Linksys EA6400 AC1600 Dual-Band Smart Wi-Fi Router Frequently Asked Questions

TABLE OF CONTENTS


HARDWARE INFORMATION

  1. What is the Linksys EA6400 AC1600 Dual-Band Smart Wi-Fi Router?
  2. What are the requirements in setting up the Linksys EA6400?
  3. How do I set up the Linksys EA6400?
  4. Where can I see the default SSID and passphrase of the Linksys EA6400?
  5. Will I be able to run the setup on a hardwired computer even though my wireless adapter is disabled?
  6. Can I change the default wireless settings during Smart Setup?
  7. I have reset the Linksys EA6400 and now I can’t launch the Smart Setup.  What can I do?
  8. Does the Linksys EA6400 support simultaneous dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)?
  9. What USB standards does the Linksys EA6400 support and what are their speed limits?
  10. Can I connect a USB hub to the USB port of the Linksys EA6400 to use multiple devices?
  11. What is 802.11ac, and what kinds of speed does it support?
  12. What is the default IP Address, Username, and Password of the Linksys EA6400?
  13. Which wireless band should be used to achieve a speed of up to 1300 Mbps?
  14. What is the media server?
  15. How can I reset the Linksys EA6400 to factory defaults?
  16. Does the Linksys EA6400 support Remote Management?
  17. Where can I find the router’s serial number?


WIRELESS SECURITY

  1. How many wireless security modes does the Linksys EA6400 support?
  2. Does the Linksys EA6400 allow VPN tunnels using IPSec, L2TP or PPTP protocols to pass-through the router?
  3. Does the Linksys EA6400 support SPI firewall?
  4. Does the Linksys EA6400 offer a Filter IDENT that block specific Internet data types?
  5. What is the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and what is it used for?


INDICATOR LIGHTS

  1. What indicator lights does the Linksys EA6400 have and what do they mean?


TROUBLESHOOTING

  1. Is it possible to back up and restore settings on the Linksys EA6400?
  2. My Parental Controls blocks HTTPS but returns a blank page instead of redirecting to the Parental Controls screen.  Is this a normal behavior?


FIRMWARE UPGRADE METHOD

  1. How do I upgrade the firmware on the Linksys EA6400?


SPECIAL FEATURES

  1. What DDNS providers does the Linksys EA6400 support?
  2. How many connection types does the Linksys EA6400 support?
  3. What is MAC Address Clone and what is it used for?
  4. When would a user want to select Bridge Mode for an Internet Connection Type?
  5. Can I turn off the LEDs on the router?
  6. What is Port Forwarding?
  7. What is Port Triggering?
  8. Can I print a shared file on my computer while connected to the Guest network?
  9. What is UPnP?
  10. What is SimpleTap™?
  11. Where can I learn more about the SimpleTap™ feature?
  12. Can I disable the SimpleTap™ feature on the router?
  13. What is Cut Through Forwarding and does the Linksys EA6400 support this feature?
  14. How do I close an account?
  15. What will happen if the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi is down but I still have Internet connection?
  16. Can I change the IP Address of my router to 192.168.3.1 which is the IP scheme used by the Guest network?
  17. Can I add or create a Game and an Application to the Priority list that are using the same port numbers?
  18. Does this support IPv6 RD for its internet connection?


WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY

  1. How do I connect a wireless device to the wireless network of the Linksys EA6400?
     

HARDWARE INFORMATION

 1. What is the Linksys EA6400 AC1600 Dual-Band Smart Wi-Fi Router?

The Linksys EA6400 AC1600 Dual-Band Smart Wi-Fi Router is a dual-band 802.11ac wireless router with four (4) Gigabit Ethernet ports.  It also has one (1) USB 3.0 port for storage or printing.

