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Forum Discussion
Orbi RBR20 Router keeps dropping
This Orbi RBR20 was working fine. (I tried to put as much details here)
Setting up the router, either the Wi-Fi name or the internet connection keeps on dropping. It's not the internet (provider) connection issues as I tried several times switching it back to the NetComm NF4V Modem - with the modem it works fine and internet never drops out.
I constantly have to open the Wi-Fi Settings in my iPhone XS or the Orbi App. Often it's connected to wifi but no internet or unable to connect to router at all.
The setup:
- Router is connected to internet directly from source
- Satellite is setup within the suggested range (though the main issue is the Router)
- Firmware is up-to-date (version 2.7.3.22)
- Orbi app is version 2.11.6.0
- PPPoE details (login and password from internet provider) is entered in the Orbi Settings
- Wi-Fi name (SSID) is unique within my area (either using the default from router or edited)
- Usage is only for phones and laptops - no xbox or apple tv or any other devices
I've tried all troubleshooting in this community page and netgear help page:
- Reset Orbi Router and Satellite to factory defaults several times. (Also uninstall and reinstall Orbi app in the phone several times).
- Reboot both router and satellite several times.
- Tried Power Cycle Router several times.
- Tried with Ethernet cable plugged to my laptop - only worked for about 1-2hrs then issue with no connections from router (but working well with NetComm NF4V modem).
- Anywhere Access is enabled in the Orbi app.
- Advance Setup in orbilogin to the following:
- Enable: 20/40Mhz Coexistence (no option for 40Mhz only), WMM, Implicit Beamforming, MU-MIMO
- Disable: Daisy Chain (as I only have 1 Satellite), Fast Roaming, IPv6, Armor, Circle, Guest Network, Bridge Mode
- Change: Channel 2.4GHz to 1 and 5GHz to 48 (have also tried 2.4GHz to 6 and 5GHz to 36)
- Leave settings per default as I don't know the inputs are: Static IP Address, MAC address, DNS Server
Router often gives flashing white LED on top - when the connection is dropped off.
Starting yesterday afternoon, the power light suddenly became solid orange/red (not green/yellow - in normal working state)
Today, the wifi connection router is showing solid strength in the laptop (not in phone), and whenever clicked that wifi, it kept on saying "Could not join Orbi. The network could not be found."
Could you please let me know if there is any settings I missed or what else I could do to fix it? I'm frustrated doing the troubleshotting all times.
Thank you
14 Replies
red_cherries wrote:
This Orbi RBR20 was working fine. (I tried to put as much details here)
Setting up the router, either the Wi-Fi name or the internet connection keeps on dropping. It's not the internet (provider) connection issues as I tried several times switching it back to the NetComm NF4V Modem - with the modem it works fine and internet never drops out.
Is that the modem that sits in front of your RBR20? Unless you have set it to "bridge" mode, or the Orbi is an wireless access point mode, this means that you have two routers in your network.
Two routers on your network can cause headaches. For example, you can end up with local address problems. Among other things, the other router can misdirect addresses that the Netgear router usually handles, such as routerlogin.net or the usual IP address for a router, 192.168.1.1.
This explains some of the other drawbacks.
What is Double NAT? | Answer | NETGEAR Support
Unless you have specific reasons for using two routers – to create two separate networks for example – it is often easier to use just one router and then to set up the second router as a wifi access point. Netgear advises this, as does just about every site you will visit.
Sometimes it is easier to put the second router into AP mode. But that has its own drawbacks:
Disabled Features on the Router when set to AP Mode | Answer | NETGEAR Support
A lot of people use an Orbi system in AP mode, especially if they have a decent router in front of it. Only you know which of your two routers provides the best features for your needs.You might get more help, and find earlier questions and answers specific to your device, in the appropriate section for your hardware. That's probably here:
Orbi - NETGEAR Communities
I will ask the Netgear moderator to move your message.
In the meantime you could visit the support pages:
Support | NETGEAR
Feed in your model number and check the documentation for your hardware. Look at the label on the device for the model number.
You may have done this already. I can't tell from your message.
I mention it because Netgear stopped supplying printed manuals and CD versions some years ago and people sometimes miss the downloads.Thank you michaelkenward
Yes - the Orbi is in front of me.
No - I don't use 2 routers. Either the Orbi or the Modem. I did try to have both on, but it just didn't work. So if in usage, then either one or the other.
No - didn't use Orbi for AP Mode. Just Router.
Thanks for the links too. I did try to exhaust all the possibilities that I could search in the communities and the help page. And still stuck with unstable Orbi Router.
I'll have a read again on the documentation for the hardware whilst waiting for the Netgear moderator to assist.
Thank you so much.
red_cherries wrote:
No - I don't use 2 routers. Either the Orbi or the Modem. I did try to have both on, but it just didn't work. So if in usage, then either one or the other.
I don't understand that. What do you mean by either the Orbi or the Modem?
The Orbi is not a modem. It cannot replace the NetComm as a modem. So there will be something in front of the Orbi. If it isn't the NetComm, what is it?
If you are not using the NetComm NF4V as a modem alongside the Orbi router, you will have a different modem in front of the Orbi.
The NetComm NF4V Modem is not a simple modem. It is a modem/router. (Look at all those LAN ports on the back and the wifi LED.)
If you have this on the network AND the Orbi, then you have two routers.
This can cause the sort of problems that you describe and that are explained in the links I posted earlier.
