The Netgear WNCE2001 Universal Internet Adapter allows you to extend an Ethernet network wirelessly, via WiFi. This device connects to a certain WiFi network, then passes the data back and forth to its Ethernet port. Now it happens at times, that you’d like to update the WiFi network to which the WNCE2001 connects. So here, we show how to reset WiFi on the Netgear WNCE2001. Then, we connect it to new WiFi.
How to Reset WiFi on Netgear WNCE2001: Intro
It connects to an in-range wireless network. Then, it provides an RJ45 Ethernet port to the LAN at the far end of that WiFi link. You then plug in a wired device to that port. Aside from a bit lower bandwidth due to WiFi delays, that port looks just like one on your main router. So this device lets you extend your LAN network via WiFi. Cool stuff.
But you may wish to change the hosting WiFi network. Perhaps you changed the SSID and / or WiFi password of the hosting wireless network. Or, maybe you’d like to link the WNCE2001 to a friend’s network while visiting. In either case, the steps below show how to do this with pictures. They show to reset the WiFi network and password that the WNCE2001 connects to. Then, it willl connect to the new wireless network.
How to Reset WiFi on Netgear WNCE2001
Note that all screen faces are from a web browser visiting the Netgear WNCE2001 admin web site pages.
1. Power on the WNCE2001
Connect to a USB power port via the included USB cable. Or power up with the included power supply, as pictured next. The power lamp glows amber for three quarters of a minute, as shown next.
Then it turns green, indicating successful booting, as shown next. Note though, that the WLAN (WiFi) lamp is dark. This means that the adapter did not connect to any wireless networks.
2. Reset the WNCE2001
To save any settings stored prior in the WNCE2001, then jump down to step 3. But we suggest fully resetting. Why? Because doing so clears out any old or faulty settings. Plus, after a reset, you start the WiFi setup process from a known-good point.
Reset the WNCE2001 by pressing and holding the RESET button for ten seconds. Use a small paper clip end or rigid bag tie. Avoid pressing harder than you must.
The reset process begins when the Power LED starts blinking slowly. Release the reset button when you see this.
Shortly after that, the blinking stops. Then the unit reboots with factory default settings in effect.
After just over half a minute, it finishes booting but does not connect to any WiFi networks. The status lamps glow as shown above, with just the power lamp glowing solid green.
3. Connect your Computer to Continue with How to Reset WiFi on Netgear WNCE2001
Attach the included Ethernet cable to the single Ethernet port on the WNCE2001. Attach the other end to the wired network port on your computer. A working Ethernet connection has been established when the LAN lamp begins glowing solid green, as pictured next.
4. Check for the WNCE2001 Wizard Web Page
Plugging your computer into the WNCE2001 should automatically open your default browser to the first page of the Netgear SmartWizard. If not, then point your browser to
http://www.mywifiext.com/
The following screen appears on the connected5. Enter your language choice.
Select your preferred language from the pull-down menu, and then press continue. The Wi-Fi network scan screen then appears, as shown next.
After a score or so of seconds, the Select Existing Network screen appears. It shows the list of in-range WiFi networks that were found during the scan.
5. Select the Wireless Network to Connect To
In our scenario, we’ve selected the 937T681J4059H_2G network in the screen shot above. Note that its radio button is dotted (selected). Then, click the Continue button. The password entry screen appears next, as pictured next.
6. Enter the Chosen WiFi Network Password to Continue with How to Reset WiFi on Netgear WNCE2001
Set the wireless password by typing it into the edit field as shown above. The password characters do not display; only large dots appear for each keystroke. When done, tap the Continue button. This starts pairing tries to the WiFi network that you chose in the last step. The screen pictured next then appears, showing that progress.
After twenty or so seconds, the WNCE2001 connects to the chosen WiFi network.
7. Check Over WiFi Network Settings
Look over the Review Settings screen above. Check that the network you picked is the one that the WNCE2001 connected with. Also, look at the status lamps on the top of the WNCE2001. All three should glow solid green now, as shown next.
Also, the computer you used to configure the WNCE2001 is now linked, via WiFi to your main LAN.
8. Test that the WNCE2001 Connects to your WiFi Network
Now, disconnect the WNCE2001 from power, wait ten seconds, and then plug it back in. Verify then, via its status lamps, that it again connects successfully to the wireless network you just finished programming in. Again, you’ll recognize connection success when all three status lamps glow solid green. If this does not occur in 45 seconds, then something went wrong. Try power cycling once again. Then if the unit still does not connect, try running this whole routine once more.
9. Connect the WNCE2001 to the Client Device to Continue with How to Reset WiFi on Netgear WNCE2001
We connected our adapter to a Sangean WFR-20 internet radio, using its Ethernet port, as shown next. If your client device works well, as ours did here, you’re done. Enjoy your newly reset Netgear WNCE2001.
Qualifiers
Firmware Versions Tested
The comments in this procedure guide were derived from the WNCE2001 running the following firmware version(s):
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- Firmware version: V1.0.0.26NA; GUI language version: V1.0.0.16
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Revision History
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- 2019-05-10: Added tags. Removed ad code. Added targeting for ‘Reset WiFi on Netgear WNCE2001’.
- 2017-02-23: Revised the tags list.
- 2015-10-20: Added appropriate tags.
- 2015-09-17: Originally published.