NETGEAR Nighthawk M3 User Manual

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User Manual

Nighthawk M3

Model MH3150

November 2024

202-12746-01

NETGEAR, Inc.

350 E. Plumeria Drive

San Jose, CA 95134, USA

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Page 1 User Manual Nighthawk M3 Model MH3150 NETGEAR, Inc. November 2024 350 E. Plumeria Drive 202-12746-01 San Jose, CA 95134, USA...
Page 2 See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply. For NETGEAR’s Privacy Policy, visit https://www.netgear.com/about/privacy-policy. By using this device, you are agreeing to NETGEAR’s Terms and Conditions at https://www.netgear.com/about/terms-and-conditions. If you do not agree, return the device to your place of purchase within your return period.
Page 3 Nighthawk M3 Restrictions applicable in AT/BE/BG/CZ/DK/EE/FR/DE/IS/IE/IT/EL/ES/CY/ LV/LI/LT/LU/HU/MT/NL/NO/PL/PT/RO/SI/SK/TR/FI/SE/CH/UK(NI)/HR: Operation in 5150-5350MHz is restricted to indoor use only. This equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20 cm between the radiator and your body. SAR is measured with the device at 5 mm from the body, while transmitting at the highest certified output power level in all frequency bands of the device.
Page 4 Contents Chapter 1 Overview and Setup Nighthawk M3 hardware overview........... 9 Install or replace a SIM card............. 10 Set up for travel or fixed use............11 Travel setup................... 11 Charge the battery..............11 Charging best practices............12 Fixed setup..................13 Set up Plugged-In Mode for fixed usage......
Page 5 Nighthawk M3 Change WiFi standby, range, bandwidth, and info display settings from the web user interface............. 35 Enable or disable Guest WiFi from the web user interface..36 Change Guest WiFi settings from the web user interface..37 Change power mode from the web user interface...... 37 Enable or disable Airplane Mode from the web user interface...
Page 6 Nighthawk M3 Improve reception with an external antenna......... 58 Factory reset your mobile hotspot..........60 Appendix A Specifications LTE and 5GNR transmission specifications........62 Nighthawk M3 family mobile band specifications......64 WiFi specifications................65...
Page 7 Overview and Setup This user manual is for the NETGEAR Nighthawk M3 5G WiFi 6 Mobile WiFi Hotspot. Figure 1. Nighthawk M3 mobile WiFi hotspot This manual describes how to manage your mobile WiFi hotspot from the device user interface and web user interface.
Page 8 • Power on your hotspot and finish setup • View the home screen • Navigate the hotspot screens • Restart or power off your mobile hotspot For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website at netgear.com/support.
Page 9 Nighthawk M3 Nighthawk M3 hardware overview The Nighthawk M3 package includes your mobile hotspot, a battery, and a USB-A to USB-C charging cable. Figure 2. Nighthawk M3 package contents The Nighthawk M3 has an LCD screen and a Power/Navigation button.
Page 10 SIM card that you previously installed. Battery cover Battery Nano SIM card Figure 5. Nighthawk M3 SIM card installation To replace a SIM card: 1. Remove the mobile hotspot back cover by lifting the corners. 2. Remove the battery.
Page 11 Nighthawk M3 4. Insert the replacement SIM card in the slot. 5. Reinstall the battery. 6. Reinstall the back cover. Set up for travel or fixed use You can set up your mobile hotspot for travel usage using battery power, or you can set it up for fixed usage inside a home or office using wall power for extra performance.
Page 12 • Use a high quality USB cable and power adapter: Typical third-party USB power adapters and computer USB ports do not provide the same amount of current as official NETGEAR power adapters and will not charge your battery as quickly. Third-party cables can also limit battery charging speed. However, high quality third-party USB power adapters and cables that meet certain standards should provide similar performance to the official NETGEAR parts.
Page 13 Third-party power adapters and USB cables on page 57. Set up Plugged-In Mode for fixed usage Removing your Nighthawk M3's battery and plugging it into wall power enables Plugged-In Mode, which boosts performance and improves WiFi coverage. NOTE: Low quality third-party USB power adapters and computer USB ports typically do not provide sufficient current for Plugged-In Mode.
Page 14 Nighthawk M3 Figure 7. Nighthawk M3 fixed setup To enable Plugged-In Mode for fixed usage: 1. Remove the mobile hotspot back cover by lifting the corners. 2. Remove the battery. NOTE: When using Plugged-In Mode, we recommend that you do not reinstall the back cover after removing the battery for better device cooling performance.
Page 15 To power on your hotspot and finish setup: 1. Press and hold the Power/Navigation button for two seconds. The NETGEAR logo displays and your mobile hotspot starts up. The welcome screen displays. 2. Follow the onscreen instructions to set up your WiFi network and connect your first device.
