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Forum Discussion
Guest Network is slow
I'm having problems with the guest network. The connection is fine, and speeds show that everything is working, but apps aren't connecting. It's really slow or buffers forever. There don't seem to be very many settings available to configure, so I'm not sure what else I can do to fix it. Any suggestions?
55 Replies
What model Orbi do you have?
I have the RBR850 with the latest firmware connected to Verizon Fios. It seems to work off and on. Not sure why. If I disconnect and reconnect the WiFi guest network it works, but it doesn't persist. After awhile it stops working and I have to drop the connection and reconnect again.
What do you mean update my signature line? With what? Model of my orbi?
The modem is the Verizon Fios ONT. It's all built in to their outside box, and the CAT6 just runs to the Orbi. So all I have is the Orbi, and WiFi is coming from the Orbi.
Btw, I noticed that switching WiFi on and off doesn't always work either. I have to switch off the private connection and switch it back on.
mbarylski wrote:I'm having problems with the guest network. The connection is fine, and speeds show that everything is working, but apps aren't connecting. It's really slow or buffers forever. There don't seem to be very many settings available to configure, so I'm not sure what else I can do to fix it. Any suggestions?
What kind of device are you seeing this problem and are you having this guest network problem with one or many devices (phones)? Does this problemmatic device work just fine when connected to the regular wifi instead of the Guest wifi?
What settings have you changed from the Orbi defaults?
Try this:
- Go to the web admin interface at http://orbilogin.com
- In the Basic tab, click on Guest
- Try changing Security Options between "WPA2-PSK [AES]" (recommended) and "WPA-PSK [TKIP] + WPA2-PSK [AES]"
Another thing to consider if you're still having issues and your Guest network issue is with 2.4ghz - In my experience the following improves Orbi AX wireless compatibility with older 2.4Ghz devices:
- At orbilogin.com, go to the Advanced tab, Advanced... Wireless Settings
- Set CTS/RTS Threshold for both bands to 2347
Mikey94025 wrote:
mbarylski wrote:I'm having problems with the guest network. The connection is fine, and speeds show that everything is working, but apps aren't connecting. It's really slow or buffers forever. There don't seem to be very many settings available to configure, so I'm not sure what else I can do to fix it. Any suggestions?
What kind of device are you seeing this problem and are you having this guest network problem with one or many devices (phones)? Does this problemmatic device work just fine when connected to the regular wifi instead of the Guest wifi?
What settings have you changed from the Orbi defaults?
Try this:
- Go to the web admin interface at http://orbilogin.com
- In the Basic tab, click on Guest
- Try changing Security Options between "WPA2-PSK [AES]" (recommended) and "WPA-PSK [TKIP] + WPA2-PSK [AES]"
Another thing to consider if you're still having issues and your Guest network issue is with 2.4ghz - In my experience the following improves Orbi AX wireless compatibility with older 2.4Ghz devices:
- At orbilogin.com, go to the Advanced tab, Advanced... Wireless Settings
- Set CTS/RTS Threshold for both bands to 2347
I appear to be having issues with all devices. I first tried with iPhones and those will connect sometimes, but require switching private connection on and off. I just tried with my day-to-day Android and it doesn't get an Internet connection at all, but it works on the regular WiFi.
I did try the different security options, but that didn't work either. I didn't change the CTS/RTS threshold, because I'm testing on a WiFi 6 Samsung Galaxy S20.
So strange that I'm not getting any internet connection. Does the guest network work for you?
mbarylski wrote:So strange that I'm not getting any internet connection. Does the guest network work for you?
Yes, my guest network works just fine. I can't think of what could cause devices to not connect to the internet or be slow via your Guest wifi, but work fine on your regular wifi.
At this point doing a Factory Reset and starting over may be recommended and to ensure everything is cleanly setup again.
As an update to this thread, I contacted Netgear support this morning and opened a case regarding the issues with the guest network running on firmware 3.2.18.1 on my RBR753/RBS753 system.
