The Parental Controls feature on any networking device is meant to prevent kids’ access to restricted content. In other words, it protects your kids from major malicious content available over the internet. That is why users who have done Nighthawk router setup in their houses enable the Parental Controls feature when it comes to limiting kids’ internet usage. But, at times, users complained that this particular feature is not working. To say it simply, the Netgear router is unable to block the restricted sites from the devices accessing its network.
In this post, we’ve jotted down the topmost hacks using which you will be able to fix the Parental Controls problem easily. But, before that, we would like to inform you that the feature is ineffective on those devices which are accessing the router through a wired connection.
However, we would also like to shine some light on the reasons dragging you to the problem. For your information, right from your distance from the router to the outdated firmware, technical glitches to the assessment of the incorrect network can result in the issue under the discussion. Now, let’s move ahead to resolve it.
Fixed: Netgear Nighthawk Parental Controls Not Working
Prior to giving a shot at the troubleshooting techniques mentioned below, ensure that the device on which the Parental Controls feature is not working is flaunting the latest version of the operating system as well as it is free of viruses. Also, ensure that you’ve enabled the feature successfully via the routerlogin.net web address. If all of these conditions are satisfied, you can proceed with the hacks.
- Get Closer to Your Router
Since your distance from the Netgear Nighthawk router is one of the major causes behind the non-working status of the Parental Controls feature, you are expected to move a little closer to the router. Surely, within the range of the signals emanated by your router. Thereafter, try to access restricted content on a device subjected to Parental Controls. Are you able to? If not, then no more troubleshooting is required. Otherwise, walk through the next tip.
- Restart Your Router
Technical glitches affecting your router’s performance are other causes behind the Parental Controls not working issue. Although the reason behind the technical glitches is completely anonymous, still they can be gotten rid of. All you are required to do is unplug the router from its respective power socket, wait for some time, and connect it back. Once done, you might be able to resolve the issue you are facing. Also, you’ll notice a slight smoothness in the performance of your router after a fresh start.
- Update the Firmware
Every Netgear device comes embedded with a set of instructions which are generally called its firmware collectively. To maintain the device’s performance, a new firmware version is rolled out on a regular basis which needs to be installed at all costs. So, no matter whether you’ve done Netgear wireless extender setup or have installed a Nighthawk router, you ought to update the device’s firmware. The firmware of the Netgear router can be simply updated by accessing the routerlogin URL or the Nighthawk mobile application. You can select the one you find easy to use.
- Access the Correct Network
Know that the Parental Controls feature will only come into effect when the subjected device is accessing the Nighthawk router’s WiFi network. There is a possibility that you are using some random WiFi network or maybe accessing mobile data due to which the Parental Controls feature has lost its effect. Thus, to solve the problem, ensure that you are accessing the WiFi network of your Netgear router only. Otherwise, your kids will still be able to access restricted or malicious content.
Last But Not Least
So, these were the tips you can follow if the Nighthawk Parental Controls feature is not working for you. We’re really hopeful that the aforementioned techniques will be able to pull you out of the mess you’re currently in. However, if every effort made by you has failed till now, reconfigure your router after resetting it. Once everything falls in place, login to Nighthawk router and enable the Parental Controls feature again. The steps to enable it and restrict content via keywords are mentioned in the router’s user manual in detail.
