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Forum Discussion
WiFi Speed issue
Hi, I’ve got an Orbi RBR50 plugged directly into my BT Openreach FTTP modem, I’ve got 150mb download, which I get when measuring directly in the orbi app, but when I do a Speedtest on Wi-fi, I’m only...
StuMcBill wrote:Would a factory reset help any? Is there any better way I can test my connection?
A "factory reset" is sort of the "last resort when nothing else works". If the user has done very little in the way of configuring the Orbi, a factory reset is relatively painless. Do the paperclip, attach computer, open web browser, define the WiFi SSID/password, admin password, and it's done. On the other hand, if there are 20-30 devices which need to have assigned IP's, names and device types defined, DHCP range configured, DNS hosts defined, DDNS and VPN set up, port forwarding (the list goes on and on), then most users dread a factory reset. It can take (literally) hours of tedious work to get back to the previous setup.
I, myself, prefer using Speedtest.net (or the Speedtest "app") over the menu item built into the Orbi. (Just personal preference I guess.)
The only way to determine what the ISP is actually providing is to connect a wired computer (PC or Mac) directly to the modem. (i.e. remove the Orbi temporarily) Run several of the "speed" applications. (I do speedtest.net and fast.com). If a direct connection shows the 150mb you are paying for, then I would do the reset.
I don't have a huge amount to reconfigure if I factory reset, but it still fills me with dread, as I'd have a load of devices to reconnect (if I had the same SSID and password, would they need reconfigured?)
If I do the speedtest via the orbi menu item, it shows exactly what I'm paying for, but when connected via WiFi or cable its showing max 90Mb. Netflix speed test via Amazon Firestick shows 70Mb.
I've just downloaded an app called WiFi Sweetspots on iOS, which shows the speed I'm connected to the router, and its showing an average of 300.5Mbps?
Any further ideas?
Another quick one. Im in router mode, not AP mode............does that make any difference?
StuMcBill wrote:I don't have a huge amount to reconfigure if I factory reset, but it still fills me with dread, as I'd have a load of devices to reconnect (if I had the same SSID and password, would they need reconfigured?) That is the beauty of WiFi. Set the Orbi with exactly the same SSID and WiFi password, and everything will connect as if it never left.
If I do the speedtest via the orbi menu item, it shows exactly what I'm paying for, but when connected via WiFi or cable its showing max 90Mb. Netflix speed test via Amazon Firestick shows 70Mb.
I've just downloaded an app called WiFi Sweetspots on iOS, which shows the speed I'm connected to the router, and its showing an average of 300.5Mbps? Alas, WiFi connection speed is the raw data transfer rate between the WiFi access point and the device. (The Orbi "app" will show the same information for all devices.) It has nothing to do with how fast data actually gets through the Orbi to the device. A lot of people use apps like Sweetspots to walk around their house and find locations that have better/worse WiFi service. Sometimes, moving a computer or a TV by just a few feed can make a dramatic difference in service quality.
Any further ideas? Do you have Armor or Disney Circle activated?
CrimpOn wrote:
StuMcBill wrote:I don't have a huge amount to reconfigure if I factory reset, but it still fills me with dread, as I'd have a load of devices to reconnect (if I had the same SSID and password, would they need reconfigured?) That is the beauty of WiFi. Set the Orbi with exactly the same SSID and WiFi password, and everything will connect as if it never left. Excellent, thanks.
If I do the speedtest via the orbi menu item, it shows exactly what I'm paying for, but when connected via WiFi or cable its showing max 90Mb. Netflix speed test via Amazon Firestick shows 70Mb.
I've just downloaded an app called WiFi Sweetspots on iOS, which shows the speed I'm connected to the router, and its showing an average of 300.5Mbps? Alas, WiFi connection speed is the raw data transfer rate between the WiFi access point and the device. (The Orbi "app" will show the same information for all devices.) It has nothing to do with how fast data actually gets through the Orbi to the device. A lot of people use apps like Sweetspots to walk around their house and find locations that have better/worse WiFi service. Sometimes, moving a computer or a TV by just a few feed can make a dramatic difference in service quality. Ok, thanks
Any further ideas? Do you have Armor or Disney Circle activated? I did, but I have turned them both off.
Just switched to AP mode, and was unable to connect to the internet or log onto the router login page - basically forced a factory reset!
If your modem doesn't have a built in router then AP mode on the RBR will not work.
I recommend doing a factory reset and walk thru the setup wizard with a wired PC and setup from scratch. Soon as the RBR is setup, do a wired speed test with Ooklas speedtest app.
StuMcBill wrote:Just switched to AP mode, and was unable to connect to the internet or log onto the router login page - basically forced a factory reset!
- Just a quick update on this, speeds are still no where near what I would expect. Just did a speed test and got 18mb on a 150mb line.
I’m planning on reinstating my nighthawk router with DD-WRT installed and see how that performs. If it’s better than the orbi I might just leave it installed.
Pity as I really like the idea of a mesh network.
Thanks,
Stewart
StuMcBill wrote:I don't have a huge amount to reconfigure if I factory reset, but it still fills me with dread, as I'd have a load of devices to reconnect (if I had the same SSID and password, would they need reconfigured?)
If I do the speedtest via the orbi menu item, it shows exactly what I'm paying for, but when connected via WiFi or cable its showing max 90Mb. Netflix speed test via Amazon Firestick shows 70Mb.
I've just downloaded an app called WiFi Sweetspots on iOS, which shows the speed I'm connected to the router, and its showing an average of 300.5Mbps?
Any further ideas?
Since you can get the expected speed via Orbi Menu and 300.5Mbps via Sweetspots App. It implies that there's a problem with Orbi itself. If you're running out of option, find a paper clip and stick into the back of Orbi until it blinks amber. Disconnect and power off all Satellites. Setup the Orbi from scratch and start testing it with default SSID and default settings.
Verify that your iPhone is connected to 5GHz and check its link rate via Orbi App. Open Orbi App and on the Devices, tab on iPhone icon, it should show a Link Rates of 866Mbps. Then try this again:
- Run speedtest via Orbi App
- Run speedtest via Sweetspots App
...and remove all LAN cables from Orbi LAN ports prior to setup/testing Orbi.
- When I read the description of Sweetspots, it appears to be measuring the connection between iPhone and the WiFi router, and has nothing to do with the ISP connection.
And, yes, when doing a factory reset, the new setup should have exactly the same WiFi name and password so that devices will connect automatically.
CrimpOn wrote:
When I read the description of Sweetspots, it appears to be measuring the connection between iPhone and the WiFi router, and has nothing to do with the ISP connection.
...Yes CrimpOn, you're right about what Sweetspots App is all about. Also, your assumption about Sweetspots and ISP is also correct, but that's NOT what my previous post is about. In case it's still confusing, I'll try to clarify it here:
From StuMcBill's test rerults, it's pretty clear that there's no issue going between Orbi <-> ISP (Orbi App Speedtest) and iPhone <-> Orbi WiFi (Sweetspots App), hence the issue could be internal to Orbi itself, which is the reason for the suggestion to go nuclear with paper clip reset.
- You are right. There is nothing else to try.
- I already did the paper clip reset when I changed to AP mode and couldn’t access the web interface.
I input the same SSID and password so everything connected again straight away. Still no difference.
Is it worth doing it again?
StuMcBill wrote:
I already did the paper clip reset when I changed to AP mode and couldn’t access the web interface.
I input the same SSID and password so everything connected again straight away. Still no difference.
Is it worth doing it again?It's one last thing to try before giving up on it. This time, do not change any config/settting, i.e., default and don't resuse the same SSID in order to prevent all clients from connecting other than your iPhone.
Just done it, still no change, nothing connected except my iPhone. Still getting anything between 18 and 60Mb download speed.
Going to try my nighthawk with DD-WRT installed, and my ISP provided router if I can find it, and see how that goes.
If I get my advertised speeds with those, I may just use them for the time being until mesh networking matures somewhat. I've seen that some other mesh wifi systems seem to struggle with PPPOE connections.
Cheers,
StewartIt is as if the iPhone is stuck with 20MHz transfer. Can you check iPhone Link Rate?
If PPPoE is the issue, Orbi Menu speedtest will not go beyond 60Mbps either. If iPhone link rate is at 866Mpbs and still not able to get pass 60Mbps, I would RMA the Orib.
- Just checked and the iPhone link rate is 78mbps on 2.4Ghz.
Is there anyway I can force it to 5Ghz?
StuMcBill wrote:
Just checked and the iPhone link rate is 78mbps on 2.4Ghz.
Is there anyway I can force it to 5Ghz?Nice!
Try to tell iPhone to forget the exisitng network. Disable 2.4Ghz broadcast on Orbi. Reconnect and verify to see if will connect to 5Ghz. If not, there's another option for force it to connect to 5GHz.
- Ok, I’ve done it, it’s still showing as connected to 2.4ghz but a 585Mbps link rate.
Getting 90 on speedtest. That's better, but still at 2.4GHz. We need iPhone to connect to 5Ghz. Can you enable Guest Network and give it a different SSID than the main network to see if iPhone will switch to 5GHz?
- Yeah I can do, should I renable 2.4 first?
Just leave 2.4GHz broadcast disabled for now.
Guest has its own 2.4GHz/5GHz broadcast, which is different than main network. The iPhone should connect to new Guest 5GHz SSID unless something is fishy with the iPhone. Just for good measure, can you reboot the iPhone too?
- So I should connect to the guest network? I seem to be on my main network on 5Ghz, but still getting similar speeds.
Just to note, I’ve already restored my old settings to my orbi so everything is connected again, barring the Ethernet kit. You might want to hold off on all other clients for now until you can verify that you're able to get the expected speed from iPhone itself via 5GHz. Otherwise, it's going to be tricky...
