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Forum Discussion
bluefish10
Aug 02, 2017Guide
Orbi satellite dropping connection
Right to the point: my Orbi system has 2 satellites and 1 main tower. The internet drops/slows down (to the point where internet browsing is not possible) 2-3 times per day randomly without warning on the satellites (both at same time), but the main tower would be fine. Also netgear please DO NOT mark this as solved with firmware update 1.12.0.18, because all of my towers are on that version and still disconnecting. ISP is Comcast. We are using the Arris Surfboard SB6190 modem. I have tried using ethernet on the satellites, but ethernet is also effected by this issue. It cannot be interference because the connection works fine most of the day, and the issue seems to be at random without a trigger.
I suspect there's a problem with the connection between the satellites and main tower, but would still like some advice. I think we upgraded to the orbi around 6 months ago.
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I can second this for 1.12.0.18. We have the RBR50 and RBS50s. Certain clients started dropping off of our wireless pretty frequently and it is causing a huge disruption.
After the issues started showing up, I tried various configurations between router and sats. I have tried factory resetting all devices and force installing the new firmware update one at a time without any change. Tried turning off guest wifi and toggling beam forming & MuMIMO. WIth the same dropping problem. Even tried bringing the devices much closer with the same effect. I have my devices set in AP mode, i have tried toggling back and forth to force them into AP mode.I even tried getting on these wireless devices and doing a standard dhcp test on wireshark to esnure there arent any other conflicting dhcp servers and tried changing the password to be certain that there wasnt some lingering server.
After pulling logs from the FIrewall and the devices, I was able to piece together some information.It appears that the sats run into an IP conflict every hour so one sat is kicked and the devices connected through that have to wait for the sat to pull a new IP from the DHCP server/firewall. The lease time is 1 day, but the Orbi sats seem to always lease for one hour. After that hour, it looks as though there is a problem through the lease and renew process where the sats fall back out of their assigned IP and try to self assign 192.168.1.250. where I have these devices statically assigned in the 192.168.128.2xx range from the DHCP server. I also pulled a log on the sats where it started assigning the wirelessly connected devices to 192.168.1.xxx range before getting back to the DHCP server and then reassigning all of the IPs correctly. This is more than enough information to hopefully get an emergency patch tomorrow?
Aug 2 00:16:13 Orbi Sat1 Client IP conflict MAC: 9C:3D:CF:F0:9A:8D also claims IP: 192.168.1.250 Aug 2 00:16:13 Orbi Sat2 Client IP conflict MAC: B0:B9:8A:64:F7:08 also claims IP: 192.168.1.250 - sAik0TutorI did not look into the logs, but this could indeed be the problem. Clients also freqently dont even acquire IP adresses. This is a real mess. Spent €400 for a useless product. :(
I have also have 1.12.0.18 installed and facing dropped connections every few minutes - even sitting right by the router. Satellites are hooked up , in range (blue on set up) and when its working speeds are great across the house. I agree with other users who suggest that there is something wrong with the way the sats are communicating with the router causing the system to fall over. Its not usuable at the moment. Got a range of devices hooked up, iphones running latest iOS, Apple TV, hp PC, iPad, iMac.
- rliInitiate
When I bought the RBK53 from Costco I had firmware version 2.1.1.12 and the system worked good for about 90 days. Then the Wi-Fi began to drop about every other day. I had to unplug the router and wait a few then plug it back in and the system returned. Since then I have upgraded the firmware with each version since (currently on firmware version 2.1.2.18.. The problem remains. I wonder if Costco will take it back after this long?
- DarrenMSr. NETGEAR Moderator
If you could send me a private message with your name,email and phone number our support team can work with you on the drop connections you are having with the latest firmware.
DarrenM
- bcindricInitiate
I am having the same issue and have attempted just about everything at this point. Multiple resets, reinstalling firmware updates, moving the satellite, and changing settings. The base unit seems to always work and despite the satellites showing as connected they lose their internet connection or drop to speeds 10% of what they should be at random times.
