Team, TL'DR: Two identical gaming Cyberpower gaming PCs (purchased this year) both of which are having intermittent connections issues to the Orbi network. They were rock-solid UNTIL Orbo was introduced about a month ago. Eversince Orbi showed up, they won't hold a connection, bounce between 2.4ghz & 5ghz and often won't connect to either. When they do connect a speed test will show a gradual slowdown of network speed. Additonaly, None of the 20+ other devices on the network have issues. (these include 4 macbooks, my brandnew gaming PC 1MM Alexas, a Smart Things hub and acompaning devices and like 45 Apple iPads, phone etc) Orbi Set Up:NETGEAR - Orbi AX4200 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi SystemModel:RBK752-100NASRouter ModeBroadcast power reduced to 50% Router is ~ 30-40 ft from Sat and have tried various positionsMost recent drivers installedISP / Internet Config:Comcast Xfinity Modem in bridge mode(wifi & hotspot disabled)PC Set Up:Both wifi adaptors (Intel AC 3168s) have drivers updated to most recent.Both are set to prioritize 5Ghz bands.All windows updates are current.Things I've tried:Reading for hours on these forumsRebuilding the Orbi Network (several times) from factory (including starting with Xfinity Modem in Bridge)Varying the distance of satalite and routerTinkering with driver settings on the AC 3168 Using USB wifi adaptors in the gaming PCs (this works but is a non-solution) What's most frusterating (if you've read this long) is that these PCs work JUST FINE on the Xfinity WiFi Network and will connect to the neighbors as well. ONLY when connected to the orbi network do they have these issues. Any help would be amazing.

What Firmware version is currently loaded? Be sure the Intel wifi adapter drivers are updated from Intels web site. What happens if you disable AX Mode. Then turn AX mode back on? Try changing CTS to 2347 under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings.

FURRYe38 Orbi Firmware: V3.2.16.6_1.4.4Drivers were/are updated from Intel's siteTesting AX toggle now Also, I see this in Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings. I don't see an option to change it.

or it's a text input field and i just missed it.. lemme try that.

FURRYe38 Initial results seem positive! I'll post back in 24 hrs. To satisfy my own curiosity, what exactly does toggling AX and extending the CTS/RTS threshold have to do with these specific network adaptors?

Some adapters may have some problems with AX mode or the CTS value that NG now seems to set as default, 64, on Orbi AX.

mattshandera

Aspirant

Sep 20, 2020

Intel AC 3168 WiFi Adapter Intermittent connection to Orbi Network

Team,

TL'DR:

Two identical gaming Cyberpower gaming PCs (purchased this year) both of which are having intermittent connections issues to the Orbi network. They were rock-solid UNTIL Orbo was introduced about a month ago. Eversince Orbi showed up, they won't hold a connection, bounce between 2.4ghz & 5ghz and often won't connect to either. When they do connect a speed test will show a gradual slowdown of network speed. Additonaly, None of the 20+ other devices on the network have issues. (these include 4 macbooks, my brandnew gaming PC 1MM Alexas, a Smart Things hub and acompaning devices and like 45 Apple iPads, phone etc)

Orbi Set Up:

NETGEAR - Orbi AX4200 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi System
Model:RBK752-100NAS

Router Mode
Broadcast power reduced to 50%
Router is ~ 30-40 ft from Sat and have tried various positions
Most recent drivers installed

ISP / Internet Config:

Comcast Xfinity Modem in bridge mode
(wifi & hotspot disabled)

PC Set Up:

Both wifi adaptors (Intel AC 3168s) have drivers updated to most recent.
Both are set to prioritize 5Ghz bands.
All windows updates are current.

Things I've tried:

Reading for hours on these forums
Rebuilding the Orbi Network (several times) from factory (including starting with Xfinity Modem in Bridge)
Varying the distance of satalite and router
Tinkering with driver settings on the AC 3168
Using USB wifi adaptors in the gaming PCs (this works but is a non-solution)

What's most frusterating (if you've read this long) is that these PCs work JUST FINE on the Xfinity WiFi Network and will connect to the neighbors as well. ONLY when connected to the orbi network do they have these issues.

Any help would be amazing.

16 Replies

FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
Sep 20, 2020
What Firmware version is currently loaded?

Be sure the Intel wifi adapter drivers are updated from Intels web site.

What happens if you disable AX Mode. Then turn AX mode back on?
Try changing CTS to 2347 under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings.
- mattshandera
  Aspirant
  Sep 20, 2020
  FURRYe38
  Orbi Firmware: V3.2.16.6_1.4.4
  Drivers were/are updated from Intel's site
  Testing AX toggle now
  
  Also, I see this in Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings. I don't see an option to change it.
  - mattshandera
    Aspirant
    Sep 20, 2020
    or it's a text input field and i just missed it.. lemme try that.
- Mikey94025
  Hero
  Sep 27, 2020
  FURRYe38 wrote:
  What happens if you disable AX Mode. Then turn AX mode back on?
  Try changing CTS to 2347 under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings.
  What were the results of changing CTS/RTS to 2347 and/or toggling the AX mode for the 2.4Ghz band (and then also try 5Ghz band)? These two configuration options seem to be the best way to improve compatibility with older wireless devices. Yes, your gaming PC is not that old but these options may still affect (i.e., improve) your problemmatic Intel wireless adapter behavior.
  - FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User
    Sep 27, 2020
    I presume you directed this to the OP?
    Mikey94025

Forum Discussion

Intel AC 3168 WiFi Adapter Intermittent connection to Orbi Network