Summary of Contents for NETGEAR Nighthawk EAX80-100
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User Manual Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Model EAX80 NETGEAR, Inc. September 2019 350 E. Plumeria Drive 202-11975-01 San Jose, CA 95134, USA...
Connect to an Existing WiFi Network..........13 Connect with the Nighthawk app..........13 Connect With WPS..............14 Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant....16 Use the Extender in Access Point Mode..........17 Connect a Device to the Extender Network........18 Connect a Device to the Extender Network Using WiFi...18 Connect a Device to the Extender Network Using WPS...19...
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Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Set up the extender to use a static IP address........36 Configure a router with advanced MAC settings to work with your extender....................37 Chapter 4 Maintain and monitor the extender Change the extender login user name and password....40 Turn password protection off and on..........41 Recover a forgotten user name or password........42 Automatically adjust for daylight saving time.........43...
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Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message..70 Cannot Access mywifiext.net............71 Chapter 8 Supplemental Information Factory Default Settings..............74 Technical and Environmental Specifications........75...
This chapter covers the following topics: • Unpack Your Extender • LEDs • Back Panel • System Requirements • How the Extender Works Note: For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website at support.netgear.com.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Unpack Your Extender Your package contains an extender and power adapter. Figure 1. Extender package contents Overview User Manual...
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender LEDs The following table describes the LEDs. Figure 2. Front panel Table 1. LED descriptions Description Power LED • Slow blinking white. The extender is booting, or the extender is resetting to its factory default settings. •...
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Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Table 1. LED descriptions (Continued) Description 2.4 GHz LED • Solid white. The extender’s 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is operating. • Off. The extender’s 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is off. 5 GHz LED •...
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Back Panel The back panel of the extender provides ports, buttons, and a DC power connector. Figure 3. Back panel The back panel contains the following components: • Reset button. Pressing this button resets the extender. If the Reset button is pressed for at least seven seconds, the Power LED blinks amber, and the extender returns to its factory settings.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender System Requirements You need the following to install your extender: • 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac wireless router or gateway • Compatible web browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer® 8.0 or higher Firefox 2.0 or higher Safari 5.1 or higher Google Chrome 25.0 or higher How the Extender Works...
Get Started This chapter covers the following topics: • Install the WiFi Extender • Use the Extender in Access Point Mode • Connect a Device to the Extender Network • Log In to the Extender After Installation • Run Smart Setup Installation...
Note: WPS does not support WEP network security or a hidden SSID network. If your router WiFi network uses WEP security or its SSID is hidden, follow the instructions in Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant on page 16. • Connect with the web browser setup. You can use the extender's web browser setup, called the NETGEAR installation assistant.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender To connect with the Nighthawk app: 1. Download the Nighthawk app on your mobile device. For more information about the Nighthawk app, visit Nighthawk-app.com. 2. On your mobile device, open the WiFi connection manager, then locate and connect to the extender network called NETGEAR_EXT.
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Note: WPS does not support WEP network security or a hidden SSID network. If your existing WiFi network uses WEP security or its SSID is hidden, follow the instructions in Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant on page 16. To use WPS to connect the extender to your WiFi router: 1.
You can use the NETGEAR installation assistant to connect your extender to your existing WiFi router network. To use the NETGEAR installation assistant, you must launch a web browser on your computer or mobile device. To use the NETGEAR installation assistant to connect the extender to your WiFi router: 1.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender 3. Enter http://www.mywifiext.net. The NETGEAR installation assistant displays. 4. Follow the prompts to connect your extender to your existing router WiFi network. 5. Unplug your extender and move it to a new location.
If your network includes a DHCP server, you can connect the extender to a switch or hub that is connected to the DHCP server. 6. Return to the NETGEAR installation assistant and follow the prompts to finish setting up your extender as an access point.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender To connect to the extender WiFi network: 1. On your WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device, open the WiFi connection manager that manages your WiFi connections. The WiFi connection manager scans for WiFi networks in your area. 2.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Run Smart Setup Installation You can use Smart Setup to change the extender settings. This is an easy way to connect the extender to a different router or to change the extender WiFi network name (SSID) or WiFi password.
Extender Network Settings This chapter covers the following topics: • Enable or disable One WiFi Name • Enable or disable smart connect • View connected devices • View WiFi settings • Change the WiFi network name • Turn off the SSID broadcast to create a hidden network •...
