NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
New Orbi RBK53 install - a few drops, questions about MU MIMO and Beamforming
Hi - installed Orbi router and two satellites a few days ago. Firmware v1.12.0.8. Window 10. Have had a few brief drops on one of the satellites using an iPad. Also noticed that MU MIMO and Beamf...
Hi -
I know this is being discussed in a variety of threads, but I was just hoping for a straight answer from someone in the know...I have seen some Netgear reps comment here and there in these threads.
Should I enable Beamforming? Should I enable MU MIMO?
Will that increase or decrease the number of drops I have been experiencing, or increase it? What is the latest position on this?
Is there a firmware release I should be waiting for before I do these things instead?
I have even PM'd DarrenM...no response.
Sigh...
Thank you.
First you have to understand what implicit beamforming and MU-MIMO do.
Implicit beamforming is a feature which allows the router to broadcast WiFi signals in a specific direction. It boosts the WiFI signals. If you are experiencing a drop in the connection, this feature should be enabled.
MU-MIMO most of the devices today do not support it, yet. It basically divides the bandwidth so that all your devices receive good signals. I think it only supports upto 4 devices at the moment. This feature does not make much difference. I would not enable it.
If you are experiencing wireless intermittent issues, these are some things you can do on your end.
1. Change the WiFi channels for 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. Choose the non overlapping channels like 1,6,11.
2. Check the firmware version on the router and the satellites just to make sure it is the latest.
3. Make sure you do not have electronic devices near the router or satellites especially wireless speakers or cameras. They interfere with the WiFi signals.
I hope this helps.
Arjun0o wrote:First you have to understand what implicit beamforming and MU-MIMO do.
Implicit beamforming is a feature which allows the router to broadcast WiFi signals in a specific direction. It boosts the WiFI signals. If you are experiencing a drop in the connection, this feature should be enabled.
MU-MIMO most of the devices today do not support it, yet. It basically divides the bandwidth so that all your devices receive good signals. I think it only supports upto 4 devices at the moment. This feature does not make much difference. I would not enable it.
If you are experiencing wireless intermittent issues, these are some things you can do on your end.
1. Change the WiFi channels for 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. Choose the non overlapping channels like 1,6,11.
2. Check the firmware version on the router and the satellites just to make sure it is the latest.
3. Make sure you do not have electronic devices near the router or satellites especially wireless speakers or cameras. They interfere with the WiFi signals.
I hope this helps.
OK thanks! I will try that (as well as keep MU-MIMO unchecked)
I enabled BF and immediatly started having issues with 1 of the satellites - it would just lose connection on/off!! Router is in master closet about 70ft away from satellite.
I turned it back off and now the satellite stays connected but it's back to the same old issue - dropping intermittently!
Sigh - so fed up of this product. Looking at returning and buying the Linksys
To avoid issues you need to do both of the following:
1. Turn off the WiFi radios on your modem.
2. Either set the modem into bridge mode to disable it's routing fuctions, or run Orbi in AP mode.
Did you perform both of these steps?
No I have not. What does that have to do with the 2.4GHz network dropping intermittently? The 5G one's work fine....
