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Forum Discussion
Devices not connecting to satellites?
Hi all, I am a new orbi RBK853 owner, i have successfully set everything and updated everything to the latest firmware. I have noticed that my devices do not connect to the nearest satellite, th...
This is one of the top five topics on the forum. The way WiFi works, the device chooses which WiFi access point to use. When the system is rebooted, the router begins broadcasting the WiFi SSIDs (2.4G and 5G) significantly before the satellites do. All of the WiFi devices in the house are watching WiFi channels waiting for a signal that they recognize to appear. When one does, they connect.
Devices which are designed to be mobile (phones, tablets, laptops) typically continue scanning for a "better connection" and when they discover another WiFi access point that they know the password to, they switch. Devices that are not expected to move around, frequently "latch on" to the first acceptable signal they find and quit looking.
It might be a useful experiment to confirm whether this is happening with your system. i.e.
- When the smartphone is running the Orbi app, move very close to the satellite and wait a few minutes to see if the phone changes from the router to the satellite. The Orbi system does not update the Connected Devices display frequently. In my tests, it took about two minutes for an Android tablet to switch. (Why is dad walking upstairs and downstairs while staring at his tablet?) My system has "Fast Roaming" enabled, which is a feature on the web administration for the original Orbi (RBR50). I believe that the newer AX models may have it on by default.
- For one of the devices that does not move, disconnect it from WiFi and then reconnect while the WiFi system remains powered on.
This is sometimes harder than it might seem. Televisions, for example, do not actually "turn off" when the power button is pressed on the remote. (If they actually turned off, how could they recognize the remote to turn back on?)
This experiment would be easier to do with a Smart Plug. Move it, plug it back into the wall, and see where it connects.
Aside from being annoying, does this phenomenon affect usage? i.e. Do all the WiFi devices do what they are expected to do?
Thank you for your reply.
It definitely does not connect to a satellite. I am currently sitting right next to a satellite for the last 30 mins and it is still connected to the main router. The only device i can see connected to the satellite is my pc which is connect with an ethernet cable.
I have a satellite upstairs to right next to my bedroom and my tv is connected to the router downstairs, not to the satellite. i have tried disconnecting my wifi from my device and reconnecting but no luck.