Page 16 Nighthawk M3 Table 1. Icons Icons Description Indicates the strength of the mobile broadband network signal. Indicates that you are connected to the 5G network. Indicates the amount of charge in the battery. Navigate the hotspot screens You can navigate through your mobile hotspot's screens using the Power/Navigation button on the device.
Page 17 Nighthawk M3 The icons at the bottom of the screen indicate which screen in the sequence you are currently viewing. After you have cycled through every screen, pressing the button again returns you to the first screen. Press button To perform an action when the device prompts you, press and hold the button.
Page 18 Nighthawk M3 The Restart/Power Off/Sleep menu appears. 2. Press the Power/Navigation button to select an option, then press and hold to confirm. Depending on your selection, your mobile hotspot restarts, powers off, or goes to sleep. Overview and Setup User Manual...
Page 19 Connect devices to the Internet When you turn on your mobile hotspot, it automatically connects to the mobile broadband network in your area. To access the Internet on other devices, connect them to your mobile hotspot's WiFi or wired network. This chapter contains the following sections: •...
Page 20 Nighthawk M3 Connect to WiFi using the SSID and password When your mobile hotspot is powered on, it broadcasts a WiFi network name (SSID) and password. You can connect to the Internet by selecting your hotspot's SSID and entering the password on your WiFi devices.
Page 21 Nighthawk M3 Connect to WiFi using the QR code Your mobile hotspot's WiFi QR code enables mobile devices like smartphones and tablets to connect to WiFi without manually entering an SSID and password. NOTE: You can choose to connect to your hotspot using the 2.4 GHz band (slower speeds, longer range) or the 5 GHz band (faster speeds, shorter range) by cycling to the appropriate screen on your hotspot.
Page 22 Nighthawk M3 Connect a computer to the Internet using tethering You can connect a computer to your mobile hotspot using the included USB cable instead of connecting with WiFi. This kind of cable connection is called tethering. NOTE: There might be a brief delay when your computer's operating system detects the mobile hotspot the first time you use the USB cable to connect your mobile hotspot to your computer.
Page 23 View alerts and device information This chapter contains the following sections: • View alerts from your mobile hotspot • Update software and firmware from an Update Available alert • View details about your mobile hotspot • Manually check for software and firmware updates •...
Page 24 Nighthawk M3 View alerts from your mobile hotspot Your mobile hotspot displays alerts on the LCD screen to inform you of device status changes. Alerts display as long as the cause of the alert is present. When the cause of an alert is resolved, the corresponding alert is removed automatically.
Page 25 Nighthawk M3 To update software or firmware from an Update Available alert: 1. Quickly press and release the Power/Navigation button to wake your mobile hotspot. The home screen displays a Software Update Available alert, and your hotspot downloads the update.
Page 26 Nighthawk M3 Manually check for software and firmware updates Your mobile hotspot will notify you when it detects the availability of new software or firmware. However, you can also check for updates manually. Because software and firmware updates typically improve device performance and usability, we recommend that you update your hotspot whenever possible.
Page 27 Nighthawk M3 To view details about your SIM: 1. Quickly press and release the Power/Navigation button to wake your mobile hotspot. The home screen displays. 2. Press the Power/Navigation button five times. The SIM Information screen displays the following information: •...
Page 28 Access the web user interface Your mobile hotspot is equipped with a web user interface that you can use to change settings and access advanced features. This chapter contains the following sections: • Log in to the web user interface from a browser •...
Page 29 • Restore backed up settings from the web user interface • Factory reset your mobile hotspot from the web user interface • Enable or disable IP passthrough from the web user interface • Disable or re-enable the DHCP server feature from the web user interface •...
Page 30 Nighthawk M3 Log in to the web user interface from a browser You can access the mobile hotspot web user interface by visiting the hotspot's IP address in a web browser on a computer, laptop, or other WiFi device. To log in to the web user interface: 1.
Page 31 Nighthawk M3 Depending on your mobile device, you might need to tap the QR code in your camera app to proceed. The mobile hotspot web page displays. 4. Log in using your admin password. The default admin login password is printed on the product label in the battery compartment.
