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alysha321's avatar
alysha321
Aspirant
Oct 17, 2023

RBR20 competing and not working with Spectrum Router

I bought my Orbi RBR20 system from Costco a few years ago, it came with router and 1 satellite. I have had Spectrum since it was Time Warner. I have recently been aware that I have 2 WiFi’s and I was very confused. I work from home and I do most of my work in the garage hence the reason I wanted the Orbi, I thought it was just an extender at first. But I have a problem with my WiFi going in and out and sometimes my phone works better off the WiFi. I know that with spectrum I have a modem and a router and I have my Orbi plugged into my spectrum router and I have Orbi satellite in my breezeway. All of my networks have the same password but my Orbi has a diff network name because I was told that was the best way to do it from spectrum at the very beginning. I am guessing that I am having problems with connection because my routers are competing with each other but my question is idk how to change it….and idk which one is better… I don’t really care about guest networks and I use the WiFi heavily for all the tvs in the home for streaming and all the phones in the home as well (4 tvs 4 phones) I pay for upgraded speeds through spectrum because I need fast speeds for work but its all Ethernet for work not WiFi so that may not matter, I’m not the smartest when it comes to this internet stuff.

3 Replies

  • FURRYe38's avatar
    FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User

    Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
    https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
    Couple of options,
    1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
    2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
    3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop
    Try option #2 first...

     

     

    • alysha321's avatar
      alysha321
      Aspirant
      Okay option #2 has a lot of IT words that I don’t understand lol. And I’m not sure how to turn the WiFi off any of my equipment The equipment that I have currently is a modem and router from Spectrum connected together and then I have my Orbi Router plugged into my Spectrum router and I also have an Orbi Satellite.
      • FURRYe38's avatar
        FURRYe38
        Guru - Experienced User

        Something to contact the ISP about for there help regarding there modem and router equipment.