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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 mo...
You might try this and see if you can keep v10 on your system to make the HomeKit work:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/RBS40-firmware-V2-2-1-210-failed-what-next/m-p/1650247#M43189
I would presume that NG and Apple need to review this and either one come up with a good working and continued stable solution for HomeKit users.
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
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.
Hello FURREYe38:
Thank you again for your further assistance. :-)
The Cable Modem had the WiFi disabled.
It was not in Bridge Mode. It has been now changed to Bridge Mode.
The Orbi Satellite is 30 ft. away from the Orbi Router give or take a foot.
As you asked I have put a Check Mark once again to 'Enable' the 'Daisy-Chain' feature.
After doing all of this the issue still continues. Still, when I am at the end of the house were the Orbi Router is located (Laundry Room) every HomeKit Device shows up in the Home App as functional. Go halfway done my hallway and things start to change. The Fibaro Sensors and the Eve Light Switch located in the Master Bedroom (next to the Laundry Room) show up as 'No Response'. As I walk to the Living Room it is similar. Eventually walk back to the Master Bedroom and everything is once again accessible.
That said, as you suggested I disconnected the Orbi Satellite and unplugged the Apple TV. It made no difference.
FURREYe38, I apprecate all your suggesttions to date and if you can suggest anything else I am willing to try. What I don't get is everything worked up until the iOS update. I am not sure if it will work but I am going to use my wife's iPhone 5 which has iOS 10 on it and install all the HomeKit Devices into it and compare what happens 'just in case'. I know Apple Support feels it is hardware related to the Orbi System but by trying that it might help confirm it one way or another.
Anyway, I will leave this with you to give thought to. Again, thanks for everything.
Sincerely,
Edward Walsh :-)
Was the Orbi FW upated before or after this recent iOS update?
Hello FURRYe38:
To be honest, I am not 100% sure. :-(
I do know that I installed iOS 12 on my iPhone the day it was released. At the same time I had installed the Beta version of iOS 12 on my iPad in July and I don't remember seeing issues in the Home App like I am having now. Still, I am only guessing and grasping for straws.
Outside that, I tried to install the various HomeKit Devices on my wife's iPhone 5 with iOS 10. Didn't have any success with it recognizing any of the devices. Will keep trying, but figured I better mention it with this reply.
Again, thanks for your help. Greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Edward Walsh :-)