Netgear WiFi extender not seen by router

[Basil]

I bought a Netgear WiFi extender and although my Android phone can see the extender and connect to it, the router, even with the extender 2 feet away and after a factory reset of the extender, does not list it. I link to a screen shot. Does this suggest the extender is faulty or am I missing something? Thanks.

 

[samuria]

Did the extender login to the router ok, if you connect to it can you get online? If you login to it what does its setup page say?

 

[Basil]

The only thing that sees the extender is my Android cell phone. that sees it but the phone's WiFi info says no internet connection. It also sees the router and connects to the internet fine direct through the router. The router's home page in my first post shows the router only seeing the Android cell phone. If I log in to the extender's home page it says "You are not connected to your extender's WiFi network. Does that help at all? Thanks for the speedy reply!

 

[Basil]

I think I have cracked the darned thing. I found a WiFi dongle and put the lap top on WiFi. and this allowed, after a few attempts, for me to connect to the extender's home page, which now showed a New Setup button. It appears the extender is now on line, I just need to verify the router home page sees the extender, which I can do now via remote desktop...Which it does!

So by fumbling and bumbling I seem to have mastered it, thank you!

 

[samuria]

Yes you have to setup the extender it has no idea of your network passwords etc until you set it up

 

[Barman58]

One thing for the future, for network troubleshooting, the Android Play Store has a number of WiFi apps, these will allow you to "see" all the Wireless Networks in your immediate location and decide which to attach to - It's helpful to check the channels used and set your routers to one that is unused or least used to reduce cross channel interference.

I use the one at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.keuwl.wifi&hl=en_GB Ad supported freeware as it's a nice interface but others are available, and make a good tool for any wifi work

 

[Basil]

Thanks to all those who replied, appreciated. Barman58, I may grab such a tool, but we are right out in the sticks, so unless I go into town there are very very few visible wi fi signals at home. But just my luck to pick the same channel as a neighbor! Cheers.

 

[Barman58]

What the WFi monitor would have done for you in the recent install was shown that you have your normal WiFi and an extra one ( The extender), and also that they were not the same IP range Etc which would likely have the same effect that getting the dongle and laptop set-up.

I do tend to fire mine up whenever I enter an area I am not familiar with as the free Coffee shop type WiFi here in the UK are often badly disguised as "FREE WIFI" and similar but sometimes there is more than one access point and the less used one is quicker