Linksys Complete Guide to EA Series Smart Wi-Fi Firmware Update and Factory Reset

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Linksys EA-Series

How to upgrade the router’s firmware

Why would I need to upgrade my router’s firmware? Linksys may periodically publish a firmware upgrade either to fix a problem or to add features to your router.

IMPORTANT

Do not interrupt the upgrade process. You should not turn off the router or press the Reset button during the upgrade. Doing so may permanently disable the router.

TIPS

Your router automatically checks for available updates and installs them by default. Use the following instructions only if the automatic firmware update has been turned off.

To upgrade the router’s firmware:

1.Log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi. (See “How to connect to Linksys Smart Wi- Fi” on page 7.

2.Under Router Settings, click Connectivity.

3.Click the Basic tab.

4.Under Firmware Update, click Check for Updates.

5.If an available update is found, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

TIP

To have your router automatically check for updates and install them, select Automatic under Firmware Update.

Maintaining and Monitoring

How to restore factory defaults

If you’ve tried previous troubleshooting steps and your network still doesn’t work, you may need to restore your router’s factory defaults. To restore your router to factory defaults, you can use the Reset button on the router or use Linksys Smart Wi-Fi.

To reset your router using the reset button:

CAUTION

Whenever you restart the router, all logs that are not saved will be lost.

1.With your router connected to power and turned on, press and hold the Reset button on the back of your router for about 10 seconds (until the power indicator flashes).

To reset your router to factory defaults using Linksys Smart Wi-Fi:

1.Log into Linksys Smart Wi-Fi. (See “How to connect to Linksys Smart Wi- Fi” on page 7.

2.Under Router Settings, click Troubleshooting.

3.Click the Diagnostics tab.

4.Under Factory reset, click Reset.

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Contents User Guide Contents Specifications EA6900 Package contentsFeatures Product OverviewHome theater ready Top viewBack view Port activity indicatorsWall-mounting template Wall-mounting placementWhat is a network? Setting Up BasicsHow to create a home network Where to find more helpTo install your router How to install your routerHow to configure your router How to connect to Linksys Smart Wi-FiTo connect to Linksys Smart Wi-Fi To disable remote access How to connect directly to your routerHow to improve your wireless connection speed How to disable remote accessUnder Router Settings, click Wireless How to change your network’s name and passwordHow to change your router’s local access password To change your router’s name and passwordTo test your Internet connection speed How to test your Internet connection speedHow to change your router’s time zone To set your router’s time zoneTo connect a computer to your network How to connect devices to your networkHow to connect a computer to your network How to connect a USB printerHow to connect other devices How to manually connect a network deviceHow to connect a network device using Wi-Fi Protected Setup To view network device details How to view device detailsHow to set up parental controls How to set parental controlsTo set parental controls Under Block specific sites, click Add How to configure your guest networkTo set up guest access to your network How to back up your router configurationHow to customize Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Using widgetsCustomizing the Device List Using an External Drive How to attach a USB driveOverview How to use secured folder access How to set up authorized users and shared foldersTo enable access to shared folders How to access shared folders To access shared folders while on your networkClick Add User To configure your router as a media server How to set up your router as a media serverHow to remotely access storage To set up the FTP serverTo connect an UPnP device to your router’s media server Linksys EA-Series How to configure basic Internet connection settings Setting Up AdvancedHow to manually set up your router How to manually set up your Internet connectionTo manually configure your router’s IPv6 settings IPv6 Internet connection settingsTo reconfigure your wireless network How to get the most out of your dual- band routerAuto 20 MHz or 40 Mhz MHz Only How to control access to your networkMixed Wireless-N Only Wireless-G Only Wireless-N Only 802.11n only Wireless-AC OnlySetting Up Advanced VPN Passthrough How to improve security using the built-in firewallChanging firewall settings To change your firewall settingsTo configure your router’s Dhcp server settings How to set up the Dhcp server on your routerChanging IPv6 firewall settings To set IPv6 firewall settingsTo configure Dhcp reservation How to set up Dhcp reservationHow to access your network on the Internet To set up DdnsHappyBunny.linksysnet.com1024 To change your VPN passthrough settings How to clone a MAC addressHow to connect to your corporate office using a VPN Click the Internet Settings tabTo configure media prioritization How to optimize your router for gaming and voiceSet the maximum Upstream Bandwidth How to enable Voice over IP on your networkHow to configure UPnP To configure the router for VoIPTo configure UPnP To view your new router’s settings How to use a router as an access pointHow to put your new router behind an existing router To add your router to your existing wireless networkTo add your router to an existing router or gateway To add another router to share an Internet connection To share an Internet connectionTo use their DNS To extend your network How to expose a device to the InternetTo extend your network or add wireless capabilities To set up a device in the DMZSetting Up Advanced Port Forwarding and Port Triggering How to set up port forwardingHow to set up port forwarding for a single port To set up single port forwardingHow to set up port forwarding for multiple ports How to set up port forwarding for a range of portsTo set up single port forwarding for multiple ports How to set up port range triggering for online gaming To set up port range forwardingClick Add a new Port Range Forwarding Click Add a new Port Range Triggering To restore your router configuration How to back up and restore your router configurationTo back up your router configuration Under Router Settings, click TroubleshootingHow to restore factory defaults How to upgrade the router’s firmwareHow to check the status of your router How to disable the Ethernet port status lights How to test your Internet connectionTo disable the lights To enable and view logs How to configure and use logsTo install Service Pack TroubleshootingYour router was not successfully set up Windows XP Service Pack updateTo fix the problem To fix the problem on Windows computersMessage Linksys EA-Series Internet appears to be unavailable After setupLinksys Smart Wi-Fi does not open in your web browser Rebooting your routerAll other troubleshooting has been unsuccessful You cannot access Linksys Smart Wi-FiSpecifications Linksys EA6900Environmental 8220-01617A00