- DarrenMSr. NETGEAR Moderator
Hello bcindric and sAik0
Can you send me a PM with your name, email and phone number our support team is looking to work with you on these issues.
DarrenM
- jandgInitiate
DarrenM,
I am having identical issues with my RBR50/RBS50 - FW V1.12.0.18 dropping internet connection multiple times daily. If you can please let me know how to private message you, I would appreciate the personal contact and assistance with this issue, just as you have offered to some other members of the community.
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you very soon about this!
- ctaschukTutor
I’ve had the same problem myself. My main Orbi that is connected to my router works fine and gives a reliable wireless signal. The satellite works fine sometimes for a few days and then for weeks on end it keeps on getting slower (almost no bandwidth) when I device gets near the satellite. The only way I’ve had to resolve it is to unplug and keep unplugged my satellite, which defeats the whole purpose of having a mesh system. When I unplug the satellite, the device immediately connects to the main Orbi and starts getting fast again. I’ve had this problem from the start and I phoned your support and was unsuccessfully ‘helped’ and then I was told that I ran out of support even though the product never worked reliably so for the last year or so I have just been dealing with it. I’m ready to buy a different brand.
- JRTTulsaInitiate
I am having the same connection dropping problem despite running the latest fw.
- JRTTulsaInitiate
Removed your Info but I have it - DarrenM
- sAik0TutorSame here. FW 1.12.0.20 did not fix the issue.
Same problem with satellite disconnects as the original thread poster. 3-pack Orbi in router mode with satellites losing connection/internet at least a couple of times a day. ISP is Comcast/Xfinity. Can have up to 37+ devices connected at one time including multiple Apple & Android devices, pc's/laptops, Xbox, Kindle, Philips Hue lights, Belkin Wemo plugs/lights, Nest cameras, Arlo Pro cameras and DirecTV boxes.
Originally purchased the 2-pack back in October 2016, but ended up installing that in a relative's house and purchased the 3-pack (from Costco) when that was released to cover dead spots on opposite sides of the house where additions were built. All had been working well for the past 9 or so months until firmware 1.12.0.18. Previous to 1.12.0.18, the only issue was the outdoor Nest cameras disconnecting maybe once or twice a day for about 10 minutes which was resolved by unchecking implicit beamforming (left MU-MIMO checked).
Now with this firmware, the satellites to lose connection once or twice a day. To get the satellite connection back, it needs to be turned off then on again. Once a satellite is turned back on, after the progression from solid white to flashing white for a minute or so, the light turns to solid blue and stays that way with no internet connection. Then need to press the synch button to eventually get the satellite connection back. Main router does not lose the internet.
With firmware 1.12.0.18 and only MU-MIMO checked, Nest outdoor cameras are having intermittent issue with disconnecting for 10 minutes or more again though not every camera and not every day. Same result when both implicit beamforming and MU-MIMO are checked with firmware 1.12.0.18.
I also have two Arlo Pro base stations, one connected to the router and the other to one of the satellites. Ever since firmware 1.12.0.18, the internet connection led flickers 3-5 times every few seconds or so then goes back to solid then back to the intermittent flickering/blinking. The internet led remained solid green before the 1.12.0.18 firmware update. In fact, another way to tell when the satellite loses connection is when the internet led of the Arlo Pro base station connected to it turns to orange.
Very frustrating. Netgear needs to resolve this ASAP.
- DranikInitiate
Same thing here. One minute phone works fine, then it shows full signal but no internet connection and later it goes back to the internet connection being ok. It was happening every 5 minutes. After reading this I unplugges the sattelite and never had the same issue again. So there is definitely something wrong with the way satellite connects to the base. Last year I promised myself never buy NETGEAR stuff again, and here I am... should've kept my promise...
