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Orbi RBK753 has chucked my Airplay speakers off the network after firmware update
Orbi AX4200 WiFi 6 High-Performance Router (RBR750).
(It doesn't fill me with confidence that this community forum doesn't have my Orbi model available in the selection field above. But heh ho.)
I installed the router and two satellites in December 2021, and added two pairs of KEF speakers to the network for use via Airplay. Cool.
I noticed the prompt recently to upgrade the firmware on the two satellites.
- Satellite 1 was on 3.2.16.22 and I was advised to update to 4.6.5.14.
- Satellite 2 was on 4.6.3.16 and I was advised to update to 4.6.5.14
(The router was already on 4.6.5.14)
It was a painful process, but eventually I managed it, even though the router now shows me:
How a lower numbered firmware can be presented here as an upgrade I have no idea, but that's not why I posting. I'm posting because I soon discovered that my two pairs of KEF speakers were no longer on the network. I can only conclude that the firmware upgrade had somehow booted them off the network. And more to the point, I have found it impossible to get them back on the network.
Attempting to connect them "the Airplay way" suggests every wifi SSID in the neighbourhood except my Orbi network. And connecting them the KEF app way balks I guess for much the same reason. The app tells me the speakers receive the network credentials, but then the speakers never appear on the network.
Any and all ideas welcome. Otherwise, I guess I will have to send the Orbi back under warranty and find another solution. Thanks in advance.
The speakers connected to the AVM once it was changed to the same SSID and password as the Orbi, and then would not connect to the Orbi. Nice try 🙂
So I printed off every single setting and did a full factory reset of the Orbi network. I then reconfigured it just as I had done before, and found myself saying "A-HA!"
Now I don't know exactly when I changed Orbi to WPA3? Was it a day before or after the firmware update? Not more than that surely. Seemed harmless, or the right thing to do in fact, but could this be the culprit rather than the firmware update?
So I got everything back exactly as before but with WPA2, crossed my fingers, and before I went to check the speakers I heard their little chime indicated wi-fi connection was established! 🎉
I went to check KEF.com and found they do not recommend open networks or WEP (no surprise there!) And they add: "The WPA2 security protocol is recommended." Note, KEF does not say: "The speakers are not compatible with more recent security protocols such as the three years old WPA3."
But if the effect is indeed related to the cause here, it would seem that KEF should indeed include that sentence in its documentation, or even better, get their kit compatible with WPA3. I will point them to this thread.
Thanks Mikey94025 and thank you FURRYe38, and thank you [at]netgear on Twitter.
20 Replies
It is the Orbi RBR750 (not RBK750 per my title here). Unfortunately, this community forum appears to be about two decades old and doesn't allow me to edit my original post in any way that I can see.
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-satellite 📡What channels are you using? Auto? Try Auto and 48 on 5Ghz. Or try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and 40 to 48 channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last update?
Hi FURRYe38 , thanks for all your questions. I can see why you're listed here as a superuser guru 🚀 😀
The modem is a AVM FRITZ!Box 7590. The Orbi router and two satellites cover 2200 sq ft over four floors. Th e house is perfectly anti-wifi!! ... steel reinforced concrete walls and floors ... hence using something like Orbi.
The Orbi router and satellites are well separated, with catV backhaul from the satellites to the router. The channels are currently auto and 40. I could try 48 but I'm not sure that will make the difference?
My phone and computer can usually see between one and two dozen neighbouring SSIDs.
I have not done a factory reset after the satellite firmware update. Is this normal? Or are you proposing that given my problem here?
Thanks again for helping here. Appreciated.
- Tried channel 48 but to no avail unfortunately.
psheld wrote:Attempting to connect them "the Airplay way" suggests every wifi SSID in the neighbourhood except my Orbi network. And connecting them the KEF app way balks I guess for much the same reason. The app tells me the speakers receive the network credentials, but then the speakers never appear on the network.
Older 2.4hz wireless clients sometimes do better with Orbi settings changes. Try setting your CTS/RTS Threshold to 2347 to maximize compatibility:
- Go to the web admin portal at http://orbilogin.com/
- Click to the Advanced tab, Advanced left menu, Wireless Settings
- Set CTS/RTS Threshold to 2347 for both 2.4hz and 5Ghz networks
- Press Apply
See if that helps. If problems still persist, next try disabling AX mode for the 2.4Ghz band:
- Go to http://orbilogin.com/
- Click to the Advanced tab, Setup left menu, Wireless Setup
- Uncheck "Enable 2.4G" under the top Enable AX section
- Press Apply
Thanks Mikey94025 for your reply here.
Before giving the CTS/RTS tweak a go, I'd like to ask a question about your reply, specifically where you write "Older 2.4 wireless clients ..."
Both pairs of speakers were purchased in 2021. Of course, I cannot vouch for what generation of chip or protocols KEF may have seen fit to use, but I'm fairly certain, given that they appear to know their stuff and win lots of awards, that they would not qualify as "older ... clients".
Does this mean your CTS/RTS tweak is less valid in this particular instance? I'm also wondering if the CTS/RTS would influence the speakers being able to join the network in the first place, or only their subsequent performance? And I guess that last question goes for AX too?
psheld wrote:Does this mean your CTS/RTS tweak is less valid in this particular instance? I'm also wondering if the CTS/RTS would influence the speakers being able to join the network in the first place, or only their subsequent performance? And I guess that last question goes for AX too?
These are common tactics we use to improve compatibility with 2.4Ghz clients, many of which predated the AX mode (which was not that long ago) It's safe and easy to try it since you can simply undo it if you see no improvement.
Reading other fora about this problem, I'm discerning that I wouldn't have this problem with the Linksys Velop Multiroom Intelligent Mesh Wi-Fi System, Tri-Band, 3-Pack.
I understand this is the Linksys equivalent to my current Orbi network, but importantly comes with a "Works with Apple Homekit" assertion, which many associate with it being fully accommodating of Apple AirPlay.
It appears Netgear has never made this compatibility claim for Orbi, although equally (with my potentially imminent warranty return of the Orbi system in mind) neither does Netgear point out incompatibility with AirPlay.
With family members visiting this coming weekend for the first time since the pandemic began, it's going to be very frustrating to have our beautiful KEF speakers sitting their completely silent. Grrrr.
Any and all ideas still very welcome. Thanks!
Just learned that Orbi appears to have booted my printer off the network too. Joy.
