Help please! I purchased the Orbi Home Mesh Wi-Fi System (RBK33) in January. My FIOS router was just upgraded to support 802.11AC at 100/100Mbps and now my internet is much slower. When disconnecting the Orbi, the internet is really fast but does not reach as far in the house. Is there a fix for this or am I just using old technology now?Please keep in mind that I am not tech savvy at all so dumb it down for me if you can. :) Thanks!

What Firmware is currently loaded? What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too? Built in router here? If so, This would be a double NAT condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAThttps://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NATCouple of options,1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop I recommend trying option #3... 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 RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?

Nickster01 wrote: My FIOS router was just upgraded to support 802.11AC at 100/100Mbps and now my internet is much slower.As FURRYe38 pointed out, by adding the Orbi to FIOS but not changing FIOS, you have two WiFi systems competing with each other and two routers back-to-back, which is generally not a good idea. (It can work - I did it for over a year - but eventually it causes problems for specific applications, which only went away when I installed an ordinary modem.) Do the FIOS WiFi and the Orbi WiFi have the same name (SSID)? (Most people set the Orbi up to have exactly the same WiFi name (SSID) and password as the previous WiFi so that their devices will connect automatically and so that they can "go back" to the previous router if they want to. Since even the new FIOS does not provide as much coverage as the Orbi, the first step is to turn off the FIOS WiFi. My guess stopping FIOS from being a router is difficult, so the second step is to put the Orbi in Access Point (AP) mode.

So I turned off the FIOS wireless, now there is just the Orbi and there is no change. I changed it to an access point and it's still not any stronger. Now it's back to router mode.

Well, this is strange. Some suggestions: When you open a web browser and go to "speedtest.net" or "fast.com", what speed does it report?Using the OrbiUsing the FIOSWhere do you notice the speed being worse than before?In the same room as the FIOS and Orbi?Elsewhere in the house?The Orbi "wall plug" units are super convenient since they have no cord and need no shelf or furniture to sit on.However, most electrical outlets are close to the floor and often close to heavy furniture or appliances.Where are your wall units located?Each wall unit needs a radio pathway to the router. The more things between them, the worse the backhaul signal.There are some things you can do to document what is going on: Use a web browser and connect to the Orbi web interface, "orbilogin.com" using the ID "admin" and the administrative password. (not the WiFi password)Replace where it reads "index.htm" with "hidden_info.htm".This will show the maximum data rate for the 5G and 2.4G channelsTurn on telnet access to the router by going to "orgilogin.com" and replace "index.htm" with "debug.htm".Use a telnet program to connect to the Orbi at "orbilogin.com"Enter this command "satteliteinfo wifiIf this is too technical, I understand

Sitting in my kitchen. The router/Orbi router are down the hall in our office. One satellite is directly above on the top floor, the other is almost directly below in the basement. Upload and download from my browser are both in the 30s. Attached a screen shot from Orbi. Does this help?

HELP! Orbi Wall-Plug Whole Home Mesh WiFi System RBK33

15 Replies

FURRYe38
Guru
Sep 27, 2019
What Firmware is currently loaded?

What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too? Built in router here? If so, This would be a double NAT condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop

I recommend trying option #3...

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 RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.

Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
CrimpOn
Guru
Sep 27, 2019
Nickster01 wrote:
My FIOS router was just upgraded to support 802.11AC at 100/100Mbps and now my internet is much slower.
As FURRYe38 pointed out, by adding the Orbi to FIOS but not changing FIOS, you have two WiFi systems competing with each other and two routers back-to-back, which is generally not a good idea. (It can work - I did it for over a year - but eventually it causes problems for specific applications, which only went away when I installed an ordinary modem.)

Do the FIOS WiFi and the Orbi WiFi have the same name (SSID)? (Most people set the Orbi up to have exactly the same WiFi name (SSID) and password as the previous WiFi so that their devices will connect automatically and so that they can "go back" to the previous router if they want to.

Since even the new FIOS does not provide as much coverage as the Orbi, the first step is to turn off the FIOS WiFi. My guess stopping FIOS from being a router is difficult, so the second step is to put the Orbi in Access Point (AP) mode.
- Nickster01
  Aspirant
  Sep 27, 2019
  So I turned off the FIOS wireless, now there is just the Orbi and there is no change. I changed it to an access point and it's still not any stronger. Now it's back to router mode.
  - CrimpOn
    Guru
    Sep 27, 2019
    Well, this is strange. Some suggestions:
    
    When you open a web browser and go to "speedtest.net" or "fast.com", what speed does it report?
    Using the Orbi
    Using the FIOS
    Where do you notice the speed being worse than before?
    In the same room as the FIOS and Orbi?
    Elsewhere in the house?
    The Orbi "wall plug" units are super convenient since they have no cord and need no shelf or furniture to sit on.
    However, most electrical outlets are close to the floor and often close to heavy furniture or appliances.
    Where are your wall units located?
    Each wall unit needs a radio pathway to the router. The more things between them, the worse the backhaul signal.
    There are some things you can do to document what is going on:
    
    Use a web browser and connect to the Orbi web interface, "orbilogin.com" using the ID "admin" and the administrative password. (not the WiFi password)
    Replace where it reads "index.htm" with "hidden_info.htm".
    This will show the maximum data rate for the 5G and 2.4G channels
    Turn on telnet access to the router by going to "orgilogin.com" and replace "index.htm" with "debug.htm".
    Use a telnet program to connect to the Orbi at "orbilogin.com"
    Enter this command "satteliteinfo wifi
    If this is too technical, I understand

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HELP! Orbi Wall-Plug Whole Home Mesh WiFi System RBK33