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New RBK753S - Stability / wifi connection reliability issues every other day so far? (fw V3.2.16.22)
I recently upgraded to the Orbi AX / Wifi 6 RBK753S (from the AC3000 RBK53). I never had any real issues with my RBK53, but since my ISP plan speed just went up again, I wanted to maximize throughput (and range)...
My RBK53 was rock solid on most firmware versions; wifi connections rarely dropped.
So far since owning the RBK753S for 2 1/2 days (came with firmware 3.2.16.22), while it does has even greater wifi speeds and for the most part has worked well the past several days, it already had 2 hiccups so far - on Monday I lost wifi connectivity once and today it got very slow this morning for several minutes.
I rebooted my system and it was okay again, but the issue today was during a very important monthly work meeting with numerous senior stakeholders (thankfully I had given my updates for my topic before the connectivity dropped).
Not a great start from a connectivity perspective with my RBK753S. :(
I very rarely had issues with my prior Orbi RBK53 (AC3000) system...
Are others having wifi connectivity / stability and / or performance issues with the latest firmware?
I see the latest firmware posted officially (3.2.17.12.) has some security enhancements and bug fixes, but no reliability / performance improvements; so presumably any wifi issues with 3.2.16.22 would not be resolved by upgrading to 3.2.17.12 (or 3.2.18.1 which is not posted officially yet, but showing via online update check via the standard Orbi admin GUI - 192.168.1.1).
System details:
- Orbi RBK753S AX / Wifi 6 system.
- Orbi Firmware: V3.2.16.22 (will upgrade to 3.2.7.x or 3.2.8.x shortly).
- OS: Windows 10
Edit - I forgot to add, that I enabled IPv6 (default is 'off'). Not sure if that would impact wifi stability in any way (I know it should not), but mentioning it anyway...).
Comcast Xfinity seems to (still) be using 6to4 Tunnel for IPv6, which is being 'deprecated' according to Firefox messages?
Advanced Wireless Settings (all set to defaults):
Advanced Wireless Settings (2.4GHz b/g/n/ax)
'Enable 20/40 MHz Coexistence' option is checked (enabled)
'Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings (2.4GHz b/g/n/ax)' option is checked (enabled)
CTS/RTS Threshold (1-2347): 64
Preamble Mode - Automatic
Transmit Power Control - 100%
Advanced Wireless Settings (5GHz 802.11a/n/ac/ax)
'Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings (5GHz a/n/ac/ax)' option is checked (enabled).
CTS/RTS Threshold (1-2347): 64
Preamble Mode - Automatic
Transmit Power Control - 100%
Something to try out, Disable AX mode on the RBR. Just the 5Ghz radio or both. Up to you.
Also set CTS values to 2347. Then retest the killer adapter.
Then maybe re-enabled AX both and re-test for consistency.
51 Replies
PS: (Since I cannot edit the original post anymore - outside time limit to edit it:
I just to clarify, overall it is workling very well. Just trying to avoid a disconnect / slowness issue every other day (even if only one occurence per day on which it occurs).
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
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-satelliteWhat channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?Try disabling the following and see:
ArmorSet 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
You can find other speed diagnosis steps in the community faq: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-AX/Community-FAQ-My-Orbi-speeds-are-slow-inconsistent-and-don-t-my/m-p/1982974/highlight/true#M7849
my fav....What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
IF your orbi is working I'd hold off on the firmware update. The recent track record is bad.
When you see this "disconnect" is this across both wired and wireless?
Is there any front LED indication on the RBR when this happens?
njweb wrote:PS: (Since I cannot edit the original post anymore - outside time limit to edit it:
I just to clarify, overall it is workling very well. Just trying to avoid a disconnect / slowness issue every other day (even if only one occurence per day on which it occurs).
FURRYe38 wrote:When you see this "disconnect" is this across both wired and wireless?
Is there any front LED indication on the RBR when this happens?
njweb wrote:PS: (Since I cannot edit the original post anymore - outside time limit to edit it:
I just to clarify, overall it is workling very well. Just trying to avoid a disconnect / slowness issue every other day (even if only one occurence per day on which it occurs).
Thanks!
Great question. Unfortunately I did not get a chance to check since I was focused primarily on getting back to work on both occasions - I quickly rebooted things to get back online...
If / when the connectivity / speed issue happens again, I will check other devices to confirm if it is just wireless and also check the Orbi's LED (which is not visible from where I am sitting since the Orbi router is located behind a monitor and also facing the opposite direction...
Same issue for me. Upgraded to RBK852 and have significant drop in connection reliablity both wifi and hardwirded. Nothing changed in my setup in terms of positioning of router/satelites, settings etc. Already upgraded the RBK852 firmware to latest version with no improvement. Seems to be hardware issue, maybe with antenna's?
Well since you have new FW loaded, try factory reset maybe needed as well.
Was this happening prior to the FW update?
Bonacci wrote:Same issue for me. Upgraded to RBK852 and have significant drop in connection reliablity both wifi and hardwirded. Nothing changed in my setup in terms of positioning of router/satelites, settings etc. Already upgraded the RBK852 firmware to latest version with no improvement. Seems to be hardware issue, maybe with antenna's?
Thanks for your swift response. Yes, this happed prior to the FW update also and I've (factory) reset but unfortunately still have this issue. It actually seems to be getting worse with this afternoon a complete drop of (wired!) connection.
Posting there here im my dedicated issue thread too:
The bad news is that this morning, the Speedtest speeds are again lower (not quite as low as before the factory reset, but they drop off DRAMATICALLY before the test ends: The test starts at 475 Mbps BRIEFLY but very quickly drops to 330 range and stays there - end result 337 Mbps only.
Actual download speeds are also bad today via wifi (e.g. 170 Mbps).
