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Best way to add 2.4 gHz ONLY devices to Orbi mesh network?
I have many different devices on my network that can connect only to 2.4gHz. Obviously, with a mesh network, the broadcast frequency is automatically chosen in the background. Because I have such g...
What FW is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?
Is the Orbi system operating in Router or AP mode?
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between them to begin with depending upon building materials.What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
Try disabling the following and see:
MIMO, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).If you updated to recent FW v.210, try enabling Daisy Chain. Some have mentioned that this seems to be working in reverse order, enabling means disabled actually.
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Firmware-2-2-1-210-and-connection-problems-Skybell/m-p/1649275/highlight/true#M43001
Advanced Wireless Settings both 2.4GHz and 5GHz changed CTS/RTS Threshold to 2307.
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Orbi-RBR40-RBS40-V2-1-4-16-mesh-network-drops-connection-to/m-p/1601598/highlight/true#M35230
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Have-to-keep-rebooting-my-RBR50/m-p/1658603/highlight/false#M44420
Change the CTR/RTS threshold values for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (2341 and 2345 respectively), changed preamble modes to long preamble, and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only.
robsquatch wrote:
I have many different devices on my network that can connect only to 2.4gHz. Obviously, with a mesh network, the broadcast frequency is automatically chosen in the background. Because I have such good coverage everywhere in my house now, it is impossible to force these devices on to the slower frequency. This is the case with my security cameras, wireless thermometers, etc. The only solution I seem to find is one that involves changing command lines which seems ridiculous to me. Is there a quick and easy way to turn off 5gHz temporarily to program new devices? I have also tried turning down the 5gHz power as well, with no progress.
I appologize for having hijacked the original thread. Perhaps we could be more helpful if robsquatch identified the specific 2.4G devices which are difficult to connect. That information may provide helpful clues.
When devices come "out of the box", they can wake up and detect SSID's, but they have no idea which SSID should be connected to, and they have no password to supply. Somehow, they have to get that information in order to connect successfully. With devices that offer an "input mechanism", such as a keyboard, camera, or ethernet port, the user can provide the SSID and password through that input. (My Reolink battery camera app creates a smart bar code which I hold in front of the camera. The cameras with ethernet have to be connected to a computer the first time. My security system uses the key pad to select the SSID and (tediously) input the password.)
I doubt that a smart phone app providing SSID and password for the Orbi connection (somehow) to a device can be the problem. Orbi uses the same SSID and password for both 2.4G and 5G. The device would know, "look for this SSID and give it this password." The device sees only 2.4G networks. Finds the Orbi 2.4G signal. Gives it the password. And, "voila. connected."
Something about the device firmware, the smart phone, and the app isn't working. Maybe some phones restrict what apps can do in regard to WiFi, so the app fails to find the device. Maybe..... (a lot of things). When it works, it's slick. My TP-Link smart plug setup was complete in under 10 minutes using an Android phone connected to Orbi at 5G, including setting up the Kasa account and updating the plug firmware. But then, TP-Link makes computer devices, not doorbells or food cookers.
I Googled the Ring doorbell and found comments wondering if (a) some devices can connect only on channels 1, 6, or 11, or (b) some devices may "stick" to their first channel and not realize that the WiFi access point has changed to another. Seems pretty dumb (to me), but might be the case.
Again, sorry I haven't done anything to help.
Any feedback is helpful :)
The specific devices giving me problems are as follows:
1) La Crosse WiFi weather station
2) Amazon cloud cam
Both manuals specially call out 2.4 only and these are the only two devices giving me problems.
The specific devices giving me problems are as follows:
1) La Crosse WiFi weather station
2) Amazon cloud cam
Both manuals specially call out 2.4 only and these are the only two devices giving me problems.
Try turning down the 5Ghz power on the Orbi to 25% to see if this might help. Try the other suggestions as well.
What channels does the Mfrs of these devices recommend using on 2.4Ghz? Try manual 1, 6 or 11
What security modes does the Mfrs of these devices recommend using? WPA or WPA2? TPIK or AES?
robsquatch wrote:
Any feedback is helpful :)
The specific devices giving me problems are as follows:
1) La Crosse WiFi weather station
2) Amazon cloud cam
Both manuals specially call out 2.4 only and these are the only two devices giving me problems.- I tried turning down the power as well as unplugging the closest satellites with no success. I didn’t try changing the channel. I will try that tonight. Thank you!!
robsquatch wrote:
Any feedback is helpful :)
The specific devices giving me problems are as follows:
1) La Crosse WiFi weather station
2) Amazon cloud cam
Both manuals specially call out 2.4 only and these are the only two devices giving me problems.I think this issue happens only when the phone (where the app is) connects to the 5GHz band and the device is trying to access the 2.4 GHz band.
This is a bad design of the app and not an Orbi issue.
If you have a very old phone that only supports 2.4 GHz then you should smoothly attach your devices. :)
This thread has certainly "opened my eyes" to how things get connected. Amazon's Cloud Cam app requires a Bluetooth connection to talk to the camera for setup. Their troubleshooting advice ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GSE2KHKMAWFLGLPZ ) suggests removing the "mesh" from the problem (turning off satellites). The video is pretty slick. At what part of the setup does the app fail? Like, does it "see" the Orbi SSID? Does it ask for the password and then die?
