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Forum Discussion
'Can't find server' errors with ORBI 753
I’m having some Internet issues with a newly installed Orbi RBK753 system, and haven’t been able to figure out how to solve them. What happens is that I will quite often get a “Safari can’t connect to the server” message when opening a web site, and also the occasional email message with a “?” icon where the jpeg/png or other attachment should be.
My original network setup was a Netgear DM111P ADSL modem/router configured in a modem only mode, connected to an Apple Airport router/WiFi, with a SecureFi Almond as a WiFi extender. Not great coverage, but a solid Internet connection with no issues whatsoever.
I replaced this setup with an Orbi 753 system, with the Orbi Router connected to the Netgear modem upstairs, a satellite on the main floor, and the second satellite in the basement. Coverage for this configuration is excellent, and moving throughout the house results in seamless connectivity as I would have expected. The issue is that although local WiFi coverage is great, I keep getting occasional errors from Internet sites. Sometimes web data will load, while other time it will not. If I keep reloading a web site the data will usually appear, but sometimes this takes multiple attempts spread over an hour or so. This happens on multiple computers, so it’s an Orbi issue, not a computer specific one. It’s definitely related to the Orbi, since if I disconnect the Orbi system and revert to the Apple/SecurFi setup, things work great (albeit with low coverage).
I’ve flushed DNS cache on the computers and also tried several different DNS providers, and the problem persists. I’ve also rebooted the modem and Orbi system with no change in the symptoms. I really hate to return the Orbi system since the coverage and speeds are outstanding, but the constant “server not found” errors make the system somewhat unusable. It appears to be DNS related, but could also be due to some other data related dropout.
I’ve gone over all the setup parameters and they all look good (most are the defaults) and can’t figure out what to try. Any idea as to what I might try to either fix the issue or isolate the problem?
25 Replies
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
Does this happend with both wireless and wired devices?
Your modem is on the older side of modems. It only supports 100Mpbs on the WAN to LAN where the Orbi and newer gereration modems support 1000Mpbs on the WAN to LAN. So possible that the modem maybe a bottle neck and possible one cause of these errors your seeing.
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not sure about the firmware version, but I know that the Orbi did a firmware check when I first installed it, so I think it's up to date. When I try installing it again I'll double check to make sure it's the current one.
The modem is an older one, but the ADSL service I have is 12 Mb maximum, so the modem shouldn't be the bottleneck, especially since things work fine with the (also old) Apple router and SecureFi Almond.
Good point about the wireless vs wired, and I can't remember for sure. I think (think!) I had issues on a wired Ethernet connection also, and since the Ethernet goes from the Mac Pro to the Orbi Router Ethernet port, that still implicates the Orbi. When I switch back to the Orbi systems for a final test I'll check both wired and wireless to see if the errors occur equally on both.
All in all, it's very puzzling. Almost like the Orbi is dropping the ball somewhere, but doing so inconsistently. I would really like to get this working since the mesh functionality is great; 100% coverage throughout all floors in the house as well as outside, and the computer to computer WiFi speeds are also much better than with my old system.
Thanks again for the suggestions.
I feel that there maybe an issue between the DSL modem and the RBR. You can try this, revert the modem back to router mode. Configure the RBR for AP mode and run this connfiguration to see if anything changes the behavior. Though the modem is older and worked with other products, it maybe possible that the Orbi could be putting too much stress on the modem and due to the connect being 100Mpbs instead of 1000Mpbs at the WAN port, modem maybe a bottle neck and having problems passing traffic to the RBR fast enough. I beleve you are one of a few or the only one to post having this kind of problem and using a older modem that I've seen.
- Solved! So I had the same issue with a new WiFi 6 Orbi RB850 system. I called tech a bunch to try and figure out , downgrading software etc. Turns out it was modem. I had an Orbi RB40 that worked fine prior, but the modem couldn’t handle the new WiFi 6 system. Got the Netgear CM1000 and bingo, solved the problem.
