NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
SarahAdele
Jan 30, 2021Aspirant
Rbr10 - no connected devices to satellite 2
I have 2 satellites plus the router. Both satellite #1 and the router are showing devices connected to them in the Orbi app. But the second satellite (#2) is showing no connected devices.
The LED light is blue indicating that it is working.
Why isn't that satellite picking up on devices that are closest to it? My understanding was that is how these satellites work? If I move toward a closer satellite, shouldn't that one pick up my devices? I have a printer right beside satellite #2 and yet it's connected to the router instead of the satellite. Please help.
3 Replies
Sort By
How far apart are the router/satellites?
They need a minimum of 30ft for devices to roam properly.
Also, its not the satellites that move devices, its the phone/tablet/computer itself that chooses which to connect to.
And it might not be connecting to the satellite because even through its closer, it might be faster to connect to the primary router versus going through the satellites.
- SarahAdeleAspirant
Thanks for your help plemans . So satellite #1 is approx 30ft and around the corner from the router. So all my devices are basically using this satellite and the router.
satellite #2 is on the second floor direct above the router approx 20ft. And when I'm upstairs on my cell phone it will not switch to the upstairs satellite but continues to use only the router or the satellite #1.Even my printer which is upstairs isn't using the second satellite. Also a laptop on second floor isn't using it. The strange thing is that it is connected and working, and I often get notifications on my laptop that the internet signal is low, so why forget it pick up the satellite #2 that is right next to it? Isn't that the point of the Orbi system/satellite?
If they're to close together, they won't won't roam properly. they need a certain distance apart. and your phone/devices need to be a certain distance away from the primary router. By defaults, devices are going to want to connect tot he primary router if they're close enough to if for a solid signal. Reason why is every satellite they have to go through adds latency and looses some speed. so if they're close enough to the router, they'll use that