EX5000 – AC1200 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender Setup

Welcome to the guide where you will get to learn how to set up the new Netgear Nighthawk EX5000 (AC1200).

Here, in this setup guide, all the sections have been divided into steps with different methods. At first, you will get to know about how to plug the extender into the power outlet, then how to connect the extender via WPS, mywifiext local wizard, and Nighthawk app.

Netgear EX5000 Extender Setup

Start by plugging the EX5000 into a wall outlet somewhere near your router. Don’t go trying to be smart and place it halfway across the house just yet. You want it to be in range for setup.

Wait for the power LED to turn solid green. If it keeps blinking forever, press and hold the reset pin on the back for like 10 seconds with a paperclip. You’ll see it reboot — wait again.

With the WPS Method

• Hit the WPS button on the extender first. Hold it for like 2 seconds. You’ll see the WPS LED start blinking.
• Go to your main WiFi router – push its WPS button. Again, 1-2 seconds. Not 10 seconds, you’re not resetting it, just pressing.
• Now wait. You’ll see the WPS light on the extender go solid. If it does, you’re golden. It means the handshake worked.
• Still blinking after 2 mins? Didn’t work. Try again. Sometimes routers are fussy. Might take two rounds.
• Once the extender locks in, it creates a new WiFi name. Usually your main WiFi name + “_EXT” at the end.
• Use your phone or laptop and connect to that. It should use the same password as your main WiFi.
• When it is connected with the router, you can unplug the extender. Now, move it somewhere halfway between your router and the dead zone.
• Plug it in, wait for the Signal LED to come on.

With Netgear Geini Wizard

Grab your phone or laptop and look for a WiFi network called something like NETGEAR_EXT. That’s the extender broadcasting its setup signal. Connect to that. No password. Just click and go.

• Open a browser. Type this in the address bar: mywifiext.net or 192.168.1.250
• Anyway, once you’re in, you should see the Netgear Genie setup page. Click “New Extender Setup”.
• It’ll ask you to create a login – not your WiFi password, just a local admin password for the extender. Do it. Now the Genie scans for nearby WiFi. Let it load. You’ll see your home WiFi in the list.
• Click your main network, enter your actual WiFi password, and hit continue.
• It might ask if you want to use the same SSID (network name) or a different one. It usually happened _EXT means, it’s the extender. Example:
  • Router = HomeWiFi
  • Extender = HomeWiFi_EXT
• Choose 2.4GHz or 5GHz – or both – depending on what you’re working with. Most people just set up both.

The extender will apply the settings and reboot. This can take like 2-3 minutes. Don’t click anything. Don’t refresh. Let it do its thing.

When it’s done, you’ll see a page saying the extender is set up and here’s your new network(s).

With Nighthawk App

Hit the App Store or Google Play, search “Nighthawk,” and download the official Netgear app. It’s by Netgear, not some random third-party garbage. Open it.

• Netgear wants you to log in or create an account. Just do it, you’re not getting anywhere. If you’re already logged in, good. If not, set it up.
• Once you’re in the app, hit the little “+” or “Add a device.” Select WiFi Range Extender from the list. The app will try to find the extender. If it doesn’t, don’t panic. Keep going.
• When the app says “Connect to the extender’s network,” you got to literally go into your phone’s WiFi settings and connect to something like: NETGEAR_EXT. No password. Just tap it. Once connected, go back to the Nighthawk app.
• Now the app should recognize the extender. It’ll scan for nearby WiFi networks. Choose your main WiFi, enter the password, and let it connect.
• On the next page, you need to enter the Netgear extender’s SSID new details (username and password.

Troubleshooting Tips

• If mywifiext.net won’t load? Try 192.168.1.250 directly.
• If you keep getting booted off WiFi in the middle of the Netgear extender setup? Use a laptop with an Ethernet cable plugged into the extender’s port (yep, it’s got one).
• If nothing works? Factory reset it with that tiny button on the back. Hold it for 10 seconds and start over.
• make sure you’re connected only to NETGEAR_EXT. No other WiFi. Disable mobile data if you’re on a phone.
• Still stuck? Clear the browser cache or try incognito mode.
• Try upgrading the Firmware updates. Connect to the extender. Hit mywifiext.net again. Go into settings > firmware update.