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WalshEdward's avatar
WalshEdward
Aspirant
Oct 22, 2018
Solved

Netgear Orbi and HomeKit Issues

Hello:

 

I am using the Netgear Orbi in my home since January 2018.  I have the Orbi Router (RBK50) at one end of my home and the Orbi Satellite (RBS50) placed at the other end.  Over the past month I have been having issues with my HomeKit devices showing up as 'No Response' in the Home App on my iPhone or iPad.  The HomeKit devices are: August SmartLock (1); Philip Hue Lights (5); Eve Light Switches (2); Fibaro Motion Sensor (1); and Fibaro Leak Sensor (1).  

 

What has been happening is when I am at the end of the house where the Orbi Router is located I have no issues with accessing any of the HomeKit devices.  However, when I am at the end of the house by the Orbi Satellite (or even in the middle) I get a 'No Response' from the Eve Light Switch that is closest to the Orbi Router and both Fibaro Sensors (Motion and Leak).  The same thing happens when I am away.  Prior to last month everything was working fine.  I have done nothing outside updating my Apple TV to the latest TV OS along with updating my iPhone and iPad to iOS12.

 

For reference, my home is 1100 sq.ft.  and one level bungalow.  

 

Thank you in advance for giving this some thought and if anyone can offer some suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.

 

Sincerely,

 

Edward Walsh

Troubleshooting

25 Replies

  • FURRYe38's avatar
    FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User
    Oct 22, 2018

    What FW is currently loaded?
    What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?

    What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between them to begin with depending upon building materials. The router alone can cover up to about 1500sq ft alone.

     

    What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
    Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?

    Try disabling the following and see:
    MIMO, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).
    If you updated to recent FW v.210, try enabling Daisy Chain. Some have mentioned that this seems to be working in reverse order, enabling means disabled actually.
    https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Firmware-2-2-1-210-and-connection-problems-Skybell/m-p/1649275/highlight/true#M43001

     

    What happens if you turn OFF the Satellite temporarily and test with everything connected at the router? 

     

    https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/OrbiOS-2-1-4-Homekit/m-p/1566363#M31213

    • WalshEdward's avatar
      WalshEdward
      Aspirant
      Oct 22, 2018

      Hello FURRYe38:

       

      First, thank you for replying to my post so promptly.  Greatly appreciated.

       

      Based on what you asked here is some information that I hope will be helpful.

       

      Firmware:  V2.2.1.210

      Cable Modem: ARRIS DG2470

      Distance between Orbi Router and Orbi Satellite:  30 ft. or less

      Building Materials:  Wooden Frame Structure with Gyproc Walls (with Laundry/Utility Room door open the Orbi Router has a clear path to the Orbi Satellite via a 4 ft. hallway path.  

      What channels are you using:  For 2.4GHz it was set to Auto.  I set it to Channel 11 as you suggested.  For 5GHz I left it at the Channel it was already using - 48

      Any WiFi neighbors near by?: Closest WiFi Signal is 50 ft. away.  Coming from home just above mine.

       

      As for the other things you suggested - the only thing I have done so far is to take the 'check mark' out of the "Enable Daisy-Chain Topology" which I assume is actually enabling it based on your notes.  The rest of your suggestions I left for now.  

       

      With regards to turning off the Orbi Satellite - I did turn it off though I cannot connect my Apple TV 4th Gen. to the Orbi Router at this time.  

       

      That said, as of this reply I am no further ahead.  Based on what I just said would you like me to try the other things you suggested?  I guess I am having a hard time figuring out what happened from earlier this year when things did work till now.  The only difference was the TV OS and my iOS devices being updated with the latest Software Releases last month.  I did speak with Apple Support yesterday and they feel it is hardware related seeing it works at one end of the house but not at the other end of the house where the Orbi Satellite is.  Or for that fact even the middle.

       

      I will leave it at that and await further communicaiton from you.  Again, thanks for your reply.

       

      Sincerely,

       

      Edward Walsh

      • FURRYe38's avatar
        FURRYe38
        Guru - Experienced User
        Oct 23, 2018

        If this is your modem:

        https://www.arris.com/products/touchstone-dg2470-cable-data-gateway/

        Do you know if the modem is bridged and it's wifi disabled? 

        Modem Combo Units:
        Couple of options,
        1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge 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 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.

         

        Make sure the satellite is at least 30 feet or more. Too close to the router can cause proablems.

         

        Let put a check mark in the Daisy Chain feature for now. 

         

        Does the HomeKit work with everything connected to the router alone? Leaving the satellite and Apple TV OFF for now.