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Forum Discussion
Orbi RBR50 Dropping Internet Connection Regularly
I have an Orbi RBR50 and RBS50 connected via wireless backhaul. They have been working perfectly for a year. For the past two weeks, the router has been dropping the Internet connection regularly, showing up as having no IP address.
Both Orbis have the 2.1.4.16 firmware. I suspect that this firmware caused the problem. I don't know when it downloaded and installed automatically, but this problem came out of the blue after a year of operation.
Support had me do a factory reset of the satellite and router and the connection worked for a few days, but now it is back to dropping every hour or so.
The cable modem is functioning fine. When I connect a laptop directly to the cable modem, it picks up and IP address and is on the Internet fine.
I tried downgrading to an older firmware version but get an error that the firmware file is not valid. I've tried downgrading both the satellite and the router.
Any advice?
180 Replies
- I’m having same problems. It’s been about a month now. Some devices will have wireless connection and work fine. While some devices are connected to my network but no internet connections. It’s been a huge headache to keep setting up devices all over or rebooting the modem and router to make it work. When I first notice the issue, I’d changed the 5ghz bandwidth channel to 1. That worked for a bit. Now I’m constantly rebooting my system at least twice a day. WTH fix this already.
- I am having the same issue, i keep having to reboot about 2 times a day. This is getting old.
What Firmware is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?
Is the Orbi system operating in Router or AP mode?Does modem have a built in router? If so, This would be a double NAT condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly. Then use the Orbi router in router mode.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop
Alanandstaci wrote:
I am having the same issue, i keep having to reboot about 2 times a day. This is getting old.
What is the Mfr and model# of the IP modem the Orbi is connected too?
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between them to begin with depending upon building materials.
What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz. (You can't change 5Ghz to channel 1.) :smileyvery-happy:
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
Try disabling the following and see:
MIMO, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).
DomerIN wrote:
I have an Orbi RBR50 and RBS50 connected via wireless backhaul. They have been working perfectly for a year. For the past two weeks, the router has been dropping the Internet connection regularly, showing up as having no IP address.
Both Orbis have the 2.1.4.16 firmware. I suspect that this firmware caused the problem. I don't know when it downloaded and installed automatically, but this problem came out of the blue after a year of operation.
Support had me do a factory reset of the satellite and router and the connection worked for a few days, but now it is back to dropping every hour or so.
The cable modem is functioning fine. When I connect a laptop directly to the cable modem, it picks up and IP address and is on the Internet fine.
I tried downgrading to an older firmware version but get an error that the firmware file is not valid. I've tried downgrading both the satellite and the router.
Any advice?
It is a Netgear CM500 cable modem. The modem is functioning properly, as verified by directly attaching a laptop to the modem.
The home is about 7000 sq ft and the satellite is directly above the router, about 15 feet away on the second floor. But, to clarify, the problem is not the connection between the router and satellite. That is working fine. The problem is that the router is dropping its connection to the cable modem. WiFi is working fine and devices stay connected to both the satellite and the router. There just is no Internet connectivity.
Mike
Have you factory reset the Orbi router and set it up from scratch? Also do a full power OFF of the ISP modem for 1 minute then back on?
I believe there is some historical bad user experiences with the CM500...
30 feet is recommended in between the base router and satellite
DomerIN wrote:
I have an Orbi RBR50 and RBS50 connected via wireless backhaul. They have been working perfectly for a year. For the past two weeks, the router has been dropping the Internet connection regularly, showing up as having no IP address.
Both Orbis have the 2.1.4.16 firmware. I suspect that this firmware caused the problem. I don't know when it downloaded and installed automatically, but this problem came out of the blue after a year of operation.
Support had me do a factory reset of the satellite and router and the connection worked for a few days, but now it is back to dropping every hour or so.
The cable modem is functioning fine. When I connect a laptop directly to the cable modem, it picks up and IP address and is on the Internet fine.
I tried downgrading to an older firmware version but get an error that the firmware file is not valid. I've tried downgrading both the satellite and the router.
