TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

11. I have connected a USB drive to a router that is on child mode and the app is not detecting it. What should I do?
12. My Linksys mesh router isn't working with my ISP's 5G router. What should I do?
13. Does this support IPv6 RD for its internet connection?
 

HARDWARE INFORMATION

1. What is the Linksys MR5500 Hydra Pro 6 Dual-Band Mesh Router?

The Linksys MR5500 Hydra Pro 6 Dual-Band Mesh Router is powered by Intelligent Mesh™ technology that adapts to your WiFi needs. Your devices will always have a full-strength signal throughout your entire home. To learn more about this router, click here.

2. What are the parts of the Linksys MR5500?

The Linksys MR5500 has the following parts:
 

• Ports:
  • Four gigabit ethernet (LAN) ports
  • One gigabit internet (WAN) port
  • Power port (12V, 2A)
  • One USB 3.0 port for external storage support
    • The supported formats are as follows:
      • Windows®: NTFS and FAT32
      • Mac®: FAT32 and HFS+ (journaled, non-journaled)
    • Supports SMB v2.0
    • UPnP®
    • Supports up to 1100mA current draw
• Buttons and switch
  • Reset button
  • WPS button
  • Power switch (rocker-style)

• Two adjustable antennas
• Weight: 574 g (1.26 lbs)
• Dimensions: 8.46 in x 6.10 in x 2.20 in

3. What are its features?

The Linksys MR5500 has the following features:
 

• Intelligent Mesh technology 
• AX5400 Dual-Band Wi-Fi® 6 
• 802.11ax 
• 2x4 spatial streams 
• Guest Network 
• Wi-Fi Protected Setup™
• Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) support
• Bluetooth® Low Energy for secure and easy setup 
• Beamforming support

4. What is its warranty period?

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

5. What do the lights of the router indicate?

The lights indicate the different statuses and activities of your router. For a detailed description, click here.

6. Can I plug a USB hard drive or a printer into its USB port?

The Linksys MR5500 has one USB 3.0 port for a USB external drive. 

7. What are the default settings of this product?

The Linksys MR5500 has the following default settings:
 

• The default IP address is 192.168.1.1.

• The default Guest network IP address range is 192.168.3.x.
• The default administrator password of an unconfigured router is admin. Use the Linksys app to change the password after setup.
• The default WiFi name is LinksysSetupxxx (where xxx represents the last three digits of the router's MAC address).
• Each router has a unique pre-assigned WiFi password (found at the bottom of the router).
• The default Guest WiFi name is _LinksysSetupxxx-guest (where xxx represents the last three digits of the router’s MAC address).
• The Guest network is turned OFF by default. It can be enabled using LinksysSmartWiFi.com or the Linksys app.

8. Does it support Linksys Aware and Linksys Shield?

Currently, the Linksys MR5500 does not support Linksys Aware or Linksys Shield.

SETUP AND INSTALLATION 
 
1. What are the requirements for setup?

You will need the following for setup:
 

• A modem or gateway with an active internet connection
• A mobile device with the latest version of the Linksys app
• Bluetooth (preferred for setup)

2. How do I set it up using a mobile device?

To set up your router using a mobile device, click here.

3. How can I add another Linksys Mesh Router to my network?

For instructions on how you can add another Linksys Mesh Router to your network, click here.

4. What WiFi security options are supported?

The Linksys MR5500 supports the following WiFi security modes:
 

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

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5. 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. 

FIRMWARE UPGRADE

1. How do I upgrade the Linksys MR5500's firmware?

By default, your router's Automatic Firmware Update feature is enabled and will upgrade the firmware whenever a new version is released. If you turn OFF Automatic Firmware Update on the Linksys app, you will get a prompt when a new firmware release is available. When this happens, select Update Available to upgrade the firmware.

2. How do I check its current firmware version?

The firmware version can be found in the Linksys app on the Network Administration screen. To access it, launch your Linksys app, tap on the menu icon, and go to Network Administration. Then tap on your router and look for Firmware Version. 

TROUBLESHOOTING

1. How do I access my router's dashboard?

To learn how to access your dashboard using the Linksys app, click here. For LinksysSmartWiFi.com, click here.

2. What is the External Storage feature?

The External Storage feature of the Linksys MR5500 allows you to connect an external storage device to its USB port to share an entire hard drive. It features one USB 3.0 port for storage drive.

3. What file system formats does this router support? 

The Linksys MR5500 supports the following file formats:
 

• For Windows: NTFS and FAT32
• For Mac: FAT32 and HFS+

4. Does the USB port support File Transfer Protocol (FTP)?

No. The USB port doesn't support FTP.

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

To safely eject your hard drive from the router, simply click on the Eject icon located on both the Linksys app and LinksysSmartWiFi.com setup page. To learn more, click here.

6. Can I protect my hard drive from unauthorized access?

Yes. This can be done by enabling Authentication through your router's External Storage feature.

NOTE: The username should have a minimum of four and a maximum of 12 alphanumeric characters while the password should have a minimum of four and a maximum of 50 alphanumeric characters.  Both can include valid characters such as an underscore ( _ ) or a dash ( – ). To learn more about the External Storage feature of the Linksys MR5500, click here.

7. How can I access the storage device connected to the router?

To learn how to access the storage device connected to your router, you need to first identify its IP address for SMB access. For instructions, click here.

8. How can I reset the router to factory defaults?

To reset the router to its factory defaults, press and hold the reset button for 10 seconds (you will see a bright red flash, followed by three to four quick faded red pulses then another bright red flash) then you can release the button.  To learn more, click here.

9. How do I recover my admin password?

You can recover your admin password using the five-digit recovery code printed on the product label at the bottom. Follow the steps below to learn how:

NOTE: Steps may vary depending on the operating system of your mobile device.  In most of the examples below, an iOS device is used.
 

You should now be securely logged into the dashboard.

10. How do I locate the model number of my router?

To locate the exact model number of your router, check its product label located at the bottom. The Linksys app and LinksysSmartWiFi.com will display your model series, but the product label contains the exact model number.

11. I have connected a USB drive to a router that is on child mode and the app is not detecting it. What should I do?

If you are using another Linksys Mesh Router that supports a USB drive, you must connect the drive to the router that is on parent mode. The USB feature is only supported when the Linksys MR5500 is on parent mode.  It is NOT supported when the Linksys MR5500 is in child mode.

12. 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.

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

Yes. It supports IPv6 RD and 6to4 tunneling.