Netgear AC1750 Extender Delivering Less than 5Mbps? Try These Fixes

A Netgear AC1750 WiFi range extender (model EX6150) is a handy device that can help expand and boost your existing WiFi network coverage in your home or office. The extender works by connecting wirelessly to your existing WiFi router or access point, then rebroadcasting and amplifying the signal to eliminate dead zones and reach farther into your home or office. It’s easy to set up with the WPS push ‘N’ connect button and provides extra wired ports if you need to connect devices like a smart TV or game console via Ethernet.

I recently set up a Netgear AC1750 extender in hopes of improving the WiFi connectivity problems we’ve been experiencing on the second floor of our home. Even though our primary router is pretty powerful, the signal has always been slow and spotty upstairs. After installing the extender and positioning it halfway between the router and the problem location upstairs, I ran some speed tests. Disappointingly, I was still getting no more than 5Mbps download speeds upstairs, despite the extender supposedly being capable of much faster speeds.

In this article, I’ll share some tips on how to troubleshoot and improve the performance of your Netgear AC1750 extender if it’s not giving you more than 5Mbps. So whether you’re a tech whiz or just starting out, read on for some helpful advice.

   

Troubleshooting tips

There are several factors that could explain why my Netgear AC1750 extender is only providing 5Mbps download speeds, versus the expected 450Mbps 2.4GHz and 1300Mbps 5GHz band speeds. Here are some detailed troubleshooting tips for a Netgear AC1750 extender that is not giving more than 5Mbps:

1. Extender placed too far from the router

WiFi extenders work by receiving the existing WiFi signal from your router and then re-broadcasting that signal further into your home. If the extender is positioned too far away from the router, it may only be picking up a weak incoming signal, which it can’t amplify very well. You’ll need to experiment with placing the extender closer to the router in different locations to see if you can get a stronger signal. Ideal placement is around halfway between the router and the room with poor coverage.

2. Make sure the Netgear AC1750 extender is up to date

One issue that can cause slow speeds is out-of-date firmware on your Netgear AC1750 extender. Firmware is the software that runs on the device.

Like any software, extender firmware needs periodic updates from the manufacturer to fix bugs and optimize performance. An outdated version can result in speed issues.

To update your Netgear AC1750 extender’s firmware:

1. Login to your extender admin page at mywifiext.net
2. Go to the Firmware Update section
3. Click “Check” to see if new firmware is available.
4. If an update is available, click “Download and Install” to update.
5. Wait for the new firmware to install. The extender will restart.

Keeping your firmware updated ensures you have the latest performance enhancements and fixes. Be sure to check for an update if you haven’t updated in a while. Newer firmware may resolve your speed issues.

   

3. Interference from other devices

Electromagnetic waves can interfere with the signal from your extender, so it’s important to keep it away from devices that emit these waves, such as microwaves, Bluetooth speakers, and refrigerators. You should do a scan of nearby wireless networks and devices to detect interference. Switching your router and extender to a less crowded WiFi channel may help reduce interference. Also, simple repositioning can avoid an interference source.

4. Power cycle the extender often

If your extender is on 24/7, try power cycling it to reset the network connection. Infrequent power cycling can allow minor glitches to build up over time, potentially slowing speeds.

To power cycle:

1. Unplug the extender and turn it off.
2. Wait at least 10 seconds before plugging it back in.
3. Once the extender lights indicate it has rebooted, turn it back on.

You can also try power cycling your router using the same process. Just make sure to power down the extender first, then the router. When turning them back on, start with the router, and then the extender.

Power cycling resets the network connection and can often resolve speed issues caused by minor software glitches or network conflicts. It’s a quick and easy fix to try if your extender is consistently underperforming. For more details visit: How do I power cycle my home network?

5. Enable FastLane technology

The Netgear AC1750 EX6250 has a feature called FastLane that can improve WiFi speeds. FastLane uses one of the extender’s dual bands to connect only to your router, while the other band connects only to your devices. This prevents competition for bandwidth between the extender-router and extender-device connections.

