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Orbi satellite losing connection with router
I have had my Orbi mesh system for close to a year. For the past month or so, I have been experiencing random satellite drop connections. There is no indication from the affected satellite of its aliment. The only way I can tell is by devices connected to the satellite losing wifi, both hardwired and wirelessly. When this happens and I open up Orbi APP or orbilogin.net, then I can see the satellite is having connection issues. If left on its own, it would reestablish connection within 5 mins or so. But this is extremely annoying and random. And it happens multiple times a day that it drove me nuts. How am I sure that it is the orbi system's fault? Here is how I eliminated other possible causes:
1. I signed up for two ISP's. One fiber and one cable. The random connection drop issue happens on both.
2. I replaced Orbi with Google WIFI and no drop issue at all.
3. I even re-positioned both RBS50 satellites closer to the router. Literally, the next rooms and the problem still persists.
4. I disabled daisy-chain, MIMU, and fast roaming as per internet suggestions. No dice either.
That pretty much eliminated all other possible causes.
So I opened up a support ticket. The 1st tech had me enabling MIMU and fast roaming and then wait and observe. That did not help at all. 2nd call and 2nd tech from India finally advised me that they have had many calls from users with the same issue. The problem is with the new firmware. Yes, the newest. He advises that they are working on a fix via firmware. In the meantime. Nothing can be done.
My parents have the same 3 unit RBR50 and they have random drops with older firmware. One of my neighbors has RBR40 and he has drops. This is ridiculous. Is anybody else having this issue?
23 Replies
To start with, please try the following procedure and see if this helps:
- Switch off the Satellites
- Go to Attached Devices in the web GUI and click on the "Disconnect" button beside the listed Satellites.
- Turn on the first Satellite, wait few seconds (15 seconds) and then use a paper clip to factory reset the Satellite
- When the Satellite is up after factory reset, press the Sync button on the Satellite (if you have wired backhaul then keep the Ethernet cable to the Router connected while doing the sync) and then press the Sync button on the Router
- When the Satellite is added after this procedure it should behave correctly.
- Repeat the procedure above for the second Satellite.
If the above procedure does not help then we will need to troubleshoot deeper.
Good luck!
Thanks for the reply. I tried resetting both satellites as you outlined above: waited until power light flash amber and let go. The whole ordeal lasted much longer than I expected: it took a long time for satellites to boot and sync up. Heck, one of satellite was linking with other satellite until I sync'd it with router. Odd considering that I had daisy-chain disabled. But alas, all that effort is wasted. Within 30 mins, I am getting the random drops again.
Something is definitely wrong with either firmware and/or hardware of Orbi. Mine is v1 and the ones I bought for my parents are v2 and brand new. Yet they have the exact same issue as I do.
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too? Any built in router here by chance?
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 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.
WarIsPeace wrote:I have had my Orbi mesh system for close to a year. For the past month or so, I have been experiencing random satellite drop connections. There is no indication from the affected satellite of its aliment. The only way I can tell is by devices connected to the satellite losing wifi, both hardwired and wirelessly. When this happens and I open up Orbi APP or orbilogin.net, then I can see the satellite is having connection issues. If left on its own, it would reestablish connection within 5 mins or so. But this is extremely annoying and random. And it happens multiple times a day that it drove me nuts. How am I sure that it is the orbi system's fault? Here is how I eliminated other possible causes:
1. I signed up for two ISP's. One fiber and one cable. The random connection drop issue happens on both.
2. I replaced Orbi with Google WIFI and no drop issue at all.
3. I even re-positioned both RBS50 satellites closer to the router. Literally, the next rooms and the problem still persists.
4. I disabled daisy-chain, MIMU, and fast roaming as per internet suggestions. No dice either.
That pretty much eliminated all other possible causes.
So I opened up a support ticket. The 1st tech had me enabling MIMU and fast roaming and then wait and observe. That did not help at all. 2nd call and 2nd tech from India finally advised me that they have had many calls from users with the same issue. The problem is with the new firmware. Yes, the newest. He advises that they are working on a fix via firmware. In the meantime. Nothing can be done.
My parents have the same 3 unit RBR50 and they have random drops with older firmware. One of my neighbors has RBR40 and he has drops. This is ridiculous. Is anybody else having this issue?
FURRYe38 wrote:What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too? Any built in router here by chance?
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 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.
Give it up.....OP is reverting the firmware.
No modem. Direct ethernet connection from fiber to Orbi router. Besides, if you read my post, I've tried two different ISP's. And I have searched and implemented all the other troubleshooting methods you have mentioned in your post to no avail. It took me far too many hours and headaches to finally arrive at the conclusion that the problem is with Orbi. I need to thank Netgear for releasing buggy as @#$% firmware. One would think they'd field-test their own @#$% before releasing this turd to the public. Who does Netgear think he is? Apple?
Anyways, just flushed both satellites to 2.3.5.30. Let's see how they hold up.