Page 32 Nighthawk M3 View details about your mobile hotspot from the web user interface You can view details about your mobile hotspot from the web user interface. To view details about your mobile hotspot from the web user interface: 1. From the web user interface dashboard, select Settings > WiFi Status.
Page 33 Nighthawk M3 conserving your cellular data, using offloading to connect through your hotspot to public Internet connections provides an extra layer of security for your devices. Enable WiFi offloading from the web user interface To enable WiFi offloading from the web user interface: 1.
Page 34 Nighthawk M3 A message displays telling you that to save this change, your device must restart WiFi connections. 4. Click or tap Continue. Your settings are saved. Change WiFi network name, password, encryption, or channel settings from the web user interface The WiFi network name (SSID) identifies your WiFi network and is visible to other WiFi-enabled devices.
Page 35 Nighthawk M3 Your settings are saved. If you changed the SSID or password, your previously connected WiFi devices must reconnect using the new credentials. Change WiFi standby, range, bandwidth, and info display settings from the web user interface To change WiFi standby, range, bandwidth, and info display settings from the web user interface: 1.
Page 36 Nighthawk M3 Enable or disable Guest WiFi from the web user interface You can turn on Guest WiFi to share your Internet connection with temporary visitors on a separate connection from your personal WiFi devices. Guest WiFi is disabled by default.
Page 37 Nighthawk M3 Change Guest WiFi settings from the web user interface When Guest WiFi is enabled, your mobile hotspot's web user interface displays additional settings for the Guest WiFi network. You can change the Guest WiFi network name, password, encryption, and channel settings. You can also choose to randomly generate a Guest WiFi password or disable Guest WiFi SSID broadcast.
Page 38 Nighthawk M3 • Balanced: Best battery life. • Performance: Best performance on battery. • Plugged In: Max performance with battery removed. Table 2. Power Manager Profile Settings Balanced Performance Plugged In LCD on 1 minute 1 minute 1 minute time...
Page 39 Nighthawk M3 A message displays telling you that to save this change, your device must restart WiFi connections. 4. Click or tap Continue. Airplane Mode is enabled. Configure access controls from the web user interface You can use access control to set up a list of specific devices to be allowed access or blocked from accessing your mobile hotspot's Internet connection.
Page 40 Nighthawk M3 To configure website filters from the web user interface: 1. From the web user interface dashboard, select Settings > Security > Website Filters. The Website Filters page displays. 2. Select the Enable check box. 3. From the Filter Type menu, select Block List or Allow List.
Page 41 Nighthawk M3 3. To add a schedule rule, click or tap Add. The New Rule page displays. 4. Specify the name of the rule and the days and times for the rule. 5. Select the Enable check box. 6. Click or tap Save.
Page 42 Nighthawk M3 The password settings are displayed. 2. In the New Password field, enter the password that you want to use. The maximum password length is 31 characters. 3. In the Repeat Password field, enter the new password a second time to confirm.
Page 43 Nighthawk M3 By default, mobile hotspot setting files are saved to your Downloads folder. 3. Click or tap Open. Your mobile hotspot is restored with the uploaded file's settings. Factory reset your mobile hotspot from the web user interface To factory reset your mobile hotspot from the web user interface: 1.
Page 44 Nighthawk M3 To enable or disable IP passthrough from the web user interface: 1. From the web user interface dashboard, select Settings > Advanced > Mobile Router Setup. The Mobile Router Setup page displays. 2. Select the IP Passthrough ON or OFF button.
Page 45 Nighthawk M3 Your settings are saved. Change tethering settings from the web user interface By default, tethering is enabled on your hotspot, and it continues broadcasting WiFi when tethering is used. You can change these settings from the web user interface.
Page 46 Nighthawk M3 3. (Optional) To set a regular reset date or data plan limit, select the appropriate check box and enter or select your desired values. 4. Click or tap Apply. Your settings are saved. Configure cellular settings from the...
Page 47 Nighthawk M3 The APN page displays. 3. Specify the APN name. The APN name is a label for display in the UI. 4. Specify the APN. This step specifies the APN as defined by the carrier. 5. Change the PDP (data protocol), if necessary: •...
Page 48 Nighthawk M3 Remove an APN entry To remove an APN entry: 1. From the web user interface dashboard, select Settings > Advanced > Cellular. The Cellular page displays. 2. Select the box to the left of the APN. 3. Click or tap Delete.
