NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Orbi RBR50 range problem
Two days ago I replaced my AmplifyHD mesh router with Orbi. Orbi RBR50 to be exact. I have a 4 story home (including the finished basement). Old. Plaster walls. I was not happy with Amplify...
It's brand new, firmware version is v2.5.1.8. My Modem is an Arris modem (not sure the model off hand).
My home is a dutch colonial. Each floor is about the same dimension (again with old plaster walls mostly). Each floor is about 1000sq feet -- so total around 4000sq feet.
I have tried different location for the 2 sats. First floor (above finished basement floor) has the router. Directly above floor the first sat which would be about 25 feet away and then again Third floor for the second sat would be maybe 40 feet above the router. I now have the router and 1 sat on the first floor (distance maybe 20 feet) and then the second sat on third floor. In all cases, the app reports 'green' during my relocation attempts for each sat and the router.
I had the channel on auto -- I tried 6 and 9 and 1. No change. Have not tried 11 yet.
I def live in a congested area. The houses are maybe 10-20 feet apart. I tried 'beaming'. No change. I disable daisy chain. No change.
I'll try the 40MHz only option (have not tried this).
I don't know why after just buying this two days ago a factory reset makes sense? But I'm willing to try anything before tossing it. I will also try the suggestions you have below that I have not already tried.
Please find model # information for ISP modem.
Anything 25' or closer to too close. 30' is mimumum.
Keep the the following channels and these are primary. 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz
If you have other wifi neighbors near by, you might try lowering the power output on the radios from 100% to 75 or 50%. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings. This will change the over all wifi foot print of Orbi so there a bit less interference from neighbors.
Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last FW update?
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Throttling-Devices-RBK53/m-p/1858561/highlight/true#M81925
I will try all these things and also post the model of my ISP modem. Regarding the factory reset. Like I said, just got this system in the last two days. Do you really recommend doing a factory reset?
If any of the suggestions or changes fail and you've tired everythign else, then yes, a reset maybe be needed.
You had asked for my Modem make/model. It is: ARRIS Group, Inc. TG1682G. Any issues?
I am getting closer. A reset has improved things and I am continually tweaking settings now to see if my devices get better performance. I'll report back once I land on the best settings. Its a guessing game though. I am reverting and not following some advise here as I'm seeing better results using '6' for a channel and also 100% for 2.4 and 50% for 5. I'm starting to wonder if I should just try to shut down the 5 all together. It's very strange though some devices not 10 feet from each other get very different results.
That mode is your modem working in? Router or is it bridged? Your Model modem has built in wifi and a router. This would be a double NAT condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
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=desktopIf what you have currently set up is working better. Try it out for a couple of days to check operation and stability first before making any major changes.
So I tried all of this. One caveat, my Orbi only has a '20/40 MHz co-existance' on/off selection. I tried both but then after googling this one left it on. The changes did improve things -- but still no where near the range of my old AmplifyHD. I have Wifi cameras spread throughout my house and these are the most critical. I did turn on/off as many devices as I could after making changes to the Config in Orbi.
What am I left with? A factory reset? I found in the admin where to re-set back to factory settings (and back up my current settings)-- but I don't think this is what you mean. Blow away my router and two sat firmware and re-install?
Yes you can use the RBRs web page to ERASE and factory reset the RBR. Or factory reset the router using the back push pin button. Press the button for 15 seconds then release. Power OFF the ISP modem for 30 seconds than back on. Wait for the WHITE led to slowly pulsate on top of the RBR, then log in to orbilogin.com using a web browser and walk thru the setup wizard. This time write down all important information for safe keeping later on.
I would do the same for the RBS.
If I backup my settings as they are right now and then restore after the factory reset -- wouldn't this be the best way to do this? Or does restoring the settings from the backup negate the factory reset?