RBR20 Losing internet connection about 1-2 times / day

Until recently router has been very stable, for about the last 1.5 weeks I lose (only) the internet connection from the router. Can still connect fine to the router from devices, but all devices report loss of internet and the ring on the top of the orbi will light up pink.

Internet connection is fine when devices are plugged in directly to cable modem.

I have tried the following:

- updating firmware currently version 2.6.2.104

- I'm geographically isolated so no interference from other networks

- updated lease time to 1200 (from default) using telnet connection

- A restart of the router does fix the issue but so does waiting about 5 minutes.

- Nothing shown in the advanced logs during the time of the outages

- Satellites are all powered down. Just the router is active. I work right next to it, so wifi signal is fine.

Loosing connection for even a few minutes disrupts my work VPN so it is annoying. I also might be in a teams or zoom call at the time. I know there is a ton of posts about these types of problems, but other than the lease time fix I couldn't really find anything from a troubleshooting perspective that would help. If anyone has any suggestions or hidden things I can try please let me know. My support expired a year ago so I'm unable to contact anyone at Netgear directly.

Thanks

15 Replies

FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
Aug 05, 2021
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?

https://kb.netgear.com/31030/What-do-the-LEDs-on-my-Orbi-mean

What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and 📡 satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS📡 to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite 📡

What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and 40 to 48 channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?

Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or may not be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
Not seen on Orbi AX.
Also try turning down the power output of the RBRs wifi radios from 100% to 50% and see if this changes anything. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings

Try disabling the following and see:
Armor, Circle, Traffic Meter.
Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Set CTS to 2347. Set Short preamble instead of Long preamble modes. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s). Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings

One User Experience/Configuration:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Most-Stable-Orbi-Configuration/m-p/1941087/highlight/true#M97026

Has a power off for 1 minute then back ON with the ISP modem and Orbi system been performed since last update?
- Street420
  Aspirant
  Aug 05, 2021
  I'm not looking for the canned response. I already read though those posts and it appears that none of that ever helped anyone.
  
  Some items that I mentioned previously and some additional feedback:
  1. router worked flawlessly until 1.5 weeks ago.
  2. No configurations were changed
  a. with the exception of the updated firmware - which made no difference
  b. update via telnet to the lease time (I really had high hopes for this one)
  3. no additional devices have been introduced
  4. Lan port also has no internet access (meaning it is not just a wireless thing)
  5. Connectivity via lan or via wifi to the router is just fine, only the connection between the router and the cable modem is lost
  6. Tried a different ethernet cable, and checked to make sure the cable was not loose
  7. Geographically isolated from neighbors and other wifi connections (mine is the only one in range)
  8. Satellites are unplugged to rule out some problem with them
  9. Problem fixes itself within 5 minutes or so without intervention - no unusual log entries
  
  I have no ability to access my modem's diagnostic / log info, but my ISP has confirmed that they see no outages to the actual internet. I was able to plug devices directly into the modem and they worked right away. It does not have any model info on the modem itself, provided by Charter Communications now Spectrum.
  - FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User
    Aug 06, 2021
    Then you'll need to contact NG support for there help and support.
    
    Good Luck.

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RBR20 Losing internet connection about 1-2 times / day