Linksys WRT3200ACM AC3200 Gigabit Wi-Fi Router Frequently Asked Questions

TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
     HARDWARE INFORMATION
  1. What is the Linksys WRT3200ACM AC3200 Gigabit Wi-Fi Router?
  2. What are the parts of the Linksys WRT3200ACM?
  3. What do the LEDs on the Linksys WRT3200ACM indicate?
  4. What is the warranty period of the Linksys WRT3200ACM?
  5. Where can I find the router’s serial number?
  6. What USB standards does the Linksys WRT3200ACM support?
  7. What is the recommended antenna position for the Linksys WRT3200ACM?
  8. What is the Combo USB 2.0 / eSATA port on my Linksys WRT3200ACM, and how does it work?
  9. What is the Network Map feature of my Linksys WRT3200ACM and how can I use it?
  10. Can I wall-mount the Linksys WRT3200ACM?
  11. Is the Linksys WRT3200ACM stackable?
  12. Does Linksys WRT3200ACM support Open Source?
     SETUP & INSTALLATION
  1. What are the product requirements of the Linksys WRT3200ACM?
  2. What are the default IP Address and Password of the Linksys WRT3200ACM?
  3. How do I set up the Linksys WRT3200ACM?
  4. Will I be able to run the setup on a hardwired computer even though my wireless adapter is disabled?
  5. Can I configure my 5 GHz network during setup?
  6. Can I configure my Linksys WRT3200ACM as a Wireless Bridge or Wireless Repeater?
  7. Can I install external antennas to my Linksys WRT3200ACM to get better wireless range and coverage?
     FIRMWARE UPGRADE
  1. How do I upgrade the firmware on the Linksys WRT3200ACM?
     WIRELESS CONNECTION & SECURITY
  1. What wireless security modes does the Linksys WRT3200ACM support?
  2. Which wireless connection standards and frequencies are supported by the Linksys WRT3200ACM?
  3. What Channel Widths does the Linksys WRT3200ACM support?
  4. What Channel Width should I set on the Linksys WRT3200ACM?
  5. How do I connect a wireless device to the wireless network of the Linksys WRT3200ACM?
  6. Where can I see the default wireless network name (SSID) and passphrase of the Linksys WRT3200ACM?
  7. Can I change the default wireless settings during setup?
  8. Does the Linksys WRT3200ACM support simultaneous dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) connection?
  9. What is 802.11ac, and what kinds of speed does it support?
  10. Which wireless band should be used to achieve a speed of up to 2600 Mbps?
  11. How many Guest networks can I set up on my Linksys WRT3200ACM?
  12. What is DFS, and does the Linksys WRT3200ACM support it?
  13. Which channels on the 5 GHz of the Linksys WRT3200ACM support DFS?
  14. Why can't my wireless client detect the 5 GHz network name after I configured the router’s 5 GHz band to use a fixed channel?
  15. My wireless clients connected to the 5 GHz network are disconnecting and reconnecting usually lasting about one (1) minute of disconnect time.  Why is this happening?
     ADVANCED CONFIGURATION
  1. What is a media server, and how does it work?
  2. Can I connect a USB hub to the USB port of the Linksys WRT3200ACM to use multiple devices?
  3. Does the Linksys WRT3200ACM allow VPN tunnels using IPSec, L2TP or PPTP protocols to pass-through the router?
  4. Does the Linksys WRT3200ACM support SPI firewall?
  5. Does the Linksys WRT3200ACM have a Filter IDENT feature that blocks specific Internet data types?
  6. What is Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and what is it used for?
  7. What DDNS providers does the Linksys WRT3200ACM support?
  8. What is the Wireless Scheduler feature of my Linksys WRT3200ACM and how can I use it?
     TROUBLESHOOTING
  1. How can I reset the Linksys WRT3200ACM to factory defaults?
  2. I have reset the Linksys WRT3200ACM and now I can’t launch the setup page.  What do I do?
  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?
  4. What should I do when my wireless network performance is slow, inconsistent, suffering from weak signal, or having difficulty maintaining a VPN connection?
  5. My Parental Controls feature blocks HTTPS but returns a blank page instead of redirecting to the Parental Controls screen.  Is this a normal behavior?

