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Anubis12's avatar
May 21, 2020

Orbi RBR850 and RBS850 Frequently Disconnects/Disappears

I've been dealing with RBR850 randomly disconnecting from the internet and/or wireless network dissapears. Likewise, the RBS850 suddenly disappears from the network as well along with the devices physically attached to it.  Ironically, the system was pretty stable since I've updated to the latest V3.2.11.2_1.2.13 firmware  (~2 months ago?).  Suddenly, at first, I the RBS850 disconnects/disappears/goes offline while the RBR850 was fine.  In the past week or so, I've been getting disconnects with both.  Sometimes, if left unattended, they would come back online themselves and other times I have to reboot the units to restore functionality.  Day by day, these disconnects have been geting more frequent (3-4 times daily). 

 

Obviously this behavior is super annoying and inconvenient.  I am starting to wonder if I have a defective unit.  But as I researched the problem, I've come accross others having the same issues, or at least I think these are the same issues.  From what I can gather, it's a firmware issue and not necessarily a hardware issue.  Please correct me if I am wrong. 

 

To my question.  While I love the speed of the system, I am very disappointed by overall system stability.  Has Netgear fully acknowledged the issues and actively trying to address them with these firmware updates?  This is not yet clear to me.   If not, then I might be better served returning this system and get another system for my $700.  I have 10 days left before my return period runs out.  Hopefully I can try out this new firmware in the next few days so I can make a decision.

 

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

Cable Modem: Netgear CM1200

Service Provider : xfinity Gigabit

Orbi mode: Router

Orbi settings:  Coexistence : off ; CTR/RTS : 2347

Firmware: V3.2.11.2_1.2.13

Switches: Trendnet 8-port gigabit directly connected to RBR850.  Switch feeds the rest of the wired network.

36 Replies

  • Is LAG enabled on the CM1200? 

    Is the RBS wireless or wire connected to the RBR? 

     

    What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected. https://kb.netgear.com/000036466/How-far-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite-from-my-Orbi-router

     

    What 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?


    Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last FW update? 

    You may want to update FW as well if nothing seems to work up to this point. 

     

     

    • Anubis12's avatar
      Anubis12
      Star

      Thank you for the response.

       

      I don't think CM1200 has LAG.  I can only find LACP setting and that's disabled.

       

      I do not know the distance between the RBR and RBS.  RBR is corner room second floor.  RBS is on first floor in the middle of the house (2100 sq ft).  Walls are sheetrock.  I believe distance is more than than 30.  Maybe 40-50 ft range.  Read that article you reference.  Interestingly, neither RBR or RBS show any colors.  LEDs are off.  I do believe they flash blue after reboots before turning off. 

       

      Both 2.4 and 5.0 channels are set on auto.  I will try to change to specific channels.

       

      IIRC, I factory reset when I updated to V3.2.11.2_1.2.13.  I would love to update to the latest version, but unfortunately it is not available to me via iphone app nor the web interface.  I am crossing my fingers they addressed disconnect issues with this firmware, but there is no official word Netgear even acknowledges a problem yet.

       

      Thank you again for your help!  It's appreciated.

  • I have exactly the same router, ISP service and Netgear Modem with the disconnection issues that also started with the firmare updates. I identified that the disconnection happens when the large data packets are transfered such as the loading of fortnite on the XBoxes. Orbi / Netgear Support have been contacted several times with no resolution. Hope you get an answer that helps solve this otherwise I will return the product.

     

    • FURRYe38's avatar
      FURRYe38
      Guru

      What Firmware version is currently loaded?
      What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?
      Is the Orbi system operating in Router or AP mode?

      What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
      What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected. https://kb.netgear.com/000036466/How-far-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite-from-my-Orbi-router

       

      What 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:
      Armor, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Set Short preamble instead of Long preamble modes. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).

       

      Be sure that CTS and RTS values are changed to 2347 under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings


      Darren_620 wrote:

      I have exactly the same router, ISP service and Netgear Modem with the disconnection issues that also started with the firmare updates. I identified that the disconnection happens when the large data packets are transfered such as the loading of fortnite on the XBoxes. Orbi / Netgear Support have been contacted several times with no resolution. Hope you get an answer that helps solve this otherwise I will return the product.

