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Forum Discussion
Numerous DHCP requests Tesla Powerwall 3
Good morning, I have a Netgear Orbi 753 router and two satellites connected to Wireless Backhaul, satellite one connected to the router and satellite two connected to satellite one. I have a Tesla Powerwall 3 solar battery that is connected to Wi-Fi. I've noticed that it often switches bands continuously from 5GHz to 2.4GHz and vice versa. Consequently, when checking the Orbi router logs, I also see numerous DHCP requests, one after the other, for the battery's IP address. Is there a way to prevent this band switching and constant DHCP requests from happening? I've noticed (I don't know if this has an impact) that it often does this when, after a reboot of the Orbi, Orbi uses 40MHz for 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Currently, it is active, but I've never turned it off—the 2.4GHz 20/40MHz Wi-Fi option. I look forward to your replies and thank you.
16 Replies
A WiFi extender has been used by many Community members to address similar problems. i.e.
- Purchase any brand of WiFi extender. (Amazon offers them for under $20.)
- Locate the WiFi extender in a convenient spot where it gets a good signal from the Orbi system and is relatively close to the Powerwall.
- On the WiFi extender, create a 2.4G WiFi network with a unique name.
- Connect the Powerwall to this unique name, which will in turn connect it to the Orbi system.
- Using Attached Devices, learn the MAC address that the WiFi extender uses for the Powerwall and use that MAC address to reserve an IP address on the Orbi for the Powerwall.
Going forward, the Powerwall will connect only to the WiFi extender and will get the same IP address from the Orbi.
A WiFi extender has been used by many Community members to address similar problems.
Not a good solution though. At best a hack.
FWIW, it isn't clear there actually is a problem that needs solving. The powerwall monitoring is working properly, so the DHCP requests and band switching aren't causing any operational issues. So I think it is perfectly ok to do nothing at present.
The simplest next step is to update the firmware, and set up the IoT network - that would prevent the band switching. Though the powerwall might still make multiple DHCP requests (particularly if it doesn't need to stay connected to the wifi network).
Is there a way to prevent this band switching
The powerwall wifi client is choosing to switch.
Options are to
- set up a 2.4 ghz-only IoT network and switch the powerwall to that network.
- move one of the satellites closer to the powerwall, in hopes of getting a better 5 ghz connection.
Hi, thanks for your reply. I can't activate the IoT network, and I can't move the satellites closer together because they're placed in specific spots to cover the house. Why does Orbi sometimes use 20MHz and sometimes 40MHz in 2.4GHz? Thanks.
I can't activate the IoT network
Why is that?
Why does Orbi sometimes use 20MHz and sometimes 40MHz in 2.4GHz?
It's a "good neighbor" policy required by the WiFi Alliance (that certifies wifi products). If the router detects another overlapping access point nearby, both systems scale back to 20 MHz.
If you log into the web admin ui, then you can select the "Advanced Tab", and then "Advanced Setup". The Wireless Settings menu in that section should include a checkbox for "enable 20/40 MHz coexistence". You can turn that off if you want to disable that policy.
To be clear, the powerwall (or other wifi clients) can still choose to connect at 20 MHz if you do this. The powerwall doesn't use much bandwidth, and the narrower channel can reduce interference and increase range.
FWIW, I doubt that is the problem. It is more likely that the 5 Ghz band isn't delivering a solid connection at the powerwall. That would result in the powerwall switching back and forth.
If the powerwall monitoring is working ok, then you could just leave well enough alone.
