NETGEAR Nighthawk Router | NETGEAR Nighthawk Login & Setup

NETGEAR Nighthawk Setup

NETGEAR Nighthawk router login & setup is quick and easy with the NETGEAR Nighthawk app, so you can start enjoying better WiFi sooner. From the smartphone in the palm of your hand, you can also monitor your connected devices, do an internet speed test, manage your NETGEAR service subscriptions, and much more.

What is the NETGEAR Nighthawk app?

The NETGEAR Nighthawk app lets you control and monitor network-connected devices. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices. You can enable Circle, NETGEAR Armor, manage guest WiFi (Visit to know about What is a guest WiFi network?), and more from the Nighthawk app’s dashboard.

Which features does the NETGEAR Nighthawk app support?

  1. WiFi Configuration: Configure the name of your WiFi network, the password (network key), and the security technique.
  2. List of Devices: You can view a list of all the devices linked to your network.
  3. WiFi is available to guests: Set the name of the guest WiFi network, the password (network key), and the security mechanism. Visit to read about How to Set Up a Guest WiFi Network on a NETGEAR Nighthawk Router using the app.
  4. WiFi Sharing using QR Code: Use a QR code to share your WiFi credentials.
  5. Testing your speed: Run the Ookla Speed Test and save past tests in the history window.
  6. Parent Controls: You should enable your Circle on your NETGEAR router. From the Up app, launch the Circle app. You may find a complete list of compatible routers at netgear.com/circle.
  7. The Traffic Meter. Track the Internet traffic through your router over time.
  8. Management through the Internet: Enable or disable remote access using the app.
  9. Assist Access support resources, including software downloads, knowledge base articles, manuals, and videos, by going straight to the support website for your NETGEAR device.
  10. Router specifics: Set up your parental controls, router, central WiFi, and guest WiFi all in one spot.
  11. New Configuration: Follow the on-screen directions to complete the router installation.
  12. About: View information about the router model, firmware version, and app version.

Note: Your NETGEAR router might not support some of these features.

How to setup and install Nighthawk routers?

The Nighthawk app is the most user-friendly method to setup your NETGEAR router. The Nighthawk app can also be used to check the devices on your network, conduct speed tests, and control your WiFi settings.

How to use the Nighthawk app to setup and install your NETGEAR Nighthawk router?

  • Download the Nighthawk app.
  • Click on the following links to download the Netgear Nighthawk app
    • IOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nighthawk-formerly-up/id1124666597?mt=8.
    • Android: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.netgear.netgearup&hl=en_US.
  • Connect the yellow LAN port of your cable or DSL modem to the yellow Internet port of your NETGEAR router with an Ethernet cable.
  • Connect any external antenna provided with the Netgear router.
  • Turn on your router.
  • Wait for the WiFi LED to turn on.
  • Look for your router’s WiFi network name (SSID) and network key password printed on the label at the back of the router.
  • Tap Settings > WiFi on your iOS or Android device.
  • Connect your mobile device to the network stated on the label of your router and enter your password.
NETGEAR Nighthawk router setup using the NETGEAR Nighthawk app

How to setup your Nighthawk Pro Gaming router?

Follow these steps to setup your NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router:

  1. Unplug your modem, and reinsert the backup battery if it has one, and then reconnect the modem.
  2. Connect the modem to the router’s yellow Internet port using an Ethernet cable.
  3. If your Internet connection does not need a modem, connect your primary Ethernet cable to the router’s yellow port.
  4. Connect the router to an electrical outlet.
  5. When the router is ready, the Power LED turns solid white.
  6. Check that the LED on the WiFi On/Off button is on.
  7. Look for that label on your router that shows the WiFi network name and password.
  8. Please keep in mind that the label’s positioning may vary.
  1. Connect your router’s WiFi network to your WiFi-enabled computer by entering the WiFi network’s name and password from the label.
  2. Some online router interface functions are not available when installing a router using a mobile browser. We recommend utilising the Nighthawk app to setup your NETGEAR router from a mobile device. For more information, visit How do I install my router using the NETGEAR Nighthawk app?.
  3. Start a web browser from your device.
  4. The installation assistant will automatically appear.
  5. Visit www.routerlogin.net if the installation assistant does not display
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to install your router and connect to the Internet.
  7. When your router connects to the Internet, the Internet LED on the router becomes white.

How does the NETGEAR Nighthawk Gaming Router and Mesh WiFi System work?

NETGEAR Nighthawk Gaming Router and Mesh WiFi System work

The following products come within the NETGEAR Nighthawk Gaming Router and Mesh WiFi System:

  • XR500 Nighthawk Pro Gaming router
  • EX7700 Nighthawk Mesh WiFi Extender

This gaming router and Mesh WiFi extender combo are compatible with high-bandwidth activities such as streaming and gaming. Using these, your broadcasts and games benefit from the full speed of your internet connection from everywhere in your house.

The XR500 features real-time ping data and a Geo-Filter that allows you to connect to the best servers. The EX7700 enables seamless WiFi connectivity across your house through a single WiFi network.

The XR500 router and EX7700 extension automatically sync with each other. This implies that your router and extension will connect throughout the installation procedure. Any modifications you make to your router’s network will be synced to your extender automatically.

Please keep in mind that your router will not sync the changes if you log in to your extender and modify its settings. Read More about How to get your NETGEAR WiFi extender setup?

How can I use the router web interface & Nighthawk app to configure my NETGEAR Nighthawk Gaming Router and Mesh WiFi System?

