A previous topic on the guest network not working with the RBR50 and the RBW30 mesh system has been closed from last year, or I would have posted to that board. One user suggested unplugging the RBW30 add-on, but that doesn't solve the issue as I need the extended network coverage, or revert to an earlier firmware version however newer firmware versions are out and updated on my system, and another suggestion to reset the Orbi system, which would be an enormous task given the amount of connected devices I have across my network. However, IF I did reset my system and used the exact same WiFi password would my devices reconnect again without having to configure all my devices, other than reconnect the WiFI to some of them again? Closed Topic Linkhttps://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Guest-network-not-working-on-the-RBR50-RBW30-mesh-system-and-2/m-p/1867590 From my best recollection, my issues didn't start until I added the RBW30 add-on satellite to my system. I've never had issues with users staying connected with internet access on my guest network, until recently, as the guest network has had limited users access it due to the pandemic over the past year. I can get get the user connected, they appear to have internet access for short minute or two and then it does not work, but shows they're connected to the network. I am running the following firmware: RBR50/RBS50 v2.7.2.104RBW30 v2.6.2.2 Any advice on where to start with this problem? Another question, would it make better sense to just add another RBS50 satellite and completely remove the RBW30 from my network? I am running the base unit (RBR50) from my basement connected to Ethernet, the satellite unit (RBS50) on my main floor, and the RBW30 on the main floor approximately 30-40 feet from the satellite. The basement area is approximately 1,400 sq ft, the main floor is 3,300. I have no issues with connectivity on my regular network with all my devices. Thanks!

Although disconcerting to us, there actually is a valid reason for remembering every device that has ever connected.Access Control has two settings:Allow new devices to connect, orNot allow new devices to connect.Just because some device has not appeared on the network for months does not make it "new" when it finally appears.Keeping track of every device that has ever been allowed solves this. "Oh, you're back." Since I do not use Access Control, I find the huge list annoying and purge it.When someone comes to visit next year, their WiFi device may remember my Orbi and connect automatically (no Access Control to block them).

bdsmith63 wrote:From my best recollection, my issues didn't start until I added the RBW30 add-on satellite to my system. I've never had issues with users staying connected with internet access on my guest network, until recently, as the guest network has had limited users access it due to the pandemic over the past year. I can get get the user connected, they appear to have internet access for short minute or two and then it does not work, but shows they're connected to the network. Any advice on where to start with this problem? Another question, would it make better sense to just add another RBS50 satellite and completely remove the RBW30 from my network? I am running the base unit (RBR50) from my basement connected to Ethernet, the satellite unit (RBS50) on my main floor, and the RBW30 on the main floor approximately 30-40 feet from the satellite. The basement area is approximately 1,400 sq ft, the main floor is 3,300.Devices connected to the Guest WiFi are attempting only to access the internet, correct?(not any resource on the primary Orbi network) I love the idea of replacing the RBW30 with another RBS50. This is not a solution, but more of a workaround. Does it make any difference:Which type of device is connected to the Guest WiFi?(smartphone, laptop, other?)Where the device is located when attempting to connect?(i.e. is it close to the RBW30 or close to one of the "50" units?)Whether the Guest WiFi setting is to "allow Guests to see each other and access the local network" is checked or not checked?

Devices connected to the Guest WiFi are attempting only to access the internet, correct?(not any resource on the primary Orbi network) CORRECT I love the idea of replacing the RBW30 with another RBS50. This is not a solution, but more of a workaround. WHY IS THIS MORE OF A WORKAROUND THAN A SOLUTION? Does it make any difference:Which type of device is connected to the Guest WiFi?(smartphone, laptop, other?) SMARTPHONES, TABLETSWhere the device is located when attempting to connect?(i.e. is it close to the RBW30 or close to one of the "50" units?) USERS HAVE BEEN WITHIN 3-6 FT OF THE RBW30 AND 30-40 FT OF THE "50" UNITS, ONE WAS CONNECTED TO THE RBS50 BUT SITTING WITHIN 10 FT OF THE RBW30.Whether the Guest WiFi setting is to "allow Guests to see each other and access the local network" is checked or not checked? NOT CHECKEDAs an additional help: I disconnected my iPad from the main WiFi network and connected it to the guest network, attempted to test some of the websites my son was attempting to access, i didn't have the same problems he did, my iPad brought them up just fine.

One additional setting I just checked some settings, under my router Administration settings for NTP, it was set to: GMT-05:00 Bogoto, Lima, Quito instead of Eastern Time (US & Canada) and the box checked for Daylight Savings Time. I read this was something somebody suggested in the previous closed topic. I have the NTP server just set to the default Netgear NTP server. This may have nothing to do with the issue.

bdsmith63 wrote:As an additional help: I disconnected my iPad from the main WiFi network and connected it to the guest network, attempted to test some of the websites my son was attempting to access, i didn't have the same problems he did, my iPad brought them up just fine. On the web interface Attached Devices page, does it say Access Control is on or off?(I leave it off on my Orbi. If someone can learn my 25 character password, they deserve to steal my Internet.)iOS has a feature to randomize the WiFi MAC address, which can make the iPad appear to be a different device each time it joins WiFi. Are there only certain web sites that do not connect, or is it every web site? I totally forgot to ask if Parental Controls (of any sort) are activated?

