Can't change Orbi RBR50 channel to one recommended by the Orbi app

Hi Kurt,

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KurtOrbiUser wrote:

I cannot change my Orbi wireless settings (using the browser login) to any of the channels recommended by the Orbi app.  None of the 36, 40, 44, or 48 channels are on the recommended list on the app.  Why would the app recommend channels I cannot change the Orbi to?

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This is an absolute valid question.

The built-in WiFi analytics does not take the real 2021 WiFi as well as Orbi design-specifics into consideration - there some "generic" features (as in NETGEAR WiFi Analytics) included with the Orbi App.

Today's WiFi does make use of up to 80 MHz, 80+80 MHz (80 MHz blocks not in sequence!), and 160 MHz - and the "primary" 20 MHz channel can be on any position - it does not help much just to focus on the primary channel. Note: That's the one you "see" on the analyzer app.

When it comes to the Orbi (and other tri-band) Mesh systems, there are dedicated radios in place for the wireless backhaul and the client facing wireless frontend. Depending on the regulatory area, different bands or channel sets are offering the highest output - this is the one used for the wireless backhaul. This does reserve half (on 80 MHz for typical 802.11ac units) or almost the complete higher or lower 5 GHz band (160 MHz WiFi 6 systems). So either case, and in the preference to avoid two radios on adjacent channel sets, there can't be many channels offered for a selection for the wireless fronthaul. When I have it right, Orbi tri-band does have a low-band and a high-band 5 GHz radio. Regulations dictate the one to be used for the backhaul due to the higher allowed power.

Indeed, it would be nice if the analytics would be enhanced, showing the effective possible bandwidth and used channels from the environment as well as from the local device, including the backhaul.

Hope this explains!

Regards

-Kurt