Limited Channel selection on Orbi RBR50 in AP mode?

Question

I have an Orbi RBR50 wired to my Fios Router with the Gigabit Fios plan. The Orbi is in AP mode with two RBS50 satelites.

The Orbi RBR50 offers the standard 1-11 channels for 2.4 GHz. BUT it only offers channels 36 - 48 for the 5 GHz band.

I've tried turning wifi on/off on the Verizon Router and it makes no difference in what is available on the Orbi RBR50. I tried leaving wifi on in the Router and setting the 5 GHz channel on the FIOS router to 139. But the options for the Orbi 5 GHz remain the same 36-48 only.

Do I have something set incorrectly on the FIOS router or the Orbi? Why are my options so limited? When I check there is less crowding in my building on channels above 100 or so and I would like to be able to move.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Mstrbig · Answer

mlg250&nbsp;wrote:I ask this in great frustration: do all the quality mesh systems&nbsp; take so many channels for their own backhaul - or for any other reason?!&nbsp;Thanks again.&nbsp;Pretty much all mesh systems reserve higher channels for backhaul.Turning down signal strength is more for you if you have too much signal for a smaller area. For me that defeats the purpose of the whole WIFI coverage scheme.&nbsp;Moving the satellites around sometimes helps you get a better coverage.The hidden network is your backhaul network, so ignore it.&nbsp;5GHZ is not a big issue as it is a much narrower band and usually has less interference issues.I have the RBK50 system, which is 1 RBR50 router and 2 RBS50 satellites. I wouldn't trade it for any other model or brand, as it is very powerful with great coveage. The only exception would be upgrading to WIFI 6, but I have no need for it at this time.

michaelkenward · Answer

Do you actually experience wifi problems? Or is this a theoretical exercise?
&nbsp;
The short range of 5 GHz wifi is such that reports of interference are rare.
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mlg250 · Answer

I experience problems and these are what made me pursue the channel issue to begin with. Zoom goes in and out of having a fine and stable connection. It suddenly freezes, voices break up and I receive a notice that the connection is unstable. This happens on an average of twice per hour. My smartphone suddenly starts breaking up and people conplain. The hardware I'm using is more than adequate to the tasks.

When using Zoom in my home office I'm getting a signal from one of the satellites and I have to work in that part of the house.

FURRYe38 · Answer

What Firmware version is currently loaded?

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/000036466/How-far-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite-from-my-Orbi-router

Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz. Higher 5Ghz channels are used by the Orbi WiFi Backhaul radios between the RBR and RBS when they are wireless connected. These are not user configurable.

Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?

Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or may not be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings

Try disabling the following and see:
Armor, Circle, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Set Short preamble instead of Long preamble modes. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).

One User Experience/Configuration:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Most-Stable-Orbi-Configuration/m-p/1941087/highlight/true#M97026

mlg250 wrote:
I experience problems and these are what made me pursue the channel issue to begin with. Zoom goes in and out of having a fine and stable connection. It suddenly freezes, voices break up and I receive a notice that the connection is unstable. This happens on an average of twice per hour. My smartphone suddenly starts breaking up and people conplain. The hardware I'm using is more than adequate to the tasks.

When using Zoom in my home office I'm getting a signal from one of the satellites and I have to work in that part of the house.

mlg250 · Answer

Hi,Firmware&nbsp; V2.5.1.16&nbsp; -&nbsp; it says there's no newer firmwareThe distance between the router and the satellite is 27 ft.&nbsp; This is a very old apartment building (1903) and the walls are unbelievably thick.&nbsp; When the satellite is further away I can't find the router and turns magenta.Channels were set to 4 and 36.&nbsp; Now set to 11 and 36 since very few 5 GHz channels are available.There are 90 apartments in the building and each apartment has at least one router.&nbsp; When I scan for wifi signals I usually pick up at least 15 with decent signal strength.&nbsp;&nbsp;I already had MMO, Beamforming and WMM selected.I don't have any mention of Armor.&nbsp;I just now disabled daisy chain and fast roaming.&nbsp; Also just changed preamble from Auto to Short.&nbsp;&nbsp;I was unable set Coexistence to 40 because it's only listed as a checkbox which offers 20/40.&nbsp; &nbsp;Also IPV6 has always been greyed out and as a result I couldn't adjust that setting.&nbsp;I'll be using it for work tomorrow and will check in to update any differences.&nbsp;&nbsp;Thanks very much for your suggestions.&nbsp;

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Limited Channel selection on Orbi RBR50 in AP mode?

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