NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.

Forum Discussion

kai00051's avatar
kai00051
Aspirant
Jan 25, 2019

Spectrum Mobile - S9+ wifi seeing network twice

My family has 2 ipads, 2 kindles, 2 S7's, 2 Nest Cams, Chamberlain garage door, 1 Roku TV and a Chromecast device - NONE of which have problems with my Orbi mesh network.


I just got an S9+ through Spectrum Mobile (up to date on software), and it cannot, CANNOT, stay on my Orbi mesh network (router and one satellite - both up to date on firmware).  The 2.4 and 5 are named the same (by design) and the phone just bounces back and forth all day long between the 2.4 to 5, and in the meanwhile uses data when struggling with wifi.

 

My other phones don't even see 2 networks, just one.  The S9+ displays the network twice.

 

Specturm is no help.  Samsung is no help.  Netgear was no help.

 

What is a guy to do?  So frustrating.

========================================

FWIW, my dad came over with his Spectrum Mobile LG phone and he could not stay connected to my wifi.  Although he didn't see my network SSID 2x like I do, his continually connected and disconnected from my network.

 

This appears to be an issue with Spectrum Mobile and mesh networks.  I'm not going to lay blame on Orbi yet as 19 other devices in my house, connect just fine.  The only ones having issues ar the Spectrum Mobil S9+ and Spectrum Mobile LG.

16 Replies

  • FURRYe38's avatar
    FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User

    What FW is currently loaded?
    What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?
    Is the Orbi system operating in Router or AP mode?

    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?
    What WPA security modes are you using? Try WPA2 and AES only

     

    Try disabling the following and see:
    MIMO, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Un-check 20/40Mhz Coexistence to set 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s). If MIMO is already disabled, try enabling it. You can revert all these changes if nothing helps. 

     

    Is IPv6 enabled on the phone, try to disable it and see. 

     

    Overall this will be a Samsung issue that they need to look into. There devices need to be tested to ensure they work on most MESH systems correctly. I seems to be an issue of how the Samsung device is handling and interacting with the Orbi MESH system and Smart Connect. If all other devices are working well with the Orbi, then Samsung needs to do some testing. They can also contact NG for engineering help if there seems to be compatibility issues between them. I have a S8, S7J and Galaxy Tab S2 and they all work on my Orbi system. 


    kai00051 wrote:

    My family has 2 ipads, 2 kindles, 2 S7's, 2 Nest Cams, Chamberlain garage door, 1 Roku TV and a Chromecast device - NONE of which have problems with my Orbi mesh network.


    I just got an S9+ through Spectrum Mobile (up to date on software), and it cannot, CANNOT, stay on my Orbi mesh network (router and one satellite - both up to date on firmware).  The 2.4 and 5 are named the same (by design) and the phone just bounces back and forth all day long between the 2.4 to 5, and in the meanwhile uses data when struggling with wifi.

     

    My other phones don't even see 2 networks, just one.  The S9+ displays the network twice.

     

    Specturm is no help.  Samsung is no help.  Netgear was no help.

     

    What is a guy to do?  So frustrating.

    ========================================

    FWIW, my dad came over with his Spectrum Mobile LG phone and he could not stay connected to my wifi.  Although he didn't see my network SSID 2x like I do, his continually connected and disconnected from my network.

     

    This appears to be an issue with Spectrum Mobile and mesh networks.  I'm not going to lay blame on Orbi yet as 19 other devices in my house, connect just fine.  The only ones having issues ar the Spectrum Mobil S9+ and Spectrum Mobile LG.


     

    • kai00051's avatar
      kai00051
      Aspirant

      Orbi FW: v2.2.1.210

      Modem:  Arris TM1602A

       

      Router Setup:

      Set up standard out of the box

      Operation Mode:  Router

      WPA2-PSK {AES}

      2.4ghz: auto

      5ghz: 48


      Yes, wifi neighbors nearby, never been a problem - again, 19 devices on my network with no problem, and 2 Spectrum Mobile phones struggle (S9+ and LG).

       

      • FURRYe38's avatar
        FURRYe38
        Guru - Experienced User

        Ok was checking the modem configuration and what you were using on the Orbi. You can try those other suggestions to see if they help with the Samsung devices. This can be something else you can give to Samsung as well to let them know what you have tried. 


        kai00051 wrote:

        Orbi FW: v2.2.1.210

        Modem:  Arris TM1602A

         

        Router Setup:

        Set up standard out of the box

        Operation Mode:  Router

        WPA2-PSK {AES}

        2.4ghz: auto

        5ghz: 48


        Yes, wifi neighbors nearby, never been a problem - again, 19 devices on my network with no problem, and 2 Spectrum Mobile phones struggle (S9+ and LG).

         


         


  • kai00051 wrote:

    ...........  The 2.4 and 5 are named the same (by design) and the phone just bounces back and forth all day long between the 2.4 to 5, and in the meanwhile uses data when struggling with wifi.

    ..........


    How do you know that the networks are one for the 2.4 and the other for the 5 GHz bands? I'd rather think it's one from the router and another from the satellite, isn't it?

    I would think that the phone is seeing the two networks strong which can happen if your nodes are close to each other and keeps roaming between them.

    Do you have "Fast Roaming" enabled? New phones should support fast roaming 802.11r

  • Though strange that the 2.4GHz and 5GHz are being called out independently, the switching back and forth could be normal whether you see it or not. What is not normal is that it is struggling with the signal, which possibly could be, not so much struggling as during switching, your phone is trying to make a decision whether a wifi or 4G signal is best, and switches over to 4G. Then back. If you have automatic switching engaged, Samsung Galaxy phones are notorious for making these arbitrary decision and consequently adding data costs. To find out if this is the issue go to Settings>Connections>Wifi>Advanced and make sure automatic switching is turned OFF. When off your phone will only switch from wifi to 4G data when the wifi is unusable, not when it is making the evaluation which is better at the moment. 

    I never use the automatic switching on my S8, since sometimes it is reluctant to switch back to wifi when there are competing signals. If you have this switched on and you are getting a stonr 4G singal, and move to places where the wifif is a bit weaker, it is a data hog.

    • kai00051's avatar
      kai00051
      Aspirant

      Interesting thought.  The only thing that was on in my Advanced wifi settings was 'switch to mobile data', so I turned that off and will monitor.

       

      I know it's not a router vs satelitte issue as I unplugged the satellite and it still saw 2 networks.  With orbi driving the SSID, I do not have 2.4 uniquely identified from 5.  I hope that makes sense.

      • kai00051's avatar
        kai00051
        Aspirant

        Stilll showing 2 networks...see attachment.

         

        It's connected to the 5G, confirmed on Orbi network app.