Linksys WRT1900AC AC1900 Dual-Band Smart Wi-Fi Wireless Router Frequently Asked Questions

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
     HARDWARE INFORMATION
 
  1. What is the Wireless Scheduler feature of my Linksys WRT1900AC and how can I use it?
  2. What are the default IP Address, username, and password of the Linksys WRT1900AC?
 
     SETUP & INSTALLATION
 
   
  FIRMWARE UPGRADE

 
    
WIRELESS CONNECTION & SECURITY

 
   
ADVANCED CONFIGURATION

 
   
  TROUBLESHOOTING

 


HARDWARE INFORMATION
 

1. What is the Linksys WRT1900AC AC1900 Dual-Band Smart Wi-Fi Wireless Router?

The Linksys WRT1900AC AC1900 Dual-Band Smart Wi-Fi Wireless Router is a simultaneous dual-band 4x4 Gigabit router with USB/eSATA ports that supports a maximum of 600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and up to 1.3 Gbps on the 5 GHz band.  It comes with four (4) high-performance external antennas for enhanced dual-band communication, maximum signal strength, better coverage and range.  The antennas are adjustable to customize your wireless signal for single or multi-story buildings and are removable to accommodate upgrades.  For more information about the product features and specification of the Linksys WRT1900AC, click here.
 

2. What are the parts of the Linksys WRT1900AC? 

The Linksys WRT1900AC has the following parts:
  • Ports - Four (4) LAN/Ethernet, one (1) WAN, one (1) USB 3.0, one (1) combo port USB 2.0/eSATAII, one (1) power connector
  • LEDs - Power, Internet, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, eSATA, USB 1, USB 2, Ethernet, WPS
  • Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ (WPS) push button
  • Reset button
  • Four (4) high-performance external antennas 
3. What do the LEDs on the Linksys WRT1900AC indicate? 

The LEDs indicate the different activities and status on your router.  For a detailed description on the different Linksys WRT1900AC LEDs, click here.

4. What is the warranty period of the Linksys WRT1900AC? 

The warranty period is dependent on the country of purchase.  For more information about your device’s warranty, click
here.
 

5. Where can I find the router’s serial number?

The router’s serial number is printed on the sticker located underneath the device.  You can also locate this through the router's web-based setup page by clicking  on Troubleshooting > Status > Report.
 

6. What USB standards does the Linksys WRT1900AC support and what are their speed limits?

The Linksys WRT1900AC has one (1) USB 2.0/eSATA port and one (1) USB 3.0 port which is also backward-compatible with older versions.  The USB 3.0 speed limit can reach up to 5 Gbps.
 

7. What is the recommended antenna position for the Linksys WRT1900AC?

For more information and image reference, click here.
 

8. What is the Combo USB 2.0/eSATA port on my Linksys WRT1900AC and how does it work?

The Combo USB 2.0/eSATA port on the Linksys WRT1900AC allows you to connect a USB 2.0 device or External Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (eSATA) drive to the network.  Note that you can only connect one (1) device at a time (supports SATA-2).
 

9. What is the Network Map feature of my Linksys WRT1900AC and how can I use it?

The Network Map feature of your Linksys WRT1900AC allows you to manage and monitor your devices’ connection to the network.  To know more about this and how you can use it, click the links below:
 

Overview of the Network Map Tool on your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router
Managing devices in the network using the Network Map Tool account

 
10.  Can I wall-mount the Linksys WRT1900AC?

Yes.

11. Is the Linksys WRT1900AC stackable?

Yes, the Linksys WRT1900AC is stackable but make sure that the router is on top.  Router can be stacked on top of other stackable devices.  Do not stack any other devices on top of the WRT1900AC to prevent blocking of ventilation of the router.

12. Does Linksys WRT1900AC support Open Source? 

Yes, Linksys WRT1900AC is an Open Source-ready router.  With this, the Open Source community's demand for Linksys router source codes is met.  The base source code is made available for coders to be able to tweak their own firmware.  However, Linksys will only support the official firmware.  Since only the base codes are available, the final consumer codes would have its own security encoding, which makes it safe for daily use.

13. What is the Wireless Scheduler feature of my Linksys WRT1900AC and how can I use it? 

The Wireless Scheduler feature of your Linksys WRT1900AC allows you to turn OFF or ON the wireless networks, including the Guest networks at chosen times.  To know more about this, click here.

14. What are the default IP Address, username, and password of the Linksys WRT1900AC?

The default IP Address for this router is 192.168.1.1 and admin is the default for both Username and Password.

