NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
javiersalasf
Mar 16, 2025Aspirant
How can I tie my device to connect to specific satellite?
Hi all, I have a playstation 5 and is 5 ft away from the nearest satellite, when I turn it on, it always connect to the router that is far away (around 26-29 ft away) instead of the nearest satel...
CrimpOn
Mar 16, 2025Guru - Experienced User
Over the years, "where devices connect" has been one of the most common topics on the Community Forum. There seem to be systems from other vendors that include a feature to force WiFi connections by device. Netgear Orbi has never had a similar feature. There appear to be two strategies users employ:
- Restart "dumb" WiFi devices after the Orbi system is completely active. Devices intended to be mobile appear to be programmed to continue looking constantly for a "better connection". (This is the basis of roaming.) Devices that are expected to remain in one location (smart plugs, televisions, speakers, light bulbs, garage door openers, etc.) appear to be programmed to find a good connection and then stop looking. When the Orbi system starts up, the router begins broadcasting WiFi signals before the satellites. Some users have found that powering a device down and back up seems to get it to switch from the router to a nearby satellite. Pain in the (you know where).
- Reduce Transmit Power so that WiFi nodes that are farther away appear to be much less desirable. (and, stop and restart WiFi on the device after making the change.) This approach is a double edged sword because lowering Transmit Power can drastically reduce the total area with good WiFi coverage.
plemans
Mar 16, 2025Guru - Experienced User
Plus, you have to consider that when gaming, each "hop" adds latency. And gaming doesn't take that much bandwidth. So, the PS5's roaming protocol could be saying, "The router is close enough and has plenty of bandwidth at a lower latency." Let's connect to that.
But CrimpOn has a great point, if you have a hardwired option that's only 5 ft away, I wouldn't be on wireless