NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Solved
Need Basement Help
Due to COVID constraints my wife has begun teaching her classes from home via Google Meets. She set up a nice work area in our finished basement, but had trouble with our WIFI there. After reading h...
- It won't allow me to use channel 36. Each time I attempted to do so the number in the box went back to 40. I've set the 5G devices variously at 40, 44, and 48. Doesn't seem to make an appreciable difference.
Basements are not good locations for the main host RBR router. All that concrete and steel will cause problems. Main or 1st level floors are recommended.
What Orbi model do you have?
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?
Any RBS installed as well?
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 📡
Ensure the laptops wifi adapter drivers are updated as well.
The router is on the main floor, next to the modem. Only the ORBI Outside satellite is in the basement.
The ORBI Outside satellite is more than 30 feet from the router.
My router is an RBR40 with 2 satellites and the added ORBI Outside. The house is roughly 3,500 square feet. The modem router has been disconnected.
The ORBI Outside satellite is more than 30 feet from the router.
My router is an RBR40 with 2 satellites and the added ORBI Outside. The house is roughly 3,500 square feet. The modem router has been disconnected.
The error message is coming from Google Meets, correct?
What this sounds like is the connection between Orbi router and the RBS50Y satellite is too weak.
There is no benefit of placing the satellite "on the desk" with the computer if the link between router and satellite is weak.
WiFi is affected dramatically by material. It could be just your luck that the WiFi link between router and satellite is having to penetrate 20 floor joists. Or be directly behind an HVAC duct that is hidden above the ceiling.
I would try relocating the satellite close to the router and still maintain either a clear line-of-sight or have few obstacles between the satellite and teaching PC.
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
MichaelParks26 wrote:
The router is on the main floor, next to the modem. Only the ORBI Outside satellite is in the basement.
The ORBI Outside satellite is more than 30 feet from the router.
My router is an RBR40 with 2 satellites and the added ORBI Outside. The house is roughly 3,500 square feet. The modem router has been disconnected.- I get the blue light when syncing, which is "strong connection" status. Do I still need to move the satellite? It's advertised as having more connection power than the typical satellites that came with the router. I thought it would be perfect for the basement.
Yes...you can keep tracking the status on the RBRs web page and see when it goes from Good to Poor. If you see Poor status then you can move the RBS back a bit closer to the RBR where the status shows good.
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
- Manufacturer: Technicolor
Model: TC8715D
MichaelParks26 wrote:
I get the blue light when syncing, which is "strong connection" status. Do I still need to move the satellite? It's advertised as having more connection power than the typical satellites that came with the router. I thought it would be perfect for the basement.This seems inconsistent with my understanding of WiFi. The FCC regulates the maximum transmit power of WiFi systems. It is unlikely that one model of Orbi will have stronger radios than other models.
With the satellite having a "Good" connection to the router, my focus is on that error message, "Move closer to the router."
Google Meets has modest requiements:
https://it.vcfa.edu/kb/google-meets/requirements-to-use-google-hangouts
Can you do a Speedtest measurement at the teaching location? (browse to http://speedtest.net)
Surely the PC meets those requirements.
Might experiment with using a different browser.
Finally, does your wife observe any problems other than the warning message? Are students complaining about bad video or sound?
- Yes, students complain about lagging and freezing.
Speed test results: Ping--46, Download--224.45, Upload--11.81.
