NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX50 router guest network cannot reach devices, cast or print

The checks in more detail

If a guest network will not appear, check that the router firmware is current, since Netgear fixes guest features in updates, and that the router is not in access point mode, where some features are removed. The option that confuses people is whether guests can see the local network. The router has a setting called Allow guests to see each other and access my local network; leave it unticked for isolation, and tick it only if a device on the guest network must reach local gear, such as a casting target.

A smart speaker or a printer placed on the guest network will not be seen by a phone on the main network, and this is the usual reason that setup of such a device fails: put the device and the phone on the same network during setup. If a guest cannot get online, check that the guest password is correct and that the router assigns an address; restart the router and test with another device. Set time limits if you wish. The RAX50 allows a guest to be switched off on a schedule through the Nighthawk app. Remember that a guest network shares the same internet speed as the main network, and that many guests can slow it.

If the guest network drops, check that the main Wi-Fi works, since both depend on the same radios, and try a different channel. Reset the guest password after a party, and turn the guest network off when not needed. If the guest settings vanish after a power cut, the configuration may be lost, and a backup of the router's settings can restore it. When nothing works, a factory reset and a fresh setup clears the fault, but note your settings first. Contact Netgear with the serial number on the label if the router will not save its settings.