- IDGuy42Guide
I'm having the same issue. I've noticed it on my MacBook Pro, Android Galaxy S7 and two Google Home devices. I notice it on the Google Home the most because it doesn't recover and gives me an error message when trying to talk to it.
I have the RBR50, two RBS50s and a RBW30. All on the latest firmware.
Thanks
IDGuy42
exactly my issue. incredibly annoying. Makes the whole system broken just like my previous solutions (except previous setup was cheap)
What FW is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem 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 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.
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).If you updated to recent FW v.210, try enabling Daisy Chain. Some have mentioned that this seems to be working in reverse order, enabling means disabled actually.
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Firmware-2-2-1-210-and-connection-problems-Skybell/m-p/1649275/highlight/true#M43001Try a Manual FW load:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Firmware-2-2-1-210-released-as-of-10-3-18/m-p/1647303/highlight/true#M42416
psimondo wrote:
exactly my issue. incredibly annoying. Makes the whole system broken just like my previous solutions (except previous setup was cheap)
- Sb-RbTutor
These complaints were generated in 2017. My system also drops internet and all arlos drops off. Satellite directly connected to Netgear router for arlo. Still no connection. Appears Netgear and arol companies don't have a fix for these devices and 2019 is around the corner. Ever notice that Netgear never posts the fix but instead asks you to private message your email and phone number, then never fixes the problem.
- I did find something that helped me.
Reduce 5GHz band to 75% power
Reduce 2.4GHz band to 50% power
My conjecture is that the power of the main station was sometimes more powerful than the satellite, so devices kept switching between them. Then eventually messing up the whole thing requiring a hard reboot.
Reducing transmission power, specifically making 2.4 lower than 5 (it has greater range), really has made my setup MUCH more stable.
- Braveheart1InitiateMy signal keeps dropping too! For me it's like every few minutes, rendering my devices useless on the network. I have a router and one satellite both with the most recent firmware. Very frustrating! Please work with me to fix this. Thank you.
- BigTomCInitiateSame issue with my setup!
The WiFi connection constantly switches from connected to disconnected! Signal strength is very strong so that's not the issue. My house is small, no more then 1200 sqft. Purchased the RBK50 with the satellite do to similar problems with my previous D7000 router. The orbi setup worked beautifully for first 2 weeks (it's about 3 weeks old), so I assumed the D7000 was toast and even though I had spent big bucks on the orbi I could finnaly be free from spending countless hours researching and attempting fixes and get back to enjoying all my entertainment products. Now Deja vu I find myself exiled to the Netgear Community again. I have the latest firmware and have done factory resets. I have set it up both automatically and manually! It is frustrating as he'll!
I'm about ready to accuse my Russian neighbor of operating an illegal high-powered shortwave radio, sending messages to a Russian trawler off the Jersey shore!
I said it was driving mePlease read my post on the previous page about downgrading the firmware and stopping the auto update on the router and satellite. Hopefully that might help resolve your pain until a new firmware is released.
- jtbeldaInitiate
One of my two Orbi Satellites (RBS50, Firmware: V1.12.0.18) consistently loses it's connection to the router base (RBR50, Firmware: V1.12.0.18). I have to reset the satellite once a day to reestablish the connection. Is there a current fix for this? The satellite the loses connection is also the closer of the two satellites to the router.
- dwlima2Initiate
I have the Costco RBK53 3-pack. Same issue as everyone else here, and had already upgraded to FW 1.12.0.18. . I called Netgear, and they had me switch the 2.4Ghz from Auto to Channel 3, and the 5Ghz to channel 44. The tech also had me change CTS/RTS Threshold in both sections to 2147. Also, the Netgear tech had me check, "Enable Implicit BEAMFORMING - Boosts WiFi speed, reliability, & range for all mobile devices" and "Enable MU-MIMO." She told me if that did not solve the frequent wifi dropping from the satellites, that they would want to replace the item. She said she has worked at Netgear for 3 years, and this is one of the few complaints she has ever had about this. I doubt it.