After going through all the troubleshooting steps, we reverted back to firmware 3.2.17.12 for the router and satellites. I have been testing devices for over 3 hours now with no hiccups. Support said to report back in 24-48 hours and they will escalate my case regarding the issue with the latest firmware.
- Wow, that's interesting. If the old firmware works, I hope they're able to identify the issue quickly and fix in the next update.
Just in case this isn't a quick fix, how'd you drop back to the old firmware?
mbarylski wrote:
Wow, that's interesting. If the old firmware works, I hope they're able to identify the issue quickly and fix in the next update.
Just in case this isn't a quick fix, how'd you drop back to the old firmware?Just to the Netgear downloads page: https://www.netgear.com/support/download/
After I downloaded the previous version of the firmware for the router and satellites, you just go into the manual upload section of your firmware update on your Orbin login. I used a laptop that was wirelessly connected near the router. I did the router first, then the satellites.
So far I've tested loading the guest network and haven't had any issues.
Im wondering if the newer beta FW has the same problem as well or not?
bdsmith63 wrote:As an update to this thread, I contacted Netgear support this morning and opened a case regarding the issues with the guest network running on firmware 3.2.18.1 on my RBR753/RBS753 system.
After going through all the troubleshooting steps, we reverted back to firmware 3.2.17.12 for the router and satellites. I have been testing devices for over 3 hours now with no hiccups. Support said to report back in 24-48 hours and they will escalate my case regarding the issue with the latest firmware.
FURRYe38 wrote:Im wondering if the newer beta FW has the same problem as well or not?
I'd be interested to know that too, I did message the two moderators, but haven't heard anything back asking about the beta FW...
bdsmith63 wrote:As an update to this thread, I contacted Netgear support this morning and opened a case regarding the issues with the guest network running on firmware 3.2.18.1 on my RBR753/RBS753 system.
After going through all the troubleshooting steps, we reverted back to firmware 3.2.17.12 for the router and satellites. I have been testing devices for over 3 hours now with no hiccups. Support said to report back in 24-48 hours and they will escalate my case regarding the issue with the latest firmware.
I have the same issues with my RBR850 + 2 x RBS850. I have had this issue for a long time with different versions of Netgear firmware. I don't see how this can be related in any forms to the modem or internet provider when I get flawless connection on the regular SSID but a lot of dropped packets on the Guest SSID which makes it very slow to the point of being useless. I have tried different devices, at different distances and disconnected all other devices expect for the test one and always had the same result; Guest SSID intermittently stops working, and when it works it’s very slow.
It's very disappointing to see how a very expensive mesh network setup like this can't handle basic tasks like a Guest SSID properly even after a bunch of firmware updates :(
I don't recommend Netgear mesh networking to anyone anymore! Cheaper alternatives provide similar and in some cases better experience.
Good Morning Folks! After an extensive amount of time helping Netgear support with testing my guest network, the beta version they sent me seemed to run without any issues -- the latest firmware release I thought fixed the guest network issues. My son was over a week ago, was using his iPhone on my guest network, he was still experiencing intermittent issues browsing various websites that I didn't have any trouble with on my regular SSID. I ended up buying 1 year of support with Netgear. It was in July and over the past few months that I worked with support. At this stage I am very frustrated with Netgear -- such an expensive setup and they can't seem to fix a simple issue that wasn't broken before?
What version of FW worked for Guest Network for you?
bdsmith63 wrote:
Good Morning Folks! After an extensive amount of time helping Netgear support with testing my guest network, the beta version they sent me seemed to run without any issues -- the latest firmware release I thought fixed the guest network issues. My son was over a week ago, was using his iPhone on my guest network, he was still experiencing intermittent issues browsing various websites that I didn't have any trouble with on my regular SSID. I ended up buying 1 year of support with Netgear. It was in July and over the past few months that I worked with support. At this stage I am very frustrated with Netgear -- such an expensive setup and they can't seem to fix a simple issue that wasn't broken before?
