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Forum Discussion
gtap
Feb 27, 2020Aspirant
Don't buy an Orbi... firmware removes functionality and causes wifi performance to be terrible...
So I bought my Orbi at the end of 2018... I had a faulty unit to start with but then it got replaced and I got one that worked and set it up. For the most part it kind of worked but frankly their cl...
- Feb 28, 2020
Channels are limited on the Orbi. Especially on 5Ghz. The upper channels are hidden due to that the 3rd backhaul wifi radios are using these channels, 149 and up. These are not configurable by users and auto used by the system. So this leaves the lower 4 channels on the 2nd 5Ghz radio that users can change.
NG has always been kind of backwards in there naming and check box conventions. So when it comes to Orbi, just remember that having a check in the box ENABLES the feature, taking the check mark out of the box, either disables the feature or in case of the 20/40Mhz Coexistence, changes the feature to 40Mhz only. WMM should always be enabled. I think it is by default even after a factory reset.It's up to wireless devices to pick and choose the signals they connect to. Orbi only provides the platform and singals to connet too.
Bulding materials can cause problems for WiFi signals. Concrete and metal are to great for 5Ghz.
Glad the system is up and running better. I think a reset and setup from scratch when you get time will be all thats needed. Be sure to safe off a new backup configuration to file when you done getting the system back up and running as you like.
Maybe this changes your mind about "Don't buy an Orbi". :smileywink:
Please mark your thread as solved so others will know.
Enjoy. :smileywink:
gtap wrote:Thanks again for the advice. I have already upgraded the firmware now to 2.5.1.8 on all the devices. I will see if I can do the factory reset over the weekend (can't risk it now with my work).
What I still don't get is why they think Orbi users should not manage some of their wifi settings... and why they lable things like WMM not entirely correctly. Did you know that checking that box turns off 802.11ac? As much as I understand (which is limited in truth) that should simply remove the QoS that prioritizes streaming services and not touch the wifi configuration. My R7000 let's me choose channel (even above 100) & mode... did I miss something when those got combined into WMM?
I suppose the good news is I'm back to my usual 200Mbps internet speed again in my office... need to see why it's still though producing poor signal in places... doesn't really make sense to me... the router in my office is less than 5m for a BlueSound PowerNode 2i in the adjacent room and yet the Bluesound device is connecting to the main router which is one floor below and at least 10m away. Makes no sense. In general also if I have one wall the signal drops significantly... I know it will drop but seems like my R7000 copes with walls better. I just feel like I'm not understanding something.
eljarviso
Feb 27, 2020Luminary
I’ve been unhappy with my Orbi system as well and have settled on moving everything to ubiquiti. I’m planning on going with two UAP-AC Pro units. I’m running an ubiquiti ER-X router. You could also look at the Amplifi mesh series. They rate quite well and work well with a lot of devices. Ubiquiti engineers also hang out on their forums.
gtap
Feb 28, 2020Aspirant
I'll take a look at these thanks!