Any advice?
to begin with depending upon building materials.I've posted something similar here before but here goes nothing:
there's an issue documented in this post: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/What-you-can-expect-with-your-Orbi-system/m-p/1503034#M23257 that many people have experienced with no concrete solution.
good luck - so far the only solution seems to be putting a smart outlet / timer on your satellite(s) to reboot them once every 24 hours (I'm not joking) or rolling back the firmware (but I still see people saying they experience the same issues on the older firmware)
see this guy: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Orbi-satellite-dropping-connection/m-p/1512445#M24230
I really don't understand the people here that think repeating the same things blindly (have you tried disabling beam forwarding? mimo? how far is the distance between your sattelites? have you tried a factory reset? have you tried spinning in a circle 4 times while holding the orbi above your head and dancing with it? have you tried to balance the satellites on your hands and sing kumbaya while entering your wifi password?) and talk down on the users that experience real issues (especially this furry guy)It's like they have a notepad with things ready to copy/paste blindly to anyone experiencing issues here. I'm not sure if these are bots created by netgear or if these are actual people with too much time on their hands trying to get noticed by netgear to get hired as a customer support employee (it seems like when you call them, this is how they picked their support employees anyways)Again, I appreciate people that are trying to help the community but it really rubs me the wrong way when this is most definitely an issue with the Orbi under certain network conditions and people continuously blame the user setting it up - especially after I've spent several weeks pulling my hair out debugging this issue with no solution (except rebooting satellites multiple times a day) until I replaced the Orbi system completely.Well since you have moved on:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/What-you-can-expect-with-your-Orbi-system/td-p/1503034
Why don't you let people help each other, regardless of what you think or feel, and let those who really know how to troubleshoot and help others do what they do best. Whats wrong in people helping others? Huh? Just because you could not seem to get your system working right, doesn't mean you have to bad mouth others. Maybe you should have listened or took some advise or suggestions from those trying to help. If course a shill like you probably doesn't know much and rather talk about about others. Not everyone is having a bad time like you with there systems. Just shows how little or nothing you know of how to work with networking. You have ZERO consept of home networking or how to troubleshoot and have to bash others for doing it better than you.
Talk about copy and paste? You do the same thing man. So why don't you take off and let people who are trying to help others, help in there own way. If you don't like it, too bad, then don't read it. Move along. The forum is not here for your feelings.
You said you moved on, so it's time to let go now. Say Bye.
naerok wrote:
I've posted something similar here before but here goes nothing:
there's an issue documented in this post: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/What-you-can-expect-with-your-Orbi-system/m-p/1503034#M23257 that many people have experienced with no concrete solution.
good luck - so far the only solution seems to be putting a smart outlet / timer on your satellite(s) to reboot them once every 24 hours (I'm not joking) or rolling back the firmware (but I still see people saying they experience the same issues on the older firmware)
see this guy: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Orbi-satellite-dropping-connection/m-p/1512445#M24230
I really don't understand the people here that think repeating the same things blindly (have you tried disabling beam forwarding? mimo? how far is the distance between your sattelites? have you tried a factory reset? have you tried spinning in a circle 4 times while holding the orbi above your head and dancing with it? have you tried to balance the satellites on your hands and sing kumbaya while entering your wifi password?) and talk down on the users that experience real issues (especially this furry guy)It's like they have a notepad with things ready to copy/paste blindly to anyone experiencing issues here. I'm not sure if these are bots created by netgear or if these are actual people with too much time on their hands trying to get noticed by netgear to get hired as a customer support employee (it seems like when you call them, this is how they picked their support employees anyways)Again, I appreciate people that are trying to help the community but it really rubs me the wrong way when this is most definitely an issue with the Orbi under certain network conditions and people continuously blame the user setting it up - especially after I've spent several weeks pulling my hair out debugging this issue with no solution (except rebooting satellites multiple times a day) until I replaced the Orbi system completely.
Just checking. I would make contact with both moderators and go from there.
I would try a different modem if possible.
- After a couple of months of frustration from intermittent internet dropouts I have a family rebellion ... "why don't we go back to our old router??".
I'm nearing the end with Orbi. Will go back to the Asus AC5300 which fortunately I still have. A couple of dead spots are infinitely better than a whole house with strong Orbi wi-fi but no internet connection!My Orbi issues were resolved.
After an RMA from my Costco purchased unit, I've been trouble free now for months.
What FW is currently loaded? There is v32 and v44 FW available:
You have to get v32 applied first before v44.
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?
Is the Orbi system operating in Router or AP mode?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ethernet switch if one is in the configuration.What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between them to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
What WPA security modes are you using?Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
Try disabling the following and see:
Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).
walder wrote:
After a couple of months of frustration from intermittent internet dropouts I have a family rebellion ... "why don't we go back to our old router??".
I'm nearing the end with Orbi. Will go back to the Asus AC5300 which fortunately I still have. A couple of dead spots are infinitely better than a whole house with strong Orbi wi-fi but no internet connection!
- I got brand new Orbi router from Costco and I have same problem.
It keep disconnects from internet and when I open orbi app, it says connected locally.
