NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
thebishop
Feb 01, 2017Apprentice
Orbi drops wifi for iPad Pro, iPhone 7 and Macbook Pro intermittently
Running 1.4.0.34 on both main Orbi and sattelite (main and sattelite are on different floors with wall between, perhaps 20-25 feet distance straight line). I generally have "5 bars" of Wifi on al...
- Jul 11, 2017
Hello Everyone
We have release firmware version 1.12.0.18 this firmware has fixes for disconnects and many more I posted the release notes below.
https://kb.netgear.com/000044171/RBR50-Firmware-Version-1-12-0-18
If you are still having issues after updating your Orbi unit you may want to factory reset the Orbi and test again. If you are still having disconnect issues or other issues with this firmware please create a new thread or contact our support team.
http://www.netgear.com/support/contact.aspx
Thanks
DarrenM
Retired_Member
Jun 12, 2017That's the spirit DrCal! Do you have an android phone? It's ok if you don't but that will make it easier. Thanks
DrCal
Jun 12, 2017Star
Yes, I have a Samsung Note 4. I just need to know what to download and how to run the app. Thanks.
- ikjadoonJun 12, 2017Star
Hii! I apologize for the delay. You are amazing for testing this. I have high hopes for Netgear's FW.
So, the Orbi router has two simultaneous 5GHz networks. One is your normal 5GHz SSID that all your devices connect to (this network uses a low channel number in the 30s or 40s; also known as a lowband 5GHz network). This one can be enabled/disabled, given an SSID, used to connect to the internet, etc.
The second is a hidden, nameless 5GHz connection that has a high channel number (thus is a highband 5GHz network; channel is something like 140 or 150). This one is solely used to connect the Orbi router with the Orbi satellite, unit to unit. This is the "backhaul". Right, typical "mesh" WiFi systems carry both the unit-to-unit communication and the internet on the same WiFi network. This necessitates a 50% drop in bandwidth for every new mesh unit. Orbi is different: it has a dedicated, hidden "backhaul" for its unit-to-unit communication, that doesn't steal bandwidth from your normal internet SSID.
Right, two 5GHz neworks running on different channels. Lowband network for the internet; highband network is the backhaul. The issue is the backhaul keeps crapping out every few seconds. How to check it:
1. Download WiFi Analyzer by farproc (free app on the Play Store)
2. Tap the 2.4G button (top-left) to switch to 5G mode.
3. Here in the lowband channels (30s to 40s), find the Orbi 5GHz SSID and note its MAC address.
4. Then scroll to the right for the highband channels (go to around ~140 to ~160 for the Orbi backhaul). The backhaul will be here, have no SSID name, and almost exactly match the Orbi MAC address. Tap and hold its signal hump to give it an alias.
3. Click the "eye" button (top-right) and pick "Time Graph". Then press the 3-button menu to fiilter out all the other channels except this newly-named backhaul; it'll make it easier to see.
5. Watch it for about 5 minutes (if you're having constant disconnections like me) or open it up when you lose connection on your devices.
- DrCalJun 13, 2017Star
Thanks ikjadoon! Glad to learn somethign new today :)
Already downloaded the app at work, will run the test when I am home and report. Quick question, does it matter where I stand, e.g. near router or one of the satellites?