Page 49 Nighthawk M3 Your settings are saved. Configure port filtering from the web user interface You can select which applications (for example, HTTP, FTP, email servers) can access the Internet. Used with other security measures such as a firewall, port filtering can enhance network security.
Page 50 Nighthawk M3 period reduces power consumption and might increase your mobile hotspot's battery life. To change display settings from the web user interface: 1. From the web user interface dashboard, select Settings > Advanced > Device. The Device page displays.
Page 51 Disable or re-enable device analytics from the web user interface NETGEAR improves its products and services by automatically sending daily diagnostic and usage data. Device analytics are enabled by default. You can disable or re-enable device analytics from the web user interface.
Page 52 Nighthawk M3 Disable or re-enable VPN passthrough from the web user interface To connect to a corporate network using VPN, VPN connections (passthrough) must be enabled. VPN passthrough is enabled by default, but you can disable it from the web user interface.
Page 53 Nighthawk M3 UPnP is enabled by default. 3. (Optional) If you enabled UPnP, select a UPnP IGD Version from the menu. This setting typically does not need to be changed unless a specific application or device requires it. 4. Click or tap Apply.
Page 54 Troubleshooting This chapter provides suggestions for troubleshooting problems that might arise when you are using your mobile hotspot. This chapter covers the following topics: • View alerts • Extend battery life • Third-party power adapters and USB cables • Improve reception with an external antenna •...
Page 55 Nighthawk M3 View alerts Your mobile hotspot displays alerts to advise you of device status changes. SIM Error — Check SIM or SIM Not Installed Ensure that your cellular data carrier’s SIM card is fully inserted in your mobile hotspot's SIM card slot.
Page 56 Nighthawk M3 Your mobile hotspot has specific heat limits for each operating mode. Removing the battery and plugging your mobile hotspot in raises its temperature limits, as it doesn’t need to limit heat as much to protect the battery. Exceeding these limits results in reduced performance, stability issues, or even automatic shutdown.
Page 57 This can help reduce the heat generated by the device. • Install firmware updates: Keep your mobile hotspot’s firmware up to date. NETGEAR firmware updates can include performance optimizations and thermal management improvements, ensuring the best performance for your device.
Page 58 NOTE: If you have more than 2 bars of reception, using an external antenna might decrease your reception due to interference. NETGEAR mobile hotspots and fixed wireless devices are all equipped with two TS-9 connectors for use with external antennas. The NETGEAR Omnidirectional MIMO Antenna...
Page 59 Nighthawk M3 comes with two SMA to TS-9 adapters so that it can work with devices that have either SMA or TS-9 connectors. 1. SMA to TS-9 adapters 2. SMA connectors CAUTION: Be gentle when plugging and unplugging the TS-9 connectors from your device because they can be delicate.
Page 60 Nighthawk M3 Factory reset your mobile hotspot You can reset your mobile hotspot to the factory settings. This is useful if you reset the admin login password for the web user interface and forgot the new password, or if you want to set up your mobile hotspot in a different way.
Page 61 Specifications This appendix covers the following topics: • LTE and 5GNR transmission specifications • Nighthawk M3 family mobile band specifications • WiFi specifications...
Page 62 Nighthawk M3 LTE and 5GNR transmission specifications Transmission specifications The following tables indicate the LTE and 5GNR transmission characteristics. Table 3. LTE transmission characteristics for MH3150 Frequency (MHz) Bands Ext Ant Gain (dBi) 1850-1910 1710-1755 824-849 2500-2570 698-716 777-787 788-798...
Page 63 Nighthawk M3 Table 4. 5GNR transmission characteristics for MH3150 (Continued) Frequency (Mhz) Bands Ext Ant Gain (dBi) 788-798 1850-1915 2305-2315 1.05 2496-2690 3550-3700 0.17 1710-1780 663-698 3300-3550, 3700-4200 Specifications User Manual...
Page 64 Nighthawk M3 Nighthawk M3 family mobile band specifications The following table indicates the Nighthawk M3 (model MH3150) mobile band specifications. Table 5. Mobile bands Technology Band 4G/LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66...
Page 65 Nighthawk M3 WiFi specifications WiFi support • WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2x2 MIMO • 2.4/5 GHz Standalone The following restrictions apply in AT/BE/BG/CZ/DK/EE/FR/DE/IS/IE/IT/EL/ES/CY/LV/LI/LT/LU/HU/MT/NL/NO/PL/PT /RO/SI/SK/TR/FI/SE/CH/UK(NI)/HR/HK: • Operation in 5150MHz to 5350MHz is restricted to indoor use only. • This equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20 cm between the radiator and your body.

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