SETUP & INSTALLATION
 

1. What are the requirements in setting up the Linksys WRT1900AC?

Before setting up the Linksys WRT1900AC, you will need the following:
  • A broadband Internet connection such as a Cable or DSL modem with RJ45 (Ethernet) port
  • At least one (1) computer with an installed network interface adapter
  • RJ45 Ethernet networking cable
  • Internet browser (Internet Explorer® 8 or higher, Mozilla Firefox® 8 or higher, Google Chrome™ 10 or higher, or Safari® 5 or higher)
2. How do I set up the Linksys WRT1900AC?

Setting up the Linksys WRT1900AC is made fast and easy because of its CD-less setup.  Now you can run the setup from a web browser even if the router does not initially have an Internet connection and is on factory settings.  To learn how to set up the Linksys WRT1900AC, click here.
 
NOTE:  There is also an option to manually set up the Linksys WRT1900AC and log in straight into the web-based setup page.  On your setup home page, tick the I want to skip Setup and configure my router manually option and click Next.
 

3. Will I be able to run the setup on a hardwired computer even though my wireless adapter is disabled?

Yes, just connect the router to the computer using an Ethernet cable, open a browser and start the setup process.
 

4. Can I configure my 5 GHz network during setup?

Yes.  The Linksys WRT1900AC allows you to configure and set up the 5 GHz network during setup process.  To learn how you can set up the Linksys WRT1900AC, click here.

5. Can I configure my Linksys WRT1900AC as a Wireless Bridge or Repeater?

Yes.  The Linksys WRT1900AC can be configured as a Wireless Bridge or Repeater.  A Wireless Bridge mode uses one (1) of the WRT1900AC’s wireless network band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) to connect to your upstream router.  The Linksys WRT1900AC then extends the upstream router’s signal to the second wireless band and any wired connection.  To learn more about how to configure the WRT1900AC as a wireless bridge, click here
 
The Wireless Repeater mode uses one (1) of the WRT1900AC’s wireless network bands to connect to your upstream router.  That band then splits bandwidth from the upstream router to extend the network to both wireless bands and wired connections on the WRT1900AC.  You can click
here for instructions on how to do this.

6.  Can I install external antennas to my WRT1900AC to get better wireless range and coverage?

TThe Linksys WRT1900AC alone is a high-performance router that could provide you better wireless range and coverage.  However, you can upgrade its external antennas for enhanced performance by installing the WRT High Gain Antennas, WRT004ANT or WRT002ANT. 
 
FIRMWARE UPGRADE
 

1. How do I upgrade the firmware on the Linksys WRT1900AC?

Log in to your Linksys cloud account.  Go to Connectivity, and under the Basic tab, check the Automatic checkbox.  This will automatically upgrade the Linksys WRT1900AC if there is a new firmware available.  You may also click the Check for Updates button to check if there is a new firmware available.

NOTE:  If you wish to upgrade the Linksys WRT1900AC manually, you can click the Choose File button.


2. Can I upgrade the firmware of a WRT1900AC v1 using the WRT1900AC v2’s firmware or vice versa?

No.

WIRELESS CONNECTION & SECURITY
 

1. What wireless security modes does the Linksys WRT1900AC support?

The Linksys WRT1900AC supports WEP (64-bit / 128bit), WPA2™ / WPA-Mixed, WPA™-Personal, WPA2-Personal, WPA-Enterprise, WPA2-Enterprise and RADIUS.
 

2. Which wireless connection standards and frequencies are supported by the Linksys WRT1900AC?

The Linksys WRT1900AC is compatible with 802.11ac, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n and 802.11a.  It supports the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies.
 

3. Does the WRT1900AC support the 80 MHz channel width on the 5 GHz frequency?

Yes, the 5 GHz band supports the 80 MHz channel width provided that the Channel Width drop-down option is set to Auto.  There is currently no option to select the 80 MHz only setting.

4. What Channel Width should I set on the Linksys WRT1900AC? 

It is recommended to keep the Channel Width to Auto for both bands.  The Linksys WRT1900AC will automatically select the channel with the least amount of interference if you leave the default Auto settings.  

5. How do I connect a wireless device to the wireless network of the Linksys WRT1900AC? 

To connect your wireless device to the network, follow the steps below:
 
Step 1:
Go to your device settings or adapter settings if you are using a laptop and enable the Wi-Fi setting.
 
Step 2:
Scan the wireless networks in the area and select the wireless network name (SSID) of your router.

 
6. Where can I see the default wireless network name (SSID) and passphrase of the Linksys WRT1900AC? 

The default SSID and passphrase can be located at the bottom of the Linksys WRT1900AC.
 

7. Can I change the default wireless settings during setup? 

Yes, you will have the option to customize the SSID and the passphrase.  
 

8. Does the Linksys WRT1900AC support simultaneous dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) connection? 

Yes.
 

9. What is 802.11ac and what kinds of speed does it support? 

The 802.11ac technology works on the 5 GHz band.  The Linksys WRT1900AC can have a speed of up to 1300 Mbps wirelessly when matched with an 802.11ac adapter and when the Channel Width on the router is set to Auto.
 

