Netgear Extender Not Working After Firmware Update – Fix It Fast

You’ve updated the firmware on your Netgear WiFi extender, then. You waited. It started over. And still nothing works. The extender is there, but there's no internet, or it keeps flashing lights at you like it's attempting to broadcast Morse code.

It's a bad place to be since firmware upgrades are designed to repair things, not make them worse. But it does happen. There are occasions when the update doesn't work well, the settings don't transfer smoothly, or the update simply doesn't work with the system you had previously.

The good news is that you can typically fix it without an extender. Let's go over everything to get you online fast.

Look at the basics first

Before you start doing a lot of troubleshooting, do the quick things first.

• Check to see whether the extender is really on. It may seem stupid, but outlets can be turned off.

• Make sure the router can connect to the internet. The extender can't accomplish anything if your core WiFi is down.

• Give it a simple restart. Take the extender out of the wall, wait approximately 15 seconds, and then plug it back in. The same goes for your router.

  
  

That could be all it takes. Devices may perform strangely after a firmware upgrade until they have restarted.

Log in to find out what's going on inside

If the basic tests don't work, you'll need to go to the settings page for the extender.

1. Connect your laptop or phone directly to the extender's network.

2. In a Mac browser, enter mywifiext.local into the address box. For Windows, use the default IP address. (typically, 192.168.1.250).

3. Type in your Netgear Wi-Fi extender login information. They could still be the settings from the first time you set them up if you never altered them.

You may check to see whether it's really connected to the main router, how strong the signal is, and if the update reset any important settings once you're inside.

Reapply the Settings

A lot of the time, a firmware update modifies or deletes network names, passwords, or channel settings. That's why devices don't connect instantly.

• Verify your SSID (network name) is the same or familiar.

• If the extender lost the WiFi password for your primary router, type it back in.

• Ensure both 2.4GHz and 5GHz are on if using separate names.

Wait a minute after saving to reconnect.

Reconnect with the Router

You will need to couple the extender and router again if they don't communicate to each other following the upgrade.

WPS Method:

1. Hit the WPS button on your router.

2. Press the WPS button on the extender within two minutes.

3. Wait for the connection light to stay on.

Manual Method:

1. Log in to the extender at mywifiext.local.

2. Use the setup wizard to locate your router's network.

3. Choose it, type in the password, and save.

Firmware Update

You may have to go back to an older version if the upgrade itself was terrible, which does happen.

You can generally get earlier firmware files for each model on Netgear's support site. You'd:

1. Get the older firmware on your PC.

2. Go to the admin page for the extender.

3. Click on "Manual Update" or "Upload File" in the firmware section.

4. Choose the earlier version and flash it.

It sounds ominous, but it's the same thing as upgrading, except you're traveling back in time.

Factory Reset: The last option

If the upgrade broke everything, a factory reset is your final option.

1. Locate the reset button, generally a small hole on the back or side.

2. Hold it with a paperclip for 10 seconds or until the lights change.

Let go and wait for the computer to restart.

The extender will be like new after this. You will have to set up the Netgear Wifi extender login again using mywifiext.local or the WPS button.

Avoid Making the Mistakes

These are things that people commonly mess up:

Issues Not remembering to connect devices to the new network name if it changed.

• Putting the extender in a terrible spot where it hardly picks up the router's signal.

• Thinking that the update failed when it is really simply restarting (some take a few minutes).

What to do to Avoid the Mistakes?

It's still vital to upgrade your firmware. They address bugs and close security flaws. But to prevent this problem in the future:

• Always make a copy of your extender's settings before you update it. Some models include this option in the menu.

• Update when you have time to fix things, not five minutes before a big video call.

• If you can, connect your laptop to the extender with a cable during the upgrade. It's more reliable than WiFi.

When to Discard the existing device and get a new one!
It could be time to upgrade if the extender is years old and this isn't the first time it's acted up after an update. Technology changes quickly, and newer extenders are better at dealing with interference, speeds, and firmware stability.

But don't get rid of it until you've tried the resets and re-syncs above. Nine times out of 10, it can be saved.

Wrapping Up
If a firmware update fails, your Netgear extender may seem dead overnight. Most of the time, you only need to log in, provide the right information, or switch to a stable version.

It's important not to skip steps. Start with simple answers and build up to more complex ones if needed. Also, have mywifiext.local and your Netgear Wifi extender login details close by.

Leave it alone once it comes back. Let it do its work in peace in the corner. There will be no more lost connections or blinking lights attempting to alert you something is wrong.

FAQs

Q1: Why did my extender stop functioning straight after the update?
Because updates might alter settings, passwords, or break the connection to your network.

Q2: How can I access the settings for my extender?
You may get to it by connecting to it and going to mywifiext. Local in your browser. Next, type in your Netgear Wi-Fi extender login information.

Q3: Is it possible to revert a firmware update?
Yes, you may do this by going to the firmware menu and uploading an earlier version yourself.

Q4: Will a factory reset get rid of the firmware update?
No. It preserves the current firmware version but deletes your specific settings