I have a Denon AVR, Apple AX (express), and Tablo that are all buggy...I think for the same reason. Working with Tablo (since it was new) they determined that: "Tablo's local traffic is being lost between the node and the main router". I've tried moving the Tablo hoping to change how it interacts with Orbi (Orbi vs Orbi's satellite). Is there a way to force a device to only connect to one of the Orbi's? Denon also suggested this as a solution. Tablo provided this link as to the problems with Orbi (mesh) networks: https://www.tablotv.com/blog/mesh-wifi-networks-cordcutters/ Looks to be the same problem with Roku as well. Thanks in advance.

Temporarily reduce the transmit power level. I'll give this a try...I had done this in the past so familiar with the process but can't remember why I didn't leave it at a reduced power level. Thanks for the tip.

rbr50 and IoT/Tablo issue, traffic getting lost

27 Replies

FURRYe38
Guru
Feb 25, 2020
What Firmware is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?
Do the devices work ok if you turn OFF the RBS and only connect to the RBR?

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 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 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).
- Jroach
  Luminary
  Feb 25, 2020
  Furrye38, thanks for the reply.
  
  What Firmware is currently loaded? 2.5.1.8 (also a source of pain; attached deice naming issue)
  What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too? My connection issues with Tablo are all inside the house so I wouldn't think that the ISP modem type is realevant. The NG router is the Orbi...maybe I didn't specify the model correctly but it's an RBR50 with one staellite (maybe called and RBS50)
  
  Do the devices work ok if you turn OFF the RBS and only connect to the RBR? Yes
  
  What is the size of your home? Sq Ft? 8500 but the distance between where one of the TV's is located is such that the RBR on its own can't reach that TV.
  
  What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? It's at least 30 feet. Like above, without the RBS the TV won't stream "well". 30' recommendations is fine for some I suppose but doesn't work for us.
  
  What channels are you using? I've tried a few (including Auto) but will give this a try as the Tablo is new and fails more often.
  
  Any Wifi Neighbors near by? Always :)
  If so, how many? A dozen maybe
  
  Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or maynot be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings. I tried this without any change.
  
  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). I don't recall "armor or Circle" but will look and try those.
  - FURRYe38
    Guru
    Feb 25, 2020
    Jroach wrote:
    Furrye38, thanks for the reply.
    
    What Firmware is currently loaded? 2.5.1.8 (also a source of pain; attached deice naming issue) v2.5.1.8 fixes the device naming issue. Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last FW update? If not, it maybe needed to ensure any prior FW configurations are cleared out.
    
    What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too? My connection issues with Tablo are all inside the house so I wouldn't think that the ISP modem type is realevant. The NG router is the Orbi...maybe I didn't specify the model correctly but it's an RBR50 with one staellite (maybe called and RBS50). Modem Mfr and model are relevant as some modems come with built in wifi and routers which can cause problems. Just checking for this here is all.
    
    Do the devices work ok if you turn OFF the RBS and only connect to the RBR? Yes
    Something is going on with the RBS then. Factory reset the RBS as well. If problem still happens, possible problem in FW between RBS and this one device maybe.
    
    What is the size of your home? Sq Ft? 8500 but the distance between where one of the TV's is located is such that the RBR on its own can't reach that TV. Ok.
    
    What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? It's at least 30 feet. Like above, without the RBS the TV won't stream "well". 30' recommendations is fine for some I suppose but doesn't work for us. Having the RBS at more of a distance is ok. Just should not be any closer between the RBR and RBS. Building materials are a factor here.
    
    What channels are you using? I've tried a few (including Auto) but will give this a try as the Tablo is new and fails more often.
    
    Any Wifi Neighbors near by? Always :)
    If so, how many? A dozen maybe
    Use channels 1, 6 or 11 with few or no neighbors using them. Same goes for 5Ghz channels.
    
    Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or maynot be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings. I tried this without any change. OK
    
    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). I don't recall "armor or Circle" but will look and try those.
    Above suggestions working:
    https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Throttling-Devices-RBK53/m-p/1858561/highlight/true#M81925
CrimpOn
Guru
Feb 25, 2020
Jroach wrote:
.....
Is there a way to force a device to only connect to one of the Orbi's? Denon also suggested this as a solution.
.....
Tablo provided this link as to the problems with Orbi (mesh) networks:
https://www.tablotv.com/blog/mesh-wifi-networks-cordcutters/.
There are ways to influence which Orbi a device connects to, but there is no method to "force" a specific device-Orbi connection.
Some ideas:
Power off the device. Temporarily reduce the transmit power level. Power on the device again and it should connect to the Orbi with the strongest signal. Transmit power control is on the Orbi web interface, Advanced Tab, Advanced Setup, Wireless Settings.
After the device has chosen the desired Orbi, restore the transmit power settings. (Or, leave them set at a lower value if service throughout the building appears to be OK.)
As for the Tablo suggestions, they are interesting but may not be particularly applicable:
Orbi does not create different subnets. There is no "hide and seek."
There is probably no "Hop Scotch". Devices that are expected to move are programmed to scan for better network connections at defined intervals. Devices that are expected to remain in one location seldom have this sophisticated programming. They find a WiFi Access Point and "stick" to it.
Lack of "Advanced Features". Well, if "Advanced" means that the user is expected to set up things manually, then I guess this is true. The entire point of mesh networks is to free the user from this sort of thing. "Oh, I'm in the garage. I need to change WiFi to Bilbo-Baggins-garage." "Oh, I went back in the house. I need to change my WiFi connection."
I have found that when a person says there is a problem, there is ALWAYS a problem. If you can provide a little more explanation of the situation, perhaps folks on the forum can make suggestions.
- Jroach
  Luminary
  Feb 25, 2020
  Temporarily reduce the transmit power level. I'll give this a try...I had done this in the past so familiar with the process but can't remember why I didn't leave it at a reduced power level.
  
  Thanks for the tip.
- Jroach
  Luminary
  Feb 25, 2020
  crimpon, sorry...must have hit submit too soon.
  
  Denon had also suggested this solution but I forgot why I turned the power level on the RBR back up. I will definelty give this a try.
  
  Thanks.
- Jroach
  Luminary
  Feb 25, 2020
  I tried reducing the power to 75 then 50%, cycling tablo after each change.
  No results.
nicholb
Luminary
Feb 26, 2020
I've been using Tablo since they came out. Even though it can use WiFi the Tablo works much better if you can hard wire it.

From worst to best
Tablo and streaming device WiFi
Tablo Wired and streaming device WiFi
Both Tablo and streaming device wired.
- Jroach
  Luminary
  Feb 26, 2020
  Thanks nicholb.
  
  agreed but that would require running new coax to where the router is or a new network cable to where the Tablo sits.
  
  I'm reading up about MOCA to see if that might be a solution (or maybe a powerline adapter).
  - nicholb
    Luminary
    Feb 26, 2020
    Would it be possible to move the Orbi Satalite to where the Tablo is? Then it would be wired and the Orbi's would handle the wireless connection via the dedicated connection channel. Not sure that will help as you still have a wireless link, but it does cut out the Tablo making it.

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rbr50 and IoT/Tablo issue, traffic getting lost