I "upgraded" from an RBR50 with 3 satellites to a 960 with 3 satellites and it has been a terrible experience in virtually every way. Every new unit has been placed in the exact same location as the old RBR50's (which are no longer present...just clarifying!) 1 - Moving around my property results in dropouts and then trying to get back on the wifi is problematic. It no longer is seamless. Sometimes iPhones and iPads just "spin" trying to reconnect, sometimes it says "bad password". I can have a dead spot in the middle of my kitchen but I'm within 10 feet of the router and within 25 feet of the satellite located on the floor above me. 2 - Sonos speakers don't easily connect anymore. These have been rock solid devices with every network I've had for the past 14 years, but now it's a crap-shoot if speakers connect. 3 - Bryant Connex thermostats won't connect to any network -- the main SSID, the IOT, or the guest network. I've limited to 2.4GHz as well as turned off AX functions. Other suggestions for connecting in this forum have talked adjusting settings that no longer seem to be available in the web-based control panel for the 960. All of my Orbis are at least 30 feet from each other, and I'm at a loss about how to even begin to debug this. Help?

tylerwhite re: "I tried removing some satellites as well as reducing transmit power, and it made minimal (if any) difference. " - It may not have just been a question of removing satellites or reducing transmit power. Doing some review of the actual signal strength in areas where there were problems may have uncovered an issue. That's why I offered my writeup in message 17 on how to objectively determine the optimal placement of satellites, to ensure proper WiFi coverage without saturating any areas. There's just no way to know because houses, their designs, their construction can be so different, without actually looking at signal strength imho. Anyway - it's probably all water under the bridge now though! Good luck.

Netgear releases new firmware on the web site first for those of us techies who want to install it manually. Then, a few months later, they make it available through the router interface. Then, eventually, they push it automatically. In any event, support will first require you to install the latest firmware, so follow the instructions given in another message here, and install it. It may even fix the problem.

Glad you got something working. As a point to ponder, that ASUS has about 60% of the Wifi coverage of the 960. So if my theory was correct there was an over saturation of wifi signals with too many devices, a less powerful mesh system would accomplish the same as reducing transmit power on the Orbi.

Truly a bitter lesson. (Always keep the old network system until totally satisfied with the replacement.) What does Netgear support say about this situation? (I totally envy people who purchase new systems and can take advantage of the 90 days of 'complimentary support'.) Is this system being administered with the Orbi web interface or with the Orbi 'app'? Does the new system have exactly the same WiFi credentials as the previous network? I would have expected every WiFi device in the house to reconnect immediately.

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. What is the size of your home? Sq Ft? Can you draw up a floor layout of the home and indicate where the RBR and RBS are placed? Building materials of this home? 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? Be sure to disable any MAC Address randomizers on phones and pads while at home:https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-App/NETGEAR-Mobile-Applications-and-Apple-Devices-FAQ/td-p/2220016/jump-to/first-unread-message How are the Sonos speakers connected? wired with the base unit or all wireless? Sono has there own broadcast signal I believe. Are you using the separate 6Ghz wifi network or is that disabled?

Orbi 960 -- disconnects, etc | NETGEAR Communities

23 Replies

CrimpOn
Guru - Experienced User
May 08, 2024
Truly a bitter lesson. (Always keep the old network system until totally satisfied with the replacement.)

What does Netgear support say about this situation? (I totally envy people who purchase new systems and can take advantage of the 90 days of 'complimentary support'.)

Is this system being administered with the Orbi web interface or with the Orbi 'app'?

Does the new system have exactly the same WiFi credentials as the previous network? I would have expected every WiFi device in the house to reconnect immediately.
- tylerwhite
  Aspirant
  May 08, 2024
  1 - Contacting NG support soon.
  2 - All same specs/SSID/pwd as previous network.
  3 - Administered by both web interface and iOS app. iOS app has become very unstable: clicking on a satellite to see what's connected to it often times out.
FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
May 08, 2024
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.

What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?

Can you draw up a floor layout of the home and indicate where the RBR and RBS are placed?

Building materials of this home?

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?

Be sure to disable any MAC Address randomizers on phones and pads while at home:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-App/NETGEAR-Mobile-Applications-and-Apple-Devices-FAQ/td-p/2220016/jump-to/first-unread-message

How are the Sonos speakers connected? wired with the base unit or all wireless? Sono has there own broadcast signal I believe.

Are you using the separate 6Ghz wifi network or is that disabled?
- tylerwhite
  Aspirant
  May 08, 2024
  Firmware is the latest. Not sure on actual version number but I did a "check for updates" or whatever it's called.
  
  I'm using an Arris Surfboard connected with a high quality CAT6 cable, but I don't see why this is relevant: my problems are with devices connecting or staying connected to Orbi. Once connected I'm fine.
  
  House is 3400 sq ft over two stories. Router is in dead center of first story. Two satellites are in opposite second floor corners in back of house. Third satellite is in shed outside. House is stucco/wood.
  
  Wired devices don't disconnect. As stated earlier, roaming around the house causes wireless devices to drop and not immediately resume a connection.
  
  Sonos has a Sonos Boost hard wired, plus one of the speakers is also hard wired.
  
  The separate 6GHz network has been disabled.
  
  Channels are "auto" for 2.4 GHz, 40 for 5 GHz, and 69 for 6 GHz.
  
  Private WiFi Address and Limit IP Address tracking have been disabled on my iPhone.
  - FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User
    May 08, 2024
    Is there a actual version # please.
    
    There a model # of the ISP modem. Just checking for router and wifi at the ISP modem, some come with it.

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Orbi 960 -- disconnects, etc