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RBK53 system keeps "rebooting" and WiFi calling is horrible
I recently picked up a refurb RBK53 system from Woot. I've installed, updated the firmware, and did a full factory reset of the router and satalites. Despite all of this a few times a day every devices (wired and wireless) lose connection for a couple of mins.
I have ATT Fiber 1000/1000, with the 5268AC Gateway that i'm running a DMZ passthrough to the Orbi WAN, and I also have a 16port unmanged switched plugged into a Lan port on the Orbi router.
No Circle, no Armor.
Daisy Chain is off
40/20 is off
Short preamble
Beamforming, MU-MIMO, and fast roaming are all On.
Overall, wifi is strong, speeds are good, but these random reboots are killing me!
Also, Wifi calling with our iphones sucks. We have iPhone 11 and 11 Pro. It's a crapshoot if wifi calling will work, or work fully. Often you can hear the person but they can't hear you.
I just recently heard of the Voxel firmware, so I may give that a shot, but I would appreciate any other advice/suggestions/direction.
Thank in advance!
Seems like the RBR isn't stable with two RBS online.
I would make contact with NG support about this. The system should not crash with 2 RBS online. I'd ask about an RMA if needed.
16 Replies
- No ideas, but I also have an RBS50 that reboots randomly every now and then, no particular pattern.
What version of FW is loaded on the system?
Is the Orbi system operating in Router or AP mode?
Is the wifi fully disabled on the ISP Modem since it's got built in wifi?
Where in the home is the RBR and RBS placed?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected. https://kb.netgear.com/000036466/How-far-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite-from-my-Orbi-router
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:
Beamforming and MIMO, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).
Southpaw32 wrote:I recently picked up a refurb RBK53 system from Woot. I've installed, updated the firmware, and did a full factory reset of the router and satalites. Despite all of this a few times a day every devices (wired and wireless) lose connection for a couple of mins.
I have ATT Fiber 1000/1000, with the 5268AC Gateway that i'm running a DMZ passthrough to the Orbi WAN, and I also have a 16port unmanged switched plugged into a Lan port on the Orbi router.
No Circle, no Armor.
Daisy Chain is off
40/20 is off
Short preamble
Beamforming, MU-MIMO, and fast roaming are all On.
Overall, wifi is strong, speeds are good, but these random reboots are killing me!
Also, Wifi calling with our iphones sucks. We have iPhone 11 and 11 Pro. It's a crapshoot if wifi calling will work, or work fully. Often you can hear the person but they can't hear you.
I just recently heard of the Voxel firmware, so I may give that a shot, but I would appreciate any other advice/suggestions/direction.
Thank in advance!
Thanks for the reply! Here are my answer!
I've had two reboots already this morning. :-/
What version of FW is loaded on the system? 2.5.1.16
Is the Orbi system operating in Router or AP mode? Router
Is the wifi fully disabled on the ISP Modem since it's got built in wifi? Yes, all channels and guest are disabled
Where in the home is the RBR and RBS placed? RBR is middle of the ground floor in a media closet. RBS are both on the second floor at oposite ends of the house. Both have a "Good" status in the web interface.
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? I'd guess between 30-40 feet. They are in the same place that I had my previous Airport Extreme setup, that I never had issues with.
30 feet is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected. https://kb.netgear.com/000036466/How-far-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite-from-my-Orbi-router
What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz. I manually had 2.4ghz set to 11, but recently set it back to Auto (as I'm trying anything to get this to work). 5ghz is pretty clear.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many? I'm in a fairly close neighborhood. I'm say there are 4-5 other networks that are visibileTry disabling the following and see:
Beamforming and MIMO, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s). IPv6 has been off. How do you set Coexistence to 40Mhz only? I only have an "enable" checkbox.I disabled Bearmforming and MIMO.
Also, FYI I have reserved IPs for the Satalites.
I ordered a BGW210 from ATT last week, so I'm awaiting it, but I don't think that will be a magic fix.
Does the RBR reboot or still loose it's connection if you turn OFF The RBS and turn down the power output of the RBR from 100% to say 50%? Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings/ Also uncheck the box for 20/40Mhz. This will set 40Mhz only for 2.4Ghz.
Closets are not great places for wifi routers...
What happens if you configure AP mode on the RBR?
Hoping the new modem will be helpful. You'll still need the DMZ or IP pass thru on it if you run the Orbi in router mode.