HARDWARE INFORMATION
 

1. What is the Linksys WRT3200ACM AC3200 Gigabit Wi-Fi Router?

The Linksys WRT3200ACM AC3200 Gigabit Wi-Fi Router is the latest Wireless-AC router from Linksys designed with powerful enterprise-grade hardware and flexible software options for savvy customization.  Built with Beamforming, this Smart Wi-Fi concurrent dual-band 4 x 4 gigabit router delivers a maximum speed of 600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and up to 2.6 Gbps on the 5 GHz band.  For more information about the product features and specification of the Linksys WRT3200ACM, click here.
 

2. What are the parts of the Linksys WRT3200ACM?

The Linksys WRT3200ACM has the following parts:
  • Ports - Four (4) Ethernet, one (1) Internet, one (1) USB 3.0, one (1) combo USB 2.0 / eSATA port, and one (1) power connector
  • LEDs – Power, Internet, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, eSATA, USB 1, USB 2 (Primary and Secondary LEDs), Ethernet 1 - 4 (Primary and Secondary LEDs), and Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ (WPS)
  • Buttons – Reset, WPS, and Power button 
  • Antennas Four (4) external dipole adjustable antennas (detachable)
3. What do the LEDs on the Linksys WRT3200ACM indicate? 

The LEDs indicate the different status and activities on your router.  For a detailed description on the different Linksys WRT3200ACM LEDs, click here.

4. What is the warranty period of the Linksys WRT3200ACM? 

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 WRT3200ACM support? 

The Linksys WRT3200ACM has one (1) USB 2.0 / eSATA port and one (1) USB 3.0 port which is also backward-compatible with older versions. 
 

7. What is the recommended antenna position for the Linksys WRT3200ACM? 


For Single-story homes, the recommended antenna position should be that all external antennas are in upward position.  For Multi-story homes, you can do any of the following:

a. Rear antennas straight-up, side antennas angled outwards (away from the router) 45°.
b. Side antennas straight-up, rear antennas angled outwards (away from each other) 45°.

For more information and image reference, click here.
 

8. What is the Combo USB 2.0 / eSATA port on my Linksys WRT3200ACM, and how does it work? 

The Combo USB 2.0 / eSATA port on the Linksys WRT3200ACM allows you to connect a USB 2.0 device or an eSATA drive to the network. 
 
NOTE:  Only one (1) device can be connected at a time.
 

9. What is the Network Map feature of my Linksys WRT3200ACM and how can I use it? 

The Network Map feature of your Linksys WRT3200ACM 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 of the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi

 
10. Can I wall-mount the Linksys WRT3200ACM?


Yes.  For instructions on how to wall-mount the Linksys WRT3200ACM, click here.

11. Is the Linksys WRT3200ACM stackable?

Yes, the Linksys WRT3200ACM is stackable but make sure that it is stacked on top of other stackable devices.  Do not stack any other devices on top of the Linksys WRT3200ACM to prevent blocking of ventilation of the router.

12. Does Linksys WRT3200ACM support Open Source? 

Yes.  The Linksys WRT3200ACM is an Open Source Ready router.  With this, the Open Source community's demand for Linksys router source code is met.  The base source code is made available for coders to tweak their own firmware.  However, Linksys will only support the official firmware.  Since only the base code is available, the final consumer code would have its own security encoding, which makes it safe for daily use.

SETUP & INSTALLATION
 

1. What are the product requirements of the Linksys WRT3200ACM?

Browser requirements:
  • Latest version of Chrome™, Firefox®, Safari® (for Mac® or iPad®), Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer® 8 or newer
  • Latest Adobe Flash® Player
Operating system requirements (for printer utility):
  • Windows® 10, Windows® 8 / 8.1, Windows® 7, Windows Vista® SP1, Windows® XP SP3
  • Yosemite 10.10, Mavericks 10.9, Mountain Lion 10.8, Lion 10.7, Snow Leopard 10.6.1 or later, OS X® Leopard 10.5.8 or later
2. What are the default IP Address and Password of the Linksys WRT3200ACM?

