Netgear Nighthawk X8 WiFi Router – General Troubleshooting

This post especially aims to help users who own a Netgear Nighthawk X8 WiFi router and are not able to extract its 100% due to various reasons. So, if you are one such user, consider yourself lucky as a troubleshooting guide to fix general issues related to the X8 tri-band WiFi router has already begun.

To make things interesting, we will ask you a few questions and you will have to decide whether your WiFi router actually required troubleshooting or not.

Fixing Nighthawk X8 WiFi Router General Issues

Q1: Is Your WiFi Router Updated?

This is the first question that every Nighthawk device owner must ask himself the moment he starts experiencing problems. It’s your turn now. Just in case you are unsure whether to say yes or no, you can check the answer just by logging in to your WiFi router. You can do so using the steps highlighted below:

• Access routerlogin.com or 192.168.1.1 and enter the router’s admin password.
• Click Log In.
• The Nighthawk X8 Status page will show up.
• Locate the Maintenance option and select Firmware Update.
• Selecting the Check Now button will provide you with the answer to your question.
• If a new firmware is available, check the on-screen prompts and follow them.

Q2: Have You Placed Your Nighthawk Router in an Interference-Free Zone?

An interference-free zone is an area where there are zero or minimum chances of a WiFi signal of a network device getting interrupted. Are you sure that your WiFi router brought in by Netgear Nighthawk sits in such a space? Well, there is nothing wrong with confirming things. But, do not delay to pick up your Netgear Nighthawk X8 WiFi router and relocate it if any of the following factors are found near it.

• Reflexive surfaces: Mirrors, glasses, lenses, etc.
• Heavy electrical appliances: Refrigerators, microwave ovens, Bluetooth speakers, etc.
• Objects with large amount of water: Aquariums, geysers, etc.
• Metal Objects: Doors, aluminum studs, kitchen appliances, etc.
• Others: Thick concrete walls, heavy obstructions, ceramic tiles, etc.

Q3: Did You Set Your Router to Work on a Non-Congested Channel?

A lot of users end up having bad experiences with their Netgear Nighthawk WiFi routers because they set them up to work on congested channels. If you are tech-savvy, you might be well aware of the importance of wireless channels. If not, then you can compare them with lanes on a highway and the router’s signals with traffic on the lanes. The less the channel is congested, the more the outputs are delivered by the router. You can tweak this setting using these steps:

• Log in to the router using a valid ID and password.
• Check out the Settings section to locate Wireless Settings.
• Choose the WiFi channel tab.
• Select your region and change the channel.
• Save the changes.

Q4: Are All Cable Connections Perfect?

When we talk about the cable connections linked to a Netgear Nighthawk X8 router, we are referring to its Power cable as well as the Ethernet cable connecting it to the modem. As far as the Power cable is concerned, it must be a genuine one (supplied by the manufacturer). Check out the below-mentioned points to know what should be checked with respect to the LAN connection between the router and modem and if you need to troubleshoot something:

• The physical condition of the LAN cable must be all well.
• You should have not connected the cable to the incorrect ports of your devices.
• There needs to be a strong connection between your router and modem.

Q5: Is the Router-Modem Distance Appropriate?

The modem serves as an internet source for the router and due to this, both devices are supposed to share a decent distance. Are you sure that your WiFi devices are separated through an appropriate value of distance? No? Well, check their location. Have you placed them in two different corners of your house? If yes, then reduce their gap right away. Here’s what you need to do:

• Place the router and modem at a maximum distance of 8 feet.
• Avoid keeping your devices too close as their signals may clash.
• Try to remove physical obstructions from the path of communication of your router and modem.

The Ending Thought

Facing problems with Netgear Nighthawk X8 WiFi router is a common thing. But, the best thing is that you can fix them easily with the help of the information shared in this very write-up. To avoid the emergence of such problems in the future, keep the firmware of your router updated.