Orbi and Nighthawk WiFi 7 router WiFi networks are encrypted with WPA2-PSK + WPA3-Personal encryption by default. This is because it is the best blend of compatibility and security available. However, some devices such as printers, smart devices (IoT), and older devices are not compatible with this level of encryption. For these devices to work, you must connect them to a network with a lower level of encryption. Depending on your NETGEAR router, there are different methods of doing this.
Click on an expandable section below for a method of connecting your WPA3-Personal incompatible devices to your NETGEAR WiFi 7 router.
WiFi 7 Orbi WiFi Systems have a dedicated Internet of Things (IoT) network specifically for connecting your printers, smart devices, and older devices.
To enable the IoT network:
- Lauch a web browser from a device connected to your Orbi network.
- Visit orbilogin.com and log in with your admin username and password.
The default username is admin. The password is the one that you specified when you set up your Orbi. The username and password are case-sensitive. - Click BASIC > Wireless.
- Scroll down to the Wireless IoT Settings section and select the Enable IoT Network check box.
- Select the bands for the IoT network to use.
Some devices only work on the 2.4 GHz band. If your device does not connect, you might need to change the bands used. - Choose an IoT network name (SSID).
- Select an encryption protocol for the IoT network.
We recommend using WPA2-PSK [AES] as it is the more secure option. - Choose a password for your IoT network.
- Click the APPLY button at the top of the page.
Your Orbi updates its settings.
You can now connect your WPA3-Personal incompatible devices to the IoT network using the network name and password you have chosen.
Currently, NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 7 routers do not have a dedicated IoT network. This functionality is planned for a future firmware update. There are currently two options for connecting your printers, smart devices, and older devices to your WiFi 7 Nighthawk router if they are incompatible with WPA3-Personal encryption:
- Change the encryption protocol of your 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz bands
- Use your guest network for your WPA3-Personal incompatible devices.
To change your 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz bands encryption protocol:
- Lauch a web browser from a device connected to your Nighthawk router network.
- Visit routerlogin.com and log in with your admin username and password.
The default username is admin. The password is the one that you specified when you set up your router. The username and password are case-sensitive. - Click BASIC > Wireless.
- Clear the Enable Smart Connect check box.
- Select the WPA-Personal + WPA2-Personal radio button in the Security Options section for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
- Click the Apply button at the bottom of the page.
Your Nighthawk router updates its settings.
You can now connect your WPA3-Personal incompatible devices to your WiFi network.
To use your Guest Network for printers, smart devices, and older devices:
- Lauch a web browser from a device connected to your Nighthawk network.
- Visit routerlogin.com and log in with your admin username and password.
The default username is admin. The password is the one that you specified when you set up your router. The username and password are case-sensitive. - Click Guest Network.
- Select the Enable Guest Network check box.
- Configure your guest network:
- (Optional) By default, the router broadcasts the SSID of the guest network. To turn off the SSID broadcast for guest network, clear the Enable SSID Broadcast check box.
- Clear the Allow guests to see each other and access my local network check box if it is selected.
This makes the Guest Network more secure but prevents sharing data between devices on the Guest Network. - Choose a network name (SSID) for your guest network.
- Select an encryption protocol for your guest network.
We recommend using WPA-Personal + WPA2-Personal as it is a good balance between security and compatibility with printers, smart devices, and older devices. - Choose a password for your guest network.
- Click the APPLY button at the bottom of the page.
Your Nighthawk router updates its settings.
You can now connect your WPA3-Personal incompatible devices to your guest network using the network name and password you have chosen.
For more information, see What’s the difference between admin credentials, WiFi network credentials, and a MyNETGEAR account?