I have to restart router to get it connected back to internet.
Some times it happens twice a day.
Very frustrating.
I thought that router had some problem and replaced with new one. New one also have same problem.
I raised a case with Netgear and never heard from them. Netgear support also not that great.What Firmware is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?
Is the Orbi system operating in Router or AP mode?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ethernet switch if one is in the configuration.What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between them to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
What WPA security modes are you using?Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
Try disabling the following and see:
Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).
Harryp123 wrote:
I got brand new Orbi router from Costco and I have same problem.
It keep disconnects from internet and when I open orbi app, it says connected locally.
I have to restart router to get it connected back to internet.
Some times it happens twice a day.
Very frustrating.
I thought that router had some problem and replaced with new one. New one also have same problem.
I raised a case with Netgear and never heard from them. Netgear support also not that great.- See my responses below:What Firmware is currently loaded? -- 2.3.1.44What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too? -- Verizon FIOS ModemIs the Orbi system operating in Router or AP mode? -- RouterWhat is the Mfr and model# of the ethernet switch if one is in the configuration. -- No ethernet switchWhat is the size of your home? Sq Ft? -- 3000 SFTWhat is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between them to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected. -- distance between router and satellites are around/under 30 feetWhat channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.--- Channel set to "Auto". Currently I am out of town and can try changing to manual channel.Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many? -- There is one Wifi Neighbor next door, but its not close by (over 60 feet distance)What WPA security modes are you using? -- WPA2-PSKTry enabling Beamforming and MIMO and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless SettingsTry disabling the following and see:Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only.Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).Currently I am out of town and can try changing these setting later this week.
Hi...
First off, I want to say I agree with you about the level of response. I had the same problem and was getting frustrated reading the copy paste response, especially when multiple times you said they problem wasn’t the Orbi transmitting, but receiving!
anyway, solution I found.
1.) http://orbilogin.com/adv_index.htm
2.) Advance setup
3.) Router / AP mode
4.) select AP mode.
5.) Orbi should automatically reboot, if not reboot.
worked great after this. Seems there was a conflict with my ISP modem/router and Orbi working as a router..
good luck
As mentioned in my previous post I ended up going back to my trusted old router from the Taiwanese firm.
Apart from the pointless cut & paste response from the Netgear team, one of them did PM me asking for additional input ... while i appreciate this I decided not to pursue the Orbi option due to time constraints. I may give it another spin as a pure Access Point when i have the time.
There is newer FW that may work better.
I got a RBR50 and tested it and it's been working great. Possible configuration issue or environment issue with yours.
The "cut & paste" responses are not pointless. There to help both users and us narrow down problems and help users get there systems working. These "cut & paste" responses not just willy nilly posts. Some of us do have long experinence in working with wifi, routers and troubleshooting and "cut & paste" responses are drawn from our own experineces and knowledge. User are encouraged to give feedback to these "cut & paste" responses. In most cases these "cut & paste" responses do help. If not then users are encouraged to contact NG support and get further help or get there systems RMAd. I've even helped users directly with there systems.
walder wrote:
As mentioned in my previous post I ended up going back to my trusted old router from the Taiwanese firm.
Apart from the pointless cut & paste response from the Netgear team, one of them did PM me asking for additional input ... while i appreciate this I decided not to pursue the Orbi option due to time constraints. I may give it another spin as a pure Access Point when i have the time.
- You may be trying to help but to repeatedly fire 40 questions at someone who has plonked $300-400 on a product that should work perfectly off the bat isn't really on in my view. Most of us on this thread seem to be a minority that are unlucky to have this issue while I am sure Orbi works great for the vast majority of buyers.
If this has helped several unlucky users ... well they haven't come back here to say so.
The Orbi worked great when it did but with the internet unreliability issues it just isn't for me. Perhaps some of those willing to invest the time and effort in experimenting may succeed, and good luck to them. I'm going with something that works for me without having to tinker with settings multiple times a day.
- Guys. Stop using the Orbi app! Connect using a computing only for updates and settings mention by previous members and pick a specific channel. Do not put in auto. Then reboot modem and router by unplugging power for at least 3 mins. Every time I use orbi app it causes several connection drops in a day. Now I haven’t had any drops in months. Try it and please update the community if successful over a weeks time period.
For those who have experienced WiFi drops, would you mind sharing your Wireless Settings page? I'm wondering if there's a pattern or common settings that would cause this issue since WiFi drop doesn't seem to affect all users. It would be helpful if you share this page.
I am using computer to change any settings.
I use Orbi app to reboot roiuter when it disconnects from internet.
Attached my wireless settings page.