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

3. How do I set up the Linksys WRT3200ACM?

Setting up the Linksys WRT3200ACM 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 WRT3200ACM, click here.
 
NOTE:  Manual setup of the Linksys WRT3200ACM can be done through 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.


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

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

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

One wireless network name is configured for both 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz.  When the setup is complete, you may change the network name of the 5 GHz by logging in to the web-based setup page.  To learn how you can set up the Linksys WRT3200ACM, click here.

6. Can I configure my Linksys WRT3200ACM as a Wireless Bridge or Wireless Repeater?

Yes.  The Linksys WRT3200ACM can be configured as a Wireless Bridge or Repeater. 

Wireless Bridge mode uses one (1) of the Linksys WRT3200ACM’s wireless network bands (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) to connect to your upstream router.  The Linksys WRT3200ACM then extends the upstream router’s signal to the second wireless band and any wired connection.  To learn more about how to configure the Linksys WRT3200ACM as a wireless bridge, click 
here
 
The Wireless Repeater mode uses one (1) of the Linksys WRT3200ACM’s wireless network bands to connect to your upstream router.  That band then splits the bandwidth from the upstream router to extend the network to both wireless bands and wired connections on the Linksys WRT3200ACM.  You can click 
here for instructions on how to do this.

7.  Can I install external antennas to my Linksys WRT3200ACM to get better wireless range and coverage?

The Linksys WRT3200ACM 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.  To learn more about it, click here.
 
FIRMWARE UPGRADE
 

1. How do I upgrade the firmware on the Linksys WRT3200ACM?

Log in to your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Account.  Go to Connectivity, and under the Basic tab, check the Automatic checkbox.  This will automatically upgrade the Linksys WRT3200ACM 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 WRT3200ACM manually, you can click the Choose File button.  However, you first need to download the appropriate firmware from the Linksys WRT3200ACM Downloads page.


WIRELESS CONNECTION & SECURITY
 

1. What wireless security modes does the Linksys WRT3200ACM support?

The Linksys WRT3200ACM supports only WPA2 Personal and WPA2 Enterprise.
 

2. Which wireless connection standards and frequencies are supported by the Linksys WRT3200ACM?

The Linksys WRT3200ACM is compatible with 802.11ac802.11g802.11n and 802.11a.  It supports the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies.
 

3. What Channel Widths does the Linksys WRT3200ACM support?

It supports 20 MHz / 40 MHz / 80 MHz and 160 MHz. 

4. What Channel Width should I set on the Linksys WRT3200ACM? 

It is recommended to keep the Channel Width to Auto for both bands.  The Linksys WRT3200ACM will automatically select the channel with the least amount of interference if you leave the settings to Auto.  


5. How do I connect a wireless device to the wireless network of the Linksys WRT3200ACM? 

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 Wi-Fi.

Step 2:
Scan through the list of available wireless networks, and select the wireless network name (SSID) of your router.

Step 3:
Enter your wireless network password, and select Connect or Join.

 
6. Where can I see the default wireless network name (SSID) and passphrase of the Linksys WRT3200ACM? 

The default SSID and passphrase can be located at the bottom of the Linksys WRT3200ACM.
 

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 WRT3200ACM 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 WRT3200ACM can have a speed of up to 2600 Mbps wirelessly when matched with an 802.11ac adapter and when the Channel Width in the router is set to Auto.
 

10. Which wireless band should be used to achieve a speed of up to 2600 Mbps?

Connect to the 5 GHz band to achieve a speed of up to 2600 Mbps.
 

11. How many Guest networks can I set up on my Linksys WRT3200ACM? 

The Linksys WRT3200ACM allows you to have two (2) Guest networks both for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.  With these, your visitors at home can access the Internet but not the local network (e.g., shared storage devices, printer access).
 