2. What are the requirements in setting up the Linksys EA6400?

Listed below are the requirements for the Linksys EA6400:

Windows® OS requirements 

  • Windows® 10
  • Windows® 8.1 
  • Windows® 8 
  • Windows® 7 
  • Windows Vista® with Service Pack 1 or later
  • Windows® XP with Service Pack 3

Mac OS® requirements

  • OS X® Yosemite 10.10
  • OS X® Mavericks 10.9
  • OS X® Mountain Lion 10.8
  • OS X® Lion 10.7
  • OS X® Snow Leopard 10.6.1
  • OS X® Leopard 10.5.8

Mobile requirements

  • Latest iOS or Android™ mobile device
  • Windows® 7.5

Browser requirements

  • Mozilla Firefox® 8
  • Google Chrome™
  • Internet Explorer® 8
  • Safari® 5

3. How do I set up the Linksys EA6400?

There are two (2) ways to set up the Linksys EA6400 on the computer:

  • Smart Setup – The Smart Setup is embedded in the firmware of latest Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers.  It allows you to run setup from a web browser.  To learn how to set up the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers using Smart Setup, click here.

IMPORTANT:  For PPPoE users, in order to start the Smart Setup you must enter “linksyssmartwifi.com” or “192.168.1.1” since you will not be automatically redirected to the Smart Setup wizard.

  • Manually - There is an option to bypass Smart Setup and log in straight into the UI.  On the home page of the Smart Setup, tick the I want to skip Setup and configure my router manually option and click Next.

NOTE:  The CD included in the packaging does not contain any setup software.  It only contains documentation.

4. Where can I see the default SSID and passphrase of the Linksys EA6400?

The default SSID and passphrase can be located on the bottom of the Linksys EA6400.

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

Yes, you will be able to run the setup on a hardwired computer even though the wireless adapter is disabled.  Just connect the router to the computer using an Ethernet cable and start the Smart Setup.

6. Can I change the default wireless settings during Smart Setup?

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

7. I have reset the Linksys EA6400 and now I can’t launch the Smart Setup.  What can I do?

You can try the following troubleshooting steps:

  • Enter “linksyssmartwifi.com” or “192.168.1.1” in a web browser
  • 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.  Retry Smart Setup then, if needed, reassign a static IP Address back on the computer.

8. Does the Linksys EA6400 support simultaneous dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)?

Yes.  The Linksys EA6400 supports simultaneous dual-band.

9. What USB standards does the Linksys EA6400 support and what are their speed limits?

The USB port supports 3.0, and is also backward-compatible with older versions of USB.  The USB 3.0 speed limit can reach up to 5 Gbps.

10. Can I connect a USB hub to the USB port of the Linksys EA6400 to use multiple devices?

No.  You cannot connect a USB hub to the USB port of your Linksys EA6400.

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

The draft 802.11ac technology works on the 5 GHz band.  The Linksys EA6400 can have a speed of up to 1300 Mbps wirelessly when matched with an 802.11ac adapter.

12. What is the default IP Address, Username, and Password of the Linksys EA6400?

The default IP Address is 192.168.1.1 and admin is the default Username and Password.

13. 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.

14. What is the media server?

It allows 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 EA6400.

15. How can I reset the Linksys EA6400 to factory defaults?

There are two (2) ways to reset the Linksys EA6400 to factory defaults:

  • Hardware Reset – Press and hold the Reset button on the back panel of the Linksys EA6400 for about 10 seconds then release.
  • Software Reset – Log in to your Linksys cloud account.  Under Router Settings, click Troubleshooting > Diagnostics.  Click Reset under Factory reset.

16. Does the Linksys EA6400 support Remote Management?

Yes, the Linksys EA6400 supports Remote Management to other network devices behind the router.  

NOTE:  The Linksys EA6400 does not support Remote Management to the router's web-based setup page without using a Linksys cloud account.

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

The serial number is located at the bottom of your router.  You may also view it on your router’s web-based setup page.  Click on Troubleshooting > Status > Report.


