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Wi-Fi Performance Recently Degraded Severely - Orbi RBR50 V2.5.1.8 (RBK50-100NAR)
In the past week or so, my wi-fi performance has become very unreliable on my Orbi RBR50 system. This includes on my laptop which is on the desk directly next to the main router. My desktop computer which has a wired connection to the router has great connectivity, as do connections using my work wi-fi router which is plugged into the Orbi router as well, so I'm pretty sure it's the Orbi wi-fi that's the issue. The Orbi app also shows great speed test results.
First, I updated the firmware, which is now V2.5.1.8, but the issue persists.
Based on threads on this and other forums, I then adjusted some of the settings, including:
- Turning off Daisy-Chain Topology
- Setting the CTS/RTS Threshold to 2304 (on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
- Enabling Implicit Beam-Forming
Is there anything else I should try? Thanks!
9 Replies
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?
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
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
"my work wi-fi router" How close is this to the RBR? Having other wifi radios near by can cause problems. Channels differ from what Orbi uses?
What speeds do you pay for UP and DOWN from your ISP?
Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last FW update?
Thanks for the quick replies.
The modem is mine and is a Netgear CM500.
The number of neighboring wi-fi networks fluctuates, but is usually about 3 or 4.
The satellite is about 40 feet away.
I pay for 175 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up (Comcast Performance Pro). Speed Tests on the Orbi app are usually in the range of 150-210 Mbps down / 5-6 Mbps up. Right now, head-to-head, I'm seeing:
- Orbi app on iPhone: 209 Mbps down / 5.5 Mbps up
- Ookla site via work wi-fi on laptop: 47 Mbps down / 6.0 Mbps up
- Ookla site via Orbi wi-fi on laptop: 40 Mbps down / 6.0 Mbps up
So it's comparable right now. But there are times when the Orbi wi-fi won't load pages at all, and my work wi-fi performs just fine.
The work wi-fi router is on my desk a few inches from the Orbi, but nothing about this set up has changed in the past year. I have a separate wi-fi for work because I work from home most of the time and it automatically puts me on a secure connection to the company network without needing to run a VPN client (Cisco Meraki).
Nearby channels, per the Mac OS X Wireless Diagnostics Utility Scan, are:
- Orbi network (2.4 GHz) on channel 4
- Orbi network (5 GHz) on channel 48
- Work network 2.4 GHz) on channel 1
- Work network (5 GHz) on channel 149
- Neighbor network 1 (5 GHz) on channel 36
- Neighbor network 2 (5 GHz) on channel 36
I have not yet performed a full factory reset.
Sitting too close to each other isn't recommended. Though it may have worked before, it maybe now starting to to fail. 6-10 feet from each other is recommended. Also try setting your RBR router to channel 11. 4 is kind close to 1 and sitting next to each other is just causing interference and noise for each other.
DogFog wrote:Thanks for the quick replies.
The modem is mine and is a Netgear CM500.
The number of neighboring wi-fi networks fluctuates, but is usually about 3 or 4.
The satellite is about 40 feet away.
I pay for 175 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up (Comcast Performance Pro). Speed Tests on the Orbi app are usually in the range of 150-210 Mbps down / 5-6 Mbps up. Right now, head-to-head, I'm seeing:
- Orbi app on iPhone: 209 Mbps down / 5.5 Mbps up
- Ookla site via work wi-fi on laptop: 47 Mbps down / 6.0 Mbps up
- Ookla site via Orbi wi-fi on laptop: 40 Mbps down / 6.0 Mbps up
So it's comparable right now. But there are times when the Orbi wi-fi won't load pages at all, and my work wi-fi performs just fine.
The work wi-fi router is on my desk a few inches from the Orbi, but nothing about this set up has changed in the past year. I have a separate wi-fi for work because I work from home most of the time and it automatically puts me on a secure connection to the company network without needing to run a VPN client (Cisco Meraki).
Nearby channels, per the Mac OS X Wireless Diagnostics Utility Scan, are:
- Orbi network (2.4 GHz) on channel 4
- Orbi network (5 GHz) on channel 48
- Work network 2.4 GHz) on channel 1
- Work network (5 GHz) on channel 149
- Neighbor network 1 (5 GHz) on channel 36
- Neighbor network 2 (5 GHz) on channel 36
I have not yet performed a full factory reset.
DogFog wrote:My desktop computer which has a wired connection to the router has great connectivity, as do connections using my work wi-fi router which is plugged into the Orbi router as well,
By any chance are the "work" WiFi router and the Orbi WiFi on the same channel? This would be "not good."
If it's not too personal, would you mind explaining a little about the reason for having two WiFi routers?
