Forum Discussion

Tutor

Jun 26, 2021

WiFi drops and reconnects intermittently

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 ha...

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

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.

Gabe777
Tutor
Jun 27, 2021
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 mode
3. 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.
- plemans
  Guru
  Jun 28, 2021
  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?
  - Gabe777
    Tutor
    Jul 04, 2021
    Yes, I’ve tried removing a satellite and did a factory reinstall. Problem persists.
- plemans
  Guru
  Jul 04, 2021
  Gabe777 wrote:
  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 mode
  
  So if the bgw210 is in passthrough, the orbi shouldn't be in AP mode.
  So is the att device in passthrough?
  And if so, are you sure the orbi is in AP mode?
  - Gabe777
    Tutor
    Jul 04, 2021
    Yes, ATT modem is in passthrough. Level 3 Netgear IT support confirmed Orbi is in AP mode. I’ve confirmed also in the settings that it is in AP mode. What mode should it be then?