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Forum Discussion
toddly34
Oct 19, 2020Aspirant
Chromebook constantly switching between satellite and router
I have a Chromebook that is about 10 feet from an Orbi satellite with no obstructions. It keeps dropping its connection to the satellite, switching to the Orbi router which is much further away. I am...
FURRYe38
Oct 19, 2020Guru - Experienced User
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
I
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite
What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
https://kb.netgear.com/19668/Link-Rate-and-Transfer-Speed
Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or may not be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
Also try turning down the power output of the RBRs wifi radios from 100% to 50% and see if this changes anything. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
One User Experience/Configuration:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Most-Stable-Orbi-Configuration/m-p/1941087/highlight/true#M97026
toddly34
Oct 19, 2020Aspirant
Thank you for your reply.
What Firmware version is currently loaded? 2.5.1.16, as indicated in my initial post
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too? Netgear CM500
I
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft? ~2200 sq ft
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite
My original post indicated I am estimating the distance at about 15 feet, through ceilings and floors. I will try moving it further away to see if that helps.
What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz. I changed the 2.4 GHz channel from Auto to 11, as indicated in my original post
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many? I see lots of neighbors' networks (10 or more depending on my location). I have checked channel interference and tried to pick the best channels.
https://kb.netgear.com/19668/Link-Rate-and-Transfer-Speed
Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or may not be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings I will try enabling implicit beamforming and MU-MIMO. WMM is enabled by default.
Also try turning down the power output of the RBRs wifi radios from 100% to 50% and see if this changes anything. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings I tried that, as indicated in my original post. I'll play with it again.
- FURRYe38Oct 19, 2020Guru - Experienced User
15 feet is too close.
Let us know if the suggestions help as well...
- toddly34Oct 19, 2020Aspirant
My estimate of my original location for my satellite was 15 feet from the router, through a floor/ceiling and some walls. I tried moving it further away (estimating 19 feet, still through the floor/ceiling and now more walls), but now the Orbi app shows an orange dot next to the satellite on the network map, and the router's "attached devices" page shows the backhaul status as "poor". I'm assuming that means its connection to the router is sub-optimal and this is too far away (yes, at 19 feet).
Wouldn't the signal strength of the router at a given point be a better indicator of proper placement than distance? IOW, 30 ft with no obstructions is very different than 30 feet through brick walls, right?
- FURRYe38Oct 19, 2020Guru - Experienced User
Yes, if you have brick walls then you'll have to adjust as well for that. Brick will impact signal.
So try turning down the power output of the RBR to help keep the book connected to the RBS if your near the RBS.