Guest Network Issues with RBR50 and RBW30

20 Replies

CrimpOn
Guru - Experienced User
Jun 09, 2021
bdsmith63 wrote:
From my best recollection, my issues didn't start until I added the RBW30 add-on satellite to my system. I've never had issues with users staying connected with internet access on my guest network, until recently, as the guest network has had limited users access it due to the pandemic over the past year. I can get get the user connected, they appear to have internet access for short minute or two and then it does not work, but shows they're connected to the network.

Any advice on where to start with this problem? Another question, would it make better sense to just add another RBS50 satellite and completely remove the RBW30 from my network? I am running the base unit (RBR50) from my basement connected to Ethernet, the satellite unit (RBS50) on my main floor, and the RBW30 on the main floor approximately 30-40 feet from the satellite. The basement area is approximately 1,400 sq ft, the main floor is 3,300.
Devices connected to the Guest WiFi are attempting only to access the internet, correct?
(not any resource on the primary Orbi network)

I love the idea of replacing the RBW30 with another RBS50. This is not a solution, but more of a workaround.

Does it make any difference:
Which type of device is connected to the Guest WiFi?
(smartphone, laptop, other?)
Where the device is located when attempting to connect?
(i.e. is it close to the RBW30 or close to one of the "50" units?)
Whether the Guest WiFi setting is to "allow Guests to see each other and access the local network" is checked or not checked?
- bdsmith63
  Apprentice
  Jun 09, 2021
  Devices connected to the Guest WiFi are attempting only to access the internet, correct?
  (not any resource on the primary Orbi network) CORRECT
  
  I love the idea of replacing the RBW30 with another RBS50. This is not a solution, but more of a workaround. WHY IS THIS MORE OF A WORKAROUND THAN A SOLUTION?
  
  Does it make any difference:
  Which type of device is connected to the Guest WiFi?
  (smartphone, laptop, other?) SMARTPHONES, TABLETS
  Where the device is located when attempting to connect?
  (i.e. is it close to the RBW30 or close to one of the "50" units?) USERS HAVE BEEN WITHIN 3-6 FT OF THE RBW30 AND 30-40 FT OF THE "50" UNITS, ONE WAS CONNECTED TO THE RBS50 BUT SITTING WITHIN 10 FT OF THE RBW30.
  Whether the Guest WiFi setting is to "allow Guests to see each other and access the local network" is checked or not checked? NOT CHECKED
  As an additional help: I disconnected my iPad from the main WiFi network and connected it to the guest network, attempted to test some of the websites my son was attempting to access, i didn't have the same problems he did, my iPad brought them up just fine.
  - CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User
    Jun 09, 2021
    bdsmith63 wrote:
    As an additional help: I disconnected my iPad from the main WiFi network and connected it to the guest network, attempted to test some of the websites my son was attempting to access, i didn't have the same problems he did, my iPad brought them up just fine.
    
    On the web interface Attached Devices page, does it say Access Control is on or off?
    (I leave it off on my Orbi. If someone can learn my 25 character password, they deserve to steal my Internet.)
    iOS has a feature to randomize the WiFi MAC address, which can make the iPad appear to be a different device each time it joins WiFi.
    
    Are there only certain web sites that do not connect, or is it every web site?
    
    I totally forgot to ask if Parental Controls (of any sort) are activated?
- bdsmith63
  Apprentice
  Jun 09, 2021
  One additional setting I just checked some settings, under my router Administration settings for NTP, it was set to: GMT-05:00 Bogoto, Lima, Quito instead of Eastern Time (US & Canada) and the box checked for Daylight Savings Time. I read this was something somebody suggested in the previous closed topic. I have the NTP server just set to the default Netgear NTP server. This may have nothing to do with the issue.
  - CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User
    Jun 09, 2021
    bdsmith63 wrote:
    One additional setting I just checked some settings, under my router Administration settings for NTP, it was set to: GMT-05:00 Bogoto, Lima, Quito instead of Eastern Time (US & Canada) and the box checked for Daylight Savings Time. I read this was something somebody suggested in the previous closed topic. I have the NTP server just set to the default Netgear NTP server. This may have nothing to do with the issue.
    This probably depends on whether the location observes Daylight Saving Time. In the US, for example, Netgear shows a setting for Mountain Time and also for Arizona Time (because Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time). Indiana just went totally to Daylight Saving Time in 2006, which might explain why there is separate setting for Indiana (that is left over from LONG AGO).
    
    Agree it should have nothing to do with the issue.
lako038
Aspirant
Jun 14, 2021
Yes I am also facing the similar guest network issues and have no idea how do I solve this issue because never faced this issue before please guide me about it. I read about it but that guide is for higher level persons.
- bdsmith63
  Apprentice
  Jun 14, 2021
  lako038 wrote:
  Yes I am also facing the similar guest network issues and have no idea how do I solve this issue because never faced this issue before please guide me about it. I read about it but that guide is for higher level persons.
  I have not made any changes yet to my network. CrimpOn has offered a lot of advice and guidance on some functions that would make managing our Orbi systems very efficient, I am not a high-level person, but do enjoy some of the technical aspects of managing my home network as I've invested in a lot of devices!
  
  My kids and my grandkids are the only ones that really use the guest network, but I like keeping their devices segregated from my network --- so I need to get it figured out for them. Next weekend I will try and complete reset of my network, it involves a lot of hours making sure everything is all connected again. I just changed the WiFi password about a month ago and that took a good amount of time to re-login all my devices!

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Guest Network Issues with RBR50 and RBW30