WIRELESS SECURITY

1. How many wireless security modes does the Linksys EA6400 support?

The router supports seven (7) wireless security options:  WPA2 / WPA Mixed Personal, WPA2 Personal, WPA Personal, WPA2 / WPA Mixed Enterprise, WPA2 Enterprise, WPA Enterprise, and WEP.

2. Does the Linksys EA6400 allow VPN tunnels using IPSec, L2TP or PPTP protocols to pass-through the router?

Yes.  The Linksys EA6400 allows VPN tunnels using IPSec, L2TP or PPTP protocols to pass-through the router.

3. Does the Linksys EA6400 support SPI firewall?

Yes.  The Linksys EA6400 supports SPI firewall.

4. Does the Linksys EA6400 offer a Filter IDENT that block specific Internet data types?

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

5. What is the 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 computer.  Port Forwarding is more secure because it only opens the ports you want to open.


INDICATOR LIGHTS

1. What indicator lights does the Linksys EA6400 have and what do they mean?

  • Indicator Light - Flashes slowly when powered ON, reset to factory defaults, upgrading its firmware or during a Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ (WPS) connection.  When the router is ready for use, the light is continuously lit.  If there is an error, the light flashes quickly.
  • ETHERNET 1-4 (Yellow and Green) - The Ethernet ports connect the router to computers and other Ethernet-enabled devices on your wired network using Ethernet cables.  The yellow light flashes to indicate network activity over that port.  The green light turns ON when the local network port is connected to a 10/100/1000 port with auto-MDIX.
  • INTERNET (Yellow and Green) - Using an Ethernet cable, the Internet port connects the router to your Internet connection, which is typically a Cable or Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem.  The yellow light flashes to indicate network activity over that port.  The green light turns ON when the Internet port is connected to a 10/100/1000 port with auto-MDIX.
  • Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ (WPS) button - If you have client devices, such as wireless printers, that support Wi-Fi Protected Setup™, you can press the WPS button to automatically configure wireless security for your wireless network.  To know how to connect devices using the WPS feature, click here.


TROUBLESHOOTING

1. Is it possible to back up and restore settings on the Linksys EA6400?

Yes.  To backup the router configurations, access your Linksys cloud account.  Under Router Settings, click Troubleshooting.  Click Diagnostics > Backup.  The new window will prompt you to save your configuration file (.cfg).  Click Save then select your preferred location.  Click Save again and wait until the backup process is completed.

To restore the router configurations, access your Linksys cloud account.  Under Router Settings, click Troubleshooting.  Click Diagnostics > Restore > Choose File.  On the new window that appears, locate and select your configuration file (.cfg).  Click Save.  Click Start to Restore to begin the restoration process.  On the Important popup, click Yes.  On the Router Reboot popup, click OK.  Wait for the restoration process to finish.

2. 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.


FIRMWARE UPGRADE METHOD

1. How do I upgrade the firmware on the Linksys EA6400?

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 EA6400 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.

If you wish to upgrade the Linksys EA6400 manually, you can click the Choose File button. 


SPECIAL FEATURES

1. What DDNS providers does the Linksys EA6400 support?

The Linksys EA6400 supports DynDNS.org and TZO.com providers.

2. How many connection types does the Linksys EA6400 support?

The router supports six (6) connection types:  Automatic Configuration - DHCP, Static IP, PPPoE, PPTP, L2TP, and Bridge Mode.

3. What is MAC Address Clone and what is it used for?

Some ISPs will require you to register your computer's MAC Address in order to access the Internet.  If you do not wish to register the MAC Addresses of multiple computers with your ISP, you may assign the MAC Address that is already registered to the router using the MAC Address Clone feature.

4. When would a user want to select Bridge Mode for an Internet Connection Type?

Select Bridge Mode if a user purchases multiple Internet IP Addresses from their Internet Service Provider (ISP) and wants those IP Addresses to pass on to devices behind the router.

