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Forum Discussion
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 o...
I think I have a resolution for you on this as I had the same issue.
I would check for interference on the 2.4GHZ band as I tracked this down to an old Vizio TV that we had that used wireless rear speakers.
Whenever the tv was on, our Orbi satellite would lose connection.
As soon as we turned that TV off, the connection was restored.
The satellite uses the 2.4GHZ band to communicate back to the router and the TV interfered with that connection
Here's my update-- I've been living on Ubiquiti Amplifi HD for about a week now and I've noticed a few things:
- Amplifi setup and management feels much more refined. Despite being app-only (no real web UI), everything is extremely fast and easy to navigate. And there are some nice power-user options like disable DNS cache so that the router propagates my Pi-Hole DNS server IP down to the clients rather than forcing them to use the router as DNS server.
- Amplifi is certainly slower, without a doubt. Innevitably I think this just boils down to the lack of a dedicated backhaul radio. If I sit next the main router with my phone I can saturate my 150mbps ISP connection, but on a satellite I'm usually around half of that even when standing next to the satellite.
- Band steering seems perhaps a bit better on Orbi, or this could be a range/antenna issue. I sometimes find my phones on 2.4Ghz when the satellites are in the same room. Toggling wifi off/on in my phone or unplugging/replugging the satellite generally fixes this scenario.- Roaming between nodes could be better-- I sometimes find that I'm getting slow speeds because I'm still connected to the node in the room where I came from 5-10 minutes ago.
So here's my overall assessment...
- Orbi is better from a wireless perspective (speed, range, steering/roaming)
- Amplifi is better from a management/configuration perspective
- Amplifi is more stable/reliable (no full internet outages, as we're discussing here in this thread)
The last one is still the dealbreaker for me-- I'd rather have slow networking than no networking... Has Netgear even acknowledged this issue yet? Is there a fix coming? If this can be fixed I think I would revert back.
- I had the same issues that you describe with WiFi signals dropping randomly on all of my apple products (iOS and OS X). I did a lot of research on the Orbi system as well as pros/cons with changing to other mesh systems. I had already dropped some serious $$ on the Orbi (Router, 2 indoor sats, 1 outdoor sat) and was not in the 30 day return window, so I decided to try and find a solution with the Orbi System. I bought the Asus AC-86U, added Merlin’s Firmware to the router and changed the Orbi System to access point only. I’ve previously used Asus routers w/Merlin’s Firmware, so I knew that it gave me the extra feature set I wanted to use with my system. Plus, when you buy an Asus router that supports it, you get Trend Micro’s “Aiprotection,” which has proven to be very useful built into the router including a free lifetime subscription. After setting the Orbi System I’m Access Point only, I have experienced fairly consistent WiFi with my iOS, OS X, and IOT devices. Occasionally, I do notice that my iPhone disconnects for a few seconds or so and then reconnects when I’m walking around my home or outside cutting the grass.
Also, I do have 3 separate automatic timer outlets for the modem (Netgear CM700), Asus router, and Orbi router (in access point mode) that resets all of the components in sequence (modem, router, access point) in the middle of the night.
Works well for my needs. Thanks for the update - I concur with your assessment on the Amplifi and the assessment of Netgear Orbi. Its a deal breaker and no they have not acknowledged or accepted making it useless in any setting that requires reliable network connections for wired or wireless.
The alternative is to shift to Ubiquiti and take the pain of a steeper learning curve but install a reliable, resilient system that has all the speed you could need (FYI if you do Deep Packet INspection you'll need the Edge Router, not the Unifi router as the speed degrades more on the Unifi with DPI).
Another bonus on the Ubiquiti is the support forums and infrastructure is incredible - brilliant knowledgeable experts who jump in and are extremely helpful. You might spend a little more but it will be worthwhile imo
I can't emphasize this enough - Netgear Orbi is unreliable and will break your network connections - even your wired ones. The "Business" grade version is the same trouble and more cost for no benefit. The support infrastructure os a joke (Ubiquiti, by comparison, was responsive within a day and offered email, and phone responses and interactions - amplifi support even faster)
j1n post is essentially your only option - turn the device into a dump AP and invest in other hardware to manage your network. That's an overpriced AP at >$700 - better off going with one reliable hardware system
I'll get drawn into this useless debate one more time and completely disagree with you. I have had my system now for 10 months and been so rock solid boring that I don't ever think about it. Wifi is rock solid on all wifi devices, including iPhones and ipad, and I get my full speed anywhere and everywhere.
In fact I have an airtv device hooked to one satellite, wireless backhaul to the router, wireless backhaul to another satellite, wired to a Roku tv. Watch football as if I was there with never a glitch during the entire game.
I love Orbi, thanks netgear for making such a remarkable system.
