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tadslc's avatar
tadslc
Tutor
Aug 28, 2019

RBK50 Disconnects driving me crazy

I'm a somewhat older fellow that doesn't have the greatest grasp of modern technology.

Just when I try to research the latest "get rid of cable" rave, I decide to update my WiFi router with what I thought was a great option, the ORBI RBK50 system.

Installed last week and ever since it's been a constent headache of disconnects. Trying to do a little research has turned into potentially hours of suggestions and rebuttles, really not much I understand  But it's given me a few ideas, the main one is go back to my old system. After having used a Netgear WNDR4500 for 4-5 years with zero issues I am very dissapointed in this "upgrade".

 

WiFi shouldn't be so complicated especially since I really don't have anything special connected. A few Roku devices, a Sonos, a few phones and laptops.

 

Very disappointed at Netgear

32 Replies

  • Retired_Member's avatar
    Retired_Member

    tadslc wrote:

    I'm a somewhat older fellow that doesn't have the greatest grasp of modern technology.

    Just when I try to research the latest "get rid of cable" rave, I decide to update my WiFi router with what I thought was a great option, the ORBI RBK50 system.

    Installed last week and ever since it's been a constent headache of disconnects. Trying to do a little research has turned into potentially hours of suggestions and rebuttles, really not much I understand  But it's given me a few ideas, the main one is go back to my old system. After having used a Netgear WNDR4500 for 4-5 years with zero issues I am very dissapointed in this "upgrade".

     

    WiFi shouldn't be so complicated especially since I really don't have anything special connected. A few Roku devices, a Sonos, a few phones and laptops.

     

    Very disappointed at Netgear


    If you're looking for help, the community will need more info, such as:

     

    what type of modem are you using?

     

    has the Orbi ever worked?

     

    Do you know what firmware you have installed on the Orbi?

    • tadslc's avatar
      tadslc
      Tutor

      Thanks guys

       

      Well, at this point I can answer a couple of the questions- What type of Modem am I using? This is easy because I just went down and replaced my modem yesterday at Spectrum because I knew this had to be the problem, my old modem (which I don't know the model #)

       

      My new Modem is an Arris TM1602.

       

      I probably have 30-40 feet between the router and satellite.

       

      I have plenty of neighbors around me that have WiFi, sometimes more than others but on average probably 3-4.

       

      Orbi definately has worked more often than not but still going off for 5-15 minutes at a time is definately unecceptable.

       

      I have 2 things plugged into the router, my computer and my Sonos

       

      My home is a whopping 2,000 sq ft but I'd also like to have it reach my back porch which it will while it's working.

       

       

      • tadslc's avatar
        tadslc
        Tutor

        BTW - I'l have more answers when I get home this evening.

  • FURRYe38's avatar
    FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User

    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 when wirelessly connected.

     

    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 enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or maynot be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings.

     

    Try disabling the following and see:
    Armor, Circle, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).


    tadslc wrote:

    I'm a somewhat older fellow that doesn't have the greatest grasp of modern technology.

    Just when I try to research the latest "get rid of cable" rave, I decide to update my WiFi router with what I thought was a great option, the ORBI RBK50 system.

    Installed last week and ever since it's been a constent headache of disconnects. Trying to do a little research has turned into potentially hours of suggestions and rebuttles, really not much I understand  But it's given me a few ideas, the main one is go back to my old system. After having used a Netgear WNDR4500 for 4-5 years with zero issues I am very dissapointed in this "upgrade".

     

    WiFi shouldn't be so complicated especially since I really don't have anything special connected. A few Roku devices, a Sonos, a few phones and laptops.

     

    Very disappointed at Netgear


     

    • Retired_Member's avatar
      Retired_Member

      FURRYe38 wrote:

      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 when wirelessly connected.

       

      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 enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or maynot be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings.

       

      Try disabling the following and see:
      Armor, Circle, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).


       

      Lets do this friend a service and allow them to answer one set of questions first before inundating them with a series of questions.  In some cases it's better to go at it slowly.

  • CrimpOn's avatar
    CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User

    tadslc wrote:

    After having used a Netgear WNDR4500 for 4-5 years with zero issues I am very dissapointed in this "upgrade".

    ...

    WiFi shouldn't be so complicated especially since I really don't have anything special connected. A few Roku devices, a Sonos, a few phones and laptops.