NOTE:  The router supports up to a total of 50 guests.


12. What is DFS, and does the Linksys WRT3200ACM support it?
 
Yes.  The Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) is supported on the 5 GHz band of the Linksys WRT3200ACM.  DFS is a spectrum-sharing mechanism that allows wireless LANs (WLANs) to coexist with radar systems.  It automatically selects a frequency that does not interfere with certain radar systems while operating in the 5 GHz band.
 

13. Which channels on the 5 GHz of the Linksys WRT3200ACM support DFS?
 
Channels 52-64 and as well as channels 100-140 on the 5 GHz band are the DFS channels.
 

14. Why can't my wireless client detect the 5 GHz network name after I configured the router’s 5 GHz band to use a fixed channel?
 
If you have configured your router to use a fixed channel other than Auto and your wireless device does not detect the 5 GHz network name, it’s possible your wireless device does not support DFS channels.  You can contact the manufacturer of your device to confirm if your wireless device supports DFS.  You can also change the channel on the router to use a non-DFS channel or Auto.  Channels 52-64 and Channels 100-140 are DFS channels.
 
NOTE:  In addition, your wireless client must be a Dual-Band client in order to connect to the 5 GHz band.


15. My wireless clients connected to the 5 GHz network are disconnecting and reconnecting usually lasting about one (1) minute of disconnect time.  Why is this happening? 
 
If you have configured the 5 GHz wireless network to use a fixed wireless channel, other than Auto, you have selected a DFS channel.  When your router is configured to use a fixed DFS channel, the router needs to adjust to a new channel if a radar system is detected as this can cause interference with the radar.  During this one minute disconnection, the router will scan for the next best channel to use and the 5 GHz wireless clients will disconnect for one (1) minute and reconnect again once the router has selected another channel to prevent interference with the radar system.  If you want to change this, simply choose a non-DFS channel or set it to Auto.
 
NOTE:  DFS channels are Channels 52-64 and Channels 100-140, you can use any other channels beside these.
 
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 WRT3200ACM.  Its Storage File System supports FAT, HFS+ and NTFS. 
 

2. Can I connect a USB hub to the USB port of the Linksys WRT3200ACM to use multiple devices? 

No.  You cannot connect a USB hub to the USB port of your Linksys WRT3200ACM.
 

3. Does the Linksys WRT3200ACM allow VPN tunnels using IPSec, L2TP or PPTP protocols to pass-through the router? 

Yes.  
 

4. Does the Linksys WRT3200ACM support SPI firewall? 

Yes.  The Linksys WRT3200ACM supports SPI firewall.
 

5. Does the Linksys WRT3200ACM have a Filter IDENT feature 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 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 WRT3200ACM support?

The Linksys WRT3200ACM supports Dyn.com and NO-IP.com providers.


8. What is the Wireless Scheduler feature of my Linksys WRT3200ACM and how can I use it?

The Wireless Scheduler feature of your Linksys WRT3200ACM allows you to turn OFF or ON the wireless networks, including the Guest networks at your preferred time.  To know more about this, click here.

TROUBLESHOOTING


1. How can I reset the Linksys WRT3200ACM to factory defaults? 

There are two (2) ways to reset the Linksys WRT3200ACM to factory defaults:
  • Hardware Reset – Press and hold the Reset button at the back panel of the Linksys WRT3200ACM for about 10 seconds then release.  
  • Software Reset – Log in to your Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Account.  Under Router Settings, click Troubleshooting > Diagnostics.  Click Reset under Factory reset
2. I have reset the Linksys WRT3200ACM 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 to 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 LED is solidly lit.
  • If you are far from the router, you might try moving closer to make sure that your device is within 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”.  Go to Wireless > Broadcast SSID and make sure that it is set to Yes for both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
4. What should I do when my wireless network performance is slow, inconsistent, suffering 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, 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 feature 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.  Website addresses starting with https:// can be blocked, but because they have encryption, Linksys Smart Wi-Fi cannot redirect you.  Instead of a page telling you the address has been blocked, you will see a browser error page.

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