Just conected the laptop to the Orbi ethernet port (no other changes) and instantly both Speedtest and real world download speeds are fine via ETHERNET, just about 480 Mbps (stable at 478 - 480), so it is Orbi wireless that is an issue.
So I can rule out all of the following: my ISP, my cable modem and the Orbi wired connection.
These poor wifi speeds in same room as the router are very disappointing and frustrating. I may as well go back to my RBK53 in that case...
I do not know if this is perhaps due to the router firmware or router. Doubt it is due to the wifi adapter though since 2 different adapters were unable to get proper wifi speeds.
Per another thread, I will try to experiment with disabling WMM on 5 Ghz band just to see if it has any impact. The problem is QoS is supposed to be enabled, so I will have to turn it back on.
Then I will try to go back to the 2.16.x.x firmware to see if that helps speeds...
Are you connect at the RBR or RBS when wirelessly speed testing?
Does this happen on more than one wireless device?
What channels are you using?
Any wifi neighbors near by?
Would be good to test a older version of FW to see.
FURRYe38 wrote:Are you connect at the RBR or RBS when wirelessly speed testing?
Does this happen on more than one wireless device?
What channels are you using?
Any wifi neighbors near by?
Would be good to test a older version of FW to see.
Using RBR for wifi tests.
Similar results with a Note 9 on 5 GHz 802.11ac
Both devices (laptop and phone) located only 1 - 2 feet from RBR.
Wired speed was instantly 480 Mbps with same laptop. I did not do anything else, except connect to the Orbi's ethernet port... (did NOT even need to reboot laptop or renew I lease etc.). So it is not my ISP or cable modem etc.
Disabling Orbi's WMM made things even worse (perhaps a good thing, since that was only to check if that was the cause; I do not want WMM disabled permanently anyway).
Next step is to try 3.2.16.x
Problem is the issue tends to happen after a while, so I may think 3.2.16.x helped and only find out a few hours later or even half a day later that speeds are down again...
For example, after the factory reset last night, I got 5 consecutive tests with high speeds (as noted last night) and was hopeful it was better.
Before the reset (per Speedtest results history), I could only get 1 - 2 (max) good tests in a row before speeds dropped again on 3rd test and beyond.
But this morning back to the drawing board - the lower speeds I noted in my posts above. :(
Disabled WMM and wifi speeds went way down to 68 Mbps, so will IMMEDIATELY re-enable that after a call and then next step is to find time between calls to install 3.2.16.x firmware again...
Hope 3.2.16.x helps; if not luckily I still have my RBK53.
Shame, I really wanted to enjoy the Orbi AX wifi speeds on my further away wireless devices (have an AX laptop in the other room).
If all else fails, I may have to try another AX solution to compare its wifi speeds to the RBK753S...
What are you using for CTS values? Default?
Let us know how it goes with prior version of FW.
Something to try out, Disable AX mode on the RBR. Just the 5Ghz radio or both. Up to you.
Also set CTS values to 2347. Then retest the killer adapter.
Then maybe re-enabled AX both and re-test for consistency.
FURRYe38 wrote:Something to try out, Disable AX mode on the RBR. Just the 5Ghz radio or both. Up to you.
Also set CTS values to 2347. Then retest the killer adapter.
Then maybe re-enabled AX both and re-test for consistency.
Thanks. Yesterday I did temporarily disable AX mode on both bands, but it did not help with speeds, but trying to recall if I tested both laptops since it was after work hours (perhaps a good thing that disabling it did not help since I have a built-in AX adapter on my second laptop).
Let me test again later today.
I have not experimented with changing the CTS values yet though (I had been wondering about that). Let me try that too.
They are currently at 64 (default).
Appreciate the suggestions!
Well I got the Netgear A7000 AC1900 this evening (the Asus one arrives tomorrow). It is huge .
Far location (other laptop in the room all the way across the main floor, i.e. far from the RBR):
The good news, after moving it around, the A7000 wifi adapater greatly improved wifi speeds on the laptop which is located all the way on other end of the main floor; this is no doubt thanks to its antenna. In fact after moving it half a foot closer to the router (keep in mind router is in another room all the way on the other end of the floor, yet less than half a foot made a really big difference), it got around 450 Mbps!
That is far better than the 360-370 or at most 400 I was getting with the Intel AX201 Wifi 6 built-in adapter in this further location than the location below.
Room where RBR is located (main laptop):
The bad news is, just like all the other adapters, the A7000 AC1900 also did NOT get optimal speeds (e.g. only 335 Mbps vs close to 480 Mbps when all is working fine) and the Orbi did not allow it to maintain speeds on the main laptop (same room as RBR).
So the adapters are not the issue...
As soon as I rebooted the Orbi, once again magically download speeds are instantly at the top of the range again (e.g. 475.5 Mbps) and also consistent (for a while).
So something in the Orbi router appears to be causing it to lose ability to maintain a consistent wifi speed over a period of time.
The issue can be reproduced (tested with devices and signals that support speeds well over 400 Mbps) with ALL 3 802.11ac wifi adapters (listed below) I tested in the room where the Orbi RBR is located!
Killer AC1535
Linksys WUSB6400M (AC1200)
Netgear A7000 (AC1900)
I have great signals and power levels well within spec at the cable modem level (D3.1 modem) - my trusty Motorola MB8600 which was a great companion device to my prior AC3000 Orbi (RBK53).
PS: The downside of the Netgear A7000 wifi adapter is the HUGE warning sticker about the included cradle containing a very strong magnet and not to put the cradle near hard drives (huh????) nor credit cards. I mean this is a wifi adapter, yet I can't keep it near a hard drive...
Really odd and poorly thought out design frankly - there are other ways to create weight for use in PC settings without using magnets that can't be near hard drives etc...
