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Forum Discussion
Orbi RBR50 - 2.4GHz smart devices keep dropping off
Hello,
I have an Orbi RBR50. I have a few smart devices like light bulbs that only use the 2.4GHz channel. None of them can stay connected to the mesh network regardless of how close they are to the base or satellites. What can I do to keep them from dropping? Is there a setting I need to adjust?
Thanks in advance for any help or insights you might have.
21 Replies
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and 📡 satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS📡 to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite 📡What channels are you using? Auto? Try Auto and 48 on 5Ghz. Or try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or may not be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
Try disabling the following and see:
Armor, Circle, Traffic Meter, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Set Short preamble instead of Long preamble modes. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s). Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless SettingsOne User Experience/Configuration:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Most-Stable-Orbi-Configuration/m-p/1941087/highlight/true#M97026Thanks for the fast response.
Yes, the firmware is up to date. The bulbs are now pretty much all in one room. What's weird is now I can't connect to any 2.4GHz bulbs except one. I reset the rest and tried reconnecting them, but no luck even getting them back onto the Orbi. I plugged in an old 2.4GHz router to the Orbi and that worked so I don't think it's the bulbs.
If that changes anything, please let me know.
In the meantime, I will definitely try each of your suggestions.
Mouskowits71 wrote:
Hello,
I have an Orbi RBR50. I have a few smart devices like light bulbs that only use the 2.4GHz channel. None of them can stay connected to the mesh network regardless of how close they are to the base or satellites. What can I do to keep them from dropping? Is there a setting I need to adjust?
Would you mind sharing the brand/model of devices that drop off the network?
Do the devices appear to connect correctly at first?
How long before they drop off the network?
Thanks for the fast response.
The bulbs are now pretty much all in one room. What's weird is now I can't connect to any 2.4GHz bulbs except one. I reset the rest and tried reconnecting them, but no luck even getting them back onto the Orbi. I plugged in an old 2.4GHz Netgear router to the Orbi and that worked so I don't think it's the bulbs.
Oh, I just got some new bulbs just to be sure and they won't connect to the Orbi at all. They can connect to the Netgear (which is plugged into a satellite), but not the Orbi directly.
Would you mind sharing the brand and model of light bulb?(and where you got them)
- I had issues connecting smart plugs to Orbi and found a solution.
Go to orbilogin.com and turn off “Enable 5G” from Wireless Settings in Advance.
Install smart plug normally.
Go back to Wireless Settings and enable 5G.
GravelKicker wrote:
I had issues connecting smart plugs to Orbi and found a solution.
Go to orbilogin.com and turn off “Enable 5G” from Wireless Settings in Advance.You are correct that this is a great solution for owners of the Original Orbi product (RBR50, RBR40, RBR20). What that action does is stop the Orbi from broadcasting the SSID on the 5G channel. The 5G channel continues to operate and all devices connected to the 5G channel continue to operate.
Alas, Netgear removed this option from the AX product line. (Boo, Hiss). So people who are purchasing Orbi's these days cannot take advantage of this method.
I have used this method several times in the past. Works great. Sad that customers who bought the newer Orbi's cannot use the same method.
- I should have noted I purchased this setup and was able to find the solution:
NETGEAR Orbi Whole Home Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 System (RBK752) – Router with 1 Satellite Extender | Coverage up to 5,000 sq. ft., 40 Devices | AX4200 (Up to 4.2Gbps)
