Woke this morning Joe and laptop was back to the router.

Now the desktop was offline, which means I think there was an interruption, usually the desktop its online to the router. So I think that clarifies without having to unplug router the extender would not swith back to extender.

Still, even if I unplug the router and it did go back to extender, does not help as who is going to do that on a regular basis?

That said, this is normal then (as opposed to Ira'a opinion), that a router may have a daily timer to bring extender back to the router line? Seems odd. If true, then there is 100% no point in shopping for a new extender correct?

I should try to contact D link, though it's always a time drain even though their service is better than Netgear. With Apple, never remember this issue. Still happy something works now albiet huge nuisance involved to switch back daily. The extender has a refresh button on it, but it does not work, I have to unplug replug to get it up.