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Enable or disable One WiFi Name The One WiFi Name feature enables your extender to use the same WiFi network settings as your router. If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, your extender uses the same WiFi network name and password as your router.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender 5. Select Settings > Wireless. The WiFi Settings page displays. 6. To enable the One WiFi name feature, select the Yes radio button. If this is the first time you’re enabling the One WiFi Name feature, you must run the Smart Setup.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender For more information about how to find your extender’s IP address, see Find the Extender’s IP address on page 69. A login page displays. 3. Enter your admin user name and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext/ or http://mywifiext.local/ Mac computers, iOS devices, and Linux devices. http://mywifiext.local/ Android devices. http://<extender’s IP address>/ (for example, http://192.168.1.3/) For more information about how to find your extender’s IP address, see Find the Extender’s IP address on page 69.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender 3. Enter your admin user name and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. If your browser displays the Menu icon , click it. The extender menu displays. 5. Select Settings > Wireless. The WiFi Settings page displays the WiFi settings.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Your settings are saved. Turn off the SSID broadcast to create a hidden network By default, the extender broadcasts its WiFi signal so that its WiFi network names (SSIDs) are easy for you to find and connect to from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. You can turn off the SSID broadcast to create a hidden WiFi network.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Your settings are saved. Disable or enable the WiFi radios By default, the extender’s WiFi radios broadcast signals in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. If you disable the WiFi radios, then no one can connect with WiFi to the extender. To enable or disable the WiFi radios: 1.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Change the WiFi speed When the extender's 2.4 GHz WiFi backhaul is connected to the root access point (root AP), the extender's 2.4 GHz fronthaul WiFi speed is the same as the root AP's 2.4 GHz WiFi speed.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender A login page displays. 3. Enter your admin user name and password and click the LOG IN button. The Status page displays. If your browser displays the Menu icon , click it. The extender menu displays. 5.
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Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender To use WPS to add a WPS-enabled device to the extender’s WiFi network: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: •...
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Use WPS with the PIN method To use the PIN method to connect a WiFi device to the extender’s WiFi network, you must know the PIN of the WiFi device that you are trying to connect. To add a computer or WiFi device to the extender’s WiFi network: 1.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender The WiFi device displays onscreen. Deny access to a computer or WiFi device By default, access control is disabled so that it is easy for you to connect to the extender’s WiFi networks. You can deny network access to specific computers and WiFi devices based on their MAC addresses.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender 6. In the WiFi Devices section, select the Enable Access Control check box. The WiFi devices table displays the names and MAC addresses of WiFi devices that are connected to the extender. 7. Select the Deny check box for the device. 8.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender 6. Select the Access Schedule On radio button. The page adjusts. 7. In the Days menu and the Time menu, select the day and time when you want to disable the extender’s wireless or wired connection to the router. 8.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender 6. Scroll down and click the IP Address heading. The page expands. 7. In the Device Name field, type a name. 8. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Set up the extender to use a static IP address The extender comes set up to use a dynamic IP address, which is the correct setting for most home networks.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender By default, the Dynamically get IP Address from Router radio button is selected. 7. Select the Use Static IP Address radio button. 8. Complete the fields to specify the IP network IP addresses. 9.
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Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender 4. Log in to your extender: a. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. b. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter http://mywifiext.local/ in the address field of the browser.
Maintain and monitor the extender This chapter covers the following topics: • Change the extender login user name and password • Turn password protection off and on • Recover a forgotten user name or password • Automatically adjust for daylight saving time •...
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Change the extender login user name and password You can change the admin user name and password that you use to log in to the extender. To change the extender's login user name and password: 1.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender 9. Click the SAVE button. Your settings are saved. Turn password protection off and on We recommend that you leave password protection on to help keep your network secure. You can turn password protection off and on. To turn password protection off or on: 1.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Recover a forgotten user name or password If you changed the password that you use to access the extender and you set up password recovery, you can recover your password if you lose it. To recover your password that you use to access the extender: 1.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Automatically adjust for daylight saving time To set up the extender to automatically adjust for daylight saving time: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender To manually set the extender clock: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: • If you did not enable the One WiFi Name feature, enter www.mywifiext.net in the address field of the browser.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender extender configuration settings but are not content with the new settings, you can restore the extender configuration to the backed-up settings. Back up the configuration settings You can back up the configuration file of the extender. To back up the extender configuration settings: 1.
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Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Maintain and monitor the User Manual extender...
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Restore the configuration settings You can restore the configuration settings of the extender to a previously saved configuration file. To restore the extender configuration settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender 9. Confirm your decision. The extender configuration is restored and the extender restarts. This process takes about one minute. Return the extender to its factory default settings Under some circumstances (for example, if you lose track of the changes that you made to the extender settings), you might want to erase the configuration and reset the extender to factory default settings.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender • If you enabled the One WiFi Name feature, enter one of the following URLs: Windows-based computers. http://mywifiext or http://mywifiext.local Mac computers, iOS devices, and Linux devices. http://mywifiext. local Android devices. http://<extender’s IP address> (for example, http://192.168.1.3) For more information about how to find your extender’s IP address, see Find the Extender’s IP address on page 69.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender To check manually for new firmware and, if available, update the firmware: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network. 2. Log in to your extender: •...
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Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender To manually upload a firmware file to your extender: 1. Download the firmware file for your extender from the NETGEAR Download Center, save it to your desktop, and unzip the file if needed.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender The firmware update starts and the extender restarts. The firmware update process takes about two minutes. Restart the extender from the extender web interface You can log in to the extender and restart it. When the extender restarts, all computers and WiFi devices that are connected to its WiFi network are automatically disconnected.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Turn the LEDs On or Off If you turn the LEDs off, the Power LED remains on. To turn the LEDs on or off: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Adjust the WiFi coverage You can adjust the extender output power percentage and range of your extended WiFi network. If you select a low output power percentage, the extender's WiFi range will be shorter. If you select a high output power percentage, the extender's WiFi range will be longer.
Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Extender This chapter describes how to access and configure a USB storage drive attached to your extender. The USB port on the extender can be used to connect only USB storage devices such as flash drives or hard drives, or a printer. Do not connect computers, USB modems, CD drives, or DVD drives to the extender USB port.
The extender works with most USB-compliant external flash and hard drives. For the most up-to-date list of USB devices that the extender supports, visit http://kbserver.netgear.com/readyshare. Some USB external hard drives and flash drives require you to load the drivers onto the computer before the computer can access the USB storage device.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Access a Storage Device Connected to the Extender From a Windows Computer To access the USB storage device from a Windows computer: 1. Insert your USB storage device into a USB port on your extender. 2.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender A window automatically opens and displays the USB storage device. 6. Right-click the USB device and select Map network drive. 7. Select the drive letter to map to the new network folder. 8. Click the Finish button. The USB storage device is mapped to the drive letter that you specified.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender A window automatically opens and displays the files and folders on the USB storage device. Turn the USB Port Off and On By default the USB port is on, but you can log in to the extender and turn it off and on. To turn the USB port off and on: 1.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Add a Network Folder on a USB Storage Device You can add network folders on a USB storage device connected to a extender USB port. To add a network folder: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Password protect a folder on a USB storage device You can set a password for read access or write access to a folder that's on your USB storage device. To password protect a folder: 1.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Change the Network or Device Name By default, the extender’s network and device name is readyshare. You can change the name. To change the network and device name: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network.
Use the Extender as a Media Server This chapter contains the following sections: • Specify ReadyDLNA Media Server Settings • Set Up the Extender to Work With TiVo...
By default, the extender acts as a ReadyDLNA media server, which lets you view movies and photos on DLNA/UPnP AV-compliant media players, such as Xbox360, Playstation, and NETGEAR media players. To specify media server settings: 1. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your extender network.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender • Media Server Name. To change the name of the media server, type a new name in the field. • Content Scanning. The extender automatically scans for media files whenever new files are added to your ReadySHARE USB storage device. The extender scans only shared folders that are set up with full read access without a password.
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Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender The Status page displays. If your browser displays the Menu icon , click it. The extender menu displays. 5. Select Do More > USB Port. The USB Port page displays. 6. Make sure that the Enable TiVo support check box is selected. 7.
FAQs and troubleshooting This chapter contains the following topics: • FAQs • Find the Extender’s IP address • Cannot Connect to the Extender • Cannot Join a WiFi Network and Receive an Error Message • Cannot Access mywifiext.net...
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender FAQs This section provides answers for difficulties you might experience with the extender. The web browser setup keeps asking me for my network password (passphrase) or security key, and I am sure that I entered the correct password. What can I do? The extender is probably placed at the borderline of the range covered by the router or access point.
Android device, you must use the extender’s IP address. You can log in to your router to find your extender’s IP address. If you own a NETGEAR router, use the following procedure to find the extender’s IP address. If you do not own a NETGEAR router, see your router's documentation.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender 5. Find your extender in the list and note your extender’s IP address. Cannot Connect to the Extender If you cannot connect to the extender, determine what prevents you from connecting: • If you cannot access www.mywifiext.net, see Cannot Access mywifiext.net on page 71 for more information.
Try these troubleshooting tips to connect to www.mywifiext.net: • If you’re trying to access www.mywifiext.net for the first time to set up your extender, see Connect With the NETGEAR Installation Assistant on page 16 and follow the instructions. • After you connect your computer or mobile device to the extender network, make sure that the extender’s Client Link LED is solid white.
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Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Before you change any network settings, note your current Default gateway (Windows) or Router (Mac) address. Use the IP address 192.168.1.249 and the subnet mask 255.255.255.0. For more information, see your computer’s documentation. FAQs and troubleshooting User Manual...
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Factory Default Settings To reset the extender to factory default settings, you can use the Reset button on the side panel or you can log in and click the onscreen RESET button. For more information, see Return the extender to its factory default settings on page 48.
Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi 6 Mesh Extender Technical and Environmental Specifications The following table shows the technical and environmental specifications. Table 4. Technical specifications Technical Specifications Network protocol and Data and routing protocols: TCP/IP, DHCP server and client, DNS relay standards compatibility Physical specifications •...