5. Can I turn OFF the LEDs on the router?

Yes.  Log in to your Linksys cloud account.  Go to Connectivity and, under the Basic tab, turn the Port Lights OFF.

6. What is Port Forwarding?

The Port Forwarding screen allows you to set up public services on your network such as web servers, FTP servers, e-mail servers or other specialized Internet applications.

7. What is Port Triggering?

Port Triggering will open ports based on the incoming port specified.  Check with your software application to find out what is necessary to enter in these fields.

8. Can I print a shared file on my computer while connected to the Guest network?

No.  The Guest network is a separate network that ONLY provides Internet access to wireless devices.  The router limits communication with other computers.  It has a different password from the main network and does not allow access to files or printers within the main network.

9. What is UPnP?

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) allows Windows to automatically configure the router for various Internet applications, such as gaming and videoconferencing.

10. What is SimpleTap™?

The SimpleTap™ feature is a simplified way to connect your supported Near Field Communication (NFC) mobile phone wirelessly to the Linksys EA6400.  The router comes with a SimpleTap™ card.  You will need to download the Linksys app, then tap the card to your phone.  Your phone will then connect to your router wirelessly.  Your phone must have the NFC feature enabled for the SimpleTap™ feature to work.  To know how to connect your Android™ smartphone using the SimpleTap™ card, click here.

NOTE:  With SimpleTap™, users can take advantage of the WPS connection using the SimpleTap™ card.  To learn how to connect your device using WPS in your Linksys cloud account, click
here.

11. Where can I learn more about the SimpleTap™ feature?

For more information about the SimpleTap™ feature, click here.

12. Can I disable the SimpleTap™ feature on the router?

Yes.  You can turn OFF the SimpleTap™ feature for NFC devices in the Wireless Tool in the user interface of the router.  To know more on how to enable or disable this feature, click here.  To turn off WPS, click the Wireless Tool then click the Wi-Fi Protected Setup tab.  Click on the button to turn OFF the WPS connection.

13. What is Cut Through Forwarding and does the Linksys EA6400 support this feature?

Cut Through Forwarding is a new feature for Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers (EA6300, EA6400, and EA6700) that increases the router’s performance through bypassing protocols that add extra overhead to router processing (such as packet level inspections, sorting, filtering, and queuing).

Enabling the Cut Through Forwarding feature will only apply to devices that are NOT part of any Parental Controls or Media Prioritization policies since those devices need to be packet inspected.  When disabled, there is no performance enhancement and all clients go through the extra router processing overhead.

QUICK TIP:  This feature is enabled by default.  Disabling this option may improve compatibility with other Wi-Fi devices and services.  If you want to disable it, log in to your Linksys cloud account.  Go to Connectivity > Administration.  Under the Cut Through Forwarding section, uncheck the Enable checkbox.

14. How do I close an account?

Closing the account means erasing/deleting an email address that has a Linksys cloud account associated to it.  To do this, go to the My Account section then click Close account.

NOTE:  This option will only appear when you are signed in with your Linksys cloud account.

15. What will happen if the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi is down but I still have Internet connection?

When the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi is down but the Internet is up, a new messaging will appear prompting customer to login using your Router admin password.

16. Can I change the IP Address of my router to 192.168.3.1 which is the IP scheme used by the Guest network?

Yes.  After applying the new IP Address, the Guest network IP scheme will automatically change to prevent conflict.  For instructions on how to change the IP Address of your router using the Linksys cloud account, click here.

17. Can I add or create a Game and an Application to the Priority list that are using the same port numbers?

No.  You can only add or create one Game or Application per port number to the priority list.

18. Does this support IPv6 RD for its internet connection?

Yes. It supports IPv6 RD and 6to4 tunneling.

WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY

1. How do I connect a wireless device to the wireless network of the Linksys EA6400?

For instructions on how to connect a smartphone, gaming console or any wireless device to the wireless network of your router, click any of the links below:

iPhone®
PS3™
Nintendo Wii™

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