My home is extensively automated

Question

I share your frustration with the 960, I am an early adopter, bought the unit when it first came out. My home is extensively automated with WiFi wall switches, plugs and numerous other devices running on an IOT network. Most devices run on 2.4ghz. Heavy multimedia (hard wired Ethernet). Once a month (or longer if I’m lucky) WiFi devices start dropping connections and refuse to respond. After spending hours troubleshooting, resetting and general frustration, I found a process that is generally painless and restores full function. In between wireless dysfunction when the router is operating correctly, I created a backup file of router settings to a usb flash drive.
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Method 1 - At the first sign of WiFi devices dropping out, restore setting from the flash drive. This also reboots the router loading fresh setting (from the usb file). Works 99% of the time.
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Method 2 - if the router is totally fubar, hard reset to factory settings (paper clip to reset button) go through set up, then restore from saved configuration with file on flash drive. Works 100% of the time (so far)
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I think it’s absolutely horrible that a router costing $1,500.00 has these kind of problems. When it’s working, it’s best in class but it seems to corrupt the configuration file on a regular basis. My hope is that firmware will eventually solve the issue.

FURRYe38 · Answer

What Firmware version is currently loaded?What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too? Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6A STP is recommended.&nbsp;How many RBS are deployed?&nbsp;What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
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What is the distance between the router and 📡 satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR📡 and RBS🛰️ to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected. https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite ‌‌🛰️
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How many devices do you have connected in total?&nbsp;
Are you using the IoT SSID network for some of your devices?&nbsp;
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Does this happen with the RBS turned OFF?&nbsp;Does this happen with both wireless and wired devices?&nbsp;What channel configurations are currently set on the router?&nbsp;&nbsp;Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
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bullm00n · Answer

KeyserSoze6&nbsp;wrote:I share your frustration with the 960, I am an early adopter, bought the unit when it first came out. My home is extensively automated with WiFi wall switches, plugs and numerous other devices running on an IOT network. Most devices run on 2.4ghz. Heavy multimedia (hard wired Ethernet). Once a month (or longer if I’m lucky) WiFi devices start dropping connections and refuse to respond. After spending hours troubleshooting, resetting and general frustration, I found a process that is generally painless and restores full function. In between wireless dysfunction when the router is operating correctly, I created a backup file of router settings to a usb flash drive.&nbsp;Method 1 - At the first sign of WiFi devices dropping out, restore setting from the flash drive. This also reboots the router loading fresh setting (from the usb file). Works 99% of the time.&nbsp;Method 2 - if the router is totally fubar, hard reset to factory settings (paper clip to reset button) go through set up, then restore from saved configuration with file on flash drive. Works 100% of the time (so far)&nbsp;I think it’s absolutely horrible that a router costing $1,500.00 has these kind of problems. When it’s working, it’s best in class but it seems to corrupt the configuration file on a regular basis. My hope is that firmware will eventually solve the issue.I wish that worked for me, but I start getting disconnects and restarts as soon as I bring the 960 online - even after a reset and fresh setup.&nbsp; It doesn't last more that a few hours.&nbsp; Last night it happened several times and just now at 10am again.What I see in general are three types of log events associated with this:1 -&nbsp;[Initialized, firmware version: V6.3.7.10_3.3.3] Tuesday, Nov 22,2022 00:55:32this doesn't always happen, but often enough - the LEDs on the router indicate it is restarting.&nbsp; The time is wrong because it hasn't sync'd time yet after booting up.&nbsp;2 -&nbsp;[Time synchronized with NTP server] Wednesday, Jun 14,2023 09:42:09so, then this happens - even when there is no firmware event, I get time sync events most times on the disconnect.&nbsp;3- [Internet connected] IP address: 174.163.83.147, Tuesday, Nov 22,2022 00:55:39and finally, this. This happens even without the other two events.&nbsp; Sometimes the disconnect / reconnect is very quick and doesn't disrupt the network.&nbsp;For example, between midnight and 10am today I had 7 of these disconnects/reconnects and 4 of them were the whole enchilada: rebooting, firmware, time, connect.&nbsp;I can put my 850 back online and it runs solid for...well it has been running solid for the past year.&nbsp; So, yes, for $1500, I have a nearly unusable system that works best if I put it back in the box and run the 850. 😞&nbsp;&nbsp;I have a Netgear case open on this now - I hope they can sort this out.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

KeyserSoze6 · Answer

Current firmware as of 6/14/23.&nbsp;Spectrum internet (current speed 580mbps) modem model #E31T2V1, docsis 3.1cables are all 6E or better. (Currently utilizing 2.5ghz Ethernet for most of the wired portion of the network.&nbsp;81 devices connected to WiFi network most on the IoT network.&nbsp;‘’WiFi analyzer shows other networks but not what I would consider congested, channels are set to auto.&nbsp;The configuration file seems to become corrupted and/or unstable every 30-90 days with the reload from backup fixing the stability/dropping issue most of the time.&nbsp;

FURRYe38 · Answer

What do you mean by "The configuration file seems to become corrupted and/or unstable every 30-90 days"
Has a power off for 1 minute then back ON with the ISP modem and router been performed since last update?Be sure to restart your network in this sequence:Turn off and unplug modem.Turn off router and computers.Plug in and turn on modem. Wait 2 minutes for it to connect.Turn on the router and wait 2 minutes for it to connect.Turn on computers and rest of network.
&nbsp;
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and 📡 satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR📡 and RBS🛰️ to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite ‌‌🛰️
Are the RBS wireless or ethernet connected?&nbsp;
&nbsp;
How many devices do you have connected in total?
Are you using the IoT SSID network for some of your devices?
&nbsp;
Does this happen with the RBS turned OFF? Does this happen with both wireless and wired devices? What channel configurations are currently set on the router? Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
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Please confirm CAT# LAN cable.&nbsp;There is no CAT6E. There is CAT5E.&nbsp; CAT6A STP is recommended between the RBR and ISP modem.&nbsp;
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KeyserSoze6 · Answer

Yes, Cat 6 not E. I realize you’re trying to help, but people are not (generally) having problems with the wired portion of the router/networks. From what I can tell from the forums is the 960’s WiFi stability issues. For what it’s worth, my house is 2k sgft. I bought this router because I was pushing 100 WiFi devices and specs on the router say 200, so I’m not pushing the unit beyond its designed limits.&nbsp;I still believe, based on my experience, the firmware is not sufficiently stable. The hardware design is stellar, firmware not so much. If this was a $100 cheapo setup then you get what you pay for but it’s not. Netgear markets this as the pinnacle of mesh router technology and charges a premium price to go along with the marketing hype. For many end users, dare I say “Power Users”, because who else would pay $1,500 for a consumer router, the user experience is wildly inconsistent. This just isn’t a mature product and we deserve better.

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My home is extensively automated

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