10. Which wireless band should be used to achieve a speed of up to 1300 Mbps?

The 5 GHz band is used to achieve a speed of up to 1300 Mbps.
 

11. How many Guest networks can I set up on my Linksys WRT1900AC? 

The Linksys WRT1900AC allows you to have two (2) Guest networks both for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, respectively.  With these, your visitors at home can access the Internet but not the local network (i.e., shared storage devices, printer access).
 
NOTE:  The router supports up to a total of 50 guests.


12.  Can I add the Wireless widget to the Linksys WRT1900AC web interface dashboard? 

Yes, the Linksys WRT1900AC has the option to add your Wireless widget to the interface dashboard and use it for tracking the Wi-Fi radio status.  To do this, select Wireless then check the Show widget on the homepage box on the upper-right corner of your screen. 

ADVANCED CONFIGURATION
 

1. What is a media server and how does it work? 

It allows Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA®) certified devices including digital media players, gaming consoles, and digital picture frames to access video, music, and pictures that are stored on a USB hard drive that is connected to the Linksys WRT1900AC.  Its Storage File System supports FAT, HFS+ and NTFS. 
 

2. Can I connect a USB hub to the USB port of the Linksys WRT1900AC to use multiple devices? 

No.  You cannot connect a USB hub to the USB port of your Linksys WRT1900AC.
 

3. Does the Linksys WRT1900AC allow VPN tunnels using IPSec, L2TP or PPTP protocols to pass-through the router? 

Yes.  
 

4. Does the Linksys WRT1900AC support SPI firewall? 

Yes.  The Linksys WRT1900AC supports SPI firewall.
 

5. Does the Linksys WRT1900AC offer a Filter IDENT that blocks specific Internet data types? 

Yes, this feature keeps port 113 from being scanned by devices outside of your local network.
 

6. What is Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and what is it used for? 

The DMZ screen allows one (1) local user to be exposed to the Internet for use of a special-purpose service such as Internet gaming and videoconferencing.  DMZ hosting forwards all the ports at the same time to one (1) computer.  Port Forwarding is more secure because it only opens the ports you want to open.

7. What DDNS providers does the Linksys WRT1900AC support?

The Linksys WRT1900AC supports DynDNS.org, TZO.com and NO-IP.com providers.
 
TROUBLESHOOTING


1. How can I reset the Linksys WRT1900AC to factory defaults? 

There are two (2) ways to reset the Linksys WRT1900AC to factory defaults:
  • Hardware Reset – Press and hold the Reset button on the back panel of the Linksys WRT1900AC for about 10 seconds then release.  For detailed information on how to do this, click here.
  • Software Reset – Log in to your Linksys cloud account.  Under Router Settings, click Troubleshooting > Diagnostics.  Click Reset under Factory reset
2. I have reset the Linksys WRT1900AC and now I can’t launch the setup page.  What do I do?
 
You can try the following troubleshooting steps:
 
Step 1:
Enter “myrouter.local” or “192.168.1.1” in a web browser.
 
Step 2:
If your computer has a static IP Address, make sure it has valid DNS numbers.  If not, set the computer to obtain an IP Address automatically.
 
Step 3:
Try again then, if needed, reassign a static IP Address back on the computer.
 
3. What should I do if I can't connect to the Internet wirelessly and my network name is not listed in the Available Networks?

Try to perform the following steps to resolve the issue:
  • Verify that your router is ON and the Power logo is solidly lit.
  • If you are far from the router, you might try moving closer to see if your device is out of the wireless network range.
  • Using a computer attached to the router via a network cable, open the router's web-based setup page by entering “myrouter.local” or “http://192.168.1.1” and make sure that Broadcast SSID is ON.
4. What should I do when my wireless network performance is slow, inconsistent, suffers from weak signal, or having difficulty maintaining a VPN connection?

Wireless technology uses radio frequency as a medium to connect devices. This means that connectivity and the throughput performance between devices decreases when the distance between devices increases.
 
Other factors that will cause signal degradation are the following:
  • Obstructions such as walls, fixtures, furniture and metal appliances
  • Wireless signal interference caused by other wireless networks using the same frequency, baby monitors, microwave ovens and etc. 
NOTE:  Connection speed may decrease as you move farther away from the router.
 
Troubleshooting Tips:
  • In order to determine if wireless issues are related to distance, it is recommended to temporarily move the computer within 10 feet from the router if possible.
  • You may also change the wireless channel of your router.  This will resolve issues of wireless interference to improve the performance and reliability of your network.
5. My Parental Controls blocks HTTPS but returns a blank page instead of redirecting to the Parental Controls screen.  Is this a normal behavior?

Yes, for HTTPS this is by design.  Some HTTP sites that redirect to HTTPS will produce a blank screen as well.

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