NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Orbi RBR50 Connection Issues - AX201 160 MHz
I've been having WiFi connectivity and internet issues when trying to connect to my Orbi RBR50 from my new PC that has an Intel(R) WiFi-6 AX201 160 MHz adapter in the motherboard. All other devices connected to the Orbi network have no issues with connectivity, internet or speed. When my PC connects to the Orbi WiFi, it either connects and has no internet (No Internet, Secured), connects but has dreadly slow speeds (15 upload and 10 download as opposed to the actual 250 up and down), or has no internet at all. I've tried updating my WiFi drivers and am currently trying to update the Orbi FW via the app, but it just sits on "Checking for new Firmware" for a very long time.
I saw another post here where a user says "Orbi doesn't support 160Mhz channel width on it's 1st 5Ghz radio. It is supported on it's 2nd 5Ghz radio, however that is ONLY for the wireless backhaul channel between the RBR and RBS. This is not usable by any connected client deivce nor configurable by a user.", but wasn't able to find any information on this and any attempt to directly contact NetGear support has failed.
33 Replies
I'd try some advanced adjustments on the adapters properties to see if you can tune that adapter in. Make sure it's backwards supporting of 5Ghz AC mode. Most AX adapters should be and include support for AX and 6Ghz depending on adapter.
Make sure drivers are up to date on it as well.
Try a different adapter.
Ya, 160Mhz is only supported on the 5Ghz wireless backhaul between the RBR and RBS. Not user accessible.
1. what driver are you currently running on your wifi card?
2. is it connected to the 2.4ghz or the 5ghz?
3. what firmware is on the orbi and the satellites?
4. What modem/gateway do you have the orbi connected to?
5. the backhaul isn't user accessible. thats correct. While it is wide with the 160hz wide channels, its not usable. Its dedicated just for the backhaul
1. My Intel(R) WiFi-6 AX201 160MHz driver's version is 22.160.0.4 which is the latest one I got from Intel's website
2. It is connected to the 5GHz.
3. The Orbi router's firmware is V1.3.0.26. I know it's really outdated, but the last time I attempted to update the firmware I had all sorts of issues. I wasn't able to find out the satellite's firmware version.
4. The modem it's connected to is an ASUS Wireless Router TM-AC1900
The current set up is [WiFi #2 - ASUS Wireless Router TM-AC1900] -> [WiFi #1 - Orbi Router in AP Mode] -> [2 Orbi Satellites]
I've been attempting to update the router's firmware via the Orbi app on my phone, but it seems to be just hanging on "Checking for New Firmware - Wait about 5 minutes while your orbi checks for new firmware." It seems to sit on this, but if I try to back out of the app it says "Are you sure you want to exit from the app?" so the app isn't frozen.
Since your on old v1 FW, you can't use Orbi app to update. You need to manually update using a wired PC and web browser.
Also you need to do a intermediate FW update first before you can go to the most current version of FW. You just can't apply the most current version of FW coming from old v1 FW on the RBR.
I believe you can go directly to most current on the RBS. You would need to apply that first on the RBS.
v2.0.0.74 was what I used to update my friends RBR50 some years ago (2017) after he bought it. Then after that I was able to apply the current version of FW on the RBR lastly. I wanna say that v2.2.1.210 or .212 was another intermediate version that had to be applied before going to a more current versions on the RBR.If you want to go this route.
rkarjadi wrote:
I saw another post here where a user says "Orbi doesn't support 160Mhz channel width on it's 1st 5Ghz radio. It is supported on it's 2nd 5Ghz radio,
This is not correct. The original Orbi (RBR50) supports 80MHz channels for both user facing and backhaul in the 5G space. It does not support 160MHz channels. This Orbi also does not support 802.11ax.
When the adapter attempts to connect to the WiFi system, the adapter and WiFi access point are supposed to negotiate which capabilities they both support and the adapter should switch off ax and use a maximum channel width of 80MHz for 5G.
The 'app' is a major disappointment as far as firmware updates is concerned. If you discover that the firmware is definitely not the current release, V2.7.4.24, then downloading firmware from the Netgear support site and manually loading it on the satellite and router is the only process that is guaranteed.
I know it's 2024, but I came across this thread with the same problem but have resolved it.
I purchased a new motherboard with AX201 160 integrated with external antenna.
I was loading up some games and noticed I couldn't download faster than 50 Mbps, despite my ISP providing me a 100 Mbps download speed.
I checked my speed from the Orbi router itself, and it was still hitting 100 Mbps, so I knew it must be the PC.
Here's what I did:
(1) Downloaded the As201 driver directly from Intel
(2) Uninstalled the driver via device manager
(3) Restarted PC and then reinstalled new driver
(4) Updated firmware of ORBI to latest (2.7.4.24) manually
I'm now hitting 100 Mbps.
Be aware that this is the most current version of FW:
pietropietrodi wrote:
I know it's 2024, but I came across this thread with the same problem but have resolved it.
I purchased a new motherboard with AX201 160 integrated with external antenna.
I was loading up some games and noticed I couldn't download faster than 50 Mbps, despite my ISP providing me a 100 Mbps download speed.
I checked my speed from the Orbi router itself, and it was still hitting 100 Mbps, so I knew it must be the PC.
Here's what I did:
(1) Downloaded the As201 driver directly from Intel
(2) Uninstalled the driver via device manager
(3) Restarted PC and then reinstalled new driver
(4) Updated firmware of ORBI to latest (2.7.4.24) manually
I'm now hitting 100 Mbps.
