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

Forum Discussion

MelvinV's avatar
MelvinV
Aspirant
Sep 14, 2020
Solved

SSID Intermittently Disappearing

Hi, I just bought an Orbi RBR20 with 2 Satelites (only using 1). I have 1Gig with Verizon Fios>pfSense router >Unifi switch>Orbi. My Orbi is in AP mode. This problem was occuring on firmware 2.3.5.30 and I've updated the firmware to 2.5.1.16. I have factory reset it after the FW upgrade. 

 

Both SSIDs just disapear from time to time and they come back. It could work for an hour or 15 minutes.

 

Not sure what to do or what other information to provide. Please let me know if you can offer any advise.

 

Thanks!

  • Connecting directly to the modem did not resolve the issue. After further investigation I realized that the router device was actually losing its Internet connection. I went out and purchased a new device in so far so good with all the default settings. Thank you for your help.

8 Replies


  • MelvinV wrote:

    Hi, I just bought an Orbi RBR20 with 2 Satelites (only using 1). I have 1Gig with Verizon Fios>pfSense router >Unifi switch>Orbi. My Orbi is in AP mode. This problem was occuring on firmware 2.3.5.30 and I've updated the firmware to 2.5.1.16. I have factory reset it after the FW upgrade. 

     

    Both SSIDs just disapear from time to time and they come back. It could work for an hour or 15 minutes.

     


    So both router and satellite are on 2.5.1.16? And you reset both the router and satellite?

    Do you have any other WIFI system broadcasting close by? You can use NetSpot to see what channel other neighbors are on and move your WIFI to another channel less used.

    • MelvinV's avatar
      MelvinV
      Aspirant

      So both router and satellite are on 2.5.1.16? YES
      And you reset both the router and satellite? YES

      Do you have any other WIFI system broadcasting close by? YES

      You can use NetSpot to see what channel other neighbors are on and move your WIFI to another channel less used. Done. 

       

      Will monitor and report back.

    • MelvinV's avatar
      MelvinV
      Aspirant

      I've attached a screen shot. My devices are vibes and Laboratory. I looked at the channels on the device and I don't see a lot of options. Is the goal to just select channels that are least used. I tried a few changes but it didnt seem to make a difference.

      • Mstrbig's avatar
        Mstrbig
        Master

        MelvinV wrote:

        I've attached a screen shot. My devices are vibes and Laboratory. I looked at the channels on the device and I don't see a lot of options. Is the goal to just select channels that are least used. I tried a few changes but it didnt seem to make a difference.


        2.4Ghz is a little more important to be on a cleaner channel than 5Ghz as it broadcasts further. So the best thing to do is pick a less used channel and try to stick with 1, 6 or 11, as they don't overlap each other. As far as 5Ghz, just pick a channel to get it off auto.


  • MelvinV wrote:

    Hi, I just bought an Orbi RBR20 with 2 Satelites (only using 1). I have 1Gig with Verizon Fios>pfSense router >Unifi switch>Orbi. My Orbi is in AP mode. This problem was occuring on firmware 2.3.5.30 and I've updated the firmware to 2.5.1.16. I have factory reset it after the FW upgrade. 

     

    Both SSIDs just disapear from time to time and they come back. It could work for an hour or 15 minutes.

     

    Not sure what to do or what other information to provide. Please let me know if you can offer any advise.

     

    Thanks!


    Sometimes switches and other devices can cause anomalies and you have 2 devices before the Orbi router. For testing purposes, take the network cable going into the PfSense and plug it into the Orbi router, bypassing the pfSense router and Unifi switch. So now you would be connected directly to the ONT provided by Verizon. Set the Orbi in router mode. See if that solved the issue.

    • MelvinV's avatar
      MelvinV
      Aspirant
      Connecting directly to the modem did not resolve the issue. After further investigation I realized that the router device was actually losing its Internet connection. I went out and purchased a new device in so far so good with all the default settings. Thank you for your help.