To enable FastLane:

1. Log in to your extender admin page at mywifiext.net.
2. Go to Setup > Wireless Settings
3. Check the box next to “Enable FastLane Technology.”
4. Click Apply to save the change.

With FastLane enabled, your extender can provide faster, more reliable WiFi speeds to your devices. The dedicated extender-router band prevents your device connections from getting congested. It’s worth enabling if you need a speed boost.

6. Check 20/40 MHz Coexistence

The 20/40 MHz coexistence feature helps reduce interference between WiFi networks in the area. It is enabled by default on the Netgear AC1750 but may have been accidentally disabled.

To check 20/40 MHz coexistence:

1. Log into your extender admin at mywifiext.net
2. Go to Wireless Settings
3. Locate the “Enable 20/40 MHz Coexistence” setting
4. Make sure the box is checked to enable this feature.
5. Click Apply to save changes.

With 20/40 MHz coexistence enabled, your extender can detect nearby WiFi networks and adjust channels to minimize interference. This prevents bandwidth congestion and allows your network to operate at maximum speeds. Be sure to keep this setting enabled if you have any other wireless networks nearby.

   

7. Weak source signal from the main router

If the incoming signal from your main router, to begin with, is weak or slowing down, that gets amplified and re-broadcast by the extender. You’ll need to connect devices directly to your router WiFi and speed test the main connection to see if the router itself is providing slower throughput than expected.

8. Connecting over the 2.4GHz band

The AC1750 extender has a slower 2.4GHz band of 450Mbps and a faster 5GHz band of 1300Mbps. If your devices are connecting on the 2.4GHz band, that would explain the slower speeds you’re getting. You’ll need to make sure devices are set to connect on the 5GHz band to take advantage of faster speeds. The 5GHz band has a shorter range but minimal interference.

9. Too many connected devices

The total number of devices connecting to the extender can impact WiFi speeds. The AC1750 is designed for 15 devices, but going over that number can overload it and reduce connectivity speeds for everything. You’ll need to check connected devices like phones, laptops, tablets, and smart home gadgets, and limit devices to improve performance. Check out our article on How to see what devices are connected to your WiFi router network.

10. Incompatible router and extender

Although the Netgear AC1750 states it works with any router, there can still be compatibility issues if the router is too old or from a non-Netgear brand. There may be wireless technology or firmware differences that prevent the optimal connection between your router and extender. You need to check the documentation to confirm compatibility or consider upgrading your router.

11. Contact Netgear support

If you have tried all the troubleshooting steps and are still experiencing slow speeds under 5Mbps on your Netgear AC1750 extender, it may be time to contact Netgear support.

Netgear has 24/7 technical support available via phone, live chat, or email. Have your extender model number (EX6250) and serial number ready when you contact them.

Some ways Netgear support can help:

• Walk you through additional troubleshooting steps specific to your extender model
• Provide firmware upgrade files if yours is severely outdated
• Diagnose hardware issues if your extender is defective
• Advise on optimal extender placement and network configuration
• Replace the extender if needed under warranty

Getting in touch with the manufacturer is a good next step if you’ve run out of troubleshooting ideas. Netgear support specialists have deep knowledge of the AC1750 hardware and software. They can typically resolve extender performance issues quickly, saving you continued frustration.

You can find Netgear support contact options at:

https://www.netgear.com/support/

With some expert help, you’ll hopefully be able to get your AC1750 extender delivering faster WiFi in no time!

Article you might be intrested in: What is a DDoS attack? How to stop DDoS attacks on Netgear router?

   

Conclusion

Getting slow WiFi speeds under 5Mbps from your Netgear AC1750 extender can be frustrating, but hopefully, this guide has provided some troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue. If problems persist after trying these tips, contact Netgear support for additional troubleshooting assistance. With a few tweaks and optimizations, you can likely get your extender to deliver faster speeds and fuller WiFi coverage throughout your home. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts if you hit a wall during your troubleshooting process.