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Forum Discussion
2019 Samsung TVs not connecting to 5GHz on Orbi (RBK50)
Hey I have about 18 wireless devices connected to an RBK50. All of them except 2 are connecting as expected (5GHz capable devices connect at 5Ghz unless they are really far then they connect at 2.4GH...
I just contacted a Senior Tech at Netgear, they said there is nothing we can do to force Orbi to connect to the Samsung TV at 5GHz. Orbi choose 2.4GHz. He actually recommended returning the Orbi and getting something like a Nighthawk R7000 which would allow me to easily connect my devices to 2.4 or 5Ghz. What do you guys think?
Here's the info requested:
TVs: Samsung Q60R and RU7100 (both AC wireless capable)
ISP modem: Arris TM1602A
House Size: 1300sqft 1st Floor, 1500 sqft 2nd Floor
Distance between Router and Satellite: Approx 15'
2.4GHz set to Auto (using channel 4)
5GHz set to 44 - I tried all the channels (36, 40, 44, 48).
WiFi Neighbors: 9 using 2.4G, 5 using 5G (channels 36, 36, 36, 157, 153)
Enabling:
Beamforming (didn't try, Tech said this would not help my situation)
MIMO (didn't try, Tech said this would not help my situation)
WMM (was enabled with factory settings)
Disabling:
Daisy Chain (didn't try, Tech said this would not help my situation)
Fast Roaming (was disabled with factory settings)
IPv6 (didn't try, Tech said this would not help my situation)
Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only (didn't try, Tech said this would not help my situation).
Well, the tech is right, and he's wrong. (1) He is correct that if it really important to have the TV connect at 5G, then there are products from Netgear (and everybody else) that will do that. However, what those products will not do is set up a seamless, "one WiFi name" network with amazing coverage and backhaul speeds. (2) He is wrong that the Orbi has forced a 2.4G connection. The Orbi broadcasts on both 2.4G and 5G and it is the device that chooses which one to use. I have lots of devices that support both 2.4G and 5G, and a lot of them pick 5G. It appears you also have a lot of devices which choose 5G and two Samsung TV's that do not. Maybe searching Samsung support sites will turn up a solution.
I suspect his reasoning was, "This guy is not going to be happy with Orbi. He should take it back and get something else. Problem solved."
Yeah I was shocked when he recommened buying a lower cost router (Nighthawk R7000), but then I found out that is what he uses and is very happy with it.
I had an R7000 for several years, but got poor coverage in certain parts of the house (where the wife sat with her iPad, naturally). Went to the Orbi and have had GREAT coverage, including patios. The ONLY place that had poor coverage with the Orbi was the very front of my garage (where I have some WiFi cameras). Redeployed the R7000 to the garage and feed it over PowerLine. Full bars now to the security cameras.
Apart from not connecting where you (sincerely) believe they should connect, do the Samsung TV's work OK?
The speed test on the TVs showed 22 Mbps - my main concern. My laptop is getting 115 Mbps and it's located further from the router, but it's using 5 GHz.