EA6900 specifications

The Linksys EA6900 is a dual-band wireless router that stands out for its impressive performance and advanced features tailored to meet the demands of modern households. Designed to deliver reliable connectivity for multiple devices simultaneously, it supports the latest Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) technology, enabling faster speeds and improved coverage compared to older routers.

One of the main features of the EA6900 is its dual-band capability, which operates on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. This allows users to connect to the less congested 5 GHz band for activities that require higher bandwidth, such as streaming HD video or online gaming, while still having the 2.4 GHz band available for basic activities like browsing and email.

The router provides a maximum throughput of up to 1900 Mbps, making it suitable for bandwidth-intensive applications. The beamforming technology further enhances the signal strength and reliability by focusing the wireless signal directly toward connected devices rather than broadcasting it in all directions. This results in better performance and coverage throughout the home, eliminating dead zones and improving connectivity in challenging locations.

The Linksys EA6900 also features four Gigabit Ethernet ports, allowing wired connections for devices such as gaming consoles, PCs, and smart TVs, which benefit from stable and high-speed connections. Additionally, it comes equipped with a USB 3.0 port for sharing files and media across the network, allowing users to connect external storage devices for easy access to data.

Another key characteristic of the EA6900 is its user-friendly interface, facilitated by the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi app. This application allows users to manage their network settings remotely, including monitoring connected devices, setting parental controls, and prioritizing bandwidth for specific applications or devices.

Security is a top priority for the Linksys EA6900, featuring WPA2 encryption and a built-in firewall to protect the network from unauthorized access and threats. The router also supports IPv6, ensuring compatibility with the latest internet protocols.

In summary, the Linksys EA6900 is a robust and versatile router that combines advanced technology with user-friendly features, making it an excellent choice for households with multiple devices requiring reliable connectivity. With its dual-band capability, impressive speed, and enhanced security measures, it provides users with the performance they need for today’s connected lifestyle.