Linksys MR20EC Hydra 6 FAQs

HARDWARE INFORMATION

What is the Linksys MR20EC?

The Linksys MR20EC is a dual-band mesh Wi-Fi® 6 router that provides you with Intelligent Mesh™ technology and ultra-fast WiFi to keep your connection going strong.

What is Wi-Fi 6?

Wi-Fi 6 is based on the 802.11ax technology that delivers more speed, coverage, and capacity than ever before. With this, you can have gigabit speeds for a faster connection to handle all the latest streaming, gaming, and mobile technology.

Where can I find the router’s serial and model numbers?

You can find the serial number and the exact model number on the product label at the bottom of the router.

What is the warranty on the router?

The warranty is dependent on the country of purchase.

Does the router have indicator lights?

Yes, the router has indicator lights that show the status of the device.

Can the router be wall-mounted?

Yes, you can set the router on a desk or mount it to the wall.

What can I plug into the USB port on the router?

The Linksys MR20EC has one USB 3.0 port for external storage devices only. This feature is only supported on the parent router. If you connect a USB drive to a router used as a child node, the drive will not be detected.

SETUP AND INSTALLATION

How do I set up the router?

You can set up the router through the Linksys app.

What are the requirements for setting up the router?

Below are the requirements for setting up the Linksys MR20EC:

Internet connection
Latest version of the Linksys app
Linksys cloud account for remote access

How do I access the router's dashboard?

You can access the dashboard through the Linksys app.

How do I add another router to my network?

Learn more.

How do I reset the router to factory defaults?

There are two ways to reset the router to factory defaults:

Hardware reset – Press and hold the reset button until you see a fourth red light flash.
Software reset – Log in to your Linksys cloud account to access the router's web interface. Under Router Settings, click Troubleshooting > Diagnostics, then, click Reset under Factory reset.

What is the router's default administrative password?

The default password of an unconfigured router is admin.

Is the Linksys Mesh WiFi system compatible with Starlink?

Yes. For the Linksys router to work with Starlink, you will need a Starlink ethernet adapter which you can find in the Starlink shop. Connect one end of the ethernet cable to the Starlink ethernet adapter and the other end to the Internet port of your Linksys router.

Learn how to set up the Linksys router with Starlink

WIFI AND SECURITY

What is the default WiFi name and WiFi password of the router?

The default WiFi name of the router is _LinksysSetupxxx (the xxx is the last three digits of the router’s MAC address). Each node has a unique pre-assigned WiFi password located at the bottom of the router.

What WiFi security modes does the router support?

The router supports these security settings:

WPA2™/WPA3™ Mixed Personal
WPA3 Personal Only
WPA2 Personal
Enhanced Open Only
Open and Enhanced Open
Open

Does the router support Parental Controls?

The router supports the free basic Parental Controls feature.

ADVANCED TROUBLESHOOTING

How do I upgrade the router’s firmware?

By default, the Automatic Firmware Update feature on the router is enabled and will upgrade the firmware whenever a new version is available. If you disable the Automatic Firmware Update option on the Linksys app, you will get a prompt whenever a new firmware release is available. When this happens, select Update Available to upgrade the firmware.

Does the router support bridge mode?

Learn more.

How do I access the storage device connected to the router?

To access the storage device, you need to first identify its IP address for SMB access.

Can I connect a USB printer to the router?

No, this is not supported.

How do I safely eject my hard drive from the router?

To safely remove the storage device safely, click Eject on the External Storage page on the router's web interface or the Linksys app.

How do I secure my hard drive from unauthorized access?

You can enable the Authentication option for the external storage device and enter the following information:

Username – use a minimum of four and a maximum of 12 alphanumeric characters.
Password – use a minimum of four and a maximum of 50 alphanumeric characters

The username and password can include numbers, letters, and characters like “_” or “-“.

What file system formats does the External Storage feature support?

The router supports NTFS, FAT32, FAT, and HFS+.

Can I connect a USB storage device to the router and manage it as an FTP server or media server?

No, this is not supported.

What is Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)?

DFS is a spectrum-sharing mechanism that allows multiple WiFi networks 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. The benefits of using DFS channels are less WiFi interference and better WiFi performance.

How do I enable the DFS feature of the router?

Learn more.

Can I use DFS in my network with other routers on child modes?

No. Other routers on child modes that do not support DFS will have connectivity problems.

Can my clients connect to a DFS channel?

Only if your clients support DFS channels. If your clients do not support DFS channels, they can connect to the 2.4 GHz band instead.

I have enabled DFS channels and I am experiencing WiFi disconnection at times, how can I resolve this?

If the router detects other devices using DFS channels such as radar systems near your location, your router will choose another channel to use and this will cause a momentary WiFi disconnection. To avoid this, you can disable DFS.

My Linksys mesh router isn't working with my ISP's 5G router. What should I do?

For the Linksys mesh router to work with a 5G router, your ISP must provide a 5G router with an ethernet port for connection to the parent node

Does this support IPv6 RD for its internet connection?

Yes. It supports IPv6 RD and 6to4 tunneling.