Netgear Extender’s Router LED Won’t Turn On

Netgear WiFi range extender has different LEDs on it. The lights indicate the working status of the extender. In case you find any light is not on or is showing an unusual color then you can understand that your extender needs attention. You can access the Netgear Genie Smart setup page and get the firmware updated which is also a remedy for many issues with the Netgear extenders.

This post highlights reasons and solutions for the Netgear extender’s Router LED that won’t turn on. Let us proceed further and get you first acquainted with the Router Link LED on the extender.

Netgear Extender Router Link LED

The Router light on your extender helps you know the status of the connection between the extender and the host router. The extender gets its input signals from the host router. So these two devices are connected to each other.

If the Router light is solid white this means the connection is very good.

Solid amber implies a good connection.

Poor connection between the two devices is shown by the red Router light.

If the light is off, this means there is no connection between the extender and router.

If you have connected the devices but still the light won’t turn on, then you should try your hands on the fixes given in the next section.

Netgear Extender Router Link LED Off: Fixed

Confirm if You Have Connected the Devices

Before you do anything else, make sure that you have connected the extender to the host router. This is mainly for the new users. You should know that only when the extender and host router are connected, you will see the Router Link LED lit. If the connection has not been made yet, then get the job done and then see the light status. Also, check if you can connect to the internet by accessing http://192.168.1.250 IP.

Check the Connection Mode

After verifying the connection, check the mode of connectivity used by you. FYI, you have two options to get the devices connected to each other.

Wireless Mode and Ethernet Mode.

1. Wireless Mode

If the Netgear Nighthawk extender is connected via wireless mode, then you should check the distance separating these two deivces. This shouldn’t be more than required. If they are placed far away, then the extender will find it difficult to receive input signals and hence there is no connection. This will be indicated by no light on the Router Link LED.

Reduce the distance and let the devices connect. The extender must sit within the range of the router’s network.

2. Ethernet Mode

When you connect the extender to the host router using an Ethernet cable, make sure that you are not using a damaged or very old cable. Such cables will not make stable connections. So, if this is the case, you should use an alternative cable that is in good condition.

Another thing that you should verify in a wired connection is that the cable is not loose and the ports in use are not damaged.

Is the Router Powered On?

One more reason why the extender can’t connect to the router is that the router is not powered on. Isn’t it? Check the same. Plug the router and turn it on and then see if the light turns on.

Wrapping Things Up

Netgear Extender’s Router Link LED should be on now. If you see that the light is off even after all of this then power cycle the extender and the router. Some glitch might be stopping the connection and hence the issue. Simply power off the devices and power them on after a gap of a minimum of 5 minutes. The device will connect without any hassle now. Make sure you get its firmware updated to the latest version to get better output signals from it.