How do I log-in to my NETGEAR WAX2O4, WAX214, and WAX218 for the first time? (2024)

To log-in to your access point over WiFi for the first time:

1. On a WiFi-enabled computer or mobile device, find and connect to the access point’s management SSID.

   The management SSID depends on the model and the MAC address. In the following examples, XXXXXX represents the last six digits of the MAC address of the LAN interface of the access point:

   • WAX214: WAX214XXXXXX-CONFIG-ONLY
   • WAX218: WAX218XXXXXX-CONFIG-ONLY

     The management SSID is the “CONFIG-ONLY” SSID. The default WiFi passphrase for the management SSID is printed on the access point label.

2. Launch a web browser and enter https://www.aplogin.net (which is the same as https://192.168.0.100) in the address field.

   The Day Zero login page displays.

   See Also

   Model WAC 104 (Access Point) can't access login page

   This page displays only the first time that you log in.

3. If your browser displays a security message and does not let you proceed, do one of the following:
   • Google Chrome: If Google Chrome displays a "Your connection is not private message", click the ADVANCED link. Then, click the Proceed to x.x.x.x (unsafe) link, in which x.x.x.x represents the IP address of the switch.
   • Apple Safari: If Apple Safari displays a This connection is not private message, click the Show Details button. Then, click the visit this website link. If a warning pop-up window displays, click the VisitWebsite button. If another pop-up window displays to let you confirm changes to your certificate trust settings, enter your Mac user name and password and click the Update Setting button.
   • Mozilla Firefox: If Mozilla Firefox displays a Your connection is not secure message, click the ADVANCED button. Then, click the Add Exception button. In the pop-up window that displays, click the Confirm Security Exception button.
   • Microsoft Internet Explorer: If Microsoft Internet Explorer displays a "There is a problem with this website’s security certificate message", click the Continue to this website (not recommended) link.
   • Microsoft Edge: If Microsoft Edge displays a "There is a problem with this website’s security certificate message" or a similar warning, select Details > Go on to the webpage.
4. On the Day Zero page, configure the following settings:
   1. In the AP Login New Password field, specify a unique local login password, and confirm the password in the Confirm New Password field. We recommend that your password meets the following conditions:
      • Contains 8 to 32 characters
      • Contains no more than two identical characters in a row

      In addition, we recommend that your password meets at least three of the following four conditions:

      • At least one uppercase character
      • At least one lowercase character
      • At least one number
      • At least one special character, such as the following characters: @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) !
   2. In the SSID field, specify a WiFi network name for the main (first) WiFi network. This SSID does not replace the management SSID (depending on the model, WAX214XXXXXX-CONFIG-ONLY or WAX218XXXXXX-CONFIG-ONLY), which you can continue to use to log in over a WiFi connection to the local browser UI of the access point. In addition to the management SSID, the access point supports four WiFi networks. By default, only the main WiFi network is enabled.
   3. In the Passphrase field, specify a passphrase (WiFi password) for the main WiFi network. This passphrase must be a minimum of 8 characters and can be a maximum of 63 characters. This passphrase does not replace the passphrase for the management SSID, which you can continue to use to log in over a WiFi connection to the local browser UI of the access point.
   4. Select the check box to accept NETGEAR’s terms and conditions and acknowledge that you read the privacy notice.
   5. Click the Apply button.

      Your settings are saved. The access point restarts.

      After about two minutes, the login page displays.
5. If you are still connected to the management SSID but the login page does not display, in the address field of your web browser, enter https://www.aplogin.net.
6. . In the Local Device Password field, enter your new local device password, and click the Login button.

   The Device Status page displays.

   You can now configure the access point for your network and environment.

To log-in to your access point over the LAN for the first time:

1. Using an Ethernet cable, connect an Ethernet port on your computer to a LAN port on a switch or hub that is connected to your LAN.
2. If you do not yet know the IP address that is assigned to access point, use one of the following options:
   • Use the automatic device detection of a Windows-based computer.
   • Access your existing router or DHCP server.
   • Use the NETGEAR Insight mobile app.
   • Use a third-party IP scanner.
3. Launch a web browser and enter the IP address that is assigned to the access point in the address field.

   The Day Zero login page displays.

   This page displays only the first time that you log in.
4. If your browser displays a security message and does not let you proceed, do one of the following:
   • Google Chrome: If Google Chrome displays a "Your connection is not private message", click the ADVANCED link. Then, click the Proceed to x.x.x.x (unsafe) link, in which x.x.x.x represents the IP address of the switch.
   • Apple Safari: If Apple Safari displays a This connection is not private message, click the Show Details button. Then, click the visit this website link. If a warning pop-up window displays, click the VisitWebsite button. If another pop-up window displays to let you confirm changes to your certificate trust settings, enter your Mac user name and password and click the Update Setting button.
   • Mozilla Firefox: If Mozilla Firefox displays a Your connection is not secure message, click the ADVANCED button. Then, click the Add Exception button. In the pop-up window that displays, click the Confirm Security Exception button.
   • Microsoft Internet Explorer: If Microsoft Internet Explorer displays a "There is a problem with this website’s security certificate message", click the Continue to this website (not recommended) link.
   • Microsoft Edge: If Microsoft Edge displays a "There is a problem with this website’s security certificate message" or a similar warning, select Details > Go on to the webpage.
5. On the Day Zero page, configure the following settings:
   1. In the AP Login New Password field, specify a unique local login password, and confirm the password in the Confirm New Password field. We recommend that your password meets the following conditions:
      • Contains 8 to 32 characters
      • Contains no more than two identical characters in a row

      In addition, we recommend that your password meets at least three of the following four conditions:

      • At least one uppercase character
      • At least one lowercase character
      • At least one number
      • At least one special character, such as the following characters: @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) !
   2. In the SSID field, specify a WiFi network name for the main (first) WiFi network. This SSID does not replace the management SSID (depending on the model, WAX214XXXXXX-CONFIG-ONLY or WAX218XXXXXX-CONFIG-ONLY), which you can continue to use to log in over a WiFi connection to the local browser UI of the access point.

      In addition to the management SSID, the access point supports four WiFi networks. By default, only the main WiFi network is enabled.

   3. In the Passphrase field, specify a passphrase (WiFi password) for the main WiFi network.

      This passphrase must be a minimum of 8 characters and can be a maximum of 63 characters. This passphrase does not replace the passphrase for the management SSID, which you can continue to use to log in over a WiFi connection to the local browser UI of the access point. This passphrase must be a minimum of 8 characters and can be a maximum of 63 characters.

   4. Select the check box to accept NETGEAR’s terms and conditions and acknowledge that you read the privacy notice.
   5. Click the Apply button.

      Your settings are saved. The access point restarts.

      After about two minutes, the login page displays.
6. If the login page does not display, in the address field of your web browser, enter the IP address that is assigned to the access point.
7. In the Local Device Password field, enter your new local device password, and click the Login button.

   The Device Status page displays.

   You can now configure the access point for your network and environment.