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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 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.
570 Replies
Everyone. Just be sure to update the satellite FIRST and than update the router when applying firmware updates. Early on, I updated the router first and I assumed both the router and satellite were updated. I was wrong. I found out the hard way when I was getting constant disconnections and internet disruptions.
I figured out that my satellite had OLD firmware as opposed to newer firmware in the router. I found out by shutting off my router, connecting my laptop to the satellite's Ethernet port and logging in to the satellite. Enter login and password which warned me that i was not connected to my router. I hit OK and noticed that my satellite was running v1.11xx firmware. Earlier, I had downloaded the newest firmware for the satellite and applied it via the Firmware update page inside the satellite. I did a manual install.
After successfully updating the satellite and disconnecting my Ethernet cable to the laptop, I turned on my router and both synced. Now I see the satellite as an Attached Device in my router. Hopefully, now I'll see consistent connections and fast internet speeds i was accustomed to with the Orbi.
I guess I’ve had a good run. I have had no problems with connectivity, speed, reliability for 9 months now.....until the last 3 weeks. Began experiencing the dreaded “no internet connection” problem. This seemed to be random in nature at first, and rebooting the Orbi router and satellite seemed to do the trick. The modem always remained connected...but I tried rebooting it as well. Problems would recur on a daily basis. So I found this forum thread.
i have tried all the suggestions noted above except reverting to previous firmware.
Router firmware: V2.0.0.74
Satellite firmware: I guess it’s the latest as it doesn’t require update, but couldn’t find it through Orbi site.
The latest version of the failure: NETGEAR Genie App shows all clients connected and internet available. MacBook Pro says no internet connection. 2 iPhones and iPads ok.
has the problem been identified by NETGEAR, and if so is there a fix coming?
The Orbis are horrible and if I could start a class action lawsuit I would. I have 1 Router and 3 satellites sitting in their original boxes in the closet and I can’t take them back because the problems did not start until my time of warranty was over. I would like my money back for the $1K I spent.
I went ahead and bought the X10 Nighthawk ($450) and 3 Nighthawk X6S EX8000 ($750) and I have not had one single drop in 2 weeks since I installed the system. Works perfect and is way faster. Very Very happy with the system $1,200 later.
As a loyal Netgear fan for many years I stuck with their brand and I believe they should refund me for the Orbi system I have in the original boxes sitting collecting dust. Waste of my money and most of all my time.
if any lawyers out there think we have a class action lawsuit on our hands, please send me a message as I am ready! Netgear if you want to redeem yourself, then take care of your customer and send me a message or call.
Like everyone else here, I gave up on the Orbi units. I've exchanged units just to rule out faulty hardware, tried every suggestion and combination of settings and it didn't help with the disconnects. Spoke with level 2 support and said they'll get back to me roughly in a week after emailing debug logs but honestly I shouldn't have to wait that long to get a stable network. So I returned my units for a refund and went with the eero pro.
Good luck to everyone who's having issues, hopefully it'll get resolved.
Also giving up now. Absoulte nightmare and don't really see Netgear acknowledging it anywhere or at least hinting at a timescale to a fix.
Will be sending mine back and moving to either Google or Ubiquiti
I wish I could take mine back, but I did not have problems until my return period was over!
- Just purchased the 3 orbi set from Costco last week. Worked fine for a week and added a RBS also. Today satellite in office keeps dropping connection. Not just to wireless devices but also to my wired desktop. Can't do work this way. I have read through all these posts and tried all the different settings people suggest and still have issues every few minutes. On firmware 2.0.0.74. I am ready to box them up and take them back and try another one or go back to my old router. Terrible to spend this kind of money on product that doesn't work but I have to be able to connect to my clients networks to support them and I can't have a system that isn't dependable. Shame on Netgear for not getting this fixed. I guess Orbi's just suck!
Sounds like your new satellite might be located too far from the Orbi router to make a stable backhaul connection. You might need to move the router and/or the satellite to different spots to get a stable connection.
That is why it worked all week last week with no issues. Not sold.
st_shaw wrote:Sounds like your new satellite might be located too far from the Orbi router to make a stable backhaul connection. You might need to move the router and/or the satellite to different spots to get a stable connection.
- After reading all the nightmare stories and realizing this is not an isolated problem, I'm absolutely shocked the Orbi is rated so high and there isn't a class action lawsuit in the works. Mine is going back to Costco as soon as possible and going with Google WiFi.
Purchased Google Wifi today. Simple set up and sp nice to go back to a solid connection!
I also have Amplifi arriving on Thursday and will keep the best. It certainly wont be Orbi and I doubt I will ever purchase another Netgear product after this.
- After reading so many horror stories, I don’t believe I am ready to try out the system for long. It seems hit and miss scenario for so many users for such anpricey system. I don’t want to miss 90 days return window. Going back to Costco.
- It’s not interference. There is a problem with the Orbi’s so take them back ASAP. Netgear reads these threads and if they had a solution they would chime in, but they can’ because they don’t know. I went to the X10 and four of the new X8000 they released and I have not had one drop since installed it 3 weeks ago. Everything is in the same exact spot as the orbis.
ORBI SUCKS!
jameswalkertx wrote:
It’s not interference. There is a problem with the Orbi’s so take them back ASAP. Netgear reads these threads and if they had a solution they would chime in, but they can’ because they don’t know. I went to the X10 and four of the new X8000 they released and I have not had one drop since installed it 3 weeks ago. Everything is in the same exact spot as the orbis.
ORBI SUCKS!While it probably isn't interference, I don't believe it's a hardware fault. For many, it had been perfect for months, but beginning with 1.10.x they lost control of stability. They have to go back to a previous release, disregard all changes made since that period, and start from a stable place.
You're correct, they'd chime in if they believed they had a clue, but they don't.
Raka1212 wrote:
.....I don’t want to miss 90 days return window. Going back to Costco.The 90 day return policy is inapplicable to this item. I know two people who have returned two different routers to Costco well beyond the window period (one of them returned the router after he had owned it for around a year and a half).
I bought my Orbi system from Costco and saved the box. In the event I ever have persistent issues with it, I will be packing it up and returning it to Costco and I don't care if that's a couple of months from now or a couple of years.That is correct, the orbi system is not subject to the 90-day window return at Costco. I had my orbi system for well over 6 months and went to return it when it started having issues.
Anyone with any early thoughts on the new 2.1 firmware. Does it help cure the dropouts?
Definitely junk firmware, I've been using the eero pro now for two days and so far no drops, stable and quick enough for my use. When I had the orbi, I did try putting it in AP mode to rule out issues and that didn't help one bit.
Could not agree more. This system was expensive and is terrible. I wasted dozens of hours just trying to get my commputer to connect. So frustrating.
