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Forum Discussion
BHV_david
Dec 27, 2022Aspirant
Nighthawk Satellites - keep causing problems
Bought a Nighthawk Mesh Router MR60 + 1 satellite MS60 during lockdown. Worked great for about a year. Moved to a new house, it worked great for another 6 months. Decided to put IOT exterior lights by front and back doors ... just a little too far from base router or existing satellite.
Purchased 2nd satellite (ebay), and it has been nothing but trouble since.
Resolution has been to gather up all the toys ... re-synch things, then put them back where they go. It'll work ok, sometimes for a day, sometimes for 2 weeks ... then it will stop.
Satellites will go red.
Random devices will get dropped ... including Amazon Echo Show and Mac, while others will stay connected (Wyze Security cameras and Google Nest). Echo Show will say "Connecting ..." then "DHCP Error".
From what I can tell, either of the satellites will work ... but not both at the same time. Main router is physically in the middle of the two ... so not a daisy chain issue.
All devices are v1.1.7.132.
My original best guess was that it was a DHCP assignment problem ... but I don't think that's it.
Totally stumped ... help!
5 Replies
- FURRYe38Guru - Experienced User
Was the 2nd MS updated to same version of FW as the MR?
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/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite 📡
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 happens if you turn OFF The 2nd MS. Does problem continue?
What happens if you swap MS with each other?
Recommend setting the default DHCP IP address pool range to the following after applying and a factory reset: 192.168.#.100 to 192.168.#.200.
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6 is recommended.- BHV_davidAspirant
Both satellites are on same (current) FW.
Router is on 2nd floor in home office. Satellite #1 is about 20 feet away on 2nd floor ... north of the main router. Satellite #2 is downstairs in closet of bedroom, but at ceiling height ... it's almost underneath the home office, so about 20 feet as well, to the west of the router.
I haven't set the DHCP range ... will try that next time I need to do a reset...
- FURRYe38Guru - Experienced User
Distances are too close between the MR and MS. 30 feet or more is recommended.