 2.0‑Printer port.
Note: The following operating systems support ReadySHARE Vault:

• Windows XP SP3
• Windows 7
• Windows 8
• Windows 8.1

To back up your Windows computer:

1. Connect a USB HDD to the USB 3.0‑Storage port on the router.
2. Download ReadySHARE Vault from www.netgear.com/readyshare and install it on each Windows computer.
3. Launch ReadySHARE Vault. The ReadySHARE Vault window opens.
4. Use the dashboard or the Backup tab to set up and run your backup jobs.

Share a USB Printer

You can connect a USB printer to the USB‑2.0 Printer port on the router and print wirelessly.
Note: NETGEAR recommends that you connect a USB storage device to the USB 3.0‑Storage port and connect a USB printer to the USB 2.0‑Printer port.

To set up ReadySHARE Printer:

1. Connect the USB printer to the USB‑2.0 Printer port on the router with a USB printer cable.
2. On each computer that will share the printer, do the following:
   1. Install the current USB printer driver software (available from the printer manufacturer).
   2. Download the NETGEAR USB Control Center utility from www.netgear.com/readyshare and install it.
   3. Select the language.
3. If prompted, select the printer and click the Connect button for each computer.
   When the first computer connects, the status changes to Manually connected by xxx.
   For each computer, when you complete Step 3, the printer status displays as Available.

More Premium Features

Your router lets you do the following and more:

• Play music from a USB device with iTunes Server.
• Set up a secure VPN service connection to your home network.
• Create a personal FTP server with a custom URL.

iTunes Server

iTunes Server lets you play music with your Windows or Mac iTunes app from a USB device that is connected to the router's USB 3.0‑Storage port. You can also use the Apple Remote app from an iPhone or iPad to play music on any AirPlay devices, such as Apple TV or AirPlay‑supported receivers.

To specify iTunes Server settings:

1. On your iPhone or iPad, find and connect to the WiFi network.
2. Download the Remote app from the Apple App Store.
3. Launch the Remote app from your iPhone or iPad.
4. Click the Add a Device button. A passcode displays.
5. Specify the passcode in the router.
   1. Launch a web browser.
   2. Enter www.routerlogin.net in the address field of the browser. A login window opens.
   3. Enter the router user name and password. The default user name is admin and the default password is password. You can use the default credentials if you did not change them. The BASIC Home page displays.
   4. Select ADVANCED > USB Functions > ReadySHARE Storage.
      The USB Storage (Advanced Settings) page displays.
   5. Select the Media Server tab. The Media Server (Settings) page displays.
   6. Select the Enable iTunes Server (Music Only) check box and click the Apply button.
   7. Enter the passcode and click the Allow Control button. Your changes take effect.
      On your iPhone or iPad, the ReadySHARE music library displays in the Remote app. You can play this music on any Airplay devices.

Personal FTP Server

With your customized free URL, you can use FTP to access your network when you aren't home through Dynamic DNS. To set up your FTP server, follow these high‑level steps:

1. Register for a free NETGEAR Dynamic DNS (DDNS) service account.
2. Provide the account settings to your router.
3. Connect a USB hard disk to your router and set up FTP access through the Internet.

These steps are explained in detail in the user manual, which is available online at http://downloadcenter.netgear.com or through a link in the router's user interface.

NETGEAR genie App

The free NETGEAR genie app lets you easily monitor, connect, and control your home network from a Windows or Mac computer, tablet, or smartphone. You can share and stream music or videos, diagnose and repair network issues, set up parental controls, and more:

• Access your router and change its settings or diagnose and repair network issues.
• Make a printer AirPrint compatible so that you can print from an iPad or iPhone.
• Use MyMedia to find and play media files in your network.
• Use Turbo Transfer to quickly send files from your computer or smartphone to another device on the network.
• Set up parental controls.
• Connect your smartphones and tablets to your home WiFi by scanning the WiFi QR code from genie.

Download the free genie app from www.NETGEAR.com/genie.