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Unknown Connected Devices
I have a Netgear 78 extended router system with 3 satellites. After updating the firmware today 8/23/26 and reconnecting to my home wifi, the Netgear app shows I have 141 connected devices; dozens of which I don't recognize and are offline. Has anyone else seen this issue and if so, what is a resolution to this?
What model# is this router system? MK or Orbi?
Nighthawk or Orbi app?
Be sure to disable any MAC Address randomizers on phones and pads while at home:
NETGEAR Mobile Applications and Android/Apple/Windows Devices FAQ | NETGEAR Communities
NETGEAR Mobile Applications and Android/Apple/Windows Devices FAQ | NETGEAR Communities
6 Replies
What model# is this router system? MK or Orbi?
Nighthawk or Orbi app?
Be sure to disable any MAC Address randomizers on phones and pads while at home:
NETGEAR Mobile Applications and Android/Apple/Windows Devices FAQ | NETGEAR Communities
NETGEAR Mobile Applications and Android/Apple/Windows Devices FAQ | NETGEAR Communities
"Connected Devices" has two meanings:
- Devices which are connected to the system at this moment.
This list appears when selecting the Attached Devices menu. - Devices which are now, or have ever been connected to the system.
This list appears in the form of three tables under the Security menu Access Control.
(1) Devices which are now connected. (2) Devices which have been "Allowed" but are not connected right now. (3) Devices which have been "Blocked" but are not connected right now.
As FURRYe38 indicated, when devices have been set to randomize their MAC address, that can cause the same physical device to connect multiple times.
- Devices which are connected to the system at this moment.
Thank you so much for your input. This is a bit beyond my knowledge base. :-)
The model is Nighthawk app (Apple iPhone) and a Nighthawk Mesh Wifi 6 Router MR60. I am disabling any MAC address randomizers that i find from home now.
I feel much better about all these random devices since the majority of them are offline, and the longer I review them, the more familiar they seem from past connections. I am also changing my password since it's been a while. You've been very helpful.
Would be mostly devices that had random mac address enabled and historcally kept on the app history list. Won't effect router operation.
After you make changes, might save off a router config to file for safe keeping. Saves time if a factory reset is needed.
I find managing Netgear routers a bit frustrating because some features can be managed only using the web interface, while other features can be managed only using the smartphone app.
If a company has gone "all in" on a smartphone app, then their app does everything it is possible to do. Not so with Netgear.
Thanks again y'all. Rest assured this 71 yo mom is more tech-savvy than ever given your assistance! You're the BEST.