Your Nighthawk Gaming Router and Mesh WiFi System come with the following items:

  • Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500 router
  • Nighthawk EX7700 Mesh Extender

Note: For the first time configuration, make sure your extender is in the same room as your router. After the configuration is complete, you can relocate your extension.

NETGEAR Nighthawk Gaming Router and Mesh WiFi setup

Configure your router as follows:

  1. Remove the antenna covers from your XR500 router’s antenna ports on the rear.
  2. Connect the four antennas.
  3. For the best WiFi connection, we recommend angling the two side antennae outwards.
  4. Reboot your modem by disconnecting it and then connecting it back in.
  5. If your modem uses a backup battery, remove the battery and reinsert it in the modem.
  6. Connect your modem to the yellow Internet port on the XR500 router using the Ethernet wire that comes with your system.

Power up your XR500 router and EX7700 extension as follows:

  • Plug in your router’s power adapter.
  • Now, connect your extender and your power adapter.
  • Connect your router and extender to an electrical outlet.
  • Wait for your extender to connect to your router.

Note: When your router turns on, the Power LED becomes white. When your extender turns on, the Power LED on the rear becomes green.

Take note that while connecting to your network, the LEDs on the front of your extension will flicker. After your extender properly syncs with your network, the Router Link LED remains illuminated. To check the status of the connection between your extender and router, use the Router Link LED on your extender. The Router Link LED shows the following information:

  • Solid white indicates the best connection
  • Good connection by a solid amber
  • Red in its brightest form: Inadequate connection
  • Off: There is no connection.

Note: Note: If the Router Link LED is not solid white, we recommend moving your extender closer to your router and rechecking the LED.

  1. Check that your extender’s Router Link LED is illuminated.
  2. Check that the LED on your router’s WiFi On/Off button is on.
  3. Connect your WiFi-enabled mobile device or computer to your router’s default WiFi network using the default WiFi network name and password.

Note: You may find the default WiFi network information for your router on the label on the back of your router.

Using web interface:

  1. Open a web browser.
  2. The installation assistant automatically appears. Visit routerlogin.net if the installation assistant does not occur.
  3. To finish configuring your network, follow the on-screen directions.
  4. When your router successfully connects to the Internet, the Internet LED on its front panel becomes white.

Using Nighthawk app:

  1. Start the Nighthawk app.
  2. To finish configuring your network, follow the on-screen directions.
  3. When your router successfully connects to the Internet, the Internet LED on its front panel becomes white.

Note: Before updating your router’s WiFi network name and password, make sure the Router Link LED is illuminated. When you update the WiFi network’s name and password on your router, your extender temporarily disconnects then reconnects.

After you’ve finished configuring your network, you may relocate your extender to the desired position. For additional information on where to position your extender, go here: Where should I place my NETGEAR WiFi range extender?.

How do I update the firmware on my NETGEAR router with the Nighthawk app?

NETGEAR Genie wizard
  1. Connect your mobile to your router’s WiFi network.
  2. Start the Nighthawk app.
  3. Enter your admin user name and password if asked. The case of the user name and password is essential.
  4. SIGN IN by tapping the button.
  5. The dashboard appears.
  6. Tap on your router’s picture.
  7. Scroll down and press Check For Updates on the Router Settings page.
  8. Tap UPDATE if updated firmware is available.

After you press the UPDATE button:

  • Do not try to connect to the Internet.
  • Switch off the router.
  • Do something else to the router until it has finished rebooting.

The router resets as the firmware update begins. It generally takes several minutes to update the firmware.

What should I do if I get an “Internet not connected” issue when attempting to install my NETGEAR router using the Nighthawk app?

  1. If you see an “Internet not connected error” message in the Nighthawk, try rebooting your network. For connecting your Internet Service Provider (ISP), your networking devices may need to be restarted. To learn more about how to power cycle your home network, see the following article: How do I Power cycle my home network?.
  2. After rebooting your home network, reinstall your NETGEAR Router with the Nighthawk app setup.
  3. If rebooting your network does not resolve the problem, your ISP may demand one of the following connection types:
    • Static IP: It is an IP address assigned by your ISP. A static IP address does not change. If you don’t know what your router’s static IP address is, contact your ISP.
    • Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE): Before you access the Internet with this connection type, you must first get a user name and password from your ISP.
  4. If your ISP demands a different connection type:
    • Select Advanced Setup from the Internet not connected menu.
    • The Advanced Network Setup window appears.
    • Choose the connection type required by your ISP.
    • If you are confused about the connection type to use, contact your ISP for further information.

See this article for additional information: Why is my NETGEAR router not connecting to Internet?

What steps must I take to enable my Nighthawk router for functioning compatibly with Google Assistant?

Follow these high-level instructions to utilize your Nighthawk router with Google Assistant:

  1. Check to see whether your Nighthawk router falls under the “This article applies to.” part
  2. Update the firmware on your router.
  3. See this page for additional information on changing the firmware on your router: How do I update my Nighthawk router’s firmware using the Nighthawk app?.
  4. Get the NETGEAR Nighthawk app.
  5. The Nighthawk app is available for download from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
  6. Set up a MyNETGEAR account.
  7. For additional information on creating a MyNETGEAR account, click here. How do I create a MyNETGEAR account?
  8. Activate remote access via the Nighthawk app on your router.
  9. To learn more about enabling remote access, visit How do I enable or disable remote access on my router using the Nighthawk app?.
  10. Register your router on MyNETGEAR.
  11. To learn more about registering your router, see How do I register a product on MyNETGEAR? or How do I Register my NETGEAR router using the Nighthawk app?.

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