I am bringing it all back to Costco.
I've been a Netgear user for ten years. I've never had problems like this before. I'm returning this piece of junk to Wal-mart. The only way this got a excellent rating is by paying off reviewers. IMO Their CS is a joke. 36 minutes on the phone and told me to go back to their original configuration, that they tried, and if that didn't work call back and they'll try something else. I have the newest firmware. Goodbye Netgear!
- siddavisInitiateI’ve been messing with mine all day today. Finally plugged my old router back in and I’m back to rock solid. This piece of junk is going back in the box and to the store. I can’t believe these get good reviews. It should be taken off the market!
Just purchased a RBK53 Orbi Home System from Costco. Set it up yesterday and everything worked out of the box. System comes with (1)RBR50 Router and (2)RBS50 Satellites. Everything was communicating and working well with good internet connection. Decided to manually update the firmware to version 1-12-0-18. As suggested, started with the two Satellites. Downloaded the zip files from Netgear and extracted them to my Desktop [running Windows 8.1]. All good. Launched the Orbi Router Login and went to the area for Firmware Updates and clicked on Manual. Both the router and the satellites where listed correctly. Checked the first Satellite box and hit update. As per instructions, "browsed" to the RBS-50 1-12-0-18 files and clicked on it and then clicked on Upload. All good, starts the update and little timer clock finishes at 100%. All good. Then it trys to reconnect with the Satellite. THE BIG NOTHING. The popup box goes dead and cannot establish a connections. Wonderful..... Try turning the Satellite on and off and get the dreaded 'Solid Magenta' light. I next tried syncing with router by pressing both the Satellite and Router sync buttons. NOTHING. Then tried resetting the Satellite and going through the same process. Still NOTHING! Satellite CANNOT connect to the router. Then tried updating the the second Satellite.... bad move. Same thing happened!! I am afraid to touch the router since then I'll lose internet entirely! Totally annoyed. Brand new supposed great system, that I paid a LOT of money for, that only has the router working with original firmware and two worthless satellites. Afraid what's going to happen when the Router "automatically" updates the firmware to this newest version! From what I've read on this forum, lots of people are having this problem. Thinking I should just box it all up and return it to Costco and go with the Velop. Wasting a lot of time on this. Anyone have a solution to my problem??? How do you get the Router to communicate with the Satellites again? Do I have to update the router too for them to be able to communicate?
- DarrenMSr. NETGEAR Moderator
Yes all devices need to be on the same version of the firmware in order to work together.
DarrenM
I also have an RBR50 and two RBS50 satellites. They lose connection to the base about once a day, kicking all devices offline that were connected to that satellite. This means this entire setup is useless. I'm half tempted to go back to my Airport Extreme, which worked 24/7/365 without issues. Netgear, please fix this ASAP!
- DarrenMSr. NETGEAR Moderator
If you are still having drops send me a Pm with your name, Email, and phone number and I will get you working with support to troubleshoot the issue.
DarrenM
- DavenichAspirant
Like many others who have posted here, my satellite will not stay connected to the router as a satellite device. When I look at the "Connected Devices" list on the "Attached Devices" router page, the satellite shows as a connected device with connection type "unknown" versus as a connected satellite. When I log into the satellite IP itself, the graphic on the Status page shows the satellite receiving a signal from the router, but it shows "Disabled" on both the 2.4 and 5GHz signals broadcasting from the satellite. Also like many others, I have factory reset both the router and the satellite, tried using the sync button to re-establish the connection (never works), and manually loaded the latest firmware on both devices (V1.12.0.18). The factory reset on the satellite will make it show as a "Connected Satellite" on the router's "Attached Devices" page, but it's only a matter of time (sometimes a few hours, sometimes a few days) before it falls back down to the "Connected Device" and stops broadcasting a wireless signal. I always get a Blue ring on the satellite when it connects, indicating a strong signal from the router. I appreciate any help to solve this problem.