How Can I Fix Weak Security on WiFi Extender?

How Can I Fix Weak Security on WiFi Extender?

Do you often see an error saying weak WiFi security on your client devices while connecting them to the Netgear extender network? Well, it is a sign that you need to fix weak security on WiFi extender. Although this generally happens because of weak or default WiFi password, still there are some other steps that need to be taken to get this fixed. Here, in this write up, we have mentioned all such ways. Read on.

Ways to Fix Weak Security on WiFi Extender

Change the WiFi Password

The very first thing that we recommend doing is to change the default WiFi password of your Netgear WiFi extender. The process is very simple as you just need to access the web management access control via the Netgear extender login IP address and navigate to the wireless settings of a particular frequency band.

As soon as you see the Network Key field, you are supposed to set a strong yet easy-to-remember WiFi password for the respective frequency band. Do not forget to save the updated password. FYI, running the extender on the default WiFi password can increase the chances of WiFi leeches.

Modify the Admin Password

The admin password is the one that is used by a person to navigate to the WiFi extender’s settings. A Netgear range extender has the default password “password”. This value is known to almost everyone and hence there are chances that the extender’s settings will be accessed by unauthorized users. To keep them at bay, you should make changes to the default admin password. This can be done by selecting the Administration settings of the extender.

Change the Encryption Standard

Let us be a little technical and tell you that Netgear WiFi extenders also work on various encryption standards that are WEP, WPA, and WPA2. The last is the most advanced one and your extender should be run on the same. Thus, you have to access the web GUI of the extender and follow the steps mentioned here to change the encryption level:

  • Open the web GUI of the extender using the 192.168.1.250 IP address.
  • From there, select Settings > Wireless.
  • Navigate to the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz section.
  • Locate the Encryption standard drop-down menu and select the latest/advanced security standard.
  • Save the changes.

Note: Changing the encryption level might prompt you to change the WiFi password/Network Key once again. You can change it accordingly.

Upgrade the Firmware

The Netgear firmware update is not only about improving the performance of the range extender. It also works on the security level of the home network. Therefore, to fix weak security on WiFi extender, we recommend you updating the extender’s firmware to the latest one. You can download the firmware file from the Netgear Download Center and save it on your PC. After that, the given steps must be followed:

Upgrade the Firmware

  • Ensure that your PC is connected to the Netgear extender through an Ethernet cable or WiFi network.
  • Open a web browser now and access the default IP address of the extender.
  • Log in using the updated administrative password.
  • Go to Management and select Firmware Update.
  • Find the Upload button and look for the firmware update file you downloaded.
  • Select the file and upload it.
  • Wait for some time and let your Netgear extender be updated.

To Sum Up

This was all about how to fix weak security on WiFi extender. It is anticipated that you will be able to get the error resolved. Apart from the above-taken steps, you can consider investing in Netgear armor if the host router is brought in by Netgear. Also, you need to upgrade the firmware/software of your client devices so that home network will give you the top-class security.

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