    WNDR4500 is a fine product, although it does not support the "latest and greatest" WiFi standards.  If the WNDR4500 was providing adequate WiFi coverage and speed through your house, going back to it may be the simplest solution.  In my (personal) situation, my Nighthawk R7000 was NOT providing the coverage and speed that my family wanted.  The grumbles and mumbles finally got to me, and the R7000 has been banished to the garage where it serves only security cameras while the Orbi RBK50 provides excellent coverage and speed to the "places where people are."

     

    You also mentioned the dreaded "Sonos", which seems to feature prominently in problems users have with Orbi.

     

    If you decide a working Orbi setup would be better than the previous WiFi, there are forum members who have solved almost every situation, including Sonos issues.

  • FURRYe38's avatar
    FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User

    What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?


    tadslc wrote:

    I'm a somewhat older fellow that doesn't have the greatest grasp of modern technology.

    Just when I try to research the latest "get rid of cable" rave, I decide to update my WiFi router with what I thought was a great option, the ORBI RBK50 system.

    Installed last week and ever since it's been a constent headache of disconnects. Trying to do a little research has turned into potentially hours of suggestions and rebuttles, really not much I understand  But it's given me a few ideas, the main one is go back to my old system. After having used a Netgear WNDR4500 for 4-5 years with zero issues I am very dissapointed in this "upgrade".

     

    WiFi shouldn't be so complicated especially since I really don't have anything special connected. A few Roku devices, a Sonos, a few phones and laptops.

     

    Very disappointed at Netgear


     

  • This is what I'm talking about

    been trying to log into orbilogin.com for 30 minutes with zero luck

     

    WTF?

     

    • CrimpOn's avatar
      CrimpOn
      Guru - Experienced User

      tadslc wrote:

      been trying to log into orbilogin.com for 30 minutes with zero luck


      "orbilogin.com" requires a Domain Name Server (DNS) to resolve the name into an actual IP address.  My practice has been to use the actual IP address of the Orbi router in my web browser, such as "http://192.168.1.1" (no quotes).  What happens when you use the IP address?

       

       

      • tadslc's avatar
        tadslc
        Tutor

        It requires a user name and password. 

         

        Now what?

    • tadslc's avatar
      tadslc
      Tutor

      I'm outside watching roku with a whopping 52Mbps link rate, looking at my iPhone with a 104 Mbps rate trying to use my Amazon Fire with a, get this, 1 Mbps link rate. I'm all of 15 ft from the satellite. 

      Of course all on 2.4G

      • tadslc's avatar
        tadslc
        Tutor

        Finally got into orbilogin.com and set my 2.4G to 75% and the 5 G to 50%

         

        My firmware version is v2.3.5.30

         

        I have been disconnected probably 5 times during this ordeal. I am now sitting 4 ft. from the satellite, only been disconnected once!

         

  • FURRYe38's avatar
    FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User

    Just be cause users are having issues may not be fully releated to FW, could also be environment and or HW related. Possible the system this user has is just faulty from the get go. Others are having good experiences with v30. Including myself. 

    • Retired_Member's avatar
      Retired_Member

      FURRYe38 wrote:

      Just be cause users are having issues may not be fully releated to FW, could also be environment and or HW related. Possible the system this user has is just faulty from the get go. Others are having good experiences with v30. Including myself. 


      In most cases, the system was working FINE before the upgrade.  

    • tadslc's avatar
      tadslc
      Tutor

      Not really

       

      Haven't done much since my last posts which I believe was Wednesday evening.

      I played around with satellite placement last night though but really couldn't find anything that seemed to work any better. But the more I thought about it the more I'm thinking this isn't a satellite issue because when it disconnects averything disconnects.

      I bought this system from Amazon as a refurbished unit and it wouldn't surprise me if someone returned it because of the disconnects. The upside is I have 30 days to return so I can still play around with them but since I'm just a somewhat computer illiterate guy, I'm running out of options.

       

      One other thing that confuses me are suggestions on this post are often rebuttled by someone else so I have a hard time knowing who to believe.

      • Retired_Member's avatar
        Retired_Member

        tadslc wrote:

        Not really

         

         

        One other thing that confuses me are suggestions on this post are often rebuttled by someone else so I have a hard time knowing who to believe.


        Good luck...I hope it works out.  

         

        In a open forum such as this, what appears to be rebuttling, is simply folks stating their opinion and hopfully trying to help.  As a user, one must sort through it and decide which makes the most sense.  Private messages to the ones offering the suggestions or to the community moderators is another option.