Picture of the Netgear WNCE2001 Internet Adapter Smart Wizard, showing in-range WiFi networks list after the scan.

Netgear WNCE2001 Setup Using WWW MyWiFiExt

The Netgear WNCE2001 Universal Internet Adapter allows you to extend an Ethernet network wirelessly, via Wi-Fi.  It connects to an in-range wireless network. It also provides an RJ45 Ethernet port interface to the LAN at the originating end of that Wi-Fi link. In this post, we give Netgear WNCE2001 setup instructions.  We show show how to set up the adapter using the www.mywifiext smart wizard.

You then plug in a wired device to that port. Now you may see somewhat lower bandwidth due to the Wi-Fi linkage.  But otherwise that port looks to any client device.  It looks to your device just like a port on your main home router.  So this bridging device offers a way to extend your LAN network, wirelessly.  Cool stuff.

Picture of the Netgear WNCE2001 Universal Internet Adapter, top view, vertical orientation.
Netgear WNCE2001 Universal Internet Adapter, top view, vertical orientation, successfully connected to Wi-Fi network.

However, you may wish to change the hosting WiFi network to which this Internet adapter connects.  Perhaps you changed the SSID and / or WiFi password of the hosting wireless network. Or, maybe you’d like to connect this adapter to a friend’s Wi-Fi while visiting.  In either case, the routine below shows, the following with pictures.

    • How to reset the Wi-Fi network and password that the WNCE2001 connects to.
    • How to connect the adapter to a currently in-range wireless network.

If your adapter is new or you just reset it, then skip step 2 below.





Netgear WNCE2001 Setup Instructions for this Universal WiFi Adapter

1. Power on the Netgear WNCE2001 Internet Adapter

To begin Netgear WNCE2001 Setup, connect the adapter to power.  Either plug it into to a USB power port via the included USB cable.  Or, power it up with the included power supply, as pictured next.

The power lamp glows amber for three quarters of a minute, as shown next.

Picture of the adapter, booting up, with the -Power- lamp glowing yellow.
The adapter booting up, with the -Power- lamp glowing yellow.

Then it turns green, indicating successful booting, as shown next.  Note however that the WLAN (Wi-Fi) lamp is dark.  This means that the adapter did not connect to any in-range wireless networks.

Picture of the adapter, with boot up done but no WiFi connection established.
Boot up done but no WiFi connection established.

2. Reset the Netgear WNCE2001 Adapter

Note that to save any settings stored in the WNCE2001, then skip this step and move on to step 3.  But we suggest resetting instead.  Why?  Because this clears out any old or faulty settings.  We think it best to start the setup process from a known-good point.

Reset the Netgear WNCE2001 adapter by pressing and holding the RESET button for ten seconds.  Press with a small paper clip end or rigid bag tie.   But avoid pressing too hard.

The reset process has begun in earnest when the Power LED begins blinking slowly.  Release the reset button when you see this.

Eventually, the blinking stops and the unit reboots with factory default settings in effect.

After just over half a minute, it finishes booting but does not connect to any wireless networks.  The status lamps glow as pictured just above, with just the power lamp glowing solid green.

Picture of the -Reset- button on the adapter, pointed to by the pink arrow.
The -Reset- button on the aapter, pointed to by the pink arrow.

3. Connect your Computer

Attach the included Ethernet cable to the single Ethernet port on the WNCE2001.  Then, attach the other end to the wired network port on your computer.  A working Ethernet connection occurs when the LAN lamp starts glowing solid green, as shown next.





4. Check Web Browser for the Netgear WNCE2001 Setup 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 connected computer.

Picture of the language selection screen, from the Netgear WNCE2001 Internet Adapter Smart Wizard.
Netgear WNCE2001 Internet Adapter Smart Wizard, Language Pick screen.

5. Enter your Language Choice to Continue with Netgear WNCE2001 Setup

Select your preferred language from the pull-down menu, and then press continue.  The Wi-Fi network scan screen then appears, as shown next.

Picture of the wizard's -Scanning for WiFi Networks- screen.
The wizard’s -WiFi Network Scanning- screen.

After a score or so of seconds, the Select Existing Network screen appears. It shows the list of in-range WiFi networks found in the network scan.

Screenshot of the wizard, showing an in-range WiFi networks list after the scan.
The wizard, showing an in-range WiFi networks list after the scan.

6. Select the Wireless Network to Connect With

In our scenario, we’ve selected the 937T681J4059H_2G network in the screen shot above.  Note that its radio button has a dot (selected).  Then, click the Continue button.  The password entry screen appears.

Picture of the Netgear WNCE2001 WiFi Internet Adapter Smart Wizard, WiFi Apply Security / password entry Screen.
Netgear WNCE2001 WiFi Internet Adapter Smart Wizard, WiFi Apply Security / password entry Screen.

7. Enter the Password for the Chosen WiFi Network

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 initiates connection to the Wi-Fi network that you selected in the previous step.





Then, the following screen appears, showing that progress.

Screenshot of the smart web wizard, connecting the adapter to the chosen WiFi network.
The wizard, connecting the adapter to the chosen WiFi network.

After a score of seconds, the WNCE2001 connects to the selected Wi-Fi network. If you entered its password correctly, and the wizard then displays the Review Settings screen, as shown next.

Screenshot of the wizard, displaying the -Review Settings- page.
The wizard, displaying the -Review Settings- page.

8. Check WiFi Network Settings to Continue with Netgear WNCE2001 Setup

Look over the Review Settings screen above. Check that the network you expected is the one that the WNCE2001 connected to.  Also, look at the status lamps on the top of the WNCE2001.  All three should glow solid green at this point, as pictured next.

Picture of the Netgear WNCE2001 Universal Internet Adapter, top view, vertical orientation.
Netgear WNCE2001 Universal Internet Adapter, top view, vertical orientation.

Also, the computer used to set up this adapter now connects via the WiFi link, to your LAN.

9. Test that the Netgear WNCE2001 Adapter Reconnects to your WiFi Network

Now, unplug the WNCE2001 from power. Wait ten seconds. Then plug it back in.  Check its status lamps, to see that it again connects successfully to the wireless network you just finished linking.  Again, you’ll know 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 again. Then if the unit still does not connect, then try going through  this entire routine once more.

10. Connect the WNCE2001 to the Client Device Where you Need It

We linked our adapter to a Sangean WFR-20 internet radio, using its wired port, as pictured next.  If your client device works as ours does here, your work is complete.

Picture of the Netgear WNCE2001 Universal Internet Adapter in action, feeding the Sangean WFR-20 Internet radio via its wired connection.
Netgear WNCE2001 Universal Internet Adapter in action, feeding the Sangean WFR-20 Internet radio via its wired connection.

11. Done with Netgear WNCE2001 Setup !

We have now finished the Netgear WNCE2001 setup routine.

Qualifiers

Firmware Versions Tested

We wrote the comments in this guide for the WNCE2001 running the following firmware version(s):

    • Firmware version: V1.0.0.26NA; GUI language version: V1.0.0.16

Related Posts to Netgear WNCE2001 Setup

    1. Netgear WNCE2001 Reset Instructions
    2. Reset WiFi Network on Netgear WNCE2001 Universal Internet Adapter
    3. Netgear Universal WiFi Internet Adapter WNCE2001 Review

References for Netgear WNCE2001 Setup

    1. User Manual
    2. Where to buy the Netgear Universal WiFi Internet Adapter WNCE2001