Hi,I have an Orbi rbr20 router with 3 satellites. WiFi is inconsistent with it dropping and reconnecting throughout the day. I’ve had the hardware for over 1 year. I have latest firmware for both hardwares and Orbi phone app.Your help is appreciated. Thanks.

has it been dropping the entire year?Is this something new? What modem/gateway do you have?What actual firmware version are you on? how big is your home ?how far apart are the router/satellites from each other? (30 ft mimimum is recommended)are they connected to each other using wireless/wired backhaul?are they running through a switch (if so what switch)?

Thanks for your reply. Yes, new problem. WiFi problem within last 1.5 months. Orbi setup done over 1 yr ago.-ATT gateway-Orbi RBR20 firmware 2.6.2.104-3 level home about 1800 sq feet-3 satellites connected wirelessly-all connected less than 30 ft-don’t understand what it means to run through a switch-Orbi router connected with Ethernet cable to att modem (1gb fiber), Orbi router is an access point I believe.*Can this recent WiFi problem be due to frequency or channel interference? No new hardware or update was performed recently to cause the problem. Thank you.

Gabe777 wrote:Thanks for your reply. Yes, new problem. WiFi problem within last 1.5 months. Orbi setup done over 1 yr ago.-ATT gateway---which gateway? ATT is notorious for using modem/router combo devices. Cascading multiple router is a recipe for issues. Its called a double nat. And ATT makes it so getting their devices in passthrough/modem only mode is a pain/doesn't work properly. Many end up with their orbi running in AP (access point) mode. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT-Orbi RBR20 firmware 2.6.2.104-3 level home about 1800 sq feet---1800sq ft total or each floor? If its total, 3x satellites is probably to many unless your home is made from brick/concrete/plaster lathe/adobe-3 satellites connected wirelessly-all connected less than 30 ft----that's to close. they need at least 30ft between them.-don’t understand what it means to run through a switch----some people hardwire in their satellites with a wired backhaul. I've seen some switches have issues/cause instabilities. -Orbi router connected with Ethernet cable to att modem (1gb fiber), Orbi router is an access point I believe.---is it actually in access point mode? it wouldn't be the first time a firmware upgrade caused a setting to change. *Can this recent WiFi problem be due to frequency or channel interference? ---its always worth a chance at trying to change the wireless channel. No new hardware or update was performed recently to cause the problem. Thank you.

1. ATT Arris BGW210. It was setup in passthrough mode and confirmed with ATT tech support when I installed the Orbi router over 1 yr ago.2. I’ve confirmed yesterday that Orbi router is still in AP mode3. 1800 ft total. I mistyped earlier. Each satellite is at least 30 ft apart. One on each floor.4. I’ve changed the 2.4 to channel 11, 5 ghz to channel 46 yesterday.

1800 sqft is a small area for that many satellites. My home is 3200sqft and I start seeing instabilities when I'm on the 2nd/3rd satellite. There's to much overlap and they don't roam properly. Have you tried removing a satellite?also, have you tried a factory reset recently?

WiFi drops and reconnects intermittently

13 Replies

plemans
Guru - Experienced User
Jun 26, 2021
has it been dropping the entire year?
Is this something new?
What modem/gateway do you have?
What actual firmware version are you on?
how big is your home ?
how far apart are the router/satellites from each other? (30 ft mimimum is recommended)
are they connected to each other using wireless/wired backhaul?
are they running through a switch (if so what switch)?
- Gabe777
  Tutor
  Jun 26, 2021
  Thanks for your reply. Yes, new problem. WiFi problem within last 1.5 months. Orbi setup done over 1 yr ago.
  -ATT gateway
  -Orbi RBR20 firmware 2.6.2.104
  -3 level home about 1800 sq feet
  -3 satellites connected wirelessly
  -all connected less than 30 ft
  -don’t understand what it means to run through a switch
  -Orbi router connected with Ethernet cable to att modem (1gb fiber), Orbi router is an access point I believe.
  
  *Can this recent WiFi problem be due to frequency or channel interference? No new hardware or update was performed recently to cause the problem. Thank you.
  - plemans
    Guru - Experienced User
    Jun 27, 2021
    Gabe777 wrote:
    Thanks for your reply. Yes, new problem. WiFi problem within last 1.5 months. Orbi setup done over 1 yr ago.
    -ATT gateway---which gateway? ATT is notorious for using modem/router combo devices. Cascading multiple router is a recipe for issues. Its called a double nat. And ATT makes it so getting their devices in passthrough/modem only mode is a pain/doesn't work properly. Many end up with their orbi running in AP (access point) mode. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
    
    -Orbi RBR20 firmware 2.6.2.104
    -3 level home about 1800 sq feet---1800sq ft total or each floor? If its total, 3x satellites is probably to many unless your home is made from brick/concrete/plaster lathe/adobe
    -3 satellites connected wirelessly
    -all connected less than 30 ft----that's to close. they need at least 30ft between them.
    -don’t understand what it means to run through a switch----some people hardwire in their satellites with a wired backhaul. I've seen some switches have issues/cause instabilities.
    -Orbi router connected with Ethernet cable to att modem (1gb fiber), Orbi router is an access point I believe.---is it actually in access point mode? it wouldn't be the first time a firmware upgrade caused a setting to change.
    
    *Can this recent WiFi problem be due to frequency or channel interference? ---its always worth a chance at trying to change the wireless channel. No new hardware or update was performed recently to cause the problem. Thank you.

Forum Discussion

WiFi drops and reconnects intermittently