NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
MR80 MS80 backhaul dying, incredibly slow speeds on satellites
We have the MR80/MS80 Nighthawk Mesh system.
Since purchasing we've seen issues where laptops or devices connected to a satellite will suddenly see plummeting speeds. Normally we get minimum 300+ Mbps on a speedtest from a laptop that's connected to a satellite. When this issue happens, it drops down to about 5 Mbps. Yeah that's like DSL speed.
Restarting the system resolves it. Temporarily. Then it comes back. Today I got fed up and called Netgear support before my 90 day support ran out.
They had me download a firmware update for the satellites and routers that wasn't showing on the "check for updates" on the router config pages, but it was on their website under device support. All good. I honestly thought this would help. They also changed my 2.4Ghz channel to 11 (it was Auto) and my 5Ghz channel to 48 (it was 44). This all involved a reboot of each device. When they came up again speeds were good.
We went out for a few hours to do groceries. We came back and the satellites speed has tanked again. Even a PC I have wired to a satellite is getting the lousy speed, so it isn't a wifi adapter on a laptop issue. It's something between the satellites and the base station... the backhaul? The only connection that is speedy is wifi to the actual MR80 router.
I'm calling Netgear back tomorrow. They got me for that extended support deal. I'm going to get my money's worth on it because I've had it with this system.
ANY thoughts??
14 Replies
Usual basic boilerplate questions, what firmware version do you have on the device?
A number is more useful than "the latest". (It may not be by the time people read this.) There can also be newer versions, or "hot fixes", that do not show up if you check for new firmware in the browser interface.
It might also help if you told people what the modem is in front of this router, if there is one. The make and model number could be useful. Is it, by any chance, also a router, with a set of LAN ports on the back?
The reason for asking is that a lot of people turn up here trying to put a router behind a modem that is also a router. That can complicate troubleshooting.Hi there. Firmware is V1.1.7.14_3.1.109 on the router and satellites. This wasn't a firmware available in the Check for Updates part of the configuration page, the Netgear tech had me go and pull this from the Netgear support site.
The Netgear is behind an Arris BGW210-700 from AT&T fiber. Both 2.4 and 5ghz wireless radios on the Arris are disabled. Yes this is also a router i.e. it has LAN ports on the back of it, its own wireless capability etc.
Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6 is recommended.
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 MR📡 and MS🛰️ to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/000061709/Where-should-I-place-the-Mesh-WiFi-satellite-of-my-Nighthawk-Mesh-WiFi-6-and-Tri-band-Mesh-WiFi-6-products 📡What channel configurations are currently set on the router?
Try disabling the following and see:
Armor, Smart Parental Controls or Circle, Traffic Meter.Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. This would be a double NAT 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 NG 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 NG router gets from the modem. https://kb.netgear.com/25891/DMZ-on-NETGEAR-routers
https://kb.netgear.com/24086/How-do-I-set-up-a-default-DMZ-server-on-my-Nighthawk-router
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the NG router to the modem, LAN to LAN configure AP mode on the NG router.
https://kb.netgear.com/20927/How-do-I-change-my-NETGEAR-router-to-AP-modeTry option #2 first...
Has a power off for 1 minute then back ON with the ISP modem and router been performed since last update?
Be sure to restart your network in this sequence:
Turn off and unplug modem.
Turn off router and computers.
Plug in and turn on modem. Wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
Turn on the router and wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
Turn on computers and rest of network.
basicfacekick wrote:
Hi there. Firmware is V1.1.7.14_3.1.109 on the router and satellites. This wasn't a firmware available in the Check for Updates part of the configuration page, the Netgear tech had me go and pull this from the Netgear support site.
The Netgear is behind an Arris BGW210-700 from AT&T fiber. Both 2.4 and 5ghz wireless radios on the Arris are disabled. Yes this is also a router i.e. it has LAN ports on the back of it, its own wireless capability etc.