       


       

      • Darren_620's avatar
        Darren_620
        Tutor

        thank you. went to best buy today but due to looting concerned they cancelled my appointment to return the units. I will follow your guidance for one last shot. here are some quick answers to the questions and excuse me being a novice

         

        1. Firmware Version is V3.2.15.25_1.3.15

        2. Modem is Netgear Nighthawk CM1200

        3. Orbi is in Route Mode

        4. I have used 6, 8 , 11 for 2.4 and 36, 44, 48 for 5.0. Trying 6 and 40 now

        5. there is on wall but large open double and the satellite is within 30ft

        6. clicked off 20/40 but not sure how to select 40 only, could not see how to disable Armor and nervous doing this

         

        Additionally I did the png test to determine my optimal MTU and changed the setting to 1462 which had zero loss when the setting was at 1492 originally and had 100% loss

         

        I will reboot everything and report back if I still have issues. I appreciate your help

         

    • Bandito's avatar
      Bandito
      Luminary

      Have you tried the old factory reset and reconfiguration trick since updating the firmware?  With strange behaviors like this, it's probably worth a shot.

  • I have been experiencing similar disconnects of with my RBR850/RBS850 setup over the past few weeks. I did not experience this problem during the first few weeks of ownership. It happens 3-4 times a day now, and when I check my hardware, neither my router nor my cable modem indicate any problems - no lights are active or blinking as if a problem was present. If I do nothing, the connection is restored after 1-3 minutes. 

     

    I have an ARRIS SB8200 cable modem and my Internet service is 300 Mbps through Shentel. Firmware version is V3.2.15.25_1.3.15, which it has been since the beginning. I purchased the 3-pack (1 router/2 satellites) and installed it on the day of delivery, which was May 26th. The dropouts became apparent about 3-4 weeks ago; prior to that, it was working seamlessly. I've done a total reset and reconfiguration once, not because of the dropouts, but to register the RBR850 router with my Netgear Armor subscription. I have one unit at different levels of our split-level home.

    • FURRYe38's avatar
      FURRYe38
      Guru

      What happens if you disable Armor? Been some posts in othre forums about Armor causing some problems. 

       

      I don't run Armor and have never seen any issues with my 8 series Orbi system, v25 and now on v32 FW. 

      Using default CTS values now, not 2347 and AX mode is enabled. System has been solid since v32. 


      millerre1959 wrote:

      I have been experiencing similar disconnects of with my RBR850/RBS850 setup over the past few weeks. I did not experience this problem during the first few weeks of ownership. It happens 3-4 times a day now, and when I check my hardware, neither my router nor my cable modem indicate any problems - no lights are active or blinking as if a problem was present. If I do nothing, the connection is restored after 1-3 minutes. 

       

      I have an ARRIS SB8200 cable modem and my Internet service is 300 Mbps through Shentel. Firmware version is V3.2.15.25_1.3.15, which it has been since the beginning. I purchased the 3-pack (1 router/2 satellites) and installed it on the day of delivery, which was May 26th. The dropouts became apparent about 3-4 weeks ago; prior to that, it was working seamlessly. I've done a total reset and reconfiguration once, not because of the dropouts, but to register the RBR850 router with my Netgear Armor subscription. I have one unit at different levels of our split-level home.


       

      • millerre1959's avatar
        millerre1959
        Star

        I hadn't considered the possibility of the Armor feature being the problem. I should look into it and see if it makes a difference.


        FURRYe38 wrote:

        What happens if you disable Armor? Been some posts in othre forums about Armor causing some problems. 

         

        I don't run Armor and have never seen any issues with my 8 series Orbi system, v25 and now on v32 FW. 

        Using default CTS values now, not 2347 and AX mode is enabled. System has been solid since v32. 


        millerre1959 wrote:

        I have been experiencing similar disconnects of with my RBR850/RBS850 setup over the past few weeks. I did not experience this problem during the first few weeks of ownership. It happens 3-4 times a day now, and when I check my hardware, neither my router nor my cable modem indicate any problems - no lights are active or blinking as if a problem was present. If I do nothing, the connection is restored after 1-3 minutes. 

         

        I have an ARRIS SB8200 cable modem and my Internet service is 300 Mbps through Shentel. Firmware version is V3.2.15.25_1.3.15, which it has been since the beginning. I purchased the 3-pack (1 router/2 satellites) and installed it on the day of delivery, which was May 26th. The dropouts became apparent about 3-4 weeks ago; prior to that, it was working seamlessly. I've done a total reset and reconfiguration once, not because of the dropouts, but to register the RBR850 router with my Netgear Armor subscription. I have one unit at different levels of our split-level home.