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Orbi AXE11000 creating double wlan networks - how to get rid of?
I just installed the Orbi AXE11000 mesh system and it I see what seems like double networks in all my devices: 1. the wlan network I named with it's secondary networks (guest and iot), but also another network with the Orbi default setup network name and its secondary networks.
Any idea what could be the cause of this, and most importantly how to get rid of it?
- The default named network works fine with the default passwords etc. (and due to the default settings it is very insecure, so would like to erase it). And the network I named with my passwords etc.
- the 6 Ghz network isn't enabled
- Only the network I named is visible in the admin panel
- As a background, I had super difficult set-up of the devices and had to restart the satellites to factory settings and then add them to the network one by one to get the wlan working (the satellites seemed to be connecting to the router according to the led lights, but the netowrk didn't work and I could also see anything then in the admin panel)
- All devices are running the latest firmware
Hopefully someone could help me with this. I'm lost with ideas...
Orbi-876553 wrote:
- The default named network works fine with the default passwords etc. (and due to the default settings it is very insecure, so would like to erase it). And the network I named with my passwords etc.
- Only the network I named is visible in the admin panel ..
What a puzzle. Do you have access to an app that can identify exactly which WiFi access points are broadcasting each network name (SSID)?
- WiFi Info View (free for Windows from Nirsoft) https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wifi_information_view.html
- WiFi Analyzer for Android (I like the one by Kevin Yuon)
The key may lie in this comment:
Orbi-876553 wrote:
As a background, I had super difficult set-up of the devices and had to restart the satellites to factory settings and then add them to the network one by one to get the wlan working (the satellites seemed to be connecting to the router according to the led lights, but the netowrk didn't work and I could also see anything then in the admin panel
Is this still the case. i.e. when you bring up the Orbi web interface Attached Devices page, does it show the satellites at the top of the page with "Good" connection to the router?
My suspicion is that although the router is broadcasting the WiFi network that you defined (SSID/password), perhaps one or more satellites are not actually sync'd with the router and are broadcasting the default WiFi network.
With a situation this bizarre, the most obvious solution is to Factory Reset everything and configure the router from scratch.
p.s. I would not be overly worried about security of the default WiFi network. Chances of a neighbor guessing the two random words and three digit number for the default network password are nearly zero.
7 Replies
So the main WLANs you should see one SSID that supports 2.4, 5 and 6Ghz radios.
If you have Guest Network and IoT network enabled then these two will show separately.
If you don't have the separate 6Ghz SSID enabled then this won't appear.
I recommend you give a intutive SSID name to the main WLAN. Try RBKE963 here.
Then give a intuitive name for the Guest Network, i.e. RBKE963-GuestNetwork
Then do same thing for the IoT network, i.e. RBKE963-IoT
Apply the settings.
Then look at a wifi device to see these SSID names. There should only be the 3 seen if you don't have the separate 6Ghz SSID enabled.
Be sure all RBS are synced and configured and show same SSID configuration on there web pages.
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. CAT6 is recommended.
How many RBS are deployed?
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
Orbi-876553 wrote:
- The default named network works fine with the default passwords etc. (and due to the default settings it is very insecure, so would like to erase it). And the network I named with my passwords etc.
- Only the network I named is visible in the admin panel ..
What a puzzle. Do you have access to an app that can identify exactly which WiFi access points are broadcasting each network name (SSID)?
- WiFi Info View (free for Windows from Nirsoft) https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wifi_information_view.html
- WiFi Analyzer for Android (I like the one by Kevin Yuon)
The key may lie in this comment:
Orbi-876553 wrote:
As a background, I had super difficult set-up of the devices and had to restart the satellites to factory settings and then add them to the network one by one to get the wlan working (the satellites seemed to be connecting to the router according to the led lights, but the netowrk didn't work and I could also see anything then in the admin panel
Is this still the case. i.e. when you bring up the Orbi web interface Attached Devices page, does it show the satellites at the top of the page with "Good" connection to the router?
My suspicion is that although the router is broadcasting the WiFi network that you defined (SSID/password), perhaps one or more satellites are not actually sync'd with the router and are broadcasting the default WiFi network.
With a situation this bizarre, the most obvious solution is to Factory Reset everything and configure the router from scratch.
p.s. I would not be overly worried about security of the default WiFi network. Chances of a neighbor guessing the two random words and three digit number for the default network password are nearly zero.
Sorry. The Geek in me got carried away proposing a technical investigation. A simpler test would be to power off the satellites and see if the default WiFi network disappears.
I was already downloading a wifi analyzer.... 🤣
Thanks for the help and guidance (and the mental support 😅)!
The backhaul shows 'good' for both satellites and the admin system reacts to me moving the satellites to worst positions, but the plan sound good any case (I for some reason though only the router would be able to broadcast its own network independently and the satellites would need a ping for network to activate - thinking too complicated it seems...). Lets see what happens when I power them off one by one.You were right on the reason CrimpOn . One of the satellites was broadcasting the default wifi network, even though it was still connected to the router and the 'correct' network. Strange!
I reset the satellite and connected it again and now everything is working as it should. Thanks again for your help!
Be sure to save off a back up configuration to file for safe keeping. Saves time if a reset is needed.
https://kb.netgear.com/000062080/How-do-I-back-up-the-configuration-settings-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System
Enjoy. 📡
