Eero mesh routers and gateways have become quite popular due to their astonishing qualities. A person just need to install them in the house and witness the magic of WiFi signals. This magic fades when the user owns a large house. In that scenario, it becomes essential to add a WiFi range extender or a repeater so that WiFi signals can reach all the corners. However, it has been observed that some users find it quite difficult to connect their WiFi extender to Eero. To make things easier for such users, we have penned down this post. Here, we will shed light on every precise detail involved in the connection process between a WiFi extender and Eero gateway or mesh router.
Before getting started, we want to let you know that we will use Netgear WiFi extender as an example. However, you are free to use your own extender for connection. The only difference will be of the IP address and the default values (admin and WiFi credentials) of the extender.
Things to Know Before Connecting WiFi Extender and Eero
You must make yourself familiar with a few things before establishing a link between your Netgear WiFi extender and the Eero mesh router. First of all, you should reset the extender to its default settings so that it can flaunt the default factory settings that are mentioned as follows:
- The Default Username: admin (in lowercase)
- Default Password: password (in lowercase)
- Web Address (URL): mywifiext.net for Windows OS whereas mywifiext.local for iOS
- The Default SSID and Network Key: Netgear_ext (SSID) and the WiFi password i.e. the network key is mentioned on the product’s label
You can make your Netgear extender work on these settings by pushing and holding the Reset button using a sharp object. Also, be very sure that your Eero gateway or mesh WiFi router is up and running properly.
We also suggest you take note of the SSID and network key of your Eero gateway so that you can use them to extend the Eero network by connecting it to the Netgear extender.
How to Connect WiFi Extender to Eero?
You will first need an Ethernet cable to initiate the connection between an Eero mesh router or gateway and the Netgear range extender. We are asking you arrange one because it will help you access the mywifiext.net login URL to finalize the connection without much hassle. Once you gain access to the Ethernet cable, connect it to the LAN port of your Eero gateway and insert its other end into the WAN port of the Netgear extender. Thereafter, follow the instructions mentioned below:
- Power up your Netgear extender followed by the Eero device.
- Thereafter, go to the Network and Internet Settings on your PC and locate the network named Netgear_ext on the network list.
- Connect to the network by inputting the WiFi password mentioned on the extender’s label.
- The WiFi password if the Netgear range extender is case-sensitive.
Note: If you skip the 3rd step, you will get welcomed by an error message stating, “You are not connected to your extender’s network” in an attempt to connect your WiFi extender to Eero. You can also put a hardwired connection to use.
- After that, you need to load the default web browser on the PC and type the default web or IP address of your Netgear range extender.
- If you see the login page of your Netgear extender, you have to input the default password and username and click the Log In button.
- A window labeled New Extender Setup and a button with the same name will appear.
- Clicking the button will let you choose the operating mode of the extender.
- Once you select the AP or Extender mode, you will have to select the network to be extended.
- As you are establishing a connection between the Eero router and Netgear extender, you need to select the SSID that corresponds to the router.
- Enter the respective WiFi password and after that assign 2.4 as well as the 5 GHz settings to the extender.
- There might be a temporary loss of connection. Reconnect your PC to the extender’s network to overcome this connectivity issue.
- Return to the dashboard of the extender and assign an admin password.
- Update the firmware of the extender.
- The Netgear extender has been successfully added to the Eero network.
In this manner, you can use the default web address mywifiext.net or the IP address 192.168.1.250 to connect your Netgear extender to an Eero gateway. You can now disconnect the Ethernet cable connecting them as they will be communicating wirelessly.
In Conclusion
Now, we are wrapping up the post that explained how to connect WiFi extender to Eero. It is anticipated that you will be able to connect your devices with ease. If not, then you are suggested to check the WiFi password of the Eero gateway that you entered while finalizing its connection with the Netgear extender. It must be entered without typos.