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Forum Discussion
Intermittent connection issues with SXS30
My setup is the following. I have a SXR30 router connected to two SXS30 satellites both over a wired connection. All three devices are running the latest firmware (V4.3.3.106).
Intermittently, when I am closer to one of the satellites and a mobile device is connecting to the WiFi network, the device sometimes fails to get an IP address and the connection fails. If I then move closer to the router (SXR30) the device gets an IP immediately on the first try. If I then move back closer to the satellite, everything works normally and I can see that device switched to the stronger closer WiFi signal. Sometimes, the same device gets an IP address from the satellite on the first try, at other times I need to make several attempts before it gets an IP. This problem occurs with different devices from different manufacturers.
My WiFi settings are as follows:
Enable SSID separation for 2.4G/5GHz - disabled
2.4GHz Channel: Auto(11(P) + 7(S))
5GHz Channel: 108
Security Options: WPA2-PSK [AES]
Enabled SSID Broadcast - Enabled
Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia settings) - Enabled
CTS/RTS Threshold - 2347
Preamble Mode - Automatic
Transmit Power - 100%
Enable MU-MIMO - Disabled
Enable Fast Roaming - Disabled
Protected Management Frames (802.1w) - Disabled
Any idea what could be happening? It does seem to me like a firmware issue.
4 Replies
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and 📡 satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR📡 and RBS🛰️ to begin with depending upon building materials when wired or wirelessly connected.Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
Try:
Enable MU-MIMO - Enabled
Enable Fast Roaming - Enabled
Be sure to disable any MAC Address randomizers on phones and pads while at home:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-App/NETGEAR-Mobile-Applications-and-Apple-Devices-FAQ/td-p/2220016/jump-to/first-unread-messageAlso enable this as well:
FURRYe38 thank you for taking the time to reply to my query.
> What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
Technicolor TG789vac V2
> What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
200 m^2 = 2153 sq ft
> What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS ️ to begin with depending upon building materials when wired or wirelessly connected.
8.68m = 29 feet and 20.16m = 66 feet. These are as the crow-flies distances and in reality there are several thick limestone walls in between. Without the satellites WiFi signal directly from the router is very weak resulting in less than 15 Mb/s connection speeds. Also 5GHz will not work without satellites, since transmission through obstacles is not very good at this frequency.
> Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
3-4 2.4GHz networks in the neighbourhood, but none at 5GHz, which is the frequency that I set my devices to connect to if possible.
>Try:
>Enable MU-MIMO - Enabled
>Enable Fast Roaming - Enabled
I already had these enabled, but these were the first settings that I disabled when I had these problems since they are more exotic ones which may actually hinder getting a connection in the first place.
> Be sure to disable any MAC Address randomizers on phones and pads while at home:
> https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-App/NETGEAR-Mobile-Applications-and-Apple-Devices-FAQ/td-p/222...My problem is not just on Apple devices, but a multitude of different devices.
> Also enable this as well:
I believe that these are for WiFi 6 devices. But I haven't experimented with these since these do not appear in the main setup pages, and only appear in the debug page (so well hidden from normal users). I can try setting these to enabled. But I doubt that it will solve my problem.
vjbutt wrote:
FURRYe38 thank you for taking the time to reply to my query.
> What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
Technicolor TG789vac V2
What mode is the modem working in? Router or Bridge mode?
Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop
Try option #2 first...> What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
200 m^2 = 2153 sq ft
> What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS ️ to begin with depending upon building materials when wired or wirelessly connected.
8.68m = 29 feet and 20.16m = 66 feet. These are as the crow-flies distances and in reality there are several thick limestone walls in between. Without the satellites WiFi signal directly from the router is very weak resulting in less than 15 Mb/s connection speeds. Also 5GHz will not work without satellites, since transmission through obstacles is not very good at this frequency.
If you think building materials are causing problems then I would move the SXS closer to the SXR as we already know, building materials can cause problems and inhibit good signal travel.
> Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
3-4 2.4GHz networks in the neighbourhood, but none at 5GHz, which is the frequency that I set my devices to connect to if possible.
What channels are being used currently?
>Try:
>Enable MU-MIMO - Enabled
>Enable Fast Roaming - Enabled
I already had these enabled, but these were the first settings that I disabled when I had these problems since they are more exotic ones which may actually hinder getting a connection in the first place.
> Be sure to disable any MAC Address randomizers on phones and pads while at home:
> https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-App/NETGEAR-Mobile-Applications-and-Apple-Devices-FAQ/td-p/222...My problem is not just on Apple devices, but a multitude of different devices.
> Also enable this as well:
I believe that these are for WiFi 6 devices. But I haven't experimented with these since these do not appear in the main setup pages, and only appear in the debug page (so well hidden from normal users). I can try setting these to enabled. But I doubt that it will solve my problem.
Will not hurt to try this feature. I have this enabled on my SXK30 system. Worked great for my devices